As a realtor who specializes in helping people find vacation rental properties, I see a lot of interesting interpretations of the rules which is one of the primary reasons we have so many rules. You should assume that to operate a vacation rental or short-term rental in the Poconos, you will need a municipal license. It is very rare that a municipality in this tourist area doesn’t identify where STR is...
Poconos STR Community Association Scorecards Poconos HOA and POA Community Scorecards Some communities are more friendly to VRBO and Airbnb, others oppose the practice. Here is an summary drawn from various Community Associations (HOAs Home Owner Associations and POAs Property Owner Associations) and township regulations. Last Updated: July, 2026 Short Term Rental Friendly Communities in the...
Short-term Vacation Rentals Matter in the PoconosFor as long as there have been vacation homes in the Poconos, there have been vacation rentals and the vacation rental business is a big part of the ongoing prosperity of the region. With the rise of AirBNB, VRBO and other Online Travel Agencies, the visibility of the Poconos has grown beyond visitors and tourists, it has drawn the attention of people...
I am a realtor who specializes on helping people find vacation homes that they can use as a short-term rental. My clients range from young first-time real-estate buyers all the way to sophisticated investors who have large portfolios of income properties and support staff to guide their decisions. Often, I am asked to provide my opinions as to the state of the market and where I see things headed. With...
I get a lot of inquiries from people who have heard about the Poconos, but who have never been here. They understand that Poconos has a reputation as a vacation area, but are unsure of the draws, so here’s my spin. The Pocono Mountain region is famous as a vacation getaway with its natural scenic beauty, lakes rivers and activities. It can be peaceful, romantic or exhilarating. The...
Updated June, 2026 Many of the inquires I get ask if there are service providers that can 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 have met in my work. This is not an endorsement, it merely a list of companies and professionals...
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 sense of the scale, there are 2,560...
Here’s my insight on the vacation home investment market in the Poconos, for early 2023. Inventory is tight, prices are creeping higher and there are more Airbnb listings in the Poconos than ever before. That said, the tourism industry in the Poconos is thriving, visitors keep coming in record numbers and the future looks bring, especially for those operating high-end properties. The regulatory...
An Insider’s look at investing in vacation homes in the Lake Harmony AreaThe 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, two golf courses, some nice restaurants, and a beautiful setting year-round. The Lake Harmony area is...
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...