Could I do better in a simple savings account, or in mutual funds, a 401K or stocks and bonds?

Here in Oregon, if a person owns a parcel of land in the name of an LLC, and decides to build a spec house on that parcel, even if the person is a licensed GC in Oregon, you are required to have a Developers license too and carry a bond and insurance. 

Once I have more cash and experience (5 years or so) I'd like to go into commercial real estate and property development.I'm taking the remaining amount of cash and applying it to stocks and bonds.

Take the advice of those who suggested that you get a licensed, bonded and insured mold remediaton specialist to do a complete and thorough inspectin even if it cost you a couple of grand for some rudimentary destructive inspection.

IN Orygun it is illegal to fix and flip without a GC license or a developers license and the subsequent insurance and bonds..

Make sure payment is on timeBe sure you do your due diligence before hiring, check references, licenses, bonds, etc. 

I would be able to live off the monthly rents.I know there are risks, and there is work involved, but all in all, the risks seem less and the dividends greater than securities investing (even with REITs), the work (and risks) seem less than starting other kinds of businesses, and the returns are definitely greater than with a guaranteed interest product like a treasury bond or CD.Also, in my experience, every landlord I know who owned houses and rented out rooms, continued to make money throughout the recession.

I introduced them to our court system and my culture.My grandfather always said his word was his bond and it was, but he also said anyone whose word is really any good will be willing to back it up with his John Henry.

My experience has been that they have not.One could argue that this proprietor is actually offering a type insurance policy or performance bond.

Nobody has ever spent or saved a "%"...you spend and save actual "$$$".If you were investing in stocks and bonds I would say use "%", but you're not.