Common Questions and Answers for Real Estate Aerial Photography
** Updated October, 2020 **
Drone photography has grown in popularity among Realtors across the US looking to showcase their commercial and/or residential home listings to prospective buyers. Recent statistics (from soldbyair.com) have shown that the majority of home sellers, over 80%, prefer to work with an agent who uses drones. Additionally, higher-volume sales agents were found to have used aerials 3.5x as often as lower-volume sales agents. An aerial photo can capture everything about the property in a single shot.
For more info, read the article linked below...
https://www.hometrack.net/blog/drones-changing-aerial-photography-real-estate/
Q: How soon can I book an appointment?
A: Generally appointments can be booked within a few days of a new request. Late Spring and Summer are typically the busiest time of year for new listings. Appointments are weather-dependent and may need to be rescheduled rather abruptly as weather forecasts aren't always reliable more than a few days out. The most common reasons for cancellations will be wind and precipitation. Wind gusts over 20-25mph can adversely affect photos and increase the risk of loss-of-control which can lead to crashes. Rain or snow can cause damage to the drone so appointments will be rescheduled in the event the weather conditions are unfavorable. Agents will receive 24-hr advanced notification, whenever possible, of cancellation with proposed rescheduling options. Cancellations resulting from prolonged unfavorable weather or unsafe conditions based on a safety assessment of the property will receive full refunds.
Q: What are your rates?
A: Rates start at as low as $100 for exterior-only aerial photos. Interior drone photos are a possibility for larger, vacant homes with vaulted ceilings that can be showcased adequately from the interior. Home listings outside of the Buffalo/Niagara metro area will generally incur additional travel fees. Agents with multiple listings are encouraged to make arrangements so that all listings can be photographed on the same day. The cost will be lower to "bundle" multiple listings on the same day, rather than scheduling them across different days. Contact us at niagaradrones@gmail.com for a quote tailored to suit your needs. Payment is due by the date of the appointment, many forms of payment accepted. PayPal is preferred for convenience.
Q: Aside from Weather, what are some other factors that may be prohibitive for ideal aerial photos of a particular home listing?
A: Obstructions - trees, power lines, and other obstructions may inhibit optimal aerial and close-up views of a particular property. If a property is surrounded by dense tree cover, a majority of the photos may have to be shot from above the trees looking down onto the property from a higher altitude.
Q: What about Winter listings?
A: Winter aerial drone photography is fine as long as the weather conditions are otherwise favorable on the appointment date. A snowy Winter landscape can provide spectacular aerial photo opportunities.
Q: What preparation is needed prior to aerial photography of a home listing?
A: First and foremost, ensure that the homeowner(s) are aware of the date and time of the appointment ahead of time, so they know to expect the drone on their property. Most aerial photo sessions are completed in 30-60 minutes. Drones aren't completely silent, they do produce some noise, though typically only a fraction of the noise of a common lawnmower. Driveways should be free of cars and the property surrounding the home should be clear of debris and junk that may negatively impact the resulting aerial photos. The listing agent and/or homeowner do not need to be present at the property at the time of the aerial photo session under most circumstances.
Q: How many photos will I receive and how are they delivered?
A: Minimum 20-25 HDR (High Dynamic Range) photos taken from all angles of the property, including the surrounding neighborhood to showcase the home as best as possible. Photos will be posted via website and the agent will receive an unlisted, unpublicized link where all of the original HDR high-res photos can be downloaded for posting on the listing website used by the listing agent. Photos will be post-processed and enhanced when lighting conditions are not ideal (such as cloudy days).
Q: What about videos? How is the footage delivered?
A: Raw video footage files are very large, often measured in Gigabytes. Therefore all videos will be posted to an UNLISTED YouTube link and provided directly to the agent via email. For small to medium-sized homes, videos are generally one-minute or less and are edited in Adobe Premiere Pro then published to YouTube in HD 1080p, 1440p, or 4k resolution. Video footage may be longer for larger homes (over 3000 sq. ft.) to showcase all angles of the home.
Q: What are other miscellaneous items should I be aware of prior to booking an aerial drone photoshoot?
A: As a FAA Part 107 licensed sUAS pilot, I adhere to all FAA rules and regulations to the best of my ability. Maximum altitude above any given home is 400 ft, and I will not fly on days when the conditions are hazardous or dangerous for drone flight. The FAA has strict rules governing drone proximity to airports, restricted airspace, and visual flight rules concerning small unmanned aircraft. I will review the location of the property listing and surrounding environment to assess safety prior to confirming appointments.
The home pictured below would likely not be the ideal candidate for aerial photos or video!
