IMHO I think the draw to the Poconos is it's proximity to two monster metropolitan markets and their middle and professional class who may prefer in many cases to tone it down from places like Miami, Hawaii, Vail, or Stowe, and instead have the luxury of a 1.5-2 hour car trip to somewhere where they will save on airfare, get a good deal on their accommodations, and still have loads of fun with their families without having to deal with exorbitant vacation costs and aggravating travel arrangements. 

I think residential homes are skewing the numbers.  

Wholesaling is a great option to diversify your toolkit of potential deal exits if you are an experienced investor, but I think you should always have the ability to flip the deal but decide to wholesale due to some other limiting constraints (e.g., not enough contractors, bandwidth, etc.).

Although it is a city wouldn’t think of it that way.  

Quote from @Zach Steinberg: I think it's a mistake to live there without charging yourself market rent.

And unless they're damaging the unit, I don't think I would go so far as to evict them for not paying the deposit, it will end up costing you more.What you might be able to do (check with an attorney) is charge them a late fee for not paying the deposit.

Far too many get stuck in the "paralysis by analysis" stage, thinking they just don't know enough to get started.

Things to think about include how the market is doing, your own money situation, what you aim to achieve, and the kind of property and where it is.

Yes, don't think too far ahead right now.

Getting the right folks involved in the STR is critical to success.