Good morning!

Who else is watching (Legally Blonde) Elle and/or Ted Lasso?

I love these kinds of characters. They’re relentlessly optimistic without being oblivious. They see possibilities where other people see problems. They believe things can get better — and somehow, just being around them makes you believe it too.

Seriously, I’m pretty sure you could blindfold these people, tie one hand behind their backs, point them toward Mount Everest and they’d say:

“Great! What an adventure!” 

And here’s what got me thinking about this…

We have people like that in our STR community too.

I talked with several of them this week. You know who you are. 

They’re the people who call with an idea instead of a complaint. Who see a problem and immediately start thinking about solutions. Who volunteer. Who connect people. Who say, “How can I help?” They somehow leave you with more energy at the end of a conversation than you had at the beginning.

Those people are contagious.

Unfortunately, negativity is contagious too.

And right now, there are plenty of reasons in the STR world to become frustrated, cynical or downright cranky. Regulations. Fees. Difficult guests. Difficult neighbors. Difficult officials. Difficult owners! Pick your poison.

We can't control all of that.

But we CAN control what kind of energy we bring into the room.

So how can we be the Elle/Ted Lasso of our own businesses, HOAs, townships and STR community?

Here are a few thoughts:

1. Bring solutions, not just problems.
Anyone can point out what’s wrong. The positive force in the room says, “Okay… so what could we do about it?”

2. Assume positive intent.
The neighbor complaining about an STR may have a legitimate concern. The township supervisor proposing a regulation may genuinely believe it will help. The owner who screwed something up may simply not know better. Start with curiosity before jumping to combat.

3. Catch people doing something RIGHT.
We’re really good at noticing mistakes. What if we got equally good at noticing the good stuff? Thank the employee. Compliment the neighbor. Recognize the township official who listened. Tell another STR owner when they’re doing a great job.

4. Be the person who raises the energy in the room.
Every HOA meeting, township meeting, networking event and Facebook conversation has a temperature. We all contribute to it. Ask yourself: Did the room get better because I walked into it?

5. Believe things can get better — and then help make them better.
Positivity isn’t pretending problems don’t exist. It’s believing they can be solved. And then rolling up your sleeves and doing something about them.

That last one matters to me.

Because advocacy without optimism becomes nothing but anger.

Community without optimism becomes complaining.

And business without optimism? That sounds absolutely exhausting.

We’re going to face challenges. Some pretty big ones, actually.

But imagine what our STR community could accomplish if more of us walked into those challenges thinking:

We can figure this out.

We can make this better.

And I can be part of the reason why.

So this week, channel your inner Elle. Or Ted.

And to the wonderfully positive people who lifted me up this week…

Thank you. Keep doing it. It’s contagious.

Have a great week!

~ Rebecca

P.S. Who’s the “Ted Lasso” in your STR world? Tell them. Better yet, send them this email and let them know they’re making a difference.

P.P.S.  We hope all the Teds and Elles will register for our STR Advocacy Summit… your community needs you in the trenches with us!!

Happy Monday!

I've always been fascinated by companies with extraordinary corporate cultures.

Not just companies with happy employees, but companies where every single person understands the mission so deeply that it shapes every decision they make.

One of my favorite stories comes from Disney.

A visitor stopped a custodian who was sweeping up litter and asked him what he did for a living.  He didn't say, "I empty trash cans."  He didn't say, "I clean the park."  He smiled and said, "I make memories."

Think about that for a second.

On the surface, he was picking up someone else's popcorn bucket. But in his mind, he was helping create the magical experience families had traveled hundreds—or even thousands—of miles to enjoy. A clean park meant parents weren't distracted. Kids could run freely. Photos looked beautiful. The magic stayed intact.  His broom wasn't his purpose.  It was his tool.

That story got me thinking about our own businesses.

As we wrap up another busy summer season, it's easy to get buried in the never-ending checklist.

• Answer the inquiry.
• Approve the refund.
• Replace the coffee maker.
• Schedule the cleaner.
• Fix the wobbly chair.
• Restock the toilet paper.

But what if none of those are actually your job?  What if your job is creating the place where a family celebrates Grandma's 80th birthday?  Or where lifelong friends finally get together after years apart.  Or where exhausted parents reconnect after months of running in different directions.  Or where a child catches their first fish, sees their first bear, or falls in love with the Poconos!!

Those moments don't happen by accident.

They happen because hundreds of tiny decisions were made correctly long before the guests arrived.

• The cleaner isn't cleaning. They're building trust.
• The handyman isn't fixing a doorknob.  They're preventing frustration.
• The person stocking the welcome basket isn't putting out snacks.  They're making guests feel like someone was genuinely expecting them.
• Even your automated messages aren't just communication.  They're reducing uncertainty and helping guests relax.

Every task has a higher purpose.

So here's a challenge as we finish out the busy season:

Ask yourself—and everyone who helps operate your property—one simple question:

"What's my real job?"

