All Forum Posts by: Mark Shay

One thing to consider on rentals close to ski mountains is a seasonal rental option.  We have a place close to Blue Mountain Ski Resort (Southern part of Poconos) and rent it for the season (Jan 1-March 15) for $7,500.  Two families who buy season passes split the home rental.  They have kids on the ski team which has practice every weekend.  For us, the decision to go seasonal eliminates the need for cleaning, so we were willing to take a lower rate.  Prior to listing for the season we charged $1,000/weekend and were booked every weekend.  We rent with a 5-day minimum during the summer season (May-September) with a focus on families.  You can see our property listing here: https://www.vrbo.com/1762782

Planned Communities that have a HOA that supports a rental/management office are a good place to start. Those offices give your rental guests an opportunity to "check-in", get a gate or parking pass, wristbands for the amenities, etc. I like the following STR-Friendly communities:

Towamensing Trails

Bear Creek Lakes

Indian Mountain Lake

Emerald Lakes

Arrowhead Lakes

Lakes, beaches, pools are great amenities that make the marketing of your property easier. I maintain a list of communities and their STR-Friendliness. https://poconovacationhomesale...

Running a short-term rental business in the Poconos is challenging but it can be profitable. As as been mentioned, the townships are still trying to come up with modifications to their zoning and sensible rules and regulations. Add to that the volatility that comes from neighborhood run HOA boards and the market is uncertain. It is hard to oversee such an investment from a distance, but some are finding ways to make it work. I have one investment property near Blue Mountain and I'm also a realtor that helps people find good investment properties. I have a blog that tracks the status of STR in Pocono area townships and vacation home communities in the Poconos. It's a work in progress, but hopefully something that can help - https://movingtocarboncounty.c...

As a Realtor who specializes in Vacation Homes as STR investments, I often get asked my favorite communities in which to operate a rental business. Mine are:

1) Arrowhead Lake - https://arrowheadlakepa.net/ With multiple lakes, beaches and pools, you feel like you are on vacation as soon as you pass through the gate.  The registration process for guests is reliable and the community has a good support system.

2) Towamensing Trails - https://www.towamensing.com/ Golf cart friendly this large community is a mix of full time residents who mostly like away from the amenities and some very nice lake houses. Low HOA fee, nice location, not gated.

3) Indian Mountain Lake - https://imlca.nabrnetwork.com/ Several lakes, beaches and pools highlight this gated community that spans three townships. One township does not allow STR, so do your homework

It is a moving target with zoning changes and local ordinances being added and updated regularly.  This all spurs from a 2019 PA Supreme Court ruling that essentially states that a homeowner has no natural right to run a rental business from their home, they need permission.  Permission comes in the form of zoning (allowable usage) and short-term rental ordinances.  Some communities (through their HOAs) are defining themselves as for permanent residents, others for vacation homes and in doing so add another layer of regulation.  As a Realtor who specializes in this, I am keeping a tally of Pocono Area Short-Term Rental Ordinances and Short-term Rental Friendly Pocono Communities. This is an estimate, so before you make any final decisions, contact both the municipality and the HOA for verification.

It is a moving target with zoning changes and local ordinances being added and updated regularly.  This all spurs from a 2019 PA Supreme Court ruling that essentially states that a homeowner has no natural right to run a rental business from their home, they need permission.  Permission comes in the form of zoning (allowable usage) and short-term rental ordinances.  Some communities (through their HOAs) are defining themselves as for permanent residents, others for vacation homes and in doing so add another layer of regulation.  As a Realtor who specializes in this, I am keeping a tally of Pocono Area Short-Term Rental Ordinances and Short-term Rental Friendly Pocono Communities. This is an estimate, so before you make any final decisions, contact both the municipality and the HOA for verification.