You may think you have seen every part of your home, but have you looked at it from a bird’s eye view? It’s a unique perspective that is easier than ever to capture through drone photography and video.
It’s no wonder then that when it comes to selling a home some people are turning to drones to provide a sweeping, cinematic view of their property. Drone aerial photography for real estate is a great way to show off your home, but here are some things to consider before you take your camera to new heights.
Qualifications & Restrictions
The booming popularity of drones over the last few years has led to a flurry of regulations for recreational use. The FAA actually loosened some of these restrictions in August 2016 by deciding a pilot’s license is no longer necessary to operate a drone. Today, it only takes a remote pilot certificate at a cost of $150 to take control of this type of aircraft.
What’s more, it is now legal to use drones for commercial use — something that has caught the attention of those in the real estate industry. That being said, it’s important for a person to be knowledgeable about safely operating a drone as crashing one can be a costly mistake. It may be worth hiring a pro to get the job done.
Market Competition
If you think drone photography is going away any time soon, consider that the National Association of Realtors has created a dedicated page to address this topic. More now than ever, the real estate market is directing its eyes to the skies. Home sellers have looked for unique and interesting ways to show off their properties for decades, and drones have made this type of marketing more feasible.
That’s not to say you need drone photography to sell your home. In fact, it could be completely unnecessary, depending on the size and location of your property. Look at what other sellers in your neighborhood are doing to gauge the competition. If your home is in a dense neighborhood that makes flying a drone difficult or could possibly detract from your home’s attractiveness, it’s unlikely necessary to utilize drone photography to keep up with the competition. On the other hand, if you’re selling a lakeside estate with acres of land, you might want to get a drone to add to the “wow” factor of the home.
The Future
As drones become more accepted by mainstream culture they are sure to become more expected in real estate marketing. Today, aerial views of homes are more of an exception rather than the expectation. However, while sweeping overhead shots might seem novel now, in just a few years what may stand out are the homes for sale without drone photography.
In the same way that satellite imagery has revolutionized mapping, drone photography could lead to real estate marketing that offers a greater sense of presence while browsing homes. A person looking for a home may have never visited the neighborhood, but an aerial shot can make them feel like they’re right there, hovering above it. It’s a powerful technique that will surely continue to impress.