@techie353 - you may also want to get the advise from a local tax attorney. I gotta believe NYS would frown upon transactions set up to avoid state tax.
is there a mortgage on the property? you won't be able to transfer title as the bank is quite unlikely to approve it as the lien holder.
and yes, if sold in your name, you can net the capital gain against stock losses (or the carryforwards).
the capital gains rate on the sale of the home is no different from the stocks - for most that is 15% federal tax. since it is not your primary home, you are not eligible for the $250,000 / $500,000 tax exclusion.
