Why These Homes Still Make Smart STR Investments For years, the 3-bedroom home has...
Mark Shay
Welcome, I am a Realtor who heads a team of professionals focused on Short Term Rental Investment properties and Vacation Homes in the Poconos.
Questions about STR investments or Pocono Vacation Homes?
Keller Williams Real Estate-Albrightsville
office: 570.646.7900
Feel free to call or email me.
(610) 357-4648
mark.shay@kw.com
Mark Shay, Pocono Vacation Home Realtor
We are not a Normal Real Estate Team:
Pocono Short Term Rental Investments are the focus of our team. I got into this specialty being a vacation home owner myself and seeing how hard it was to get answers on licenses, permits and how to operate successfully. Instead of buying additional properties, I elected to turn my experience as a self-managing host into a real estate practice focused on finding successful vacation homes that could also operate as investments. I made a pledge that I stand by today, “I will not compete against my clients” instead my business will focus on helping people find profitable STR investments.
Along the way I helped launch the Poconos Association of Vacation Rental Owners, a trade association designed to help support those that want to operate professionally, as good neighbors. I encourage each of my real estate clients to become members and be active in Poconos VRO, allowing this network of owners and service providers.
We have trusted support vendors like home inspectors, property managers, co-hosts and finance specialists who can be good resources for you.
Clients turn to me as part-consultant, part coach, part resource provider as well as being pretty good at understanding the AirBnB market here in the Poconos. I have become a subject matter expert on all things STR in the Poconos and you can hear me on podcasts, interviews and even an episode of House Hunters!
With over 150 sales under my belt, I came to the realization that one person is not enough. The Mark Shay team was formed in 2025 to bring our level of professionalism and expertise to a wider audience and a wider service area.
The Pocono Vacation Home Sales Team is formally called the Mark Shay Team, but we are Not Your Normal Real Estate Team.
We are four licensed realtors and one transaction coordinator who act as one. I oversee every client, have input on client searches and am there to write up each offer, present it and negotiate on client’s behalf. Our team has Paul as our showing agent and Gavin as Paul’s backup and also key to bringing new listings to the Pocono Vacation Home Sales Team. Wendy keeps things flowing one the sales side and each member is an employee of our company, working as one. Once a client goes under contract, they are well-served by Kristin Vidot who provides legendary service as a Transaction Coordinator.
Here are bios of each of the team members:
Mark Shay Team
Wendy Kudla
Licensed Salesperson / Office Coordinator
wendykudla@kw.com
Originally from New Jersey, I have lived in The Poconos and Lehigh Valley since 2002. I am a graduate of Pocono Mountain West High School and Bloomsburg University. Upon receiving my real estate license in 2014 I have worked extensively in NEPA and The Greater Lehigh Valley.
Paul Young
Licensed Salesperson / Assistant
paulyoung@kw.com
My name is Paul Young, and I was born in Hackettstown, NJ. At the age of eight, my family relocated to West Monroe, Louisiana, where I began building a foundation in hospitality and leadership. I started my career working at several summer camps and eventually earned the role of Staff Coordinator at Camp Harris in Minden, LA. Afterward, my family settled in the Poconos, where I joined Camelback Resort. I began in the call center and later advanced to the role of Group Coordinator within the revenue department. I am a licensed Realtor and excited to be part of this team.
Gavin Krock
Licensed Salesperson
GavinKrock@kw.com
My name is Gavin Krock, I am born and raised in the poconos. This area has a special place in my heart. I worked in house flipping, and short term rentals as a family business. As well as landscaping/hardscaping. I am a licensed realtor and so grateful to be apart of this team, and community.
Expertise
Areas of Focus
Poconos Vacation Homes into winning STR
Market Regulations in Pocono
Investment Properties for Sale in Poconos
Articles – Owning a vacation home in the Poconos
Trade Organizations
Mark Shay, President – POCONOSVRO.COM
MARK SHAY, President PoconosVRO.com
PoconosVRO Mission
To represent and advance the interests of vacation rental owners in the Poconos and advocate for practical short-term rental regulation; while providing members with the educational, networking, and resources they need to run responsible businesses.
Buyers Guide to STR Appraisal Gaps and Vacation Rental Income Reporting
About Us – What makes us different
Market Knowledge – The difference between a vacation rental investment property and a home.
