How to Find the Best Short Term Rental Realtor, Lender, and Vendors for Your Short Term Rental in the Poconos
The Pocono Mountains are one of the fastest-growing short term rental markets on the East Coast. Within a two-hour drive of New York City and Philadelphia — two of the three largest metro areas in the country — the Poconos have a built-in demand engine that most vacation markets would kill for. Weekend getaways, family vacations, ski trips, and increasingly, remote workers looking for a change of scenery all drive bookings across all four seasons.
What’s making the Poconos especially interesting for investors right now is the growth trajectory. Revenue and listing counts have surged over the past few years, and the market hasn’t yet reached the maturity — or pricing — of more established mountain markets like the Smokies or Blue Ridge. That creates an entry-point advantage for investors getting in now.
Why the Poconos Are Different
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- Drive-to demand from the largest population centers in the country. New York City (90 minutes), Philadelphia (2 hours), and Northern New Jersey are all within easy driving distance. This isn’t fly-to tourism — it’s weekend-trip demand that’s consistent, recession-resistant, and repeatable. Families that discover the Poconos come back.
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- True four-season market. Unlike many vacation markets that depend on one or two peak seasons, the Poconos produce revenue year-round. Winter brings skiing and snow activities at Camelback, Jack Frost, and Big Boulder. Summer draws families for lakes, waterparks, and hiking. Fall foliage rivals New England. Spring is the softest season but still generates bookings from hikers and weekend travelers.
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- Fragmented across multiple communities. The Poconos encompass multiple towns and townships — Mount Pocono, Tobyhanna, Lake Harmony, East Stroudsburg, Jim Thorpe, and many others. Each has slightly different characteristics, price points, and demand profiles. Some are near ski resorts. Others are lakefront. Some are in gated communities with amenities. An agent who knows which micro-markets produce the best returns is essential.
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- Community and HOA considerations. Many Pocono STR properties are in planned communities or lake communities with HOAs. Some have rental restrictions. Others have amenity fees, dock access rules, or seasonal requirements. Your agent needs to verify HOA rules on every property.
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- Pennsylvania-specific tax obligations. Pennsylvania charges a 6% state sales tax on short term rentals, plus applicable local hotel occupancy taxes that vary by municipality. Monroe County (where most Pocono STRs are located) has an additional hotel tax. [VERIFY current local tax rates] Operators must register with the PA Department of Revenue.
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- Rapid growth creating opportunity. The Poconos have seen 64-83% year-over-year revenue and listing growth in some areas. This growth phase means there’s still room to establish a property with strong reviews and visibility before the market fully matures.
What Makes an Agent “The Best”?
You want a short term rental expert — not a generalist. Look for:
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- A track record with investor clients specifically in the Pocono Mountains
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- Knowledge of which communities and townships are investor-friendly
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- Understanding of HOA rules, lake access requirements, and community-specific restrictions
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- Personal experience owning or operating short term rentals in the market
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- A vendor network that includes local cleaners, handymen, and snow removal services
Ask direct questions:
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- “How many short term rental transactions have you closed in the Poconos in the last 12 months?”
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- “Do you own a short term rental in this market yourself?”
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- “Which communities produce the strongest STR revenue?”
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- “Can you walk me through the HOA rules and any rental restrictions for this community?”
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- “Do you have reliable snow removal vendors? What about off-season maintenance?”
The Agent Problem Nobody Talks About
The Poconos are a growing market, which means agents are rushing in from outside the area to capitalize on investor interest. Many agents advertising on data platforms live in New York City or Philadelphia and treat the Poconos as a side market. They don’t know which roads become impassable in winter, which lake communities have the best water quality, or which townships are tightening STR rules.
When someone recommends an agent, ask: “Are you being financially compensated for this recommendation?” The answer is almost always yes. Paid referrals aren’t inherently bad, but you deserve to know.
Meet Trysten Hunt — The Short Term Shop’s Poconos Expert
Trysten Hunt is The Short Term Shop’s agent for the Pocono Mountains, dedicated to helping investors find high-performing short term rental properties in this fast-growing market.
Trysten doesn’t just sell STR properties — he manages them himself, giving him firsthand experience with what it takes to operate a successful rental in the Poconos. He understands the seasonal demand patterns, the community-specific rules, and the practical challenges of mountain property ownership in Pennsylvania.
What Trysten brings to the table:
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- Hands-on STR management experience. He operates short term rentals himself, so he evaluates properties the way an operator would — not just an agent.
