Exerp from an upcoming article from an interview I did..
Real estate agents and brokers will try just about anything to gain a competitive edge in the industry. With a constant stream of modern technology hitting the market, agents and others in the real estate field are finding new and innovative ways to take advantage of 21st century technology. Whether it’s 360 video, mobile apps that let you take on-the-go continuing education, or new CRM platforms that keep you up-to-date on your every single client interaction, there’s no shortage of tools at the industry’s disposal.
One of the hottest trends in the tech field right now is the use of drones or unmanned aerial vehicles. The everyday uses for drones have been expansive, being utilized for everything from entertainment, surveillance, military programs and, most recently, real estate and home inspections. We sat down with Brian Persons of Front Range Home Inspections to discuss the benefits and challenges of using drones in the real estate industry.
Why drones?
The possible uses of drones in real estate are endless for the creative mind. More well-known uses for agents and brokers include the ability to take aerial photos of properties for their clients and to survey landscapes and large acreage properties. Drones can also aid agents in showing their clients a better view of the surrounding neighborhood and where their home lies in relation to local amenities.
In addition to client-facing visuals, drones can also be used for more thorough home inspections as they eliminate the need for inspectors to get on the roof to inspect tiling and other features. “I had a few ladders slide off the gutter or on the surface below. I’ve had to disclaim roof inspections for safety reasons,” stated Parsons during our chat, “this [drones] has proven to be a useful tool for me.”
When asked about the advantages for his personal business, Persons commented on the safety advantages and the ability to offer his clients something his competitors can’t. “Buyers get a more in depth inspection, sellers get a unique view for marketing or pre-inspections.” Persons stated. “I inspect a lot of rural properties as well and can get a better view of fence lines, grading, ponds etc.”
As for future applications of this technology? Persons cited infrared thermal cameras that can sense energy loss and small drones with proximity sensors that can be used for indoor applications as the next up-and-coming drone features to look out for.
Learning to pilot a drone
Agents and brokers shouldn’t be intimidated by drones if they’re interested in incorporating them into their business model- learning to pilot a drone is easier than one might think. Persons noted, “I’m 53 years old and not part of the video game generation, but the controls look similar (I use the DJI Phantom 3 equipment- less than a year old and already outdated!) and, with some practice in an open space, it doesn’t take long to get the basics down.” He also noted how surprised he was at the quality of the footage he received after his first flight.
Interested individuals should keep in mind that an FAA part 107 registration is currently required to fly a drone for business and commercial use. The basic requirements an operator must adhere to to get licensed can be found here per the Federal Aviation Administration.
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Time requirements for getting a drone license
An official license to pilot a drone commercially is fairly easy to obtain with the proper practice and studying. Persons studied for about a month prior to taking the test (mainly because there weren’t dates available earlier) and practiced as a hobbyist for about a year before deciding to get his license through the Federal Aviation Administration .
Studying for your license is important through. “There’s a lot of information on airspace and airports that I had never known,” Persons mentioned. “I can see the importance of licensing due to all the things going on in the airspace at any given time that most people don't even know about.”
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