Should You Buy Your Pocono Short-Term Rental in an LLC or in Your Personal Name? One of the...
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 called “A Place in the Poconos!”
With over 175 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 the enterprise, Wendy keeps everything flowing and our two sales agents, Paul and Gavin are in the market every day, showing clients houses and connecting our clients to the right opportunities. They live in the market, have great relationships with our clients and help them not only find and buy great properties, but provide connections and support after the sale.
Our clients now have over 100 operating vacation rental properties here in the Poconos and they provide additional networking and support as we encourage hosts to get to know each other. We also encourage each client to join Poconos Association of Vacation Rental Owners, the local industry trade association.
You’ll see listings on our site as well. Being focused on buyers has led homeowners to turn to us to sell their places and I take a personal interest in assuring that we represent these homes honestly and fairly.
We are a different kind of team in many ways. Each member is a salaried employee of our company, working as one for our clients. Once a client goes under contract, they are well-served by Kristin Vidot who provides great service as a Transaction Coordinator, guiding the process from contract to closing.
Below are bios of each of the team members:
Mark Shay Team
Wendy Kudla
Operations Lead / Realtor
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. I keep things moving here at Pocono Vacation Home Sales, I’m here to support sales, contracts and negotiations plus handle many of the team’s closings.
Paul Young
Sales Agent / Realtor
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 and our focus on vacation rental investment properties.
Gavin Krock
Sales Agent / Realtor
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 in my family’s landscaping/hardscaping business. I am a licensed realtor and so grateful to be a part of this team, and a community that benefits from the vacation rentals and vitality that our tourism industry brings to the region.
Please leave us a Review!
Thanks for choosing our team to help you find your home! I hope you felt supported in your home buying or selling experience. If so, would you consider leaving a review so other investors can find us? You can do so here, choose your favorite platform below and add your review.. Please don’t hesitate to contact me for all your future real estate needs!
– All of us at The Mark Shay Team!
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.
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.
Zoning, Rules and Regulations regarding Short-term Rentals, VRBO and AirBnB are changing in the Poconos, here is a scorecard of municipalities and what they say about running a short-term rental from your vacation home or income property.
One strategy that has gained a lot of attention in the past year is what’s commonly called the STR Tax Loophole. Despite the name, it’s not really a loophole. It’s a provision within the tax code that may allow certain short-term rental owners to use “bonus depreciation” or “accelerated depreciation” to generate rental losses that will offset W-2 income, business income, and other active income.
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