Real Estate Broker · Member since 2017 · 90 posts · 30 votes
I have a client that wants to buy an Atlanta rental property. They had a really positive experience with their STR in Colorado. They are interested in an STR or MTR in Atlanta and specifically targeting the film industry here. While I have a decent handle on general STR stuff, I'm interested in educating myself on this angle.
What is your opinion about this niche? Any tips or nightmares?
I can weigh in here. I’m in the Atlanta metro and my wife works as an actress in the film industry. She’s actually shooting Megalopolis with Shi Lebeouf as we speak (no, my wife’s not famous!). I can tell you the industry is real here, and it’s not going anywhere. Most of the filming is done in marginal areas (cheap land) on the outskirts of the city (conyers, Covington, Fayetteville, doralville, college park). So they aren’t the most desireable cities. that said, every shoot my wife is amazed at how far some of the background actors travel from. People come from neighboring states to make $15/hr all the time. I would look near Trillith studios in Fayetteville, as it’s out in the boonies, nicer, and might lack competition
keep in mind your target market makes $15/hr when looking at price points
I can weigh in here. I’m in the Atlanta metro and my wife works as an actress in the film industry. She’s actually shooting Megalopolis with Shi Lebeouf as we speak (no, my wife’s not famous!). I can tell you the industry is real here, and it’s not going anywhere. Most of the filming is done in marginal areas (cheap land) on the outskirts of the city (conyers, Covington, Fayetteville, doralville, college park). So they aren’t the most desireable cities. that said, every shoot my wife is amazed at how far some of the background actors travel from. People come from neighboring states to make $15/hr all the time. I would look near Trillith studios in Fayetteville, as it’s out in the boonies, nicer, and might lack competition
keep in mind your target market makes $15/hr when looking at price points
That’s what I thought too. At least as far as being close to production hubs goes. It’ll be part of my discovery with client. The vibe I got from the initial talk sounded like they assumed the cool areas of ATL proper would be sought after…maybe by the more established, high paid actors. Also this would likely have more general demand, presumably.
I’ve done some film industry work in Transpo, Location scouting, and PA…seems like convenient logistics were the priority but it was a different area with a much different housing and social scene. Some were housed in some really nice stuff as a group. We certainly did a little better for the actors, none of which were superstars.
Realistically, I’d think servicing the crew is a bigger pool of need but I’m also curious what they do for the stars. Do they shack up in fancy accommodations in cool areas or just the best they can find close to facilities?
That’s what I thought too. At least as far as being close to production hubs goes. It’ll be part of my discovery with client. The vibe I got from the initial talk sounded like they assumed the cool areas of ATL proper would be sought after…maybe by the more established, high paid actors. Also this would likely have more general demand, presumably.
I’ve done some film industry work in Transpo, Location scouting, and PA…seems like convenient logistics were the priority but it was a different area with a much different housing and social scene. Some were housed in some really nice stuff as a group. We certainly did a little better for the actors, none of which were superstars.
Realistically, I’d think servicing the crew is a bigger pool of need but I’m also curious what they do for the stars. Do they shack up in fancy accommodations in cool areas or just the best they can find close to facilities?
Rumor has it the stars all stay in pent houses at the St Regis in buckhead….
I have a client that wants to buy an Atlanta rental property. They had a really positive experience with their STR in Colorado. They are interested in an STR or MTR in Atlanta and specifically targeting the film industry here. While I have a decent handle on general STR stuff, I'm interested in educating myself on this angle.
What is your opinion about this niche? Any tips or nightmares?
I have rented 2 of my properties for filming, including my own personal home (backyard) just last Sunday. The first crew found me on Airbnb, I think. The second was word of mouth through the Florida Film Commissioner, whom I know.
I have a client that wants to buy an Atlanta rental property. They had a really positive experience with their STR in Colorado. They are interested in an STR or MTR in Atlanta and specifically targeting the film industry here. While I have a decent handle on general STR stuff, I'm interested in educating myself on this angle.
What is your opinion about this niche? Any tips or nightmares?
I have rented 2 of my properties for filming, including my own personal home (backyard) just last Sunday. The first crew found me on Airbnb, I think. The second was word of mouth through the Florida Film Commissioner, whom I know.
Thanks, @January Johnson! Any film industry-specific takeaways, special terms, or valued property needs/amenities for these folks?
I have a client that wants to buy an Atlanta rental property. They had a really positive experience with their STR in Colorado. They are interested in an STR or MTR in Atlanta and specifically targeting the film industry here. While I have a decent handle on general STR stuff, I'm interested in educating myself on this angle.
What is your opinion about this niche? Any tips or nightmares?
