Is Real Estate Aerial Photography Worth It in 2024? (2024)

Table of Contents

• Real Estate Aerial Photography – An Overview
• The Advantages of Real Estate Aerial Photography
• Getting Started With Real Estate Photography
• Summary – Aerial Real Estate Photography FAQs
• Stunning Real Estate Aerial Photography With PhotoUp

Real estate aerial photography can produce dramatic listing images that grab potential buyers’ interest.

Using aerial photography is one of the more powerful ways real estate sales agents can make their listings stand out.

Therefore, let us show you how the answer to the question in our title – is real estate aerial photography worth it in 2024? – is a definite yes.

Real Estate Aerial Photography – An Overview

Real estate aerial photography uses drones to capture overhead photos of a property. Viewing properties from above adds an entirely new perspective to the listing, allowing the sales agent to highlight the following:

• Examining the property’s footprint to gain a comprehensive understanding of its boundaries and perimeter
• Exploring nearby natural landscapes such as forests, lakes, parks, and open fields
• Gaining a thorough comprehension of the neighborhood and its amenities
• Assessing the positioning of the house about neighboring homes and structures

Aerial photography gives potential buyers a comprehensive perspective of the property, offering a 360-degree landscape view.

Furthermore, aerial photography enhances listing appeal by showcasing captivating images that attract buyers’ attention and pique their interest.

Due to these advantages and more, real estate aerial photography has emerged as a widely embraced and effective marketing tool for property sales.

The Advantages of Real Estate Aerial Photography

Nevertheless, some real estate professionals question the necessity and value of aerial real estate photography. However, statistics contradict this notion, demonstrating the effectiveness of aerial photography in sales.

Consider the following compelling facts:

• A study by the National Association of Realtors reveals that 57% of buyers expect to see a minimum of 8 to 10 aerial shots for most residential properties
• Listings featuring drone aerial photography are 65% more likely to have more in-person showings

Moreover, additional evidence supports the significance of drone photography:

• 7 in 10 agents acknowledge that videos, virtual staging, and drone photography have become more crucial post-COVID-19
• 83% of home sellers prefer to work with real estate agents who utilize drone photography
• 97%of home buyers utilize the internet to search for properties and expect high-quality photos, with drone photography being instrumental in capturing stunning imagery

These statistics unequivocally illustrate that drone photography offers a distinctive perspective of a property and its surroundings, surpassing the capabilities of ground-based photography.

This advantage is paramount when aiming to present the property and its location in a more captivating and appealing manner.

Besides, as we showed above, aerial photography is extremely popular with buyers. Do you really want to be one of the real estate sales professionals who disappoint buyers?

Getting Started With Real Estate Aerial Photography

So, now that you know the power and benefits of real estate drone photography, you’re probably wondering how to get started using it. We’re glad you asked!

It’s relatively easy. Just follow these three steps to get started:

Step 1: Know Your Local Laws

Before incorporating drone photography into your practice, it’s prudent to acquaint yourself with local regulations. Here are some common laws to consider:

• Prohibitions on operating drones near airfields, airports, and aircraft
• Requirements for drones to maintain a distance of 150 feet from properties and individuals
• Mandates for drones to operate below 400 feet in altitude

Additionally, it’s essential to note that specific regulations may differ between states. Adhering to these laws is crucial to prevent potential legal complications. For more details, you can visit our blog post on the new rules for real estate drone video in 2024.

Step 2: Obtain a Drone License

It’s important to note that if you intend to use drones for aerial real estate photography, you must possess a Remote Pilot Certificate, also known as a commercial drone pilot license.

Ensure you conduct thorough research on operating drones both properly and legally.

Flying a drone in any state necessitates holding a license. This involves passing the Part 107 pilot’s test and obtaining FAA certification.

Furthermore, merely obtaining the license isn’t sufficient, as there are additional requirements:

• You must renew the license every 36 months
• Every 24 months, passing the recurrent aeronautical knowledge test is mandatory

We advise contacting local authorities to familiarize yourself with your area’s specific rules and regulations governing real estate aerial photography.

Step 3: Purchase the Drone You Need

After obtaining a license to operate a real estate photography drone, the subsequent logical progression is to select a suitable drone for your needs.

When considering a suitable drone, take into account the following factors:

• Drones differ in capabilities, ease of use, and price, so not all models are the same
• Consulting with local real estate photographers can provide valuable insights into recommended drone models
• Allocating ample time for practicing drone flight is essential before attempting to capture aerial photos

Here are some recommendations for the best drones for real estate aerial photography.

With that said, let us examine some common questions about real estate aerial photography.

Summary – Aerial Real Estate Photography FAQs

Let’s take a look at some of the more common questions when it comes to real estate aerial photography.

Question: Is real estate aerial photography genuinely essential? Can’t traditional exterior photos of the property suffice?

Answer: Real estate drone photography produces exceptional images and provides a more comprehensive property perspective. It captures features like pools, expansive yards, and patio arrangements, effectively conveying the property’s overall size and boundaries.

Therefore, we firmly believe drone photography is highly beneficial and worth the investment.

Question: How many shots are required for real estate aerial photography?

Answer: The number of shots needed depends on the specific property and its surroundings. A larger property with numerous exterior features will require a more extensive shot list.

Additionally, the surrounding neighborhood plays a significant role. If there are nearby attractions, natural amenities, or captivating scenery, these elements should also be captured in the photographs.

Question: What level of difficulty is involved in obtaining a drone pilot’s license?

Answer: Obtaining a drone pilot’s license, specifically the FAA CFR Part 107 exam, is quite challenging. It necessitates studying various topics, including Rules & Regulations, Airport Operations, Weather, Airspace, Flight Operations, and Sectional Charts.

However, numerous high-quality online training courses are available that are specifically designed to aid in studying, practicing, and successfully passing the exam.

Stunning Real Estate Aerial Photography With PhotoUp

If you’ve already taken the additional step of utilizing a drone for your real estate photography, why not ensure that your aerial images are truly outstanding?

PhotoUp’s editing experts can transform your photos (or videos) into captivating and eye-catching visuals.

For instance, our highly experienced editors excel in addressing common issues encountered in drone photography, including:

• Correcting improper exposure levels
• Enhancing landscapes, such as greening lawns and replacing skies
• Adding drama with twilight and day-to-dusk editing
• Removing unwanted objects
• And much more!

Moreover, PhotoUp is a comprehensive real estate marketing company that provides all the essential tools to help you sell more listings and expand your sales business.

Our services include popular and effective marketing solutions such as:

• Real estate photo editing
• Virtual staging
• Virtual house tours
• Single property websites
• Real estate photographer websites
• Floor plans
• Property flyers
• Video editing
• Virtual Assistants
• House portraits
• And more!

So, take the next step and start using real estate aerial photography to help sell your listings.

Start now!

Sign up for a free PhotoUp account and explore all we offer to help further your real estate sales business.

We hope you enjoyed this post, is real estate aerial photography worth it in 2024?If you liked this article, you might also want to check out the following related resources:

• 5 Tips to Becoming a Great Drone Photographer
• Best Editing Service For Aerial Real Estate Photography in 2024
• How Much to Charge for Drone Real Estate Photography in 2024
• Best Drones for Real Estate Photography in 2024
• Should You Use Drones in Real Estate Photography?