anyone know any good property management companies in Louisiana?

[Dane Delatte]

Does anyone know any good property management companies in Louisiana? 

Also, I have been reading a lot of stories and watching a lot of videos on getting the Property Management companies. From what I have gathered, it looks like a lot of these companies can kind of "nickel and dime" you to death. For example, I read that most companies will take the first months rent or half of the first month as a fee. I also should mention that it would be for a complex with weekly rentals. This seems insane if I were to agree to that when I can't say for sure the tenant won't move out after 1,2 or maybe 3 weeks. 

Also, another thing I've heard were them charging a fee for a room being vacant. Aren't I'm paying them to fill the room? This seems kind of counteractive for them to get paid to try to fill the room and then get paid if they don't fill the room and I get no rent from it, while it is 1 less room with a tenant that they have to manage.  

Another one is, I heard they may charge for a tenant paying late and then the PM company takes the late fee. So I pay them to get good tenants through screening and using their resources, then I pay them for the tenant moving in, then if that tenant that "THEY" put in pays late they want a fee for THEIR tenant that they picked is paying late.

So at what point does the property owner get any money??? Of coarse I'm joking about that, but that's kind of how it feels. It seems like the fees are extreme for a job they already get paid to do. am I to expect this from all PM Companies as a normal thing? 

So, if my business would not be able to afford all of these fees, what is the next best option? I know hiring my own manager may result in even more problems. Would it just be better to pay more and have my business barely make it by or hire my own manager until I can find a good one?
 

[Courtney Fricke]

Which part of Louisiana are you referencing? I potentially can make referrals based on location. 

Your next best option is to self-manage. Not easy and definitely not for everyone but ultimately, until you can afford the service that is the only option unless you want to have negative cashflow. The forums have a ton of great insight into how to decide which PM company to hire and how to interview them before hiring. Ultimately, it will take managing the PM on your part to make sure that they are taking care of your property and that you are getting the best experience with what you are paying for.