When you think of drones, do you think of a toy a child can buy at a shopping mall that will probably get lost in the neighbor’s tree after it flies out of control? Some conjure up visions of a multi-million dollar military aircraft flown by a remote pilot capable of taking out the enemy. Others get upset, thinking that drones are primarily used to spy on people with nefarious intentions. Of course, drone photography and other uses are commonplace today, but some, even in the real estate industry, never consider how drones can be used to improve the land-buying experience.
Why Seasoned Professionals Use Aerial Photography
Drones have been used in the real estate industry, especially the land business, for several years. By using drones, land professionals can capture high-resolution photos and videos to showcase a property from an elevated perspective not possible from the ground. These aerial views allow buyers to get a lay of the land before setting foot on the property for a showing. Many times a buyer who lives far away will purchase a property without ever seeing the land in person because they have been so well informed about the property from perspectives provided by aerial drone photos.
In many instances, drone photos can provide better views of a property than satellite aerial imagery alone. Drone photos can be taken at a much lower altitude providing very detailed pictures, and can be more up-to-date than satellite imagery. When drone photos are used in conjunction with an aerial map, a buyer can get a good feel for the features of the subject property and the surrounding landscape. Drawing property boundary lines on the aerial photos lets the viewer know precisely where the property's perimeter is located.
In addition to drone photos, drone videos can be used to provide additional views to enhance a property listing. Most modern drones capture high-resolution 4K video. These video clips taken above a land listing can be incorporated into a promotional video to create a flyover of the property. When put to music with text to highlight the property’s features, it can make an emotion-stirring property touring experience.
Can you imagine touring a property without ever setting foot on it? With drones, it is possible for viewers to get a 360-degree view of a property. Through its Land Tour 360® technology, National Land Realty displays these 360-degree images with boundaries, landmarks, and points of interest. Land listings that use 360-degree photos can also save both time and money for agents and clients. Property showings can often be an all-day event, and time is precious. Sometimes the driving distance to a property can be many miles, and rising gas prices can impact the wallets of both the agent and the client. Seeing and understanding the property virtually before investing time and money to see the property in person is incredibly valuable.
Which Drone is Best?
As a land professional, choosing a suitable drone model to capture quality footage is essential. DJI is one of the most competitive drone companies to date. For real estate photos and videos, the DJI Mini 2, Mini 3 Pro, Mavic Air 2, and Air 2S provide all the bells and whistles that a land professional could ever need for their business. These drones are easy to fly and have a user-friendly app to make the flying experience enjoyable. Furthermore, agents looking to buy a DJI drone should consider the Fly More Combo, which comes with three batteries. Most land listings are far from good power sources so having three batteries and a car charger is essential for maximizing time in the air.
Aerial Drone Photography Presents an Opportunity
Drones are changing the face of many industries, and land professionals are now adding their pennies to the pile. However, unfortunately, today's real estate professionals could miss out on a fantastic opportunity to differentiate themselves and their properties. Ultimately, drone imagery is a treasured addition to a real estate agent's marketing arsenal. Furthermore, drones are changing the game by allowing prospective buyers to view properties from a unique perspective and on their own time, enabling agents to market their properties more effectively.
