The universe of cutting-edge real estate marketing and real property advertising is quickly becoming hooked on drones, which are now checking off a long list of previously infeasible – yet highly desired technical and creative tasks. Aerial drone photography and videography are presently doing far more for the real estate industry than simply rendering awesome imagery.

Advantages of Using Aerial Drones in Real Estate Projects

• An aerial drone is able to capture the complete plot in a single shot, or if implausible, create a composite image of the entire scene free from obstructions (trees, other building, poles, etc.).
• Aerial drone footage blended with specific ground-based videography can produce a captivating virtual tour of the property and it surroundings.
• Aerial drones allow prospective buyers to see and experience all aspects of the property before taking their first physical step over the threshold.
• Aerial drone imagery not only helps sell more properties, but also helps the real estate firm market its brand.

Key Factors For Hiring A Commercial Real Estate Aerial Drone Pilot Photographer

Operating an aerial drone for profit (commercially) in the United States means the pilot-in-command must be currently certified as a Part 107 pilot by the Federal Aviation Administration. In the matter of real estate firms that use aerial drone photography or footage as a marketing tool to help sell property cannot do so unless the aerial drone images and video tracks were captured by an FAA Certified sUAS Remote Pilot. For this federal regulation, there are no exceptions.

For example, if a real estate agent or firm bought a drone, learned how to fly it, captured a number of beautiful aerial drone photos and videos, and then loaded the footage onto YouTube without FAA Part 107 Pilot-in-Command Certification, the presentation would be unlawful to use for commercial purposes (marketing, promotion, advertising, branding, etc.) because the aerial drone’s pilot-in-command is not FAA rated.

Penalties for Flying Commercially Without FAA Part 107 Certification

There are an increasing number of cases involving real estate firms and agents who sidestep Federal aviation laws through sheer ignorance or by willfully trying to save a buck by either unlawfully flying themselves or using a non-Part 107 certified drone pilot to capture aerial photography and videography for home/property sale promotional purposes. A good rule of thumb for all licensed real estate professionals to follow would be to define the intent of the flight. If the aerial media captured by the aerial drone will be used to help generate revenue or any type business enhancement value, always hire an FAA Certified Part 107 sUAS drone pilot (preferably with professional real estate aerial photography and videography knowledge and experience).

Federal drones laws now require that any aerial drone missions and aerial photography footage captured for residential and commercial real estate agencies must be flown exclusively by an FAA Part 107 Certified uUAS Drone pilot. Penalties assessed are up to $32,666 for the violating drone pilot per occurrence and about $11,000 per occurrence against any violating real estate agent or real estate firm. The FAA may also impose criminal sanctions, which include a fine of up to $250,000 and/or a prison sentence of up to three years upon conviction.

Jonathan Rupprecht, a drone attorney based in Florida, wrote an article in September 2022 titled “5 Big Risks with Hiring Illegal Drone Pilots“. In the article, he explains the potential consequences of breaking drone laws, both for uncertified drone operators and those who hire them for commercial flights.

The following is an essential checklist of key factors to be consider before hiring a real estate aerial drone pilot:

• Project Scope: Define the scope of the entire project.
• Hire sUAS Pilot: Hire only an FAA Certified sUAS Remote Pilot.
• Storyboard Design: Generate a detailed shot-by-shot project storyboard. This process should be finalized with pilot inputs to ensure risk mitigation and the best final production outcome.
• Property Preparation: One example would be if a pool was to be captured, the surrounding pool deck must be all dry or all wet – uniformly. Water splashed up on the decking would result in a ugly spot in your final production. Dirty windows, unkept hedges, shoddy landscaping, a polluted pond, and disorganized outdoor furniture will not honestly illustrate the property’s best portrait or remarkable profile angles.
• Aviation Imperatives: Weather condition, active temporary FAA flight restrictions, flight mission and area safety, etc.
• Recordkeeping: Maintain detailed records. Be sure to keep all records pertaining to aerial drone mission and the contracted pilot’s FAA rating.
• Flight Insurance: This key factor is commonly the responsibility of the commercial aerial drone pilot.
• Asset Licensing: Image and video licensing is to be discussed and agreed upon in writing between client and pilot for how the media deliverables will be used.
• Plan B and Plan C: Ensure the aerial drone flight mission plan has at least two contingency options. In the event some change or shift in the mission plan occurs due to bad weather, FAA area flight restriction(s), client or pilot personal emergency, or any number of possible snafus, you want to have a smart back-up alternative.

Real Estate Aerial Drone Photography Pricing

How much do drone pilots charge for real estate photography? The industry-averaged standard is about $250 per property, plus any “client agreed” upon expense reimbursements such as travel, food, lodging, and/or additional equipment. (If such expense reimbursements are requisite for the particular real estate aerial photography project, this would be agreed upon between the client and the aerial drone pilot during the initial project consulting and pre-flight planning stage.)

For such drone real estate photography cost ($250 as used in this writing), the client will acquire, from the drone pilot, about 15 high-resolution aerial photographs and 3 individual high-resolution 4K aerial video files as professionally captured by the contracted commercial real estate drone pilot/aerial photographer.

In some cases, commercial and residential real estate developers, commercial and residential real estate investors, and commercial and residential real estate brokers and agents, request additional photography and video post-production work to attain a fully-produced marketing and advertising reel. The professionally produced video reel commonly contains a 1- to 5-minute video montage of the property from the air with music and voiceover.

In some scenarios, clients opt to order a blended montage including both aerial and ground-base photography and video footage in one commercially produced master promotional reel. For these extra premium real estate media services, total costs can range from between $400 and $1000.

Finally, more exclusive high-end commercial real estate aerial photography and videography productions – calling for the hiring of professional models or actors – range in cost far north of $1000 up to many, many thousand’s of dollars.

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