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Drones Information From NAR
Source: 2022 NAR Member Profile (National Association of REALTORS®, 2022)
Window to the Law: New Rules Expand Options for Drone Photography (National Association of REALTORS®, Jun. 1, 2021)
If you operate your own drone, keep in mind that just like operating a car, you must have your pilot certification handy during the operation, and be ready to show it upon request.
Using Drones in Your Real Estate Business Webinar-Download (Item E135-121) (REALTOR® Store)
Are you ready to move your business to the next level by incorporating drones video and photos? Find out what you need to know to safely and legally incorporate this cutting edge technology.
Drones, Real Estate, and the Law
New Legislation Would Limit Drone Surveilance of Homes and Livestock (Iowa Capital Dispatch, Feb. 28, 2023)
“An Iowa House bill that is meant to curtail the aerial surveillance of livestock facilities in the state might have damaging implications for businesses that use drones to conduct land surveys, advertise agricultural real estate and evaluate storm damage, among other purposes, according to some of those business owners.“I totally understand and support why this bill is being pushed,” said Nate Brown, who works for a farmers cooperative and owns a video production business, “but I’m concerned about the unintentional consequences it could have on other areas of the ag industry.”
5 Things You Must Know Before Flying Drones for Real Estate Photography (HomeJab, May 26, 2022)
“You may not fly your drone over people who are not part of the operation.
This includes:
- People who are actively involved in the use of the product or service being filmed
- Anyone else who is not involved in the operation (this includes spectators)”
What Real Estate Agents Need to Know About Using Drones to Get Aerial Photos of Homes (The Drone Girl, Oct. 5, 2021)
“Whether you look to add drone photography to your skillset, or you’re a real estate agent looking to hire a drone pilot, you’re one step closer to generating listing photos that stand out from the competition. Get those sweeping views of the property, and take prospective buyers on a virtual tour that compels them to make an offer without even visiting.”
Drone Mapping in the Real Estate Industry (Right of Way, Nov. 1, 2020) E
Data such as boundary lines, trails, flood zones, topographic contours etc. can be laid on top of the drone imagery for mapping. Informative data such as deer stands, utilities, hog damage etc. can also be collected and plotted.
A Drone’s Eye View of Rights and Legal Remedies (JDSupra, Jul. 24. 2020)
Some people might be tempted to take the law into their own hands and shoot down an “invading” drone, but such an approach carries a high level of risk for the property owner and may lead to civil and criminal liability. Under federal law, willfully shooting down an aircraft (including drones) is a felony that may lead to imprisonment (18 U.S.C. § 32)—not to mention other potential liability tied to discharging a firearm into the sky. Furthermore, the drone operator could sue the property owner under state tort law and claim damages for the value of the drone and its payload.
Drones and Real Estate Marketing
The Best Drones for Real Estate Photography in 2023 (Pop Photo, Jan. 30, 2023)
“Most of the assignments drone pilots are hired for when it comes to real estate will fall into one of two categories: capturing compelling assets to be used in the sale of the land or home or showcasing a property’s amenities to aid in booking a vacation rental. For this reason, we primarily graded each of the drones on this list on their ability to capture still images. Camera quality, sensor size, and gimbal quality were all important considerations. We also looked at flight modes that may aid in capturing a property’s details, especially for those who may be new to the genre.”
Philly REALTOR® and Pilot Go Viral With Drone Home Tours (Philly Voice, Jan. 21, 2023)
“Many of the drone videos on Carter's TikTok are for luxury properties in the city, including several homes above the $1 million mark. At first, Carter used a handheld camera to make her videos. They were fine, but nothing splashy. Then, while scrolling through her Instagram, Carter decided to follow Williams, who had recently launched Flywell, his business for drone videos. "I started my business within a year of getting my (drone) license from the FAA," Williams said. "That kind of lit a fire under my butt to just go out and hustle."
Drone Tech Gives Lift to Land (REALTOR® Magazine, Jun. 17, 2022)
“With land surveys and mapping, drone technology is not only more efficient but also more cost-effective. This is especially true when attempting to survey an area with unsafe terrain. Working with professional drone pilots saves money on equipment and helps individuals avoid higher-risk areas. It also streamlines time management of early-stage development because the data is acquired more quickly.”
Benefits of Drone Technology In Real Estate Marketing (OpenGrowth, May 2022)
“Whether you talk about cutting costs or showing the property’s features, the drone helps in every way possible. It assists both the clients and brokers to understand and explain property respectively.”
Why You Should Invest In Drones For Real Estate Marketing (Hometrack, Oct. 25, 2021)
“What’s more, a drone can help you tell a story as it sweeps across the front lawn, up the cobblestone pathway, and through the front door to begin a virtual open house of a property.”
Videos
A Standout Video Can Help Elevate a Property Listing Above the Competition (Mansion Global, May 26, 2022)
“Highly produced videos have long provided a way to showcase the size and layout of a home, but during the height of the pandemic, when the ability to view many properties in person was curtailed, videos became ubiquitous and essential. Three years on, listing videos are not going anywhere, but their purpose and power may have shifted. “The difference now is I think video is more about striking an emotion with the buyer, and less so about the pure functionality of how does the house lay out and how one room links to the next,” Rogers said.”
Real Estate Drone Photography: A Comprehensive Guide (Vaned, Mar. 4, 2022)
“Do a little reconnaissance to figure out how the property is oriented and when the important angles are lit the best. Midday is often best for minimizing shadows, but if it's full sun, the light will be harsh. Shooting through a neutral density filter can help reduce glare.”
Essential Drone Shots for Real Estate Photography & Videography (Busy Continent, Feb. 28 2022)
“Sometimes called ‘Nadir’, the top-down still shot is a vertical photo taken from directly above the property. This way, a potential buyer gets a clear understanding of the property’s boundaries, land size, layout and any significant features like a pool or basketball court.”
5 Best Real Estate Drone Videos To Inspire You (Styldod, Jun. 17, 2021)
“Track Away: This shot is a wide shot tracking away from the property and it's a reverse shot of the forward reveal.”
FAA Resources
Getting Started (Federal Aviation Administration, Nov. 10, 2022)
“Drone pilots can fly in controlled and uncontrolled airspace. There are different requirements to you as a pilot depending on which airspace you fly in.”
Operations Over People General Overview (Federal Aviation Administration, Nov. 10, 2022)
“The Operation of Unmanned Aircraft Systems Over People final rule is the next incremental step towards further integration of unmanned aircraft (UA) in the National Airspace System. The final rule allows routine operations over people and routine operations at night under certain circumstances. The rule will eliminate the need for typical operations to receive individual part 107 certificate of waivers from the FAA.”
Become a Drone Pilot (Federal Aviation Administration, Aug. 16, 2022)
“In order to fly your drone under the FAA's Small UAS Rule (Part 107), you must obtain a Remote Pilot Certificate from the FAA. This certificate demonstrates that you understand the regulations, operating requirements, and procedures for safely flying drones.”
Certificated Remote Pilots including Commercial Operators (Federal Aviation Administration)
"If you have a small drone that is less than 55 pounds, you can fly for work or business by following the Part 107 guidelines."
Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS) (Federal Aviation Administration, Jun. 11, 2021)
The Operations Over People rule became effective on April 21, 2021. Drone pilots operating under Part 107 may fly at night, over people and moving vehicles without a waiver as long as they meet the requirements defined in the rule. Airspace authorizations are still required for night operations in controlled airspace under 400 feet.
eBooks & Other Resources
The following eBook is available to NAR members:
Drones For Dummies (eBook)
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