From a cycle perspective of history market, house market is either on top or very close and stock market is too stretched and will change.I pull my area MLS data and play around and see those:1.

Always have tenants on M2M leases to maintain control of your property.

The problem is that SFHs are very expensive to maintain having only one tenant supporting your business per property.

If rates go up a quarter point, and the most in willing to pay today is 700 on a home (I've done stock investments until now and will continue to do so), that quarter point will drive my max home price down by at least 15k..... my fear then is that houses will not fall 15k but rather stay flat.

I have had some success in the stock market looking for deep value "depressed" stocks.

Very well maintained and in really great shape.The other two units is owned by a resident whom lives there, and takes care of all the maintenance.All of the maintenance (snow, lawn, common elec, water sewer) is covered by an HOA fee of about $250 per unit.I've discovered that this is an unwarrented property, and there for I wouldn't be able to get typical funding, and would have to look to a private bank or credit union at a higher rate.Basically, If I do move forward with this property.

I agree with adding to affordable housing stock for personal and strategic reasons.

The county one is as well as long as you maintain your places.

I have about 50-60k in stocks that I would like to not touch if possible.

Maurice Colbert - Sell the home to get the tax credit Robert Ellis mentioned (any profit is tax free) then invest the cash in your choice of diversified stocks (I like MO - Altria / Marlboro which pays a 4-5% dividend and has appreciated 10-15% each year over the past 5 years) using a low cost provider like Scottrade and its free dividend reinvestment program.