Taylor Sheridan leases his ranch to Paramount for $50K/week — how to generate rental income without an estate

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Taylor Sheridan, the mastermind behind the hit series Yellowstone, isn’t just making waves in the entertainment industry — he’s also cashing in on his real estate.

Yellowstone is a gripping drama that follows the Dutton family as they navigate the challenges of running their vast cattle ranch. While much of the show is filmed on location in Montana, Sheridan’s sprawling Texas ranches have also served as key filming locations for the show and its spinoffs.

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Sheridan has reportedly been charging Paramount as much as $50,000 per week to use his properties, a figure that highlights his dual talents as a storyteller and savvy businessman.

Paramount spokespersons have praised Sheridan’s work, with one noting, “Taylor’s shows are among our most successful and profitable.”

This lucrative rental income stems from some significant investments. In January 2022, Sheridan and a group of investors purchased the legendary Four Sixes Ranch in Texas for $350 million.

The historic property covers over 266,000 acres, cementing Sheridan’s real-life connection to the Western lifestyle portrayed in his work. He also owns Bosque Ranch, a 600-acre property in Texas where Yellowstone, and its spinoffs, often film.

Earn rental income

Many people, like Sheridan, have come to recognize the potential of real estate as a powerful wealth-building tool. Well-chosen properties can provide a reliable stream of rental income, making it a favored choice for those looking to build multiple income streams.

Beyond providing regular cash flow, real estate is also viewed as a dependable hedge against inflation. As inflation drives up the cost of materials, labor, and land, property values tend to rise as well. This not only preserves the purchasing power of the investment but also helps property owners build long-term equity over time.

Of course, most of us don’t own multimillion-dollar properties or have connections to production studios willing to pay $50,000 a week in rent.

The good news? You don’t need to buy a property outright to start earning rental income.

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If you're an accredited investor looking for new opportunities, another option is First National Realty Partners (FNRP), which targets necessity-based commercial real estate.

The platform lets accredited investors own a share of institutional-quality properties leased by national brands like Whole Foods, CVS, Kroger and Walmart.

Investors have the opportunity to collect stable, grocery store-anchored income every quarter.

Mogul is a real estate investment platform offering fractional ownership in blue-chip rental properties, which gives investors monthly rental income, real-time appreciation and tax benefits — without the need for a hefty down payment or 3 A.M. tenant calls.

Founded by former Goldman Sachs real estate investors, the team hand-picks the top 1% of single-family rental homes nationwide, guided by proprietary underwriting and market analytics typically used by large institutions.

Each property undergoes a vetting process, requiring a minimum 12% return even in downside scenarios. Across the board, the platform features an average annual IRR of 18.8%. Their cash-on-cash yields, meanwhile, average between 10 to 12% annually.

Every investment is secured by real assets, not dependent on the platform’s viability. Each property is held in a standalone Propco LLC, so investors own the property — not the platform. Blockchain-based fractionalization adds a layer of safety, ensuring a permanent, verifiable record of each stake.

Getting started is a quick and easy process. With a minimum investment of $250, you can sign up for an account and then browse available properties. Once you verify your information with their team, you can invest in the properties of your choice in as little as 30 seconds.

Read more: Rich, young Americans are ditching stocks — here are the alternative assets they're banking on instead

Agricultural land

Acquiring agricultural land might seem like an ambitious investment, especially when it involves hundreds of millions of dollars, as in Sheridan’s case. However, there are compelling reasons why investors like Sheridan see farmland as a valuable asset class.

Farmland generates income through crop production or leasing land to farmers, creating a consistent revenue stream. Moreover, the demand for agricultural products remains ever-present because, regardless of economic conditions, people will always need food.

This consistent demand makes farmland resilient during economic downturns, offering investors a reliable hedge against uncertainty.

Farmland also serves as a natural inflation hedge. During inflationary periods, rising food prices often drive up land values, helping preserve investors' purchasing power.

It’s no surprise that Sheridan isn’t alone in appreciating this asset class. Microsoft co-founder Bill Gates, for instance, has amassed approximately 275,000 acres of farmland across the U.S., making him the largest private farmland owner in the country.

But you don’t need to have the wealth of Sheridan or Gates to invest in U.S. farmland. Two publicly traded REITs — Gladstone Land (LAND) and Farmland Partners (FPI) — offer investors exposure to this sector without the need for direct land ownership.

If you are looking for options outside the stock market, FarmTogether is an all-in-one investment platform that lets qualified investors buy stakes in U.S. farmland. The platform identifies high-potential agricultural properties and then partners with experienced local operators to manage the land effectively.

Depending on the type of stake you want, you can get a cut from both the leasing fees and crop sales, providing you with a cash income. Then, years down the line after the farm rises in value, you can benefit from appreciation of the land and profits from its sale.

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This article provides information only and should not be construed as advice. It is provided without warranty of any kind.

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