If the answer is "cleaning," "maintenance," "bookkeeping," or "guest messaging," you're probably aiming too low.

Find the mission behind the task.

Because the best hosts don't just provide lodging.  They create experiences.  They make memories.

And when every person involved in your business understands that, guests can feel the difference—even if they never know exactly why.

Have a great week!

~Rebecca

P.S. If our mission as hosts is creating memorable experiences, our mission as the Poconos VRO is protecting your ability to keep creating them. Whether that's advocating for fair regulations, educating owners, or strengthening our industry, every conversation, meeting, and email serves that same purpose. If you haven't joined us yet, we'd love to have you on the team.

Submitted by Mark Shay, PoconoVacationHomeSales

The latest AirDNA data shows a healthy Poconos short-term rental market, but one that is becoming more selective. Revenue, occupancy and average daily rates are increasing as the number of active listings experiences a slight decline.

When compared with KeyData’s Q3 2026 regional analysis, the message becomes clearer: revenue growth is increasingly being driven by pricing power and property quality—not by an unlimited increase in demand.

Poconos revenue is rising while inventory declines

According to AirDNA, Revenue per Available Rental, or RevPAR, increased 7.3% in the Poconos during the past 12 months. Average annual revenue rose 8.5% to approximately $55,200.

Other regional performance indicators include:

• 43% occupancy, up 2.3%
• $397 average daily rate, up 4.5%
• 6,581 active listings, down 3.0%
• AirDNA’s Pocono Region Market Score of 86 (reflects strong business opportunity)
• AirDNA Seasonality Score of 72 (reflects a good revenue flow year-round)

More revenue is being captured by a smaller pool of available properties. That is encouraging for strong operators, but it does not mean every Poconos rental is benefiting equally.

How the Poconos compares with the Mid-Atlantic

KeyData’s U.S. Key Data Index Q3 2026 provides a broader comparison for the Mid-Atlantic region, which includes Pennsylvania, New York, New Jersey, Delaware and Maryland.

During the second quarter of 2026, KeyData reported:

• 29% paid occupancy
• $296 average daily rate
• Flat year-over-year occupancy
• 12% growth in average daily rate
• 12% growth in RevPAR

The AirDNA and KeyData figures are not directly interchangeable. AirDNA’s Poconos figures are market-specific trailing indicators, while KeyData’s numbers cover a much larger five-state region and a defined quarterly period. The platforms may also differ in methodology and property coverage.

Even with those limitations, both datasets point in the same direction: revenue is increasing faster than occupied nights. Operators with pricing power are capturing the gains.

The Poconos’ $397 ADR is substantially higher than KeyData’s $296 Mid-Atlantic benchmark, although the difference partly reflects the Poconos’ concentration of whole-home leisure properties. The region’s 43% AirDNA occupancy is also higher than KeyData’s 29% Mid-Atlantic paid occupancy, but these percentages should not be treated as an exact apples-to-apples comparison.

The more meaningful comparison is the trend. KeyData found flat Mid-Atlantic occupancy but 12% growth in both ADR and RevPAR. AirDNA found modest Poconos occupancy growth alongside higher ADR, RevPAR and annual revenue.

Both suggest that guests are willing to pay more for the right product.

The strongest Poconos submarkets

AirDNA assigns the overall Poconos a Market Score of 86. Several submarkets scored higher:

• Jim Thorpe: 98
• Mt Pocono: 95
• Canadensis: 92
• East Stroudsburg: 91
• Stroudsburg: 89
• Lake Harmony: 87
• Pocono Lake and Emerald Lakes: 86

Jim Thorpe received the highest Submarket Score, supported by strong revenue-growth potential, rental demand and steady seasonality metrics. Its average annual revenue was approximately $45,558, with 48% occupancy and a $283 ADR.

Mt Pocono generated the strongest headline results, with average annual revenue of $69,979 and the region’s highest occupancy rate at 57%. Its ADR was $361. However, AirDNA identified only 24 active listings in that submarket, so the averages may be influenced by a relatively small number of high-performing properties.

East Stroudsburg combines stronger scale with high performance. Its 685 active listings generated average annual revenue of $62,277, a $402 ADR and 47% occupancy. Annual revenue increased 15% even as active inventory declined 18.8%.  Included in this submarket is Middle Smithfield Township and the community of Saw Creek Estates.

Stroudsburg followed a similar pattern. Average annual revenue increased 15.4% to $56,937, occupancy rose 12.1% to 51%, and active inventory declined 22.9%.  This notable decline in inventory can be attributed to an unfavorable regulation score.

These results reinforce the idea that revenue is concentrating among stronger properties while weaker listings exit the market.

Premium nightly rates remain achievable

Lake Harmony reported the highest ADR among the reviewed Poconos submarkets at $448.96. Its average annual revenue was $61,515, despite occupancy of only 41%.  In AirDNA’s definition of sub-markets, Lake Harmony includes much of Penn Forest Township and thus has 1486 active listings making it the largest sub-market according to AirDNA.