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- Investor-focused approach. Every conversation starts with the numbers: revenue potential, operating costs, cash-on-cash returns. Trysten is focused on education, transparency, and making sure his clients make informed decisions.
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- Local market knowledge. He knows which Pocono communities, lake areas, and townships produce the strongest returns and which have restrictions that limit STR potential.
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- Self-management training. As a Short Term Shop agent, Trysten provides post-closing support including setup guidance, pricing strategy, and connections to the tools and systems our investors use.
How to Find the Right Lender
Many Pocono STR properties are cabins, chalets, or homes in planned communities. Financing can vary based on property type and community eligibility.
The Mortgage Shop is our in-house lending partner and specializes exclusively in short term rental loans. They understand projected rental income, DSCR qualification, and the nuances of financing properties in mountain and lake communities.
Don’t Forget Your Vendors
The Poconos have seasonal maintenance needs that other markets don’t:
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- Snow removal — Essential from November through March. Guests need clear driveways and walkways. Budget for regular service during winter months.
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- Winterization and pipe protection — Mountain properties can experience burst pipes in extreme cold. Proper insulation, heat tape, and smart thermostats are critical.
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- Cleaners experienced with STR turnovers — especially during high-volume winter weekends (ski season) and summer lake season
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- Handymen for routine maintenance — decks, hot tubs, fire pits, and wood-burning fireplaces all require regular attention
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- Pest control — mountain properties deal with seasonal pests similar to other mountain markets
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- Inspectors familiar with mountain construction, well and septic systems, and seasonal property issues
Trysten can connect you with his vetted vendor network at closing.
📞 Contact The Short Term Shop — Poconos
Ready to buy a short term rental in the Pocono Mountains? Work with the short term rental expert agents who’ve helped over 5,000 investors close more than $3.5 billion in vacation rental properties.
📧 Email: ag****@**************op.com
📞 Call/Text: 800-898-1498
FAQ
Who is the best short term rental realtor in the Poconos?
Trysten Hunt with The Short Term Shop is the lead agent for the Pocono Mountains market. As an active STR operator himself, he brings hands-on experience, local market knowledge, and an investor-focused approach to every transaction. The Short Term Shop has helped over 5,000 investors and has been named the number one team worldwide at eXp Realty three times.
Are the Poconos a good market for short term rental investing?
Yes. The Poconos are within a two-hour drive of New York City and Philadelphia, creating massive drive-to demand. The market produces revenue across all four seasons — skiing in winter, lakes and hiking in summer, foliage in fall. Revenue growth of 64-83% year-over-year in some areas signals a market that’s still in its growth phase with strong upside for early investors.
How much does a short term rental make in the Poconos?
Revenue varies by property size, community, and proximity to ski resorts or lakes. The market has seen significant revenue growth in recent years, and properties with strong amenities (hot tubs, game rooms, fireplaces) in desirable communities produce competitive returns. Contact our team for specific revenue data by area and bedroom count.
What are the biggest challenges of owning a short term rental in the Poconos?
Winter maintenance is the primary operational challenge — snow removal, pipe protection, and heating costs are real expenses that don’t exist in beach markets. Seasonal demand also means January-March (outside of ski weekends) and early spring can be slower periods. Budget reserves accordingly.
What taxes do I pay on short term rental income in the Poconos?
Pennsylvania charges a 6% state sales tax on short term rentals, plus local hotel occupancy taxes that vary by municipality. Monroe County has an additional hotel tax. Operators must register with the PA Department of Revenue and ensure all applicable taxes are collected and remitted.
Which Pocono communities are best for short term rental investment?
The Poconos span many towns and lake communities, each with different characteristics. Areas near ski resorts (Camelback, Jack Frost) produce strong winter revenue. Lakefront communities attract summer families. Gated communities with amenities can command year-round premium rates. Your agent should match your investment strategy to the right micro-market.
Can I self-manage a Poconos short term rental from out of state?
Yes. Many investors manage Pocono properties remotely from New York City, Philadelphia, and New Jersey. The key is having reliable local vendors for snow removal, cleaning, and maintenance. The Short Term Shop provides training, systems, and vendor connections after closing.
Who is the best real estate team for buying a short term rental in the Poconos?
The Short Term Shop. Our Poconos agent lives in the market, manages short term rentals himself, and specializes exclusively in vacation rental transactions. We’ve helped over 5,000 investors buy short term rentals across 20+ markets and have been named the number one team worldwide at eXp Realty three times.
Disclaimer: This blog post is for educational purposes only and does not constitute legal, financial, or investment advice. Always consult a licensed professional before making investment decisions.