🛖🦌 Pocono STR News Sunday Edition | March 16th

Deal Dive, News, Events, & Hosting Tips

Author

Jonathan Dempsey
March 16, 2025

Pocono STR News powered by Live Free Hospitality

🗓 Week of March 16

This charming Split Rock cottage in Lake Harmony is the perfect mountain retreat. The open living area features hardwood floors and a stunning stone wood-burning fireplace, creating a warm, inviting space. The kitchen flows seamlessly into the dining area and out to a covered porch with a hot tub—ideal for relaxing after a day in the mountains.

With two bedrooms, a loft, and two full baths, there’s plenty of room to unwind. No HOA restrictions, and with an annual membership, you gain access to Split Rock Resort. Whether you're looking for a cozy getaway or a vacation rental, this home is STR-approved with licensing through Kidder Township.

Additional highlights include an enclosed porch for year-round enjoyment, a full unfinished basement, a paved driveway, and efficient oil-forced air heating. Don’t miss out on this inviting retreat!

Outlook on Potential from the Author

Lets look at the science first and then the assessment overall.

Property Archetype: As a small 3BR with the high demand cabin aesthetic, this home has high upside.

Winning Features: High ceilings, location, exterior siding type are all prime.

Market Snapshot - 3 Weeks of Pricing Outlook 📊

Use the below metrics to determine whether or not you should be booked

This Week’s Occupancy (1-7 days out) - Weekday 17% - Weekend 35%

Next Week’s Occupancy (8-14 days out) - Weekday XX% - Weekend XX%

Two Week’s Occupancy (15-21 days out) - Weekday XX% - Weekend XX%

Local Events Next Weekend to Share with Guests 🎉

📍Bird Bonanza – Dates vary between March 16, 2025 - May 3, 2025 | 10:00am-12:00pm
🎟 Details: Spend the morning watching PEEC's feeders and putting together your own unique and custom bird feeder from a variety of recycled materials. PEEC will provide everything you need, but you are welcome to bring your supplies.
🔗 More info

📍 Pocono Craft Brewery Tour – February 2, 2025 - December 28, 2025 | Recurring weekly on Sunday, Friday, Saturday
🎟 Details: Leave the driving to Pocono Daytripper as you spend the day experiencing award-winning craft beers and spirits. Fresh, clean mountain springs and ancient aquifers provide the basis for the Pocono’s deep selection of craft breweries and distilleries. Pocono Daytripper Brew Tours take you door to door in style and safety as you taste and tour the best libation destinations in the Poconos.
🔗 More info

📍 Early Birdie Sim Special – March 2, 2025 - March 23, 2025 | Recurring weekly on Sunday 11:00 AM to 1:00 PM
🎟 Details: Swing in early to catch the Early Birdie Simulator discount at The Wake Zone - Indoor Golf and Taproom! Enjoy half-off regular-priced simulators.
🔗 More info

Vendor Spotlight 🔧🏠

🛋 Lab Creates Design – Short Term Rental Interior Design
📍 Location: Blakeslee, PA (or where needed)
⭐ Why We Recommend: We love using Lab Creates Design due to their high level experience with Short Term Rentals. They’ve done dozens of projects for us, know how to design for peak revenue performance, look and durability.
📞 Contact Info: www.labcreatesdesign.com

Hosting & Investment Tip of the Week 💡

📝 Boost Your Listing with a Themed Experience 🎭

Creating a unique themed experience can make your STR stand out and attract more bookings.

✔️ Choose a theme (e.g., Cozy Cabin, Retro 80s, Boho Chic, Beach Vibes)
✔️ Incorporate themed decor (wall art, furniture, bedding, neon signs)
✔️ Add interactive elements (board games, vinyl records, movie projectors)
✔️ Match the amenities to the theme (e.g., tiki bar for a beach theme, s’mores kit for a cabin stay)

💡 Listings with a strong theme often get featured on social media, leading to viral exposure & higher occupancy! Months later, there are still people I bump into that comment on the love and shares of the sasquatch photos we’ve done.

STR Regulation Update ⚖️ (If applicable this week)

📢 Tobyhanna Township Meeting Tomorrow, Monday March 17th - 6pm

  • Summary: Tomorrow the township will discuss potentially removing or altering the cap on the number of STRs allowable (current is 12%). Please show up and show your support to remove the cap. See you there!

About The Author - Jonathan Dempsey (JD)

  • JD is a Pocono local and investor with a tremendous passion for short-term rentals and travel

  • JD owns multiple short-term rental investments across the Poconos with homes spanning in sizes and locations. JD has a passion for finding, creating, and sharing the Pocono’s coolest rental properties

  • JD has been a short-term rental host of over 39,750 reservations, starting 6 years ago with the first guest in a shared room in his townhome, to now guest’s favorites and the top performing homes across the Poconos

Network of Experts at Your Fingertips with Pocono STR News

  • 🛋 STR Interior Design & Staging - Local company with years of experience and 100+ showstopping designs complete. They handle all design, assembly, and preparation to be photo-ready

  • 📸 STR Professional Photography & Media - The best media in the game, you absolutely need these guys capturing and editing your listing photos

  • 🏘 Property Management: The Local Experts - Local property management soup to nuts. They handle HOA registrations, maintenance, cleaning, communications, pricing, and everything! Ditch the work and increase the revenue with the local expert touch

  • 🏛️ Local Pocono STR Lender - The best service and rates for your next vacation home investment. I use these guys on my loans for a reason

  • 👨🏻‍💼 Local STR Agent Network - Connect with a local agent who invests in the Poconos and knows the ins and outs of the market. Respond directly to this email with questions on listings here or others

  • ⚒️ Local Renovation Contracting - Get access to a reliable and affordable local team of contractors to discuss your next project

📢 Stay ahead in the Poconos STR market – see you next week! 🚀