Emerald Lakes followed with a $439.17 ADR and $60,084 in average annual revenue. Pocono Lake reported a $422.93 ADR and $57,725 in annual revenue.  The submarket of Tobyhanna has 1281 active listings and includes large communities like Pocono Farms Country Club, Pocono Farms East and A Pocono Country Place.

Occupancy alone does not determine investment performance. A distinctive property capable of commanding premium nightly rates can produce strong annual revenue without being occupied every night.  The Poconos is historically a late booking weekend-focused market, two metrics that investors are looking to change.

KeyData’s regional results support this conclusion. Mid-Atlantic occupancy was flat, but ADR and RevPAR each increased 12%. Stronger rates—not a surge in booked nights—produced the revenue growth.

Seasonality still matters

Across the Poconos, the best month is July and the worst month is March. AirDNA gives the region a Seasonality Score of 72.

A high Seasonality Score indicates relatively low seasonality and more consistent demand throughout the year. A low score indicates greater seasonality and larger differences between peak- and low-season revenue.

Poconos vacation rentals are generally strongest during summer and fall. Demand slows considerably during the “mud season,” typically running from early March through late April.

The ski season is the biggest variable. Homes very close to ski resorts can perform extremely well from December through March. Properties more than approximately 20 minutes from skiing generally receive less winter demand.

A ski-adjacent property may enjoy both a winter peak and strong summer and fall seasons. A more distant property may rely heavily on warm-weather travel, foliage season, holiday weekends and its own amenities.

KeyData’s booking-window data adds another consideration. Nationally, finalized booking windows averaged 49 days in April, 56 days in May and 67 days in June. This supports publishing attractive peak-season rates and availability well in advance, followed by active pricing adjustments as arrival dates approach.  In the Poconos, the average booking window is much lower, the AirDNA data shows many months with over half the bookings made less than 30 days before arrival.

A flight to quality

It is our opinion that these results reflect a move toward luxury—a flight to quality.

The trend is toward larger and more expensive homes, better interior design, stronger amenities and a more premium guest experience than the region has historically provided.

Guests increasingly compare professional photography, bedroom capacity, ample bathrooms, large open gathering areas, outdoor features and entertainment options before booking. Homes with hot tubs, game rooms, pools, attractive kitchens, modern bathrooms and well-designed outdoor spaces have a meaningful competitive advantage and of course, 5-star ratings.

Older-looking, smaller and outdated homes are not renting as well. Lowering the nightly rate does not appear to be solving the problem for many of these owners and operators.

KeyData’s national Demand Index was essentially flat in June 2026, while its Revenue Index remained positive. That is consistent with a mature and competitive market: total demand is no longer expanding fast enough to make every property successful, but revenue can still grow for homes that give guests a compelling reason to choose them.

An expensive amenity is not automatically a profitable amenity. Improvements should be evaluated according to their likely effect on ADR, occupancy, guest reviews and annual revenue. Nevertheless, the data supports investing in upgrades that create visible differentiation.

Distribution and presentation are increasingly important

KeyData found that Airbnb accounted for 51% of national reservations during Q2 2026, up from 47% one year earlier. Airbnb’s share of revenue increased from 36% to 43%.

Vrbo remained relatively stable at 20% of reservations and 23% of revenue. Direct bookings represented 21% of reservations and 29% of revenue.

For Poconos operators, the lesson is not to rely exclusively on one channel. Owners should maintain strong Airbnb and Vrbo listings while gradually developing repeat-guest and direct-booking opportunities.

Professional photography, thoughtful descriptions, strong reviews, responsive management and disciplined pricing are now core elements of property performance—not optional marketing extras.

Luxury and Quality is Growing in Poconos Real Estate

The current vacation-rental environment is also reflected in the Poconos real estate market.

Active STRs with high bedroom counts, high permitted guest occupancy, turnkey condition and a strong presence on booking platforms are in very high demand. These properties are selling at substantial premiums because buyers are acquiring more than a house. They are acquiring a furnished hospitality product with amenities, photography, reviews, operating history and potentially forward reservations.

Buyers should still verify the business carefully. A high platform rating does not replace municipal permits, HOA approval, legal occupancy documentation, septic capacity, revenue statements and confirmation of what will transfer at closing.

A property should be underwritten according to the number of bedrooms and guests that can legally be licensed—not simply the occupancy advertised in a listing.

The bottom line

The Poconos remains a strong vacation-rental destination, but performance is becoming more concentrated.

AirDNA shows improving occupancy, ADR, RevPAR and annual revenue while active inventory declines. KeyData shows the broader Mid-Atlantic producing strong ADR and RevPAR growth without increased occupancy.

Together, the reports support a clear conclusion: future success will depend less on simply owning a Poconos rental and more on owning the right one.

The strongest opportunities are likely to be well-located, legally compliant, high-capacity and professionally presented properties that deliver a memorable guest experience and can command a premium nightly rate. Generic, dated homes that compete primarily by lowering price face an increasingly difficult market.

