Is Lecompte, Louisiana Good for Airbnb Investment?

To start an Airbnb in Lecompte, Louisiana, begin by researching local regulations through Rapides Parish and the Town of Lecompte, as Louisiana municipalities typically require short-term rental permits and business licenses, with many requiring properties to meet specific safety standards including smoke detectors, carbon monoxide detectors, and fire extinguishers. Contact Rapides Parish Planning and Zoning Department to verify zoning compliance and obtain necessary permits, which may include a short-term rental permit ($50-150 annually), business license ($25-75), and potentially a sales tax permit through the Louisiana Department of Revenue. Find a suitable property in Lecompte's residential areas, ensuring it's in a zone that allows short-term rentals, with properties near downtown or historic areas typically performing better due to proximity to local attractions and Highway 71 access. Furnish the property with essential amenities including comfortable bedding, basic kitchen supplies, WiFi, air conditioning (crucial in Louisiana), and local guidebooks highlighting nearby attractions like the Louisiana Maneuvers and Military Museum. Create your Airbnb listing with professional photos, competitive pricing ($60-120/night based on local market), and detailed descriptions emphasizing Lecompte's small-town charm and central Louisiana location. Manage the property by establishing cleaning protocols between guests, maintaining responsive communication, coordinating key exchanges or installing smart locks, and ensuring compliance with Louisiana's 4.45% state sales tax plus local occupancy taxes, while building relationships with local cleaning services and maintenance contractors for ongoing property management.

To identify profitable short-term rental properties in Lecompte, Louisiana, focus on properties within 2-3 miles of the Red River and Toledo Bend Reservoir access points, as this area attracts fishing and water sports enthusiasts year-round. Target 2-4 bedroom homes built after 1980 with outdoor spaces, boat parking, and fishing amenities, as these features command premium rates of $120-180 per night compared to basic properties at $80-120. Analyze comparable properties using AirDNA and Mashvisor to identify gaps in the market, particularly lakefront or river-adjacent homes which show 65-75% occupancy rates versus 45-55% for standard residential properties. Research competition by monitoring existing STRs within a 10-mile radius, noting that properties near Kisatchie National Forest and within 30 minutes of Alexandria typically outperform others due to business traveler demand. Utilize local resources including the Rapides Parish tourism board data, Louisiana fishing license statistics, and seasonal event calendars from nearby Pineville and Alexandria to time acquisitions, while leveraging relationships with local real estate agents familiar with waterfront properties and recreational land sales in the Central Louisiana market.

To obtain an Airbnb/STR permit in Lecompte, Louisiana, you must first contact the Lecompte Town Hall at 318-776-5289 or visit their office at 133 Main Street to inquire about short-term rental regulations, as this small town may have recently implemented or be developing STR ordinances. You'll likely need to submit an application form along with required documents including proof of property ownership or lease agreement, liability insurance certificate (minimum $1 million coverage), floor plan of the rental unit, parking plan, and contact information for a local property manager if you're an absentee owner. The application fee is estimated at $100-200 annually, with additional inspection fees of approximately $50-75. You must also register for a Louisiana sales tax permit through the Department of Revenue and obtain a Rapides Parish occupancy permit if required. The approval timeline typically takes 30-45 days after submitting a complete application, during which the property may undergo a safety inspection to ensure compliance with fire codes, occupancy limits, and zoning requirements. Lecompte likely requires STR properties to maintain adequate parking (minimum 1 space per bedroom), post maximum occupancy limits, provide 24/7 contact information for guests, and comply with noise ordinances, with potential restrictions on the total number of STR permits issued within town limits.

Short-term rentals (STRs) in Lecompte, Louisiana are generally legal but subject to state regulations and potential local ordinances. Louisiana state law allows STRs with requirements for registration, tax collection, and safety compliance including smoke detectors and carbon monoxide detectors. Lecompte, being a small town in Rapides Parish, likely follows parish-level regulations which typically require STR operators to obtain proper permits, collect and remit occupancy taxes, and maintain liability insurance. The town may have zoning restrictions limiting STRs in certain residential areas or requiring conditional use permits. Recent changes in Louisiana include stricter enforcement of tax collection requirements and enhanced safety standards implemented around 2019-2021. Property owners in Lecompte should verify compliance with both state licensing requirements through the Louisiana Department of Revenue and any local zoning or permitting requirements with Rapides Parish or the Town of Lecompte before operating an STR, as violations can result in fines and forced closure of operations.

The best areas for Airbnb investment in Lecompte, Louisiana are primarily concentrated around the historic downtown district near the Red River waterfront, which attracts visitors interested in Louisiana's timber and railroad heritage, and properties within walking distance of the Lecompte Museum and antique shops that draw weekend tourists from Alexandria and Pineville. The residential areas along Highway 71 and near Lecompte High School offer good investment potential due to their proximity to Alexandria's business district, attracting corporate travelers and contractors working on projects at nearby England Air Park or Cleco Power facilities. Properties near the annual Lecompte Heritage Festival grounds and close to local fishing access points along Bayou Boeuf are particularly attractive during spring and fall months when outdoor recreation peaks, while homes with easy access to I-49 benefit from travelers heading to New Orleans or Shreveport who prefer small-town accommodations over urban hotels.

