They will lend on stock / ETFs / Mutual Funds.

HMM the title cos I know down here ( who said he's dead,) and my good friend who owns one of the biggest brokerages in Miami says Bob stay away big correction is coming, there very slow.  

Testing an aggressive growth stock / fund overlaid on the best states for growth (texas/Florida).

Stock portfolios are down, people can't access equity in their house, and other syndications are generally not selling.  

The age of our housing stock and the capex that comes with it should also not be ignored.

I could see in NJ where you would want to because the winter time is dead.

I'm currently not looking to buy right now and have been putting my money into index funds, stocks, Master Limited Partnerships (has tax advantages vs. stock dividends where you're taxed.

You can not do that with many other assets like stocks or gold. they are what they are.

2) I think the wealth effect of the stock market should have an impact on how much out of town buyers are willing to pay for a second home or even a primary home. 

There is a lot to learn as its very different than just buying a stock.