Victoria Maxwell-Davis
Location Agreement Specialist ā¢ Melbourne
Stop Losing Perfect Homes to Poor Contract Negotiations
As a location manager, you know that residential locations can make or break a production. The perfect house exists, but getting homeowners to say yes? That's where things get complicated.
You've probably lost ideal residential locations because the homeowner panicked at the contract, felt overwhelmed by the process, or simply didn't understand what they were agreeing to. Meanwhile, you're dealing with tight deadlines, budget pressures, and the knowledge that this house is exactly what the director wants.
What if there was someone who could bridge the gap between your production needs and homeowners' fears?
I'm Victoria Maxwell-Davis, and I specialise in getting residential location agreements over the line. I help homeowners understand what they're signing while protecting your production requirements. No drama, no last-minute walkouts, no expensive legal battles.
Why Residential Locations Are Different (And Harder)
Homeowners aren't businesses. They don't have legal departments, contracts managers, or experience with film productions. When they see a standard location agreement, they often see:
- Legal language they don't understand
- Clauses that sound scary (even when they're standard)
- No acknowledgment that this is their home, not just a location
- No explanation of what actually happens during filming
- All risk and responsibility on their shoulders
The Real Cost When Residential Negotiations Go Wrong:
$12,000
What we spent on lawyers when our home location agreement went sideways
3-5 weeks
Time lost when perfect houses fall through late in pre-production
40%
Percentage of homeowners who say no purely because of how they're first approached
Recent Example from My Own Experience:
When Apple TV wanted to use our home as a major location, we were excited about the opportunity. Then we saw the contract. It was a standard boilerplate agreement designed to protect the production company, with no consideration for the fact that this was our home, our sanctuary, our biggest asset.
My partner Keith nearly walked away from good money because the process felt so one-sided and overwhelming. We ended up spending $12,000 on lawyers, most of which was unnecessary. By the time we involved legal help, Keith and I had already done most of the negotiation work ourselves.
That experience showed me exactly where the gap is, and how much easier it could be with the right approach.
What I Bring to Your Residential Location Negotiations
I Speak Both Languages
I've spent three decades in production as a producer and director. I understand your world, your budgets, your timelines, and your pressures. But I've also just lived through being a location owner. I know exactly what homeowners are thinking and feeling when they see your contract.
I Know What Homeowners Actually Need
It's not complicated. They need to understand what's really going to happen in their space, feel respected as property owners, and know their concerns are being heard. Most location agreements don't even try to address these basics.
I Can Get to Yes Faster
Homeowners who feel informed and respected make decisions faster. When they understand what they're agreeing to and feel their interests are protected, negotiations move smoothly instead of getting stuck in fear and confusion.
I Prevent Expensive Problems
Most residential location disputes don't need lawyers. They need better communication, clearer explanations, and someone who can find solutions that work for everyone.
How I Help With Residential Locations
Pre-Approach Strategy
Before you contact any homeowner, I'll help you prepare an approach that sets the right tone. How you make that first contact often determines whether they're open or defensive from day one.
Homeowner Education and Relationship Building
I can make those initial conversations with homeowners, explaining your project in language they understand, addressing their concerns before they become problems, and building trust from the beginning.
Contract Translation and Negotiation
I work through location agreements with homeowners, explaining what terms actually mean in practice, negotiating modifications that address their specific concerns without compromising your production needs, and keeping discussions moving toward signature.
Ongoing Support During Production
Homeowners often have questions or concerns during filming that can create tension if not handled well. I can be your liaison, maintaining goodwill and solving small problems before they become big ones.
Damage Control
If residential negotiations have already gone sideways, I can step in to rebuild relationships and get discussions back on track. Often what looks like a difficult homeowner is just someone who feels unheard or misunderstood.
Beyond Residential: Organisational Locations Too
While residential properties are my specialty, many organisations (councils, businesses, institutions) also struggle with location agreements. They often don't have internal systems for handling film production requests or experience understanding what productions actually need.
I can help with:
- Business locations where staff don't understand production requirements
- Council properties where bureaucracy slows everything down
- Heritage buildings with complex stakeholder concerns
- Any location where the decision makers need education about what's involved
The same skills that work with worried homeowners work with overwhelmed property managers: clear communication, relationship building, and finding solutions that work for everyone.
Why This Matters to Your Bottom Line
More Locations Say Yes
When homeowners feel respected and informed rather than steamrolled, they're much more likely to agree to filming. You get access to better residential options.
Faster Decisions
Property owners who understand what they're agreeing to make decisions faster. Less back-and-forth, fewer delays, smoother pre-production.
Reduced Legal Costs
Most location agreement issues don't need expensive lawyers. They need better communication and creative problem-solving.
Fewer Production Day Surprises
Homeowners who truly understood the agreement are less likely to create unexpected problems during filming.
Better Industry Reputation
Every homeowner you work with talks to their neighbours. Good experiences create referrals and make your job easier long-term.
My Background
**Three decades in production** across commercials, documentaries, corporate videos, and installation experiences. I've been a producer, director, and location manager who understands budgets, schedules, crew dynamics, and the pressure to deliver.
Extensive location experience working with CEOs, government departments, Parks Victoria, car manufacturers, agents, lawyers, and homeowners. I know how different types of property owners think and what concerns they're likely to have.
Recent hands-on experience as a location owner on a major Apple TV production, giving me unique insight into what homeowners actually go through and what they need to feel comfortable saying yes.
I'm good with people, fast with paperwork, and passionate about creating outcomes that work for both productions and property owners.
Ready to Make Residential Location Negotiations Work?
If you're tired of losing perfect houses to poor negotiations, spending too much on legal fees, or watching homeowners panic when they see your contracts, let's talk.
I understand your world because I've worked in it for 30 years. I understand homeowners' concerns because I've just lived through them. That combination is exactly what you need to get more residential locations to say yes.
Get Started:
š§ Contact me by email
š Book a Free Consultation
**Free Initial Consultation:** 30-minute discussion about your specific project and location challenges.
**Project-Based Pricing:** Transparent costs upfront, designed to save you more in legal fees and lost time than my services cost.
**Based in Melbourne ā¢ Available for projects across Victoria ā¢ Remote consultation available**
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## What Location Managers Are Saying
*"Victoria helped us navigate what could have been a nightmare residential location agreement. Her ability to explain our production needs while genuinely addressing the homeowner's concerns made all the difference. We got our perfect house and the owners actually enjoyed working with us."*
**[TESTIMONIAL TO BE ADDED]**
*Let's make your next residential location negotiation the easy part of production.*