They will lend up to 50% of my stock portfolio value. 

We used this, along with selling a lot of our stock, peer-to-peer, and other financial accounts to focus on real estate. 

Seems right on track with stock market margins. 

I wouldn't save one big stock pile of money then start making many purchases though.

The Stock Market.  

One dead giveaway is there is no grass in the front.

IE go to all the trouble to find great deals but don't have their money dead certain.

I was thinking of stocks, blog, but these all include additional cost 😐  

When you look at creative financing in this light, you go beyond types of lenders, seller financing or cash purchases, the use of other assets.As mentioned, you do need to recognize seller's motivations, understand personal finance well enough that you can make informed suggestions.You can utilize just about any other asset, that has a determinable value, value must be found and agreed to in order to use it.I've used stocks, bonds, other real estate equities, personal property like boats, vehicles even an airplane have been used, accounts receivables, existing leases or new leases can be pledged or cashed in, annuities, judgments, inventory and a & of sales have been used in some of my deals.Anything of value, held now or to be received in the future, that is marketable can be a source for leveraging a transaction. 

( * Just FYI, Home Depot now has real marble vanity tops in stock for unbelievably great prices--not carrara, but a type of marble called Arabescato Venato, which has both gray and beige and/or brown veining, so it can work with older beige and almond/bone colored tile, (like mine) too!