(Sorry if this sounds complicated, your CPA will understand if you hint this) Stock Transactions: If you don’t follow the strategy stated below, you will be paying taxes at 40.8% rather than the tax-favored rate of 23.8%.Sell stocks where you offset short-term gains subject to a high tax rate such as 40.8% with the long-term losses (up to 23.8%).

I wouldn't put much stock in a 17 year old prediction. 

Other ideas to get some creative financing:(1) HELOCs on US property which you can deploy as you wish(2) Margin loans against stocks/bonds(3) Junior Debt or Preferred Equity on a crowd sourcing website - if the numbers are that compelling

The real estate market is by definition much slower than the stock market, so the effects of the economic crisis take longer to get reflected on prices.I think in 12 to 18 months the real estate market will take a hit.

It is possible that the items will come back in stock so keep your eyes pealed.

I have about 1.6k in stocks and 1.2k in the bank which isn't much.

I had cash, and wanted to put it into something less traditional than stock-market holdings.

A few years back market was around 1.5-1.6% but with everything that has been going on (record stocks, covid, etc) we are seeing a lot of NY & Boston investors starting to flood the CT market, so now a good deal is around 1.3% based on the 1% rule. 

The city's housing stock is seriously out-of-date and needs constant maintenance.

Also, I’m not an expert with hard money by any means, but I believe there are some creative ways to come up with required reserves if your lender requires it (401k/IRA balance, stocks, CDs, etc.)