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 their Top 10 most profitable markets in 2021 and Evolve, the popular Vacation home management company listed the Poconos at the top of their 2022 best places to buy a vacation rental. Marriott seems to agree as they have included over 70 properties in the area in Marriott Homes and Villas in the Pocono Mountains. As a realtor who specializes in finding short-term rental friendly vacation homes in the Poconos, I can tell you that it isn’t all hype, the Poconos are a good place to be.
The area has things to do all year. The area has several winter sports resorts for skiing, snowboarding and snow tubing, plus plenty of hills for sledding and cross country skiing. The summer is ideal for being outdoors and on the water with everything from whitewater rafting on the Lehigh and Delaware Rivers to power boating in Beltzville and Tobyhanna State Parks to paddle boarding, kayaking or just floating on the hundreds of lakes in the area. There’s hiking, biking and just hanging outside and enjoying the wonders of nature the area is known for. Fall brings folks who want to get away and see fall foliage, the time where our lush green forests turn vibrant colors before winter sets in. Spring is usually the quietest for rentals, but indoor water parks and the many year-round activities at Pocono Raceway mean there is always something to do. You can see more of what to do with through the Pocono Mountains Visitor Bureau and perhaps watch some of their Pocono Television Network shows.
Of course, going to the Poconos is not always about doing, it is often about just getting away. Many of the most successful short-term rentals become destinations of their own, with little need to go anywhere else. The list of my clients who have built great Pocono getaways continues to grow, here are some of the best of the best that I am proud to have helped, I call them my:
Pocono Vacation Home Sales Hall of Fame
Albrightsville:
Little Pines Lodge, hosted by Anthony
The Mountain Manor, hosted by Pocono Rentals
Arrowhead Lake:
Heated Pool, Hot Tub, Fire Pit, BBQ & Lake Access!, hosted by Nick
Luxe chalet in Pocono Lake, hosted by Elena
Peaceful Cabin for Getaways!, hosted by Amanda
The Oasis at Arrowhead, hosted by Third Island
Bear Creek Lakes:
The Retreat at Bear Creek Lakes, hosted by Samuel
Big Bass Lake:
Sweet Home O Mine”, hosted by Melanie
Treetop Lodge at Big Bass Lake, hosted by Tony
Emerald Lakes:
Bar Room/Theatre/Game Room, hosted by Jenil
Bootlegger’s Bungalow ~ Unique Speakeasy, hosted by Sameer
Lake Access | King | 400 Mbps | Games | BBQ, hosted by Matt
Indian Mountain Lake:
Beautiful Home in the Poconos Close to Everything, hosted by Tony
Blue Bird Retreat at Indian Mountain Lake, hosted by Tony
Lake Harmony, Big Boulder and Split Rock:
Luxury Retreat, hosted by Serene Escapes
Luxe Family Ski Home w/Views/Sauna/Hot Tub/Games, hosted by Yuriy
Penn Estates
East Stroudsburg Hideaway, hosted by Evolve
Penn Lake Park (White Haven)
Chipmunk Cottage on Penn Lake, hosted by Emma
Pocono Country Place in Tobyhanna
Modern Cozy Home, hosted by Arelis
Pocono’s Blue House, hosted by Adriana
Pocono Farms and Country Club
Dog-friendly fenced in Yard, hosted by Cori
Dog-friendly home, hosted by Vacasa
Echo Lake Escape @ The Poconos, hosted by Mandy
Hot Tub, Fire Pit, Game Room, Close to the Lake, hosted by Lorena
Serenity Cottage, hosted by Suey
Pocono Farms East
Java’s Den: A Pocono Mountain Retreat, hosted by Trusty
Stillwater Lake
Stillwater Cove, waterfront, hosted by Wander Home
Towamensing Trails:
Cozy Cottage/Pet Friendly Near Waterparks/Ski Resorts, hosted by Susan
Cozy Poconos Escape, hosted by Evolve
The Mountain Manor, hosted by Pocono Rental Management
Wild Antler Hideaway, hosted by Liana
White Haven Pocono:
Poconos Cottage, hosted by Raj
You can also see a list of Quality Pocono Vacation Rentals from owners of the Poconos Association of Vacation Rental Owners
Successful STR investments come from attentive owners who understand that running a STR is like running a hospitality business. Having a property that is not just a place to stay, but a destination in itself will keep guests staying longer and coming back for more. If you are interested in investing in Pocono Mountain Vacation Homes that are STR friendly, I suggest you come for a visit, stay at one of the above properties and see the best of the best.
We provide scorecards with indicators as to STR-Friendly communities in the Poconos and STR-friendly municipalities in the Poconos, but these are just indicators. Like any investment, do your research as past performance does not assure future success. Many of the successful STR properties listed above are in planned communities that have Associations that may limit rental operations so check with the association office for those rules. Also check with the local municipality (borough or township) for their zoning restrictions and applicable Short-term Rental Ordinances.
My interview with Steven & Jenny Bolt on their “Short Term Rental Markets” Podcast is now available with some thoughts on the market for vacation homes in the Poconos.
If you are interested in investing in the area, you might also want to connect with Pocono Lake Real Estate Investing Meetup Group
