NOTE: On Monday March 17, by a 3-2 vote the Tobyhanna Township supervisors voted 3 to 2 in favor of a resolution to rescind the STR cap, a clear victory for property rights here in the Poconos. Poconos VRO co-founder Marty Nicoll spoke at the meeting, he had two key messages: Don’t interfere with the real estate market with arbitrary caps, you are hurting people. Let the market do what it does...
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Attorney Eric Smith to discuss the case at Poconos VRO Conference on March 6 For those in the STR industry in the Pocono, a recent court decision shows promise that vacation rentals in certain communities will not vanish. On February 12, 2025, the Pennsylvania Supreme Court denied The Association of Property Owners of The Hideout, Inc.‘s application for appeal, thereby upholding a prior Commonwealth...
Top 10 STR Friendly Communities in the PoconosMention HOA and many people think of cumbersome regulations, restrictive committees and added expenses. Here in the Poconos, we have our share of these, but we also have many communities which were built as vacation/resort communities and the HOA serve to bring attractive amenities and a pleasant vacation experience for homeowners and guests. As a real estate...
The 2025 Poconos STR Conference is shaping up to be the most valuable event yet for short-term rental (STR) owners, investors, property managers, and industry professionals. Whether you're a seasoned STR operator or just getting started, this conference offers unparalleled opportunities to learn, network, and grow. Taking Place Thursday, March 6, 2025 at the Kalahari Convention Center in Mount Pocono. Buy...
Finding and then starting a successful short-term rental (STR) in the Poconos involves careful planning and execution. Poconos is a nice vacation spot, conveniently located in a mountain market, three hours away from 47 million people. Poconos has year-round attractions, it a great last-minute option for those that want to get away for a weekend or longer. Our market has some unique features, like local...
As short-term rentals (“STRs”) continue to thrive in the Pocono Region and across Pennsylvania, it is important that owners, buyers and owners’ associations (HOAs/POAs) understand their rights. In several recent cases, overreaching HOAs have had their restrictive STR policies overturned and appeals have gone as high as the state's Commonwealth Court. You can read more about Short-Term Rentals Win...
The seller’s market may be over, and a balanced market may finally be here in the Poconos Vacation Home Market. The economic data of the nation’s economy points us to a “soft landing” as interest rates are declining ahead of what is predicted to be official cuts and the rapidly escalating home prices have plateaued. In some sections of the Poconos, final home prices may have even dropped some as...
There has been two significant win in Commonwealth Court in a case called Ruffled Grouse Ridge Owners Association versus Charles Hura. The second in a case called L. Chan; et al. v. The Assoc. of Property Owners of The Hideout, Inc. In both cases, HOA's were determined to have gone well beyond their founding authority and seem to be setting the groundwork for some easing of community restraints on vacation...
There has been a significant win in Commonwealth Court in a case called Ruffled Grouse Ridge Owners Association versus Charles Hura. Ruffled Grouse Ridge is a small community in the northern part of the Poconos, in Lakeville, Paupack Township, Wayne County. Homes here have a restrictive covenant tied to their deeds which includes giving an owner’s association regulatory powers. The association...
Lately I've been hearing that the STR business in the Poconos is down and that the market is oversaturated. Some of my clients are doing quite well, some not as well as they hoped. It's a good time for a deeper discussion about the potential to operate a profitable STR in the Poconos. According to the Poconos Visitor Bureau, tourism continues to grow in the region with visits up (two percent by the...