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How to Use Drone Footage to Showcase Real Estate Properties

How-to-Use-Drone-Footage-to-Showcase-Real-Estate-Properties

You want to take your Aerial Photos for your listings so that you don’t have to hire a professional to do it for you. You might be considering buying a drone yourself because you thought it would be much cheaper to do that way, and you can use your drone anytime you want, not just for business use. Before you buy a drone and take photos, read this first.

Though it’s perfect to have a drone and it’s fun to own one, there are some things you must know and consider first. In this blog, you will learn the fundamentals of using a drone, the licenses you have to get to use them commercially for your real estate listings, and other important information on capturing that perfect view shot of your house.

The Benefits of Using Drone Footage in Real Estate Marketing

Drone technology has revolutionized the real estate industry, providing a powerful tool to showcase properties like never before. By capturing stunning Aerial Footage, drones offer a unique perspective that captivates potential buyers and sets your listings apart from the competition. In this blog, we’ll explore how you can leverage drone footage to showcase real estate properties and attract more buyers. Using drone footage in real estate marketing offers several key advantages:

1. Capturing the Big Picture:

Drone footage allows you to showcase the property’s surroundings, including its proximity to amenities, landmarks, and natural features that enhance its value and appeal.

2. Highlighting Unique Features:

Drones can provide the ideal perspective to showcase unique outdoor features like expansive gardens, water features, or custom landscaping.

3. Generating Leads:

Drone videos act as powerful marketing tools, with data showing that ads with aerial shots sold 68% more quickly than those with regular photos.

4. Demonstrating Tech Savvy:

Using drone footage showcases your ability to leverage technology, which is particularly appealing to younger generations of homebuyers.

5. Cost-Effectiveness:

Although high-tech, drone videos are surprisingly inexpensive. Aerial videographers typically charge around $200 per hour for their services, Which applies to those who hire a professional to do their aerial shots. These are just some of the marketing perks and advantages of having a Drone Shot of your property listing. Now, if you are convinced you should have a drone, let’s explore more. Before you buy your drone, let’s explore the legal terms or licenses required to acquire and pilot a Drone for commercial use.

Obtaining the Necessary Permits and Regulations

Obtaining the required permits and complying with relevant regulations is essential before using drones for commercial purposes. This typically involves obtaining a Part 107 Remote Pilot Certificate from the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) in the United States. If you want to learn more about this, here is the link. Be sure to thoroughly review the regulations applicable to your area to ensure a smooth and legally compliant operation.

Depending on your location and the property’s surroundings, this may include obtaining additional permits or adhering to specific guidelines. If you are a realtor or real estate agent and want to hire an Aerial Photographer, make sure they are licensed by the FAA and a professional in drone use. You want to avoid encountering problems or finding out that your aerial shots could be better and have been done illegally.

This is important, especially if you use the Footage for your online marketing materials. That’s it! Invest some time learning about FAA permits for drones or any uncrewed aircraft, the best practices for using your drone, and the fees included in those licenses. Now, let’s move forward to the exciting part: What drone to buy and how to take those breathtaking photos with your drone?

How to Choose the Right Drone for Real Estate Photography

The drone is keeping up with the technology. They are becoming more high-tech, can capture high-quality Footage in a compact size, and can even move or fly faster with the help of remote maneuvering and AVR. It’s like flying but virtually. Because it is. When selecting a drone for real estate photography, consider the following factors:

1. Image Quality:

Look for a drone with a high-resolution camera capable of capturing stunning aerial shots. I recommend looking for a drone that can take 4K or higher for video. 4K is good enough to capture more detailed images and videos that you can downsize later to fit with other platforms like YouTube, which only needs 1080p.

If you are confused about 4k (ultra HD) and 1080p (Full HD), this refers to the number of pixels in the frame or photo. The higher the pixel number, the more detailed it will be when you play it on the video—however, the higher the pixel, the more storage you need in your drone memory. You can learn more about this here.

2. Battery Life:

Choose a drone with a long battery life to ensure you can capture all the necessary Footage without interruption. Some drone sellers offer package deals where you can have the option to buy more than one battery and a charging hub to charge them all together to save time, and you can buy them at a discounted price. Most drone batteries now have 20-30 minutes of flight time. More drone companies are investing more in improving their drone flight time.

3. Stability:

Select a drone with advanced stabilization features to minimize camera shake and produce smooth, professional-looking Footage.

4. Ease of Use:

Opt for an easy drone to operate and navigate. This will allow you to focus on capturing the best possible shot.

