The Vacation Rental Consultants

04/01/2026

BUYERS: Is it the rates… or the fear of the rates?
Not that long ago, buyers were jumping in at 7%+!
And just a couple months ago, everyone was waiting for “sub-6%” like it was gonna be the second coming.

Now we’re back in the 6’s… and demand is falling off a cliff.

What gives?

Key takeawaysMortgage applications fell 10.5% last week, marking a second week of double‑digit declines as rates climbed amid the ongoing conflict in

02/16/2026

Anyone else already planning their fit for 2026 Poconos STR Conference at Kalahari Resort? 🧐
I’ll be there at the Airbnb table during the day representing the *570* as the Volunteer Community Leader for the Poconos connecting with hosts, answering questions, and being a resource for anyone navigating this journey.
Please come say hello!
I’m also excited to be speaking on the panel:
Fix My Listing | Poconos Edition — Live Expert Critiques to Drive More Bookings
🕒 3:45 PM
📍 Room: Sagewood
🎤 Moderator: Megan Tucker, HostGPO
We’ll be reviewing real listings live and sharing honest, actionable feedback to help you increase bookings and build stronger, more competitive listings.
If you’re planning to attend, you can use code SEEYOUTHERE when you register to save over $50.
What started for me as renting out my own home on weekends has grown into a career built around supporting hosts, advocating for our region, and helping others succeed. This opportunity is an honor not taken lightly.
I'm looking forward to seeing familiar faces and meeting many new ones at the conference!

01/24/2026

‼️POCONOS AIRBNB HOST MEETUP- RESCHEDULED‼️

12/10/2025

->Airbnb rolled out temporary phone numbers TODAY

When it comes to communicating safely on Airbnb, temporary phone numbers are designed to keep your personal information protected while still allowing necessary contact with guests and hosts. Here’s how this feature works—and what it means for common host workflows and communication habits.

12/08/2025

🏡 So this is wild — what a $400,000 home used to cost vs. what it costs now.
The difference really shows how much timing matters...

According to the article I’ll link in the comments, the average 30-year fixed mortgage rate recently dropped to 6.19%, down about half a point from a year ago...

12/04/2025

FINALLY Thrifted a Ro-butt to keep my thrifted home furnishings clean, glad to have it for the fall clean-up!

https://www.thespruce.com/what-to-clean-before-winter-11828170?hid=52ad45d5cae7d74709a49fc6363f4b40bc46a8bb&did=20465672-20251129&utm_source=thespruce&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=thespruce-daily_newsletter&utm_content=112925&lctg=52ad45d5cae7d74709a49fc6363f4b40bc46a8bb&lr_input=a62f2d89c098ce03be8b589303d98eb0ff0b7fde56a0ca46b5aaf2aebf5974c5

12/01/2025

The article all the STR buyers and sellers are talking about….
👉 “Why (and Where) the STR Depreciation Loophole Will Create Booming Housing Markets Next Year”
https://www.biggerpockets.com/blog/why-and-where-the-str-depreciation-loophole-will-create-booming-housing-markets-next-year

The new STR depreciation rules allow *SOME* Airbnb/short-term rentals to use depreciation losses to offset W-2 income.
That’s huge for high-earning hosts or anyone actively participating in managing their property (something most of us here already do).

This matters specifically for the Poconos because:
-High number of STR-friendly townships
-Occupancy is strong year-round (holidays, ski season, summer lakes, fall foliage — we hit all four)
-Most local hosts are hands-on, which strengthens eligibility
- Investors already see the Poconos as an accessible entry point

But here’s the real question for this community:
👉 Do you think this new tax advantage will create even more investor demand here?
👉 Will it push prices up for cabins/A-frames and smaller single-family homes?
👉 Or will local regulations keep everything balanced?

As the Airbnb Community Leader for the Poconos, I’m really curious to hear everyone’s real-world insights — not just what the national data says.
• Hosts — would this change your investing or expansion plans?
• Investors — are you actively watching Poconos inventory because of this?
• Locals — what impacts do you think this could have on long-term vs short-term availability?

This is not a forecast or a prediction. It’s policy. The short-term rental (STR) markets will absolutely boom in 2026 and 2027!

11/18/2025

❄️🔥Jay Peak Got FOUR FEET of Snow… So When Are WE Getting Ours?” 🔥❄️
NEPA hosts… Jay Peak just clocked FOUR FEET of natural snowfall this week.
Four. Feet.
Jay Peak is out there drowning in powder while we’re out here refreshing the weather app like it owes us money. 😅
So here’s the million-dollar question:
👉 When do YOU think NEPA will see its first real snowfall — the kind that actually opens our mountains?
Because honestly…
Some hosts are already prepping for a strong ski season.
Some are quietly panicking and dropping December rates.
And others are clinging to that “don’t worry, it always snows in time” optimism we get every year.

Stay on top of all the weather, snow, and conditions here at Jay Peak.

11/17/2025

11/17/2025

“Airbnb is dying.”
I’ve been hearing this on loop for months… mostly from people who don’t actually host, don’t run data, and don’t understand market cycles.
But meanwhile — Airbnb just reported a 14% UPTICK in bookings this quarter.
Not flat.
Not down.

Up. Fourteen. Percent.

So no… Airbnb isn’t dying.
What is dying is:
👋 Listings with zero strategy.
👋 Hosts who set-it-and-forget-it.
👋 Properties that rely on “it worked in 2021” energy.
👋 People who blame the platform instead of improving their offer.

The hosts who are adapting?
The ones who invest in great guest experience, proper pricing, and smart design?
They’re thriving right now.
In THIS market.
With THIS competition.
So let’s stop saying the industry is collapsing when the real issue is outdated hosting habits.

Airbnb isn’t dying.
Lazy hosting is.

Vacation rental firm Airbnb forecast upbeat quarterly revenue after posting higher third-quarter results on Thursday, aided by strong bookings in markets such as Latin America and Asia Pacific.