Couple Buys Famous 'Twilight' House for $360k — Now Earns $140k a Year Renting It Out to Fans

Dream of owning a piece of movie magic? For one couple, that dream became a reality—and a surprisingly lucrative venture. They snapped up the iconic 'Twilight' house for $360,000 (£267,659.98), and it's now bringing in a staggering $140,000 (£104,089.99) annually, all thanks to devoted fans.

Taking a bite out of an opportunity, Amber and Dean Neufeld weren't initially looking to build a short-term rental business. However, after buying the house in St. Helens, Oregon, that served as Bella Swan's residence in the Twilight film series, they've successfully transformed a piece of cinematic history into a consistent source of income.

More Than Just a House

The five-bedroom property, instantly recognisable to the saga's devoted followers, attracts visitors from across the globe. Many come eager to re-enact moments from the vampire romance series that became a pop culture phenomenon in 2008.

In 2018, the couple bought the house for $360,000 (£267,659.98), paying $10,000 (£7,435) over the asking price to beat other bidders, as reported by Fortune. Their offer included a personal letter and a substantial down payment. This approach didn't just get them a house; it secured a landmark for fans.

'I had come up and visited all the filming locations,' Amber shared in the Fortune interview. 'When the house popped up on the market, I was like, "Oh my gosh, I know that house."' Now, the Neufelds bring in as much as $140,000 (£104089.99) in annual gross revenue by renting the home directly through their website, the outlet explained.

From Set to Success

The home's original flooring, fixtures, and exterior remained as they were during filming, but the Neufelds invested an additional $20,000 (£ 14,870) to transform the rest of the house into a near replica of its on-screen appearance. They did this by finding both original and imitation props.

They even acquired the kitchen table from the film, which the home's rental listing highlights as 'Charlie's actual dining table.' The rooms inside the house are decorated to represent characters from the series, with examples including Bella's bedroom and a 'Jacob Black guest room.'

The Business of Fandom

The couple collaborated on the home project. While Amber searched auction sites for items, Dean took on most of the physical tasks. 'I would work my nine-to-five, and then I'd go to the house and be there from five until bedtime just fixing stuff,' he told Fortune.

The home was first listed for rent in 2019, and the couple initially found it challenging to get consistent bookings. However, interest in staying at the house dramatically increased after a TikTok video went viral in 2020. The video featured a guest recreating a scene of Bella looking out her bedroom window.

According to Dean, the overwhelming response crashed Airbnb's system, where the listing was originally hosted. This led the couple to create a dedicated website for the home and manage rentals through it. 'Life was never the same,' he said. 'Our bookings were filled the moment they were open, and it's never slowed down ever since.'

Even with rates at around $400 per night and overwhelming demand, the Neufelds have chosen not to increase prices.

'We don't want to charge more,' Amber said. 'It's not just, "How can we make the most money?" It's really always been "How much can we charge and still put money back into the house and pay the mortgage?"'

Beyond the Big Screen

After covering mortgage payments and maintenance expenses, the couple nets about $60,000 (£44610) annually. For them, maintaining the home's cinematic identity is just as important as the financial returns.

When they bought the house, Amber shared in her Fortune interview that her primary concern was preserving its 'filming history,' not letting it lose that connection. Even now, years later, the movie remains incredibly popular, with a second generation of fans discovering Twilight through streaming services and social media.

'What happened, surprisingly often, was the teenagers—the second generation—getting into Twilight too,' Amber added.

Guests frequently describe their stay in emotional terms. One fan told Amber, 'It was amazing to spend two nights where the Twilight movie was filmed. It was a dream come true.' Another called it 'unforgettable,' adding, 'There are no words to describe the feeling and joy.'