$10yr Government Bonds have seen a nice staircase step down since May.

In others, they like to see the money in a separate bank account, and I forget the specifics, one community was going to require us to purchase a bond of some sort unless we had the funds in the bank. 

Is he going to have a performance bond?

Investments into any form of asset requires the same amount of due diligence and application of skill no matter what the asset class, property, shares, cash, bonds whatever it may be.

Why do you think our govt. bought bonds from itself?

You just need to send 5k for DD or you just need to buy this bond in Thailand etc etc. 

I worked that angle for about 6 months and got a few leads from out of town sellers that wanted market or above but nothing I could sink my teeth into.

You should tailor to different clientele: mom-and-pop CD and annuity investors (scared to death of fluctuating principal), vs affluent professionals and business owners that probably have a more balanced exposure of US and foreign equities, bonds, gold, and REITs, for example, and that's their framework.

Now you can agree for one partner to provide services, like management and have the partnership treat that as an expense, pay you and then split according to the contributions.I agree with Ben as well, this is a very basic business matter and biting off some million dollar deal is probably not a good idea to cut your teeth on unless your partner has more business experience......start smaller, IMO.

Do you happen to know if the contractor is bonded?