On your commute today, you probably passed a yellow TV or movie production sign – they are that common around Atlanta these days.
Look at the numbers:
- FilmLA says Georgia is the #1 filming location in the world.
- 320 film & TV productions will be shot here in 2017, generating $9.5 billion in direct spending.
- The Motion Picture Association of America reports that more than 28,600 Georgians are directly employed by the film industry, while an additional 12,500 people work in production-related jobs.
The movie business may be kind to Georgia, but the mortgage industry traditionally hasn’t been kind to movie makers.
Film and TV studio workers may earn great livings, but they often have irregular employment schedules. Their employer of record can change with each project, and that’s a big red flag for mortgage underwriting. When it comes time to get financing for a home, regularly employed studio employees may be denied because they can’t demonstrate the stable income underwriters demand.
Until now.
I have access to a new loan program that can ease the way to home ownership for film & TV union members. The qualification requirements are simple.
Union members:
- Who receive W-2s as salary employees
- Who have two full years of filed tax returns in the film & TV industry
Underwriting will view the union as the employer, rather than the studio, and the union will be able to verify length of employment. The qualifying income will be based on the monthly average income. The borrower will still produce pay stubs to document current year earnings.
If you know someone in the film & TV industry who complains about renting or apartment life, please forward this email. They may finally be able to put down roots in the new movie mecca.