I have rented 2 of my properties for filming, including my own personal home (backyard) just last Sunday. The first crew found me on Airbnb, I think. The second was word of mouth through the Florida Film Commissioner, whom I know.
Thanks, @January Johnson! Any film industry-specific takeaways, special terms, or valued property needs/amenities for these folks?
I was not present for the first filming (at my STR). At my home, the crew needed a place to set up equipment, the cast needed a place to wait until their scene was called, and the makeup people needed a good spot for their service. All in all, I had 20 cars outside and about 30 people in my house from 8 am - 5 pm. They were very respectful of my space, despite all the commotion, and they even brought their own toilet paper and butt wipes, ha ha! They used my backyard for filming, the garage for equipment set up, and my porch and living room/kitchen for everything else.
I didn't expect (or even think about) all the cars that showed up, so I would say PARKING is a big consideration. My house is on a corner with an empty lot next door, so it was not an issue for me.
How can one tap into this niche so that property owners in and around Atlanta can get leads from potential mid-term tenants (such as casts, filming crew, etc). Apart from listing on FF, Airbnb, Zillow, etc is there anything else that one should know about? Any ideas/suggestions would be appreciated.
I am not involved in this particular market but I have a good friend who owns her personal home near the heart of the movie making district in Atlanta and she says there is huge demand!
I think it's great that the film industry has a presence there. But -- rant incoming -- as @Erin Spradlin, resident midterm rental expert in our household would probably ask you, why limit your targeting to just one demographic?
If Atlanta is like Denver or Colorado Springs where we have MTRs, then there is a wide need across various sectors for medium-term furnished rentals. Remote workers, recent divorcees needing a temporary spot, incoming residents unsure where they want to live, and yes, traveling nurses.
I know there's some thought out there that you should cultivate direct relationships with insurance companies or construction companies, but that's tying yourself to one industry when the platforms like Airbnb or Zillow are where a much wider pool of potential tenants are looking.
Long-winded rant aside, I bet Atlanta has a great market for MTRs (and probably STRs if the laws allow them).
I think it's great that the film industry has a presence there. But -- rant incoming -- as @Erin Spradlin, resident midterm rental expert in our household would probably ask you, why limit your targeting to just one demographic?
If Atlanta is like Denver or Colorado Springs where we have MTRs, then there is a wide need across various sectors for medium-term furnished rentals. Remote workers, recent divorcees needing a temporary spot, incoming residents unsure where they want to live, and yes, traveling nurses.
I know there's some thought out there that you should cultivate direct relationships with insurance companies or construction companies, but that's tying yourself to one industry when the platforms like Airbnb or Zillow are where a much wider pool of potential tenants are looking.
Long-winded rant aside, I bet Atlanta has a great market for MTRs (and probably STRs if the laws allow them).
I am not involved in this particular market but I have a good friend who owns her personal home near the heart of the movie making district in Atlanta and she says there is huge demand!
May I ask which district (or zipcode) is your friend's house in? Trying to understand the specific neighborhood where there might be demand. Thanks in advance!
Fair points. As for the reason for targeting the film industry, it’s because the friend mentioned it specifically. Not to say that the entire strategy hinges on film.
It's been a while, but I recall a Bigger Pockets OG podcast on this topic somewhere around 2019 or 2020, which was the first time I ever heard about midterm rentals and it was specifically about someone doing very well renting to the film industry in and around Atlanta. I'm sure you could search the archives to find it.
I think it's great that the film industry has a presence there. But -- rant incoming -- as @Erin Spradlin, resident midterm rental expert in our household would probably ask you, why limit your targeting to just one demographic?
If Atlanta is like Denver or Colorado Springs where we have MTRs, then there is a wide need across various sectors for medium-term furnished rentals. Remote workers, recent divorcees needing a temporary spot, incoming residents unsure where they want to live, and yes, traveling nurses.
I know there's some thought out there that you should cultivate direct relationships with insurance companies or construction companies, but that's tying yourself to one industry when the platforms like Airbnb or Zillow are where a much wider pool of potential tenants are looking.
Long-winded rant aside, I bet Atlanta has a great market for MTRs (and probably STRs if the laws allow them).
I totally agree with this James (and Erin) - you don't want to limit your targeting. That said, Atlanta has a very strong film industry (who knew?!) so there is definitely a thread there to mine if you can get in with agencies that recruit for all of the positions that support the filming industry. Don't limit it, but DO understand when there's a particular niche you could go after and develop those relationships!
Totally agree as well. By all means, if you get a line into the industry, do it. Just don't stake your MTR's success solely on one industry or contact.