Author Archives: markshayrealtor

Many of the inquires I get ask is there are service providers to help with getting a STR started and then keeping it going.  Since Tourism is the main business in the Poconos, the answer is yes.  Below is a list of firms that have been mentioned by clients, other realtors or that I haveContinue reading “Service Providers for Short Term Rentals in the Poconos”

Short-term Rentals (STR) in Pennsylvania are regulated by the local municipalities. Pennsylvania has three official forms of municipal governments, cities, townships, and boroughs. Municipalities have the right to restrict this use of a home through Zoning and they have the right to regulate STR through local ordinances and licensing processes. To give you a senseContinue reading “The Pocono Geography Puzzle – Understanding Who Regulates Short-term Rentals in the Poconos”

An Insider’s look at investing in vacation homes in the Lake Harmony Area The Lake Harmony area has long been a popular Pocono vacation spot and for those who rent their properties, business over the past few years has been very good. The Lake Harmony area benefits from two nice lakes, two ski resorts, twoContinue reading “Should You Buy a STR in Lake Harmony Area?”

It seems that a growing number of investors and companies that support them are feeling very positive about investing in vacation homes in the Poconos and the future of Short-term Rentals in the region. Popular YouTuber Edward Lui states the Poconos are the Best Airbnb Market in the Nation, Airbnb put the Poconos in theirContinue reading “Are the Poconos the Best AirBnB Market in the Nation?”

Revised February 2023 There has recently been a rise in properties for sale that are described as “Turnkey STR,” a term that has come to mean a property that is fully operational as a short-term rental and being sold as a complete package.  These are often properties that have recently been upgraded, are very tastefullyContinue reading “What is Turnkey STR?  Factors to Consider When Buying a Short-Term Rental Business.”

As a realtor who specializes in helping folks find vacation homes, I’ve gotten a lot of questions about the business of vacation home rentals. Here are some thoughts about the business of vacation home rentals. Are vacation home rentals in the Poconos a new thing? First, some history: much of what is referred to theContinue reading “Ins and Outs of Investing in the Poconos”

I spend a lot of time with customers who have big visions of success in the short-term rental business and they often ask me questions about a property’s ability to generate profit.  Many have use data tools like PriceLabs or AirDNA to help them understand the market and the opportunities that currently exist there.  TheyContinue reading “Beyond the Numbers, Finding your Niche in the Poconos STR Market”

If you found your way to this page, you are likely looking to build a Short-term Rental business in the Poconos.  If you don’t live in the area or haven’t work here, you might be worried that you’ll have to go it alone.  That is not the case, there is a whole industry built aroundContinue reading “Getting Help with your STR business in the Poconos”

As we enter 2022, competition is still intense for properties that can be used as vacation home rentals here in the Poconos.  The rapid rise in prices looked like it was slowing down in late 2021, but demand seems to have risen and prices have taken off again fueled by a number of factors.  ThatContinue reading “Can you use a Vacation Home Mortgage to buy a STR Business?”