Pricing of a home listed for sale is generally done by and agent who compares the subject home against similar homes, in similar shape, nearby. An analysis is done by the agent, reviewed with their client and then the home gets listed for sale. A buyer will follow that same logic, perhaps looking for some intangible like home design, a view, setting, that might make one home more attractive. For those that are financing their purchase, a mortgage application causes an appraisal and that brings a licensed professional to the property to assess the condition and render an opinion on value – again based on comps (comparable home values).
When it comes to homes that have an added ability to earn income, the process becomes a bit more clouded. You may be justified in selling a home for more money if that home can produce high rental revenue. Short-term rentals typically bring twice the revenue as long-term rentals, so those homes see a price premium when listed for sale. If the home has a license that is limited supply, that adds value, if the home has an attractive rental listing, that adds value as does furniture, design and furnishings. These so-called turnkey STR properties can cost as much as 20-25% more than a nearby home just used as a primary residence.
If you are using a conventional loan, the appraiser will recognize this and adjust the price accordingly, looking for the house to house comparison, not including this STR premium in the opinion of value. This creates an appraisal gap, and that gap needs to be overcome if you want to be successful in bidding for turnkey STR properties.
Rarely are you going to get a house full of free furniture, a new hot tub and a successful rental history for free, it has to be accounted for. As the saying goes you can pay me now, or you can pay me later. If you buy a house that isn’t turnkey, you will have to pay after you own it, so it goes without saying, that if you buy a house that is turnkey, you will have to pay a similar fee, that money will not be included in a conventional mortgage. There may be other kinds of loans to help finance this and many STR-focused lenders can help you find a loan package that is right for you.
That brings us to the next challenge, predicting what a property will earn. As a realtor, we are licensed to sell homes, not businesses. Homes that are also used as investment properties are listed in our MLS systems, but there are not provisions to provide income projections. Like the appraisal discussion above, the goal in estimating value is apples to apples and when it comes to rental income, there are many intangibles, so caution should be advised.
Past performance is no guarantee of future earnings, so whatever numbers you see should be taken as an indicator, not fact. Data that reports earnings can be skewed and may come unaudited. Personal use and personal preferences in renting can affect the overall business performance of a property and as we often see, properties are not always maximized for earning potential. Future data estimates can be skewed by AirBnB’s market share, communities with high direct bookings will show as performing lower than they actually are (see Lake Harmony) and communities in which AirBnB has a larger market share will show as better than they actually are (see Penn Estates).
At Pocono Vacation Home Sales, our team knows real estate and thanks to the more than 150 deals we’ve been part of, we know the Vacation Rental Market as well. Our clients have a wealth of knowledge that we can also share, so when considering buying or selling your Short Term Rental property in the Poconos, we hope you will consider the Mark Shay team, we call Pocono Vacation Home Sales.
Podcasts, Interviews, TV
HGTV episode
"A PLACE IN THE POCONOS" Mark Shay takes Drew and April Olanoff to find their Poconos Vacation Getaway. Season 252, Episode 5
SHORT TERM RENTAL MARKETS PODCAST
Steven Bolt of the Poconos Lodging Company interviews Mark Shay
The Luxury Rental Doctor Show with Dr Rachel
WHAT NEW INVESTORS MUST KNOW ABOUT THE POCONOS! In this episode of the Luxury Rental Doctor Podcast, Dr. Rachel Gainsbrugh sits down with Mark Shay, a top realtor and co-founder of the Pocono Association of Vacation Rental Owners.
The Journal of the Pocono Plateau
Newspaper Article about the Inaugural STR Conference for PoconosVRO
STR PROS PODCAST
Jeremy Werden interviews Mark Shay and Xander Weidenbaum
Interview with the Morning Call Newspaper
Mark Shay Interviewed By EVAN JONES of The Morning Call What's new with Renting in the Poconos
How to Feel Confident Purchasing STRs in the Poconos with John Bianchi
YouTube Video interview with John Bianchi of STR Search
Why Location Alone Won’t Guarantee Rental Success: Here’s What Will
THE LUXURY RENTAL DOCTOR SHOW WITH DOCTOR RACHEL In this episode of the Luxury Rental Doctor Podcast, Dr. Rachel Gainsbrugh sits down with Mark Shay, a top realtor and co-founder of the Pocono Association of Vacation Rental Owners.
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