The last thing you want is for the market to dip right before you’re ready to buy, potentially shrinking your buying power.On the other hand, if your timeline is 3 years or more, it’s reasonable to keep a portion of your savings in a taxable brokerage account to benefit from market growth but plan to gradually shift those funds into cash or safer assets as you get closer to purchasing.Key considerations:Real estate transactions move fast, and you’ll need cash available not just for the down payment, but also closing costs, reserves, and early repairs.If you sell appreciated stocks, you could face capital gains tax, especially if held less than a year (short-term capital gains are taxed at your ordinary income rate).You’re on the right path.

Quote from @Tanya McDonald: Hey BP community,I’m a licensed real estate agent in California and have held my license for several years now.

You want to confirm the rent amounts, security deposits held, lease terms (especially if they’re under rent control), and tenant payment histories.

Curious on the capital gains of installment sale for property held less than 1 year. 

I was very happy with the process and the site as it held my hand through the transaction, along with the seller as it was my first note transaction (thanks again JB).

I’d really appreciate any input from people who have been through it all, managed to keep at least some of their sanity intact, and still held on to some of their investment.

There are several cases where the failure of one deal can spiral into forcing financial strain onto other deals controlled by that sponsor, even when held separately.  

However because we have held this property for over a year it is my understanding that we would pay long term capital gains.

Is the note a note held by a Federal bank as a "portfolio" loan?  

It wouldn't matter if I held the property for more than a year or sold it sooner, and for less than a year.