The bars are around 8' in height measuring from the ground to the lower edge of the wood beamsI'm thinking about building a pergola for cheap (<$1k if possible) like below but would like some opinions on what to do with the concrete ground?

Ground-up development.

Mitigating those typically comes with experience.I have investors invest with me passively as a syndicate but these are dark buildings already existing and easier to turn around than ground up developments.Right now it's hard to build one off spec projects.

We bought an above ground hot tub to put on the property.

I am going into this venture with a business partner, he is the boots on the ground guy and is networked with all the right people, and I am providing the capital to get things rolling via a HELOC on my first mortgage. 

Persons A and B started richer, and remain richer, but person C is actually gaining ground, A and B are just treading water with inflation. 

One possible arrangement might be for them to serve as the trustee for a land trust with the minor as the beneficiary.Honestly, though, I'd recommend you spend these remaining months getting as well-trained and knowlegeable as possible in your chosen real estate specialty, and then hit the ground running the minute you turn 18 (assuming you don't live in Alabama, Nebraska, or Mississippi)!

I am going into this venture with a business partner, he is the boots on the ground guy and is networked with all the right people, and I am providing the capital to get things rolling via a HELOC on my first mortgage.

You shouldn’t be feeling like you are standing on the edge of a cliff, you should be feeling like you are at the bottom of a mountain grounded and ready to climb!

It seemed difficult enough for me that I moved to a good real estate market specifically to take advantage of being on the ground.