The new year is heating up faster than a fireworks show at midnight, and you need to be innovative to stand up and stand out in the industry. When it comes to your listings, your toolkit is likely full, and you have your best practices down pat. But what if there was a way to take things up a notch? Enter: drones. They’re not just a trend.
NAR’s 2023 Member Profile found that 50% of agents used drones, with the majority at 43% hiring a professional versus the 7% of agents who use drones on their own, DIY-style. It’s clear drones play an important role in today’s agents’ work, but why exactly are they used?
Let’s get into why.
Drone footage isn’t just a gimmick or a set of shiny new toys for real estate pros to play with (though there’s nothing wrong with that!). Using a drone can make or break the impression of a listing: according to the MLS, homes displayed with aerial shots are almost 70% more likely to sell. By having aerial footage of every angle of the home and surrounding area of the property, home shoppers can get a nearly real-life view of the listing and all it offers.
This footage can be used for your marketing, shared one-on-one with clients, incorporated into your listing presentations, and even added to your listings online. Because drone footage offers far-reaching aerial photos and the power of video, it’s a one-two punch to take your listings to the next level.
Drone technology continues to evolve and innovate, making the tool more and more exciting and opening up a range of possibilities to improve its use. Some up-and-coming transformations in drone technology are unlocking new potential for real estate pros to leverage. Here are 3 new innovations we’re keeping our eyes on.
3D mapping
Drone technology is starting to add in 3D mapping technology, meaning drones can create 3D views of the properties and places they’re soaring over. Gone are the days of clunky dollhouse views or stressing over stitching together images. With 3D mapping, prospective buyers can get an even deeper, more detailed view of a listing’s layout and features. Some tech even allows drones to capture the topography of the surrounding area, adding another layer of detail for consumers to consider.
Artificial intelligence
Unsurprisingly, artificial intelligence is quickly permeating nearly every tech tool we work with. And for good reason: it’s making tasks more accurate and streamlined, taking stresses off our plates, and freeing up our time to engage in the human element of our work (arguably the most important part of what we do).
Drones are starting to work with AI features to allow their footage to capture richer insights about a property and the surrounding land, uncovering things like structural issues, vegetation health, and the status of construction on a home.
Autonomous drones
Autonomous drones are drones that can operate with little to no human intervention. Sound a little reminiscent of Terminator? Not to worry: this tech is on the rise to help make riskier situations easier and less likely to cause harm to professionals. This could help with home inspections in tough-to-reach places, broader construction assessments, detecting leaks or inspecting pipelines, and more.
These drones are also coming up for indoor use, which may lend itself to seamless virtual walkthroughs you can shoot on the same day as your outdoor aerial views.
As you know, we love a good DIY and are always eager to encourage and educate agents to roll up their sleeves and try something new. But when it comes to using drones, there’s a lot you must first take into account before you hit “Add to Cart.” If you want to go the self-service route and buy a drone you’ll use to shoot your own footage, there are key steps you need to take.
First and foremost, you’ll need to register your drone with the Federal Aviation Administration under Part 107, which almost all non-recreational drone flying falls under. You’ll also need to pay a registration fee, and once you’re successfully registered, your registration is valid for three years. Upon completing your registration with the FAA, you’ll get a certificate that you’ll need to keep on you whenever you’re flying the drone, much like a driver’s license. The FAA also strongly recommends that you take The Recreational UAS Safety Test (TRUST).
But still, it’s not enough to sign up with the FAA and start flying. There’s a lot more to consider to stay safe and compliant when using a drone.
Registering your drone is mandatory
If you decide to forgo registration and fly a drone anyways, you may be subject to civil penalties up to $27,500 and criminal fines of up to $250,000. You could also risk imprisonment for up to three years. Clearly, being the captain of this flying camera is a big deal to take seriously. Do your due diligence, cross your Ts, dot your Is, and triple-check that you’re compliant before you even power your drone up for the first time.
Proceeding with caution when flying a drone
Once you’ve gotten your registration squared away, received your certification, and completed the TRUST exam, you’re ready to start flying. But not so fast — there are crucial regulations when you’re actually operating your drone to keep in mind.
You absolutely must ensure you’re flying your drone at or below 400 feet, and being sure to give way to other aircraft and that you’re not interfering with any aircraft. Always keep your eyes on your drone and don’t lose sight of it. You’ll also want to be sure you’re flying at or below FAA-designated flying altitudes, which can be found on their website here.
By staying compliant with your paperwork and mindful of the heights you’re soaring to with your drone, you can maximize this powerful tool responsibly.
To learn about the FAA’s requirements for recreational drone operation, registration requirements, and more, visit their website by clicking here.
If the FAA requirements are overwhelming, or if you’re simply not interested in becoming a drone operator, you can still harness the power of drones with help from a professional. Like we shared earlier, nearly half of all agents surveyed in NAR’s 2023 Member Profile hire a professional to capture drone footage for their real estate biz.
Real estate drone photographers or photography companies are experts in drone operation and getting the right footage to highlight a listing in its best, most impressive light. Trusted, quality real estate drone photographers are also trained, insured, and compliant with the FAA. Hiring one of these pros takes the stress and guesswork out of federal compliance, drone shopping, learning how to fly a drone, capturing quality footage, and everything in between, so you can enjoy the benefits and impact drones offer.
It’s evident that drone footage is here to stay in the world of real estate. Drones offer unparalleled views of a property and the land it’s on, allowing prospective buyers to see a new perspective to allow them to imagine it as home. And drones aren’t just flying cameras — they’re evolving in their technology, unlocking new ways they can be used in real estate and adjacent industries.
As you look to innovate your approach to promoting your listings in 2024, why not add drones to your list of tactics for your upcoming listings? It could make all the difference in pushing potential buyers over the finish line while also distinguishing yourself as a modern agent from all angles.
For more insights on how you can innovate your real estate biz all year round, visit our Resource Center today.
