For your question you posed, two factors would influence my decision: 1) my opportunity costs - in other words what other options do I have at the time, and 2) My stage of life - at points in my life I have been willing to take a bit more risk, and have had bandwidth to take on that risk, and others I am not so willing to take the risk and do not have the bandwidth. 

I just picked up my first deal in Huntsville, AL, but am starting to notice that finding deals in that market is becoming increasing lot more difficult.

In Gary Keller’s book, Shift, he lists 25 creative options that are most common, but barely scratch the surface:- Seller Contributions- Seller-Funded Permanent Buydown- Seller-Funded Temporary Buydown- Owner Financing- Contract For Deed- Seller Second Lease Option And Lease Purchase- Seller-Assisted Down Payment- Wraparound And Assumable Mortgage- Gift Funding- Selling And Refinancing Existing Assets- Non-Occupied Co-Borrowers- Using 401(K)- Temporary IRA Transfer- Pledged Asset Mortgage- Equity Transfer And Bridge Loan- Employer-Assisted Mortgage- Lender-Funded Buydown- Fannie Mae’s “My Community Mortgage”- Running Scenarios With Automated Underwriting Systems- Adjusting Amortization Period To Lower Payment- Adjusting Interest Rates To Cover Closing Costs- State, Province, And Local Grant Or Bond Programs- Mortgage Credit Certificate- Private LendingHe said these options barely scratch the surface.

Deduct carrying costs.

Partner Driven financed the Powder Branch Rd deal using its own capital, covering the $165,000 purchase price and $35,619 in renovation costs.

Once you have a few under your belt and are confident on renovation costs, have your team in place, etc., you might roll those dice.

What tool can I use to track the costs of this total project to see if it makes sense ?

Partner Driven financed the Oak St deal using its own capital, covering the $275,000 purchase price and $67,150 in renovation costs.

The shorter the prepayment term has an impact on increasing the rate.4.

I'm wondering if it's worth the crazy labor cost to pay someone to do the work, or if it's a project I could do myself.