Methodology note: AirDNA figures reflect the supplied Poconos market and submarket screenshots. KeyData statistics are drawn from its Q3 2026 analysis of Q2 performance and forward booking data. The Mid-Atlantic region includes Pennsylvania, New York, New Jersey, Delaware and Maryland and should not be interpreted as Poconos-only performance.

Federal housing policy is moving. Local STR conversations are growing. Owners need to be informed, prepared, and in the room.

Airbnb is listed among the organizations supporting the bill, which matters because it shows STR platforms are paying attention to federal housing policy, not just local rental rules. Poconos VRO is proud to announce Airbnb as one of the Presenting Sponsors of the 2026 STR Advocacy Summit on September 17 at Camelback Resort.

Their support comes at the right time.

Housing policy is moving quickly at every level. The recently passed 21st Century ROAD to Housing Act focuses on reducing barriers to new home construction, modernizing HUD programs, expanding local lending for housing construction and mortgages, and addressing concerns around large investors competing with individual homebuyers.

So why does that matter to short-term rental owners?

STRs are part of the housing conversation
Anything federal lawmakers do around housing supply, affordability, and investor activity can eventually affect how STRs are talked about locally. Even when STRs are not named directly, local officials often pull these broader housing themes into township and HOA conversations. 

Investor language matters
The article says the bill addresses concerns about large investors unfairly competing with individual homebuyers. That could matter for STR owners because some local debates lump small STR owners together with large-scale investors, even when they are completely different.

More housing supply can reduce pressure on STRs
If the law helps reduce barriers to building and expands local lending for housing construction and mortgages, that could support more housing supply. More supply may help reduce the political pressure that often gets aimed at STRs during housing affordability debates.

That is why this Summit matters.

The STR Advocacy Summit will bring together vacation rental owners, property managers, HOA leaders, township voices, local officials, business partners, and industry supporters for one focused afternoon on advocacy, communication, and responsible leadership.

Attendees will learn how to better communicate with local officials, understand the bigger housing conversation, use facts and data more effectively, build relationships before issues become emergencies, and show up as prepared voices in their communities.

This is not about being the loudest person in the room. This is about being informed, credible, and ready.

We are grateful to Airbnb, one of our Presenting Sponsors, and to all of our Summit sponsors and partners helping support FAIR STR regulations and advocacy in the Poconos.

If you own, manage, support, regulate, sell, or care about vacation rentals in the Poconos, this is where you need to be.

Register here:  https://poconosvro.org/STR-Advocacy-Summit

STR Glow Up:
Hopskip Home Designer Chalet 

We are excited to spotlight Krista and Graham Blundell’s Hopskip Home Luxury Chalet in Penn Estates, East Stroudsburg.

How long have you owned the property?
We purchased the property at the end of 2023 and welcomed our first guests in 2025 after completing an extensive renovation and expansion.

What did the property look like before?
The home had great potential but needed a major refresh. The faded beige siding, brown trim, deteriorating deck, lattice enclosure, and overgrown landscaping made it one of the less appealing homes on the block. Inside, much of the home was still untouched from the 1980s.

What improvements did you make?
We transformed the home from a 3-bedroom, 2-bath property into a 5-bedroom, 3-bath vacation rental. Updates included a new kitchen, renovated bathrooms, flooring, lighting, paint, furnishings, improved landscaping, a built-in fire pit, and welcoming outdoor spaces. A hot tub is planned for the next phase.

Who helped with the work?
We worked with Jack’s Landscaping in Stroudsburg, Bender’s Tree Service, and sourced materials through 84 Lumber in East Stroudsburg. Much of the renovation was completed with trusted contractors from previous projects.

How has the property improved the neighborhood or guest experience?
One of our other vacation rentals is just one lot away, so we’ve been able to revitalize two prominent corner properties in the same section of the community. Together, the renovations improved curb appeal and created thoughtfully designed spaces for guests to gather.

Why did you start your STR in the Poconos? What’s your back story?
My husband Graham and I spent years working in design, construction, and real estate investing in Northern New Jersey. Short-term rentals allowed us to combine renovation, design, hospitality, and guest experience.

This was the fourth vacation rental we added to our portfolio. We’ve welcomed thousands of guests to the Poconos and recently expanded into boutique hotel ownership with Lakelyn Lodge in Lakeville. In many ways, our vacation rental experience naturally prepared us for this next chapter in hospitality.

Check out Hopskip Home and get inspired by what thoughtful STR ownership can look like.: https://hopskiphome.com/designer-chalet/

Good Morning & Happy Monday!

Unless you've been living under a rock (or simply refuse to call it anything but soccer ), you've probably noticed that the World Cup has taken over televisions, sports bars, and family living rooms around the globe.

The world's best players are chasing one trophy, and millions of people are glued to every pass, save, and dramatic flop... er... "injury."

