If you posses any- your stock investment portfolio sometimes can be used as collateral - I don't how that is going to like amid the current situation.

Stock that pays 4.5% dividend is nothing to sneeze at even if it doesn’t go up.

Also what do you think your ROI will be in the stock market vs. investing in real estate?

They may think it's like the stock market.

Due diligence is most definitely KEY to any investment, whether all by yourself, with partners, as a lender, equity partners, Limited Partners or heck even stocks!

@Christian Cummings in that price range we would use an in stock big box store counteretop if the design permited an instock installation; I like Menard's countertops best-- an 8' straight high res is just under $120.

Also, quick question, Im currently putting $500 toward stocks and saving $500 a month while still paying down my debt.... do you think this money is better spent paying down debt?

I cant purchase because of whatever reason, however I have money just sitting here in and out of the stock market. 

But it seems like here in SW Pennsylvania, people don't take too much stock in value appreciating -- at least in the types of communities I'm considering.

For a downpayment, the bank actually wants to see that you have the cash and they like when the money isn't in an investment account and at the risk of the stock market.