Drones are helping real estate agents create unforgettable marketing content. But more importantly, drones are helping real estate agents increase their sales. A recent study showed that 83% of homeowners preferred to work with an agent that used drones. The NAR also reported that 73% of homeowners are more likely to list their home with a real estate agent who provides video of their home. But, only 10% of listing agents are offering these types of drone services.

The good news is drone photography is not outrageously priced and using drones can actually increase an agent’s revenue by attracting more sellers.

Agents interested in flying their own drones can check out our Real Estate Drone Guide and our article on what it takes to fly a real estate drone. Those looking to outsource and hire a professional drone pilot can read on to find out about the cost of hiring someone for drone photography and videography in 2019.

Real Estate Drone Photography Costs

To be transparent, the price will vary depending on factors such as the duration of the shoot, the photographer’s experience, equipment, and the competition in the local market. The type of shoot will also affect the price. However, a basic real estate shoot is usually priced from $100 to $250/hr, with most drone photo and video shoots lasting 1-2 hrs.

The location of the listing will also affect the price. More metropolitan areas and cities tend to have slightly higher costs. No matter where you live, the price should never, exceed $350/hr. per listing. If it does, keep shopping.

How to Shop

When shopping for a real estate a drone photography and videography service there are few quick ways to narrow down your candidates.

1. Make sure the drone pilot has insurance. This is usually displayed on the pilot’s website. If they aren’t insured, keep searching.
2. Make sure the drone pilot has their commercial drone 107 license. This is a seven-digit id for the pilot’s FAA training.
3. Make sure their pricing is displayed on their website. If there is a “contact us” form instead of transparent pricing, the company wants to funnel you into their marketing system. Keep searching.
4. Make sure the pilot specializes in residential real estate. Because drone photography is still so new, most drone pilots will grab up any work they can get. Photographing a serene, forest pond is a lot different than photographing a home so that it sells. Be sure to pick someone with real estate experience, that has a portfolio on display.
5. Ask if the pilot charges extra for travel time and if post-production editing and file sharing is included in the price. These extras can rack up costly, hidden fees.
6. Make sure that the photographer signs usage rights over to you since the photos and video will be used commercially.
7. Check the pilot’s privacy policy. Many drone pilots retain rights to share the content they create, either online or over social media. This might be a red flag for some homeowners, who do not want their home used to promote a drone business.
8. Find out if the pilot has a process for alerting neighboring homeowners when they are using drones. This can avoid privacy complaints.

Shopping Tip: Droners is a website committed to connecting drone pilots with the people who need them. Real estate agents can browse drone pilots in their area by price, insurance, equipment, etc.

Closing

Real estate drone photography and videography is in demand. Home sellers prefer listing agents that will market their homes with video and drones. While some real estate agents are considering investing in their own drones, real estate drone photography costs when hiring a professional are typically $100-$250/hr.

And, to show off every drone video, photo, virtual tour, and any other listings media, check out Single Property Sites.

The post Real Estate Drone Photography Costs in 2019 appeared first on Real Estate Marketing and Property Marketing Blog by Single Property Sites.

The genesis of this rule stems from the FAA’s first findings in 1981:

“Model aircraft can at times pose a hazard to full-scale aircraft in flight and to persons and property on the surface.”  Federal Administration of Aviation

To mitigate these safety risks, the FAA produced operating standards for all controlled drone devices.

1) All drone aircrafts are restricted to operate on populated areas

2) Limitations on the operations of these devices are imposed, until these devices have been proven airworthy and has been flight tested for safety.

3) These devices are restricted to operate 400 feet above the surface.

4) These devices must give right of way to, and also avoid flying near manned aircraft.

5) Must have an assistant when the aircraft is in operation

The FAA then, explicitly  listed conditions upon which drone aircrafts must fall within.  The FAA will allow operations of these controlled drones if they meet all the criteria below:

• the aircraft is flown strictly for hobby or recreational use
• the aircraft is operated in accordance with a community-based set of safety guidelines and within the programming of a nationwide community-based organization
• the aircraft is limited  to not more than 55 pounds, unless otherwise certified through a design, construction, inspection, flight test, and operational safety program that is administered by a community-based organization
• the aircraft is operated in a manner that does not interfere with any manned aircraft
• when flown within 5 miles of an airport, the operator of the controlled aircraft must provide the airport operator and the airport air traffic control tower, prior notice of the aircraft’s operation.

The FAA is aware that more and more real estate professionals are using drones to take aerial pictures & videos of their properties, and the FAA wants to stress out the fact that any aircraft flown from the ground up is within their ruling, and must follow all applicable rules that the FAA enforced in order to ensure the safety of the public, and other manned, or unmanned aircrafts.

At the moment, the FAA has no means of finding out organizations that are in violation of their statutes and regulations. If they do find enough evidence through the Internet: social media; videos; websites; people’s complaints; or even a suspect receipt from a distributor; then the FAA is within its power to enforce or act upon such violations.

The FAA released a Myth vs. Fast document, further elaborating on this issue. 

Where  do you stand on this issue? Do you think the FAA should allow for the commercial use of these drones?

The post Using Drones for Real Estate view is still illegal according to FAA appeared first on Real Estate Marketing and Property Marketing Blog by Single Property Sites.