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Drone Photography Is Changing Real Estate For Good. Are You Keeping Up?
Real estate companies are quickly adopting drone aerial photography as it offers them a new way to catch the eyes of potential buyers.
According to Joe Carriere, owner of Dallas Air Photos, “most real estate professionals utilize MLS to promote their listings online. Up to 30 images of a property can be uploaded to the MLS system. However, only one single photograph can be chosen as the property’s first impression, or Featured Image. A Feature Image taken from the drone’s perspective, is the perfect opportunity to grab the attention of a potential buyer with an incredible first impression that sets the property apart from all others.”
[Photo by: Dallas Air Photos]
Joe says, “An aerial shot of a home, in comparison with a street level shot provides not only depth and dimension, but also a view of what is behind the home. A pool, beautiful backyard, lake, ocean or mountain view can all be captured and showcased perfectly by aerial drone photography.”
[The picture above taken by Dallas Air Photos shows the difference between an aerial shot and a regular photo. According to MLS statistics, the properties photographed by drones sold 68% faster.]
Aerial photography is currently the best way to showcase the selling points of a home or building, and drones offer a cheaper and more convenient alternative to helicopters and planes. Drones are the next step in high-end real estate sales and agencies who are quick to adopt them will receive a cutting edge advantage over their competition.
What does it cost to hire a drone?
These days, the cost of hiring a drone for real estate starts at around $200. This would be for a single family home or small building and will typically include all of the exterior shots you need, and basic editing. At about the same cost of regular photography, drone photography is becoming an increasingly popular digital marketing strategy.
Use the reference below to get an idea of what you can expect based on your budget.
According to Joe, drone operators who are experienced with real estate will “provide the Realtor two versions of the photographs; one image will be at full size for the creation of fliers or other marketing material. The second, identical shots, are replicated in the smaller MLS size and proportion.”
How To Get Started
Drone operators are ready to fly all around the United States. Websites like HiFlyPhotography.com help you find aerial photography no matter where you are or what your project is.
Thanks for the insight to the real estate drone pricing market! I recently added drones to my photography business after receive my “Remote Pilot” certification. Which brings me to a concern that I hope you may help me with. As the real estate market adds drones to their marketing, have they addressed liability concerns or will they? If they have, what are some of those concerns?
Donnie, the liabilities of drones in real estate marketing are the same basic liability concerns that they face whenever they take flight; namely damage to person or property. There are many companies already offering insurance packages specifically for sUAS businesses. It is common for drone photography businesses to have at least a one million dollar liability insurance which you can get for a few hundred dollars a month. You should be able to find information on drone business insurance providers easily by conducting a search.
Any suggestions on changing the size of a drone picture to fit in MLS?
I am currently working with a realtor/broker, providing indoor, outdoor and aerial shoots. I use a 35mm for indoor/outdoor shoots. For my aerial, I use a Yuneec Q500 4k. As far as making any adjustments, at this time we have not run into any problems with the posting (size, quality, etc.).
What problems are you seeing/having?
How does a professional aerial photographer find the proper sizing for their local MLS? Just ask a realtor?
Great post and thanks for the great information. Drones are the future!