The offer I received is a 9% interest rate on a 5-year term, resulting in a monthly payment of $726.

The west coast markets have traditionally been appreciation markets, and if you are not forced to sell and can hold long term, risk diminishes.

I am looking to build a SFR for short-term rental, would be my first-time new build.I have engineer plans for well and wastewater stamped by the state of VT for up to 4 bedrooms.

Obviously I don't have much to offer currently in terms of local knowledge but I love connecting and sharing info and plan to be a valuable and helpful part of the investor community there. 

The repair costs will take multiple years to recoup and with the age of the property I'm concerned if it's even worth holding long term or get out while I can before I fall into a money pit and get stuck.  

so it needs to be for something short term. 

My question is would you guys rather sell stocks and take a long term cap gains at 15% tax rate, or take a loan and keep the stocks growing.

Are you looking to hold it for the long term or are/were you expecting to sell it in the net few years? 

Their white shaker cabinets have a painted finish, and look better long term. 

Basically they are a type of insurance and insurance companies make HUGE profits because they pay out MUCH LESS than they take in meaning that over the long term you will lose money with them.