Hi Lolethia,
If you follow the steps in the tutorial post one at a time and read them like a book instead of “studying them” like you would a textbook you will have the best possible chance of making a great choice.
One of the most effective “shortcuts” is to deal with knowledgeable and experienced manufacturers and retailers who already know what you would otherwise have to learn, have your best interests at heart, and are more interested in “educating you” than just “selling you” anything they can. All you need is “just enough” information to recognize who they are 
Post #3 here includes links to several of the forum lists around the Gulf Coast area that include the better options and possibilities I’m aware of in each area. The options in the Baton Rouge area are probably a little better than the New Orleans area.
Phoenix