Property Manager Needed for Remote Rental Property? Alternatives?

[Jonathan Morgan]

Does one need to use a property manager for rental properties that are located elsewhere in the country (US)? If not, do you have recommendations how to handle issues when you can't be there personally (changing lockboxes, inspecting repairs made by contractors, kicking out squatters, etc.)?

I have two rental properties in Michigan, and I've been using a property manager for those properties. I'm considering another property in Florida (Tallahassee) in a location where I do not have any trusted contacts. Do you have suggestions how I might avoid using a property manager, but still get things done (changing lockboxes, inspecting repairs made by contractors, kicking out squatters, inspecting property before/after move-in/out, show house to tenants, etc.)? I find that property managers (I've used 4 different companies in Michigan) are often inattentive and sloppy.