Arrived Homes, a Seattle-based real estate startup, recently acquired the house used for exterior shots in the popular Netflix series “Stranger Things” as the Byers family home. The company has recreated the interior sets from the show, allowing fans to stay in the house and experience the Upside Down firsthand. Arrived Homes offers the opportunity for fans to also own a share of the property for as little as $100 through crowdfunding, making real estate investing more accessible to a wider range of individuals beyond wealthy investors and institutions. The property is located roughly 15 minutes from the Atlanta airport and features meticulously recreated sets from the show, such as the Christmas lights/alphabet wall in the living room and retro decor in the bedrooms.
Arrived Home’s COO, Alejandro Chouza, shared that the company purchased the house for $400,000 and spent an additional $500,000 on renovations to recreate the look of the show’s interior sets. Chouza, a big fan of “Stranger Things,” described the project as a personal passion project for him. The ultimate goal of the company is for fans to buy into the property and share in the income it generates through rentals on Airbnb. Chouza, along with other tech veterans, co-founded Arrived Homes with the mission of utilizing technology to identify and manage rental properties in multiple markets, making real estate investment more accessible and inclusive for a wider range of individuals.
Arrived Homes has funded 437 properties in 65 markets, with over $200 million invested by more than 678,000 registered backers on the platform. The company’s approach of remote investing allows them to focus on markets where they are bullish on rental income and appreciation over time. Although based in Seattle, Arrived Homes does not own any properties on the West Coast due to unit economics. As part of their investment strategy, the company has explored other film-famous homes, such as the “Goonies” house in Astoria, Ore., and the “Home Alone” house in Winnetka, Ill., but found their prices too steep for acquisition.
“Stranger Things” first premiered in 2016, captivating audiences with its science-fiction storyline set in the 1980s. The show follows a group of kids and characters in a fictional town as they battle creatures and elements from an alternate dimension known as the Upside Down. The fifth and final season of the series is set to stream in 2025. Arrived Homes’ acquisition of the Byers house has created a unique opportunity for fans to immerse themselves in the world of “Stranger Things” and own a piece of the iconic property through crowdfunding.