Preparing for Your Drone Photo Shoot

Before heading out for a drone photo shoot, conducting thorough research and visiting the property to understand its layout and potential obstacles is crucial. This includes:

1. Identifying suitable takeoff and landing spots:

Look for areas free from obstacles and potential hazards.

2. Noting any no-fly zones or restricted airspace:

Be aware of areas where drone flight is prohibited or restricted.

3. Creating a shot list:

Develop a list of potential shots based on the property’s unique selling points, such as Landscaping, architectural features, or panoramic views. The best tip is to write this on paper so you don’t miss anything during your shooting.

4. Preparing the property:

Clean up any clutter, organize the yard and driveway, and ensure the Landscaping is well-maintained.

5. Timing the shoot carefully:

Early morning often works best when the streets are empty and the lighting is soft.

Shooting Techniques and Creative Ways to Use Drone Footage in Real Estate Marketing

Most of this has already been mentioned in the first part of this blog, but it’s good for you to remember this, especially if you are a total beginner:

1. Shoot in RAW format:

RAW shots retain more image data than compressed formats like JPG, giving you more flexibility for editing and post-production. Check your drone camera’s settings and make sure the files are in the Raw format.

2. Adjust drone settings:

Optimize your drone’s settings for your shoot’s specific conditions and desired outcomes.

3. Utilize natural lighting:

Use the best lighting conditions, such as early morning or late afternoon, to create a warm, inviting atmosphere.

4. Showcasing the Context and Environment:

Use drone footage to highlight the property’s proximity to amenities, landmarks, and natural features that can enhance its value and appeal.

5 . Telling a Story:

Create an engaging narrative showcasing the lifestyle, benefits, and emotions the property can offer potential buyers.

6. Highlighting Unique Features:

Use drone footage to showcase distinctive features like expansive gardens, water features, or custom landscaping.

7. Adding Creativity and Flair:

Experiment with different angles, perspectives, movements, and transitions to make your drone videos more dynamic and captivating.

8. Providing a Comprehensive Overview:

Drone footage offers potential buyers a more accurate understanding of the property’s layout, size, and location.
drone-photo

Editing Your Drone Footage

After capturing your drone footage, it’s time to edit and polish your videos for maximum impact. Here are some tips for editing drone real estate videos:

1. Choose the right editing software:

Choose a user-friendly video editing program with advanced features for manipulating and enhancing your Footage. The available ones in the market are Adobe Premiere Pro, DaVinci Resolve, and Final Cut Pro.

2. Color correct and adjust exposure:

Use editing tools to balance colors, enhance Contrast, and optimize exposure levels to make your Footage look its best.

3. Add music and voiceovers:

Incorporate music and voiceovers to set the mood, provide context, and guide viewers through the property. You can use free music from other platforms. There’s nothing wrong with that except for commercial use. It’s better to have licensed music.

The ones in the market are AudioJungle, Epidemic Sound, Artlist, and Soundstripe. The cheaper option is buying bulk music with unlimited commercial rights for usage, or some deals offer a yearly license for unlimited music download.

4. Create smooth transitions:

Use seamless transitions between shots to maintain a professional, cinematic flow.

5. Export in high-quality formats:

Export your final videos in high-definition formats suitable for online sharing and presentation.

Incorporating Drone Footage into Your Real Estate Marketing Strategy

To effectively incorporate drone footage into your real estate marketing strategy, consider the following:

1. Optimize for online sharing:

Ensure your drone videos are optimized for online sharing, with appropriate file sizes and formats for easy uploading and viewing.

2. Incorporate your drone footage:

Prominently into your property listings, using it as a key selling point to attract potential buyers.

3. Utilize social media:

Share your drone videos on social media platforms to reach a wider audience and showcase your expertise in real estate marketing.

4. Create virtual property tours:

Combine drone footage with ground-level shots to create immersive virtual property tours that give potential buyers a comprehensive understanding of the property.

5. Measure and analyze performance:

Track the performance of your drone videos, analyzing metrics such as views, engagement, and leads generated to refine your marketing strategy.

Drone footage has become an essential tool in real estate marketing, offering a powerful way to showcase properties and attract potential buyers. By leveraging drone technology’s unique perspectives and captivating visuals, you can set your listings apart from the competition and generate more leads and sales.

Remember to choose the right drone, comply with relevant regulations, prepare thoroughly for your shoots, and employ effective editing techniques to create high-quality, impactful drone videos. By incorporating drone footage into your real estate marketing strategy, you can promote your brand, demonstrate your expertise, and drive more successful transactions.

If this is too overwhelming for you and you would rather hire a professional Drone Photographer, check out Visionary Views’ portfolio and our Drone Packages here. A drone photo starts at $215. Learn more about Visionary Views Service.

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