Watching a few matches this week got me thinking...

There are actually a lot of lessons STR owners can learn from the world's biggest sporting event.

 1. Great teams don't rely on one superstar.

Even the best player in the world can't win seven games by themselves.

The same is true for your vacation rental.

Your cleaner matters.
Your handyman matters.
Your messaging matters.
Your photographer matters.
Your housekeeper who notices a broken lamp before the guest checks in? MVP.

Five-star stays are almost always a team effort.

 2. Home-field advantage is real.

World Cup teams love playing in front of hometown fans.

Your "home field" is your local knowledge.

Nobody knows your area better than you do.

Recommend the hidden breakfast spot.
Tell guests where to watch the sunset.
Point them toward the hiking trail that's actually worth the drive.

The property gets them there.

Your local expertise is what they'll remember.

 3. Championships are won by avoiding the little mistakes.

The team that lifts the trophy usually isn't the one with the fanciest tricks.

It's the team that doesn't make costly errors.

Missed cleaning?
Broken Wi-Fi?
Wrong door code?
Empty propane tank?

They're the hospitality equivalent of an own goal.

The basics still win championships.

 4. Adapt or get knocked out.

Every opponent is different.

Every guest is too.

The best hosts adjust.

Families need different things than couples.
Summer guests have different expectations than winter skiers.
A first-time Airbnb guest needs more guidance than someone who's stayed in fifty rentals.

The hosts who keep learning are usually the ones still standing at the end of the season.

 5. The fans make the game.

Without supporters, the World Cup would just be 22 people chasing a ball around.

Without our guests, our neighbors, our local businesses, and yes... each other... none of us succeeds for very long.

That's true of your rental.

It's also true of our association.

The stronger our community becomes, the stronger every one of our businesses becomes.

So while you're watching the semifinal matches this week, enjoy the excitement... and maybe steal a few ideas from the world's best teams.

Because whether it's football (or soccer ) or short-term rentals...

Championships are rarely won by accident.

They're earned—one good decision at a time.

Have a great week,

Rebecca
Executive Director
Poconos VRO

P.S. Speaking of teamwork... don't forget to register for our STR Advocacy Summit on September 17th at Camelback Resort. Great advocacy isn't a solo sport either—we're building a stronger team for the future of vacation rentals across Pennsylvania, and we'd love to have you on it.

Happy (belated) Independence Day!

As we celebrated the Fourth of July this weekend, I found myself thinking about the events that led to America's independence.

Long before the Boston Tea Party, the colonists tried something much less dramatic: they advocated. They wrote letters. They petitioned. They met with officials. They asked to be treated fairly.

Eventually, frustration boiled over.

Was dumping tea into Boston Harbor their most effective strategy? History can debate that. But one thing is certain: they believed they deserved a voice in decisions that affected their lives.

The short-term rental community in Pennsylvania finds itself at an important crossroads today.

Across the Poconos—and increasingly across the Commonwealth—owners are facing proposals that would make it harder, and in some cases nearly impossible, to continue operating responsibly. We're working every day to make sure cooler heads prevail and that the regulations adopted are fair, reasonable, and based on facts rather than fear.

Here's where things stand:

1. Pocono Township

If you own or manage an STR in Pocono Township, now is the time to get involved.

Our Litigation Committee will be scheduling a meeting this week to determine the next steps in our fight against the unreasonable STR tax imposed by the township last summer. If you've been waiting for the right moment to participate, this is it. The decisions we make now could affect every STR owner in the township (and BEYOND!) for years to come.

2. Join Us September 17 at Camelback Resort

Advocacy isn't something you're born knowing how to do.

That's why we're hosting the 2026 Poconos VRO Advocacy Summit on Thursday, September 17, at Camelback Resort. This half-day program is designed to help STR owners become informed, credible, and effective advocates—whether you're speaking at a township meeting, serving on an HOA board, or simply talking with neighbors about our industry.

You'll leave with practical communication strategies, economic data, advocacy tools, and a roadmap for becoming a stronger voice in your community. If you've ever thought, "I wish I knew what to say," this Summit is for you. (Poconos VRO)

3. A Statewide Voice is Coming

One thing has become crystal clear over the past year: these challenges aren't unique to the Poconos.

That's why we're helping launch the Pennsylvania Short-Term Rental Alliance (PASTRA).

The Poconos VRO will continue doing what we do best—serving and advocating for owners in Monroe, Pike, Wayne, and Carbon Counties. But Pennsylvania needs a coordinated, statewide voice that can educate legislators, support local advocates, and respond quickly when new threats emerge.

I encourage you to visit PASTRA.org, learn about the vision, and subscribe to receive updates as we continue building something that will benefit STR owners across the Commonwealth.

Two hundred and fifty years ago, Americans learned that freedom isn't something you inherit—it requires participation.

The same is true today.

Thank you for standing with us, supporting one another, and helping ensure that responsible vacation rentals remain part of Pennsylvania's future.

