Several years ago, I realized we could use our home to make some extra cash by listing it with location agencies. As an advertising executive, I’d attended countless commercial and print shoots held in private homes; for production companies, it was more cost-efficient than building a set, even though they paid the homeowners a tidy sum for the use of their property. I’ve discovered that renting our home out for a photo shoot is not only lucrative, but fun. So far, we’ve been on the “short list” for over 10 productions, including a movie, and have had four shoots booked here (including the one pictured above).
The process of listing your house with a location agency involves emailing digital photos of the interior and exterior of your home to location agencies. I used two–Debbie Regan Locations (debbiereganlocations.com) based in New York City and Long Island, and AKA Locations (akalocations.com), based in New York City. Your house doesn’t have to be a showplace to get listed, but it helps if it is reasonably uncluttered.
“I’ve never turned a property away. You never know what a production company might be looking for. Depending on the project, they may want a sleek modern house, a dated ‘70’s colonial or a rundown ranch,” says Mina Ibarguen, the owner of AKA Locations.
“Our listings include mobile homes and multi-million dollar estates,” adds Debbie Regan, owner of Debbie Regan Locations. She has booked properties for movies like Bourne Legacy and Something Borrowed, as well as TV commercials and print ads for Tommy Hilfiger and Immodium AD and music videos for well-established rap musicians.
Production companies contact location agencies with their specifications. “If they ask for a white, modern kitchen, we’ll show them houses from our listings that meet the criteria,” explains Ibarguen. “After they narrow down their selections, they may send their location scout out to take more photographs and cull further.”
The location agency then contacts the homeowners on the short list to check availabilities. “If you’re receiving a phone call to set up an appointment with the location scout, you’ve already survived several cuts,” notes Regan.
Location agencies represent the homeowner. They make sure the production company provides proof of insurance and a signed contract before the shoot starts. “This protects the homeowner in the event of any problems or damages,” Ibarguen says, which she quickly notes are rare because production crews are typically very conscientious about putting everything back in its place and cleaning up after themselves.
Occasionally a production company will request to make physical changes, such as painting a room a different color. “They will repaint it to its original color, but I’ve actually worked with homeowners who decide to keep the new shade,” says Regan.
Rental fees can range from $1,000 a day for a print shoot to over $5,000 a day for a movie. “It depends on the type of production, and how many people are involved,” explains Regan. A Tommy Hilfiger commercial that shot at one of her listings involved a crew of over 125 people, including models, wardrobe, hair and make-up stylists, production crew and Hilfiger staffers. “If you don’t like strangers in your house, you may not have the right personality for this,” she cautions.
Wilton resident Pamela Hovland’s home has been listed with several location agencies for over 15 years. She estimates that she has hosted at least 15-20 productions in that time, including editorial shoots for Martha Stewart Living, Gourmet Magazine, and House Beautiful, and catalog shoots for Garnet Hill and Anthropologie.
“Anthropologie shot its holiday catalog here in June, so the production company had to bring in Christmas trees and decorations,” she laughs.
While they usually provide their own props, they may also request to use the homeowner’s furnishings. During a Starbucks shoot for Pumpkin Spiced Latte, Hovland recalls the production company asked if she had any vintage hangers; she just happened to have some in her attic.
Location shoots come with other perks aside from a check. Homeowners can hang out and watch the action. “While it can be disruptive to have strangers in your house for several days, I enjoy observing the creative process,” says Hovland. Occasionally a family member may end up in the picture for their fifteen minutes of fame. Hovland’s dog Otis was featured in the Starbucks shoot, and received a $250 modeling fee.
And then there are the gourmet meals. Production companies always bring in huge catered spreads for the crew, client and models. Homeowners are invited to dig in, and when the shoot wraps, they often get to keep the leftovers. After a three-day print shoot for an arthritis medication at our house, the production company left us 10 pints of fresh strawberries that were on set because one of the scenes involved a “mom” cutting up strawberries at the kitchen counter. Following a Scotties commercial production, we ended up with three platters of pastries, which my husband and son quickly devoured. All this, plus a check for $3,500–not bad for a day’s work.
