Should I invest my money in bonds/stocks?

Make sure they do not have a high turnover rate.5) Cleaner is bonded and insured6) Yes, it is safe to give a cleaner a key.

With interest rates in high double digits, I was easily able to locate corporate bonds of BBB rating with 20 years of payments left and 8-9% coupons.  

A good broker will make sure the chain links stay together and strengthen any weak spots along the way, a bad broker will look for someone else to QB the thing and wait on their check.Nightmare closings do happen and they happen everywhere because it can be a title issue, it can be insurance, it can be a terrible team from the lender, your broker can be bad, and all of the above. 

I went out and purchased purchased anold 30 year treasury bond(s) (actually five $10k bonds) with a 5.5% coupon for about $24,000.

They will line you up with several pre-screened, licensed/bonded contractors that do the work you need.

Do patios strengthen or worsen rent?

A bank, or credit union, or anyone issuing a mortgage, can earn 5% interest from treasury bonds, or a money market account.

My guess is Bond for Deed?

And you might be best served to strengthen and formalize that situation as quickly as you can.