What Makes Property Management Different in Historic Cities | Bernard Fromherz

In this episode, Dylan Scroggins sits down with Bernard Fromherz (Owner of Upper Management Realty) in the PropertyManagement.com van while at NARPM Broker Owner to explore what makes property management in New Orleans unlike anywhere else. Bernard shares how managing historic properties, navigating local regulations and preparing for events like Mardi Gras and hurricane season require a unique approach to operations, maintenance, and resident experience. They also discuss the city's evolving real estate market, the impact of Hurricane Katrina on Bernard's entrepreneurial journey, and how his tech stack keeps his team efficient and adaptable while preserving the character of one of America's most historic cities. Links Bernard on LinkedIn - / Bernard Fromherz | LinkedIn   / bernard-fromherz-5165188   Dylan on LinkedIn - / Dylan Scroggins | LinkedIn   / dylanscroggins   PropertyManagement.com - https://propertymanagement.com/ The Kalmar Group - https://thekalmargroup.com/pm Subscribe to PropertyManagement.com's weekly Newsletter: https://propertymanagement-com.kit.co... Chapters 00:00 — What makes New Orleans unique for property management 00:57 — Introduction to Bernard and the episode setup 02:01 — Historic, mixed-use, and French Quarter properties 03:09 — Lease types and who rents in these neighborhoods 03:38 — Generational ownership and property turnover after major events 04:27 — Katrina’s impact and Bernard’s return to New Orleans 06:27 — Starting Upper Management Realty after working in development 07:40 — Growth from 30 doors to 800+ doors 08:50 — Why New Orleans is so different from other markets 09:27 — Hurricanes, swarming termites, and local disruptions 10:31 — Maintaining historic housing stock 11:42 — The future outlook for New Orleans 12:12 — Why the city feels more optimistic right now 13:26 — Growth goals and suburban expansion 15:05 — Regulatory concerns and market moats 16:27 — Technology adoption and avoiding unnecessary complexity 17:55 — Vendor overload and choosing tools carefully 18:22 — Bernard’s lean tech stack 20:51 — Crawfish, local culture, and Mardi Gras stories 22:35 — How property management changes you personally 23:23 — Mardi Gras parking and parade-route challenges 25:14 — AppFolio and the most important tools in the business 26:26 — Atomic Habits and continuous improvement 27:13 — Coffee, crawfish, and closing thoughts Disclaimer: The content of this podcast is for informational purposes only and does not constitute professional advice. Always perform your own due diligence before making any financial or business decisions.