Vacation Rental Minimum Night Strategy

[Dean Lynch]

I am new to the short term rental market and just purchased our first a couple months ago in the Pocono Mountains,PA. It's up on the usual sites for rent and it's doing well. My question is, what is the standard rule of thumb about requiring a certain number of nights in prime season. I see some competitors bump up their minimum nights to 3 or 4, up from 2 in the off season. Only one home had a 7 day minimum. 7 days is what I would expect to see for a vacation market like the Poconos during prime season. Leaving it at 3-4 nights leaves room for lost days throughout the month. Should I take the lead of the other homes in the area, or give the 7 day minimum a try? Are there benefits of a lower minimum that I'm not seeing, or another tried and true strategy that anyone is willing to share?

Thanks!!