Happy Independence Day, and here's to another year of protecting the freedoms we all value.

— Rebecca

Ready to join our movement:  Just $150/year helps protect your ability to operate your STR!!  We encourage you to join today!

Who Really Gets Hurt When Short-Term Rentals Are Banned?

The unintended consequences of restrictive short-term rental policies may reach far beyond STR owners—affecting who can afford a vacation home, who can experience one, and even what existing homeowners' properties are worth.

When people argue that short-term rentals should be banned, the conversation usually centers on neighborhoods: protecting community character, preserving peace and quiet, and keeping residential areas residential.

Those are worthy goals. Neighborhoods deserve to be safe, peaceful and well cared for, and responsible vacation rental owners should share those priorities.

But there is another question that deserves a place in the conversation: Who actually pays the price when short-term rentals disappear?

The answer may be surprising. Often, it isn't the wealthy. It's everyone else.

When Vacation Homes Were a Luxury

For generations, owning a second home was largely reserved for families with enough disposable income to carry the expense of a property they might use only a few weeks each year. A lake house, ski cabin or beach cottage could sit empty for 48 or 50 weeks, while the mortgage, property taxes, insurance, utilities and maintenance bills continued to arrive.

For most middle-class families, that simply wasn't realistic. A vacation home was a luxury enjoyed by people wealthy enough to absorb the cost of owning two homes.

Short-term rentals changed that equation.

How STRs Changed the Economics of Vacation-Home Ownership

The ability to rent a vacation property when the owner isn't using it created an entirely different model. Rental income could help offset the mortgage, taxes, insurance, utilities, maintenance, repairs and improvements that come with owning a second home.

Suddenly, vacation-home ownership wasn't limited exclusively to people who could afford to leave a property empty most of the year.

Teachers, firefighters, nurses, tradespeople, retirees and small-business owners could consider buying a place their families could enjoy while sharing it with guests during the weeks they weren't there.

That's an important distinction in today's debate over short-term rentals. Many vacation rental owners aren't building real estate empires. They're families who found a way to make an extraordinary dream financially possible.

Bans Don't Affect Every Owner Equally

Consider two prospective vacation-home owners.

One has the financial resources to purchase a $2 million lakefront property without ever renting it. The house could sit vacant for eleven months each year and the owner would be perfectly capable of carrying the cost.

The other family is stretching to purchase a modest cabin. They can afford it because rental income during the weeks they aren't using the property helps cover the annual expenses.

Take short-term rentals out of the equation and the first buyer barely notices. For the second, the numbers may no longer work at all.

That's one of the rarely discussed consequences of banning STRs: vacation-home ownership can become more exclusive, not less.

The wealthiest buyers remain in the market. Middle-income buyers are increasingly shut out.

And What Happens to Everyone Else's Property Value?

There's another potential consequence of eliminating short-term rentals that should matter even to homeowners who have never rented their property and never intend to: What happens to the value of your home?

A home's value isn't determined only by its size, location or view. It's also influenced by what a future buyer is allowed to do with it. A mountain home that can legally be rented may appeal to a local resident, a retiree, a second-home buyer and someone who needs occasional rental income to make vacation-home ownership affordable. Eliminate STRs and you potentially eliminate some of those buyers, too.

Research suggests that can affect property values. A study published in the Journal of Urban Economics examined 18 cities in Los Angeles County that severely restricted short-term rentals. Researchers found the regulations reduced STR listings by about 50%—and reduced housing prices by approximately 2% relative to properties just across municipal borders. Similar studies in other tourism markets, including New Orleans and Florida's Anna Maria Island, have also found evidence that restricting the ability to short-term rent can reduce property values.

That doesn't mean every STR restriction will lower home prices; every real estate market is different. But it does raise a question that every homeowner should consider: If you eliminate one potential use of your property—and some of the buyers who value that use—what could that eventually do to its resale value?

Maybe you're comfortable with that trade-off. If you never plan to sell, perhaps it doesn't matter much to you.

But someday you—or your children—may sell that property. And when that day comes, the question won't be whether you wanted to operate a short-term rental.

The question will be whether the person who might have paid the most for your house was allowed to.

The Other Side of the Equation: Guests

The impact isn't limited to property owners. Short-term rentals have also changed who gets to experience certain kinds of travel.

Imagine a waterfront home large enough for an extended family reunion, a mountain lodge where three generations can spend Christmas together, or a lakefront property with a view most families could never afford to own.

Buying that home may be completely out of reach. Renting it for a long weekend or one memorable week is another matter.

In that sense, short-term rentals have opened experiences that once belonged almost exclusively to wealthy property owners. Families celebrate anniversaries together. Grandparents gather children and grandchildren under one roof. Military friends reunite. Kids spend summer mornings at the lake and come home with memories they'll talk about decades later.

You shouldn't have to be able to own a million-dollar view to experience it.

What Does It Mean to “Protect the Neighborhood”?

