Check licenses, bonds and references.

I want to be more hands on but the truth is that sticks and bonds don’t capture my imagination enough.

Sorry for the lengthy story. 

But if you look at all other options, there’s no real deal on right now with bonds and other investments with such low returns.

Diversification: Real estate has a low correlation with stock and bond performance.

The reason that a Quit Claim deed may be sufficient to transfer your interest into your entity (as opposed to using a Warranty or Grant Deed) is that you don't need to assure yourself marketable title; you already have that.You could see a lengthy discussion on this thread about strategies and tactics concerning methods of holding title.

(each state's usury varies).With private money lenders, they are often Lawyers, Doctors, business professionals, SDIRA owners, etc. who are not licensed and are looking for safe alternatives to the stock market, bank CD's, bonds, etc.

I've seen people use a smaller non refundable deposit/bond.

Mind you that treasury bonds and bills are backed by the full faith and credit of the US gov't so there viewed as a safe investment.

Purchase: 215kSale: 335k-commissions and closing costs=315k5 years interest: 21k5 years Insurance&Taxes: 26k5 years Utilities (electric, water, sewer, trash), lawncare and termite bond: 20k (~$330/month)5 years repairs/maint on home: 8kTotal: 75kI bumped up the repairs/maint about thinking about a few more things I had done to the home while I lived here, even though some of them were not things that I would have done to a rental property (pergola, firepit), I added them anyway.