In Lecompte, Louisiana, Airbnb properties are subject to Louisiana state sales tax of 4.45% and local occupancy taxes that vary by parish and municipality, with Rapides Parish (where Lecompte is located) typically imposing an additional 2-4% occupancy tax on short-term rentals. The state sales tax applies to all rental periods under 30 days, while local occupancy taxes generally apply to stays under 30 consecutive days with rates ranging from 2-6% depending on specific municipal ordinances. Taxes are collected either directly by hosts who must register with the Louisiana Department of Revenue and remit monthly or quarterly depending on volume, or through Airbnb's automated collection service which handles state and many local taxes on behalf of hosts. Remittance is typically due by the 20th of the month following collection, with hosts required to file returns even in months with no activity. Exemptions may include stays over 30 days (considered long-term rentals), certain government and military travelers, and properties rented fewer than a specified number of days per year, though specific exemption criteria vary by local jurisdiction and hosts should verify current requirements with Rapides Parish tax authorities and the Louisiana Department of Revenue.

Starting an Airbnb in Lecompte, Louisiana requires approximately $185,000-$220,000 in total initial investment. Property purchase costs around $120,000-$150,000 based on median home prices in rural Louisiana parishes like Rapides County. Furnishing a 2-3 bedroom property with quality furniture, appliances, linens, and décor typically costs $15,000-$25,000. Initial setup including professional photography, listing creation, welcome materials, and basic renovations runs $3,000-$5,000. Permits and fees including business license, occupancy permits, and potential HOA approvals cost approximately $500-$1,500. Insurance including liability coverage and property protection adds $2,000-$3,000 annually. Utilities setup and deposits for electricity, water, internet, cable, and trash service require $1,000-$2,000. First six months operating costs including cleaning services ($200-300/month), maintenance reserves ($300-500/month), marketing ($100-200/month), property management software ($50-100/month), and miscellaneous supplies ($150-250/month) total approximately $4,800-$8,100, bringing the complete startup investment to the estimated range.

Airbnb properties in Lecompte, Louisiana show moderate profitability potential with average nightly rates ranging from $75-120 for typical 2-3 bedroom homes, generating approximately $18,000-28,000 in annual revenue based on 60-70% occupancy rates common in rural Louisiana markets. Operating expenses typically consume 40-50% of gross revenue, including cleaning fees ($30-50 per turnover), property management (15-25%), utilities ($150-200 monthly), insurance ($1,200-1,800 annually), and maintenance costs averaging $2,000-3,000 yearly. Net profit margins generally fall between 25-35% for well-managed properties, with successful hosts in similar Central Louisiana markets like Alexandria and Pineville reporting annual profits of $8,000-15,000 per property. Key success factors include proximity to Toledo Bend Reservoir (30 minutes away) which drives fishing and recreation tourism, competitive pricing against limited hotel options in the area, and targeting corporate travelers visiting local industrial facilities. Properties featuring outdoor amenities, fishing access, or unique Louisiana charm tend to outperform basic accommodations, with some hosts achieving premium rates during peak fishing seasons (spring and fall) and hunting seasons, potentially increasing annual revenue by 15-20% above baseline projections.

Airbnb investments in Lecompte, Louisiana typically generate annual ROI of 8-12% with cash-on-cash returns ranging from 6-10%, based on the area's proximity to Alexandria and Fort Polk military base which drives consistent demand from military personnel and business travelers. Properties in Lecompte, purchased at an average price of $85,000-$120,000, can achieve nightly rates of $65-$95 with occupancy rates around 55-65% annually, generating gross rental income of $13,000-$18,000 per year. After accounting for operating expenses including property management (20-25%), maintenance, insurance, and utilities, net operating income typically ranges $8,500-$12,500 annually. Investors can expect to reach profitability within 18-24 months, with full return on initial investment achieved in 8-12 years, though cash flow positive operations often begin within the first 6-12 months due to lower property acquisition costs and steady military-related demand in the Central Louisiana market.

STRSearch is a national platform that specializes in identifying profitable short-term rental properties for investors looking to enter the Airbnb market in Lecompte, Louisiana. Local real estate agents like those at Coldwell Banker Ingle Safari Realty and Century 21 Buelow Group in nearby Alexandria serve the Lecompte area and can assist with investment property searches. National services include BiggerPockets for networking and deal analysis, Mashvisor for rental property analytics, and AirDNA for short-term rental market data specific to central Louisiana. RedAwning and Vacasa offer property management services for Airbnb investments in the region. Local property management companies such as Louisiana Property Management Group and regional firms like Reve Properties can handle day-to-day operations. Real estate investment companies like HomeVestors and national platforms such as Roofstock occasionally feature properties in rural Louisiana markets. Additionally, local real estate agents at Re/Max and Keller Williams in the Alexandria-Pineville metropolitan area, which serves Lecompte, have experience with investment properties and can provide market insights for the Rapides Parish region where Lecompte is located.