With the Fed Funds rate at all time low, even highly leveraged company bonds only yield ~5%.

I have used www.publicdata.com as part of my bail bonding business. 

There are some Bond For Deed (owner finance) properties for sale in the NOLA area, but they are a lot more rare, and typically require 10% - 20% down.Thanks!

“Alternative investments,” such as private equity real estate, are finding favor among high-net-worth investors these days.They offer opportunities for accredited investors to invest outside the world of stocks, bonds and mutual funds.

Not much teeth though.   

We set up a corporation and started by investing in stocks and bonds.

You an do better with bonds.  

Who will approve all contracts with subs, check licenses, bonds, insurance, etc.?

Anyone can place a lien but remember you can bond out of that lien then sue their *ss. 

I do not know what the credit is now, at one time it was $50 or $100 - really inconsequential in the grand scheme of things, but it was something they offered and it would be like pulling teeth to get the credits applied.