Opponents of short-term rentals frequently talk about the need to “protect the neighborhood,” and in most cases that concern is sincere. Residents should not have to tolerate excessive noise, overflowing trash, blocked streets or guests who behave irresponsibly.

But it's worth being precise about what we're trying to protect neighborhoods from.

If the problem is noise, address noise. If it's parking, establish and enforce reasonable parking limits. If it's overcrowding, set occupancy standards. If an owner repeatedly ignores legitimate complaints, impose meaningful consequences.

Those are problems of behavior, and they can be regulated as such.

The conversation becomes more complicated when the objection isn't to what visitors are doing, but simply to the fact that visitors are there. Communities should be cautious about policies that effectively decide who is—and isn't—welcome to enjoy a neighborhood simply because they don't live there year-round.

Responsible guests aren't the problem. Irresponsible behavior is.

Regulation Doesn't Have to Mean Elimination

No one should pretend every short-term rental is operated perfectly. Some owners ignore complaints. Some guests behave badly. Some properties create legitimate problems for the people who live nearby.

Those situations require action.

But eliminating an entire category of property use because a minority of operators misuse it is a remarkably blunt solution. We don't ban restaurants because some fail health inspections. We establish standards, conduct inspections and impose consequences on businesses that don't comply.

Short-term rentals can be approached the same way.

Communities can require reliable emergency contacts, reasonable occupancy and parking limits, clearly communicated guest rules, appropriate noise-management measures and meaningful penalties for repeat violations. Owners who repeatedly refuse to comply can face escalating consequences, including loss of their permit.

Every one of those approaches targets the actual problem without eliminating the opportunity for everyone else.

Good policy regulates behavior rather than existence.

The Unintended Consequences Add Up

When communities debate short-term rental restrictions, it's easy to think the consequences belong primarily to the people currently operating STRs.

But look more closely and the circle becomes much larger.

A middle-class family may lose the ability to afford a vacation home because they can no longer offset some of its costs through rental income.

A homeowner who has never rented may discover that fewer buyers are interested in purchasing their property because its potential uses have been restricted.

A family that could never afford to own a million-dollar lakefront home may lose the opportunity to rent one for a week and create memories there.

And the surrounding community may lose visitor spending that supports restaurants, attractions, contractors, cleaners, retailers and other local businesses.

Those consequences deserve to be weighed alongside the benefits communities hope to achieve through additional regulation.

There Is a Better Answer

None of this means short-term rentals should operate without rules.

They require thoughtful regulation. They require responsible owners. They require respectful guests. And communities have every right to expect accountability when those standards aren't met.

But when isolated problems lead communities toward outright bans—or toward regulations so restrictive that STRs effectively disappear—we should be clear about what else we may be eliminating along with them.

We may not be protecting vacation communities from wealthy investors.

We may actually be preserving vacation-home ownership for the wealthy, reducing opportunities for middle-class buyers, limiting travel experiences for ordinary families and potentially affecting the property values of the very residents we're supposedly trying to protect.

That's a very different conversation.

Better Neighbors—and More Opportunity

At Poconos VRO, we don't believe communities should have to choose between protecting neighborhoods and protecting opportunity.

Those goals can coexist.

The future of short-term rentals doesn't have to be a choice between “anything goes” and “ban them all.” There's a much better middle ground: one where owners are accountable, guests are respectful, neighbors know their concerns will be addressed, and communities establish reasonable standards that everyone understands.

It's a future where the full-time resident can expect a peaceful neighborhood. Where a teacher, firefighter, nurse, retiree or small-business owner can still dream about owning that little cabin in the mountains. Where existing homeowners don't unnecessarily lose potential buyers for their properties. And where a family that could never afford the lakefront house can still spend one unforgettable week there together.

Protect the neighborhood? Absolutely.

But let's make sure that, in the process, we understand everything—and everyone—we may be pricing out.

 

Good morning,

There's an old saying in business:

"Nothing kills a bad product like good advertising."

It's a little harsh... but there's a lot of truth in it.

A friend reached out to me this week after her daughter had a truly awful experience at a vacation rental here in the Poconos. She asked if I could take a look into it.

I watched the videos.

I looked at the photos.

Let's just say... it wasn't pretty.

Naturally, I went to see the property's reviews, expecting a long list of complaints.

Instead, they were all over the place.

10/10.

Then 2/10.

Back to 10/10.

Then another terrible review.

That tells me something important.

This owner (or property manager) has figured out how to market the property well enough to keep getting bookings... but they haven't figured out how to consistently deliver on the promise.

And that's a shame.

Because attracting guests is hard work. We spend thousands of dollars on photography, websites, channel managers, advertising, social media, SEO, furnishings, amenities and branding. We obsess over occupancy rates and pricing.

Why do all that work just to disappoint the people who finally show up?

It's like filling a leaky bucket.

Every happy guest becomes free marketing.

Every disappointed guest becomes expensive marketing.

