Drones for Real Estate

June 8th, 2015 | by: SM SOLD | Posted in : Marketing, New Technology

Ever wonder how real-estate agents achieve those breathtaking aerial shots of a property? Those images may have been taken with a drone. Drone technology is quickly being adopted by many real estate agents and is making capturing quality aerial photos easier than ever. Use of drone technology is projected to be a growing trend in real estate. If you are an agent looking to take advantage of this new technology, here are some ideas on how you can get started.

A recent decision by the Federal Aviation Administration has allowed drones to be flown for recreational use. However, commercial use is currently banned without an exemption. Under current FAA guidelines, a realtor cannot use a drone to market a home without a certificate of operation.  Flying a drone without one may lead to fines, as one photographer for the University of Virginia discovered, when he was fined $10,000. Real estate agents interested in utilizing drones in their business should apply and have an exemption approved before taking to the air.

Once you have to proper documentation, it’s time to consider the best drone arrangement for your business. One of the first things an agent should determine is whether they should buy or rent a drone. If you see drones as a disruptive factor that will change the landscape of Real Estate marketing, it may be wise to invest now and purchase a drone. Taking the time to learn how to operate a drone may give your firm a competitive edge and ultimately be worth your while. On the other hand, renting a drone is a great for those not willing to drop big money on a professional-quality drone. By renting, you can pay people to capture content for you. Dronelife’s Job For Drones(http://dronelife.com/jobfordrones) tool lets you track down service providers that can use their drones on your properties. It’s a great alternative to buying a drone and learning it and allows you to get professional quality shots.

If you’ve decided to purchase a drone for your business, here are some great starting points.

Parrot AR Drone 2- $299.99 http://www.amazon.com/Parrot-Drone-Quadricopter-Elite-720p/dp/B00FS7SV1U/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1433793303&sr=8-1&keywords=parrot+ar+drone&pebp=1433793307159&perid=1M70F3B53YGB0Q7ARGQF

A relatively cheap entry-level drone, the Parrot AR Drone has a high definition front camera able to be controlled with your smartphone. The battery lasts about 11 minutes and flight is controlled with your smartphone through a Wi-Fi connection.

DJI Phantom 3 Professional Quadcoptor Drone -$1,259.00 http://www.amazon.com/DJI-Phantom-Professional-Quadcopter-Camera/dp/B00VSITBJO/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1433793786&sr=8-2&keywords=dji+phantom&pebp=1433793800695&perid=1686GHYCQD6VND4F191G

Arguably the best drone on the market, the DJI Phantom is for those willing to go all the way in their drone endeavors. Boasting a 4K UHD video camera, the Phantom will ensure you capture content in the highest quality possible. Additionally, a vision positioning system allows for stable flight indoors.

Husban H107D FPV X4 Mini RTF Quadcoptor - $153.50 http://www.amazon.com/Hubsan-H107D-FPV-Mini-Quadcopter/dp/B00GSNWB5K/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1433794130&sr=8-2&keywords=husban+drone

The H107D is the best bang-for-your-buck drone. This affordable drone is able to record video in standard definition with a fixed position camera. For just $150 you can begin recording aerial video of your properties.

Flying a drone is a fun and rewarding experience that can have big benefits for your real-estate business. No matter what drone you choose, you should look forward to a good time!