image of Mark Shay, Realtor in the Poconos

Mark Shay

Welcome! I am a Realtor focused on Short Term Rental Investment properties and Vacation Homes in the Poconos.

Questions? Feel free to call or email me.

(610) 357-4648

mark.shay@kw.com

Mark Shay, Pocono Vacation Home Realtor

Before getting my Realtor license I enjoyed a long history of success helping higher education institutions recruit, retain and better serve international students. As the need for these services has changed after covid, I have turned to real estate sales and vacation property development. I own several investment properties in the Poconos and with each customer my insight into the vacation home business grows. You can listen to my thoughts about STR in the Podcast   “Short Term Rental Markets” Podcast

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

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

Image of HGTV house hunters show with Realtor Mark Shay and April and Drew Olanoff

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

Image of The Morning Call Newspaper header image

Interview with the Morning Call Newspaper

Mark Shay Interviewed By EVAN JONES of The Morning Call What's new with Renting in the Poconos

Image of Youtube video with Mark Shay and John Bianchi of STR Search, https://strsearch.com/

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.

STR Insights and Articles

Should You Buy Your Pocono Short-Term Rental in an LLC or in Your Personal Name?

Should You Buy Your Pocono Short-Term Rental in an LLC or in Your Personal Name? One of the...
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STR Municipal Scorecard: Rules on Short-term Rentals in Boroughs and Townships in Poconos

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.
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The STR Tax Loophole: Tax Advantages and Risks for Short-Term Rental Investors​

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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Buyers Guide to STR Appraisal Gaps and Vacation Rental Income Reporting

About Us – What makes us different Market Knowledge – The difference between a...
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State of the Pocono Vacation Home Real Estate Market in 2026

Top STR Communities, Investment Trends, Appraisal Gaps & Airbnb Revenue Insights Three of...
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Pocono Short-Term Rental Market 2026: Why Turnkey STRs Command a Premium (and Where Smart Investors Still Win)

The Pocono Mountains real estate market continues to attract investors looking to build profitable...
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2026 Poconos STR Conference Market Panel -The State of the Pocono Vacation Home Real Estate Market

Vacation homes are a big factor in Poconos real estate.  Approximately 6,500 active short-term rentals operate in the Poconos and most are described as vacation rentals. What happens in the vacation home and vacation rental market drives the overall Pocono Real Estate market.
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Top 15 Mistakes People Make When Buying a Short-Term Rental in the Poconos (and How to Avoid Them)

The Pocono Mountains remain one of the strongest short-term rental (STR) investment markets in the...
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