They leave poor reviews.  They tell their friends.  They choose hotels next time.  Or worse... they decide the problem wasn't that rental.

It was vacation rentals.

And that's where this becomes everyone's problem.

Every poor experience reinforces the narrative that opponents of our industry love to tell—that short-term rentals are poorly managed, disruptive, or don't belong in our communities.

We know that isn't true.

The overwhelming majority of hosts care deeply about their homes and their guests.

But every time one property consistently underdelivers, it reflects on all of us.

So what would I do?

I'd stop worrying about getting the next booking for a minute and focus on why guests aren't leaving consistently happy.

Read every negative review without getting defensive.

Look for patterns.

Hire better cleaners if cleanliness is the issue.

Replace worn furniture.

Fix the little maintenance items.

Walk through the property as if you've never been there before.

Ask a trusted friend to spend the weekend and tell you everything they'd change.

And if you're managing for someone else, have the hard conversation. Protecting your reputation sometimes means telling an owner their property isn't meeting expectations.

The best marketing strategy in the world isn't another Facebook ad.

It's a guest who leaves saying,

"That place was even better than we expected."

Because no amount of marketing can overcome a disappointing experience forever.

Deliver on your promise.

Then let your guests become your marketing department.

Have a great week,

~Rebecca
Executive Director
Poconos VRO

Good morning friends!

Last week we wrapped up a fantastic series of in-person meetups across all four counties in the Poconos. We connected with familiar faces, met new owners & suppliers, shared ideas, and left each gathering with a renewed sense of energy about the future of our industry.

One conversation in particular, I immediately knew would become this week’s “Musing”.

We were talking about the impact vacation rental owners have on their communities. If you've spent any time around local government meetings or social media discussions, you've probably heard the concerns. Critics often focus on what they fear might happen: neighborhoods losing their character, declining property values, safety concerns, and a long list of worst-case scenarios.

But what if we looked at what actually happens?

During the conversation, several owners pulled out their phones and started sharing before-and-after photos of their properties. Homes that had been neglected. Landscaping that had been overgrown. Properties that had sat vacant for years. And then the "after" photos: fresh paint, new roofs, beautiful landscaping, repaired decks, updated interiors, and homes brought back to life.

The transformation wasn't just inside the four walls of those properties. It extended to the neighborhood around them.

Responsible vacation rental owners invest in their properties. They improve curb appeal. They maintain homes that might otherwise fall into disrepair. They support local contractors, landscapers, cleaners, handymen, and suppliers. They pay taxes. They bring visitors who support local businesses.

In many cases, the biggest neighborhood transformation isn't negative at all.

It's positive.

It's improvement.

It's progress.

That conversation sparked an idea. We want to begin collecting and sharing before-and-after stories from vacation rental owners throughout the Poconos. Not just beautiful renovation photos, but stories of stewardship and investment. Stories that show the real impact owners are having in their communities.

And that got me thinking about another before-and-after story.

On July 1st, I'll celebrate my first anniversary as Executive Director of the Poconos VRO.

Like many renovation projects, the changes haven't happened overnight. They've happened one improvement at a time. One conversation at a time. One new idea at a time.

Looking back over the past year, here are some of our own "before and after":

• We now have two full-time staff members.
• Our website has been completely refreshed with more content, resources, and a more professional look.
• We've expanded our programming with webinars, master classes, lightning chats, and local meetups.
• We've created more educational resources through monthly blogs, monthly newsletters, and weekly Monday Musings.
• We've added more partners that bring discounts, tools, and expertise to owners.
• We introduced our new Local Supplier Membership category.
• The Annual Poconos STR Conference grew in both attendance and impact.
• We've expanded our advocacy efforts at the township, HOA, county, state, and even Philadelphia levels.
• We've introduced referral bonuses for members and allied STR organizations.
• We've improved the ROI of your membership by adding local discounts you can pass along to your guests (& leverage to set yourself apart from your competition).

None of this happened because of one person.

It happened because a growing community of owners, managers, suppliers, advocates, and supporters decided to move in the same direction.

Momentum is a powerful thing.

The question is: Are you ready to be part of it?

If you've been thinking about getting more involved, here are a few ways:

• JOIN our growing association!
• Attend one of our July meetups.
• Reply to this email with your feedback or ideas.
• Refer a friend or colleague who should be part of the association.
• Volunteer to help with an advocacy effort in your township or HOA
• Share your expertise by participating in a webinar, panel, or Lightning Chat.
• Connect us with local businesses that would make great supplier members.
• Most importantly, tell us YOUR story.

We're building something special here in the Poconos, and the best stories are the ones that show where we started and how far we've come.

So send us your favorite before-and-after photo of your vacation rental. We'd love to feature it on our website and help tell the story of how responsible owners are improving our communities, one property at a time.

After all, every success story starts with a "before."

And the best "afters" are still ahead of us.

Have a wonderful week!

~Rebecca

PS - Happy Father's Day to all those STR-dads out there!