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Are You Using a UAV yet?

By
Real Estate Agent with Brown Realty, 210-789-4216, TREC #0492321

 

I recently read a very interesting article about using a UAV. So, what exactly is a UAV? Well, after searching various resources like dictionaries and Wikipedia online, it’s an “Unmanned Aerial Vehicle”, but many us today simply refer to it as a “Drone”.

Many countries and even the United States have been using Drones for years to take photos and to gather information on other countries. Some of them are even armed today, and can be used a weapons to take out a given target. But, what about using them in the real estate industry to market and to advertise one of your fancy and luxury home listing?

 

Drones with Cameras

 

 

 

Cameras on these drones have allowed REALTORS® to not only capture photos of properties they plan to list, but also on the area surrounding those listings. I recently saw a luxury home posted on Facebook that obviously used a drone to show details of the property for sale and the surrounding community. What an opportunity to provide a view of the distance to, and the size of various amenities, and even show grocery stores, shopping malls, theaters, and sports or exercise centers.

If one has children, the distance and mode of transportation to the schools in the district would be a great importance. Since more folks are into video presentations with their listings, the photography using drones would lend itself to putting together a meaningful presentation to show all potential buyers, and could be marketed online using social media. One could even film various activities going on in the area, and incorporate the actions into the video.

Perry Model HomeI am sure you’ll agree that more folks are using drones today for fun and for business, but before you decide to jump into the pool, it is important to know the rules...and I am sure there are several to know. On August 29 of this year, a recently released FAA Rules for the operation of small Unmanned Aircraft will go into effect and will consequently impact on what you must know about the use of drones. In June, the Legal Affairs Department of the National Association of REALTORS® published a series of FAQs regarding the new FAA Rule, and you’ll be able to see this information on FAQs for Small Unmanned Aircraft Rules, which should serve as a great resource.

The issue of privacy is a concern, and the new FAA guidelines did not address this issue, even though many are concerned. If you decide to use drone photography for your listings in the future, you will have the option of doing it yourself or hiring a professional for the job. I am told it’s a lot less expensive than hiring a plane or helicopter. In fact, I have seen them at Best Buy for only $600 plus tax. Regardless of whether or not the FAA considers privacy at this time, I am sure this subject will come up again. Therefore, I would suggest that you make an effort to avoid what might be considered a “Peeping Tom” activity.

If you’re thinking about buying or selling in and around the San Antonio area, contact Jerry at 210-789-4216, or visit my website at Homes For Sale in Sonoma Ranch to search for available properties. Summer is almost gone, but it’s still time to find out How Much Your Home is Worth and get it on the market soon.

Comments (12)

Endre Barath, Jr.
Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices California Properties - Beverly Hills, CA
Realtor - Los Angeles Home Sales 310.486.1002

Jerry, I hire a professional who has been doing it for years, he gets a reasonable fee and does it. When he is done, editing, voice overs, messages on the video etc. he sends me  a draft in the old days...  now just the finished product because he knows what I like... under 2.3 minutes or less depending on list price. No pain for me and a great finished product, Endre

Aug 11, 2016 04:47 AM
Patricia Kennedy
RLAH@Properties - Washington, DC
Home in the Capital

You have to get pretty far from town to use one legally in this area.  There are a lot of restricted airspaces, and it would not be a good thing to lose control of your drone and have it land on the White House lawn.  And of course, there is the flight path for planes landing and taking off from National Airport.  

Aug 11, 2016 04:57 AM
Jerry Newman
Brown Realty, 210-789-4216, - San Antonio, TX
Texas REALTOR, San Antonio Military Relocation

Yes, Endre. Whenever I decide to use one for those higher priced luxury homes, I would hire a professional too. I wouldn't have the time for all that editing. I can see the need for them in your market with all the higher priced homes. I have seen a few, and look very professional.

Aug 11, 2016 05:06 AM
Jerry Newman
Brown Realty, 210-789-4216, - San Antonio, TX
Texas REALTOR, San Antonio Military Relocation

Yes. Patricia. You're to close to the White House. More restrictions apply in your market. However with videos on the rise, I am seeing more of them.

Aug 11, 2016 05:15 AM
Gene Mundt, IL/WI Mortgage Originator - FHA/VA/Conv/Jumbo/Portfolio/Refi
NMLS #216987, IL Lic. 031.0006220, WI Licensed. APMC NMLS #175656 - New Lenox, IL
708.921.6331 - 40+ yrs experience

Seems the real estate industry is always re-conceiving itself in some manner and some way, Jerry Newman.  I agree that regulations and laws will probably be written and re-written a few times before drones use becomes commonplace in the majority of areas.  Patricia Kennedy raises just one reason why ...

Fascinating ..

Gene

Aug 11, 2016 06:22 AM
Dick Greenberg
New Paradigm Partners LLC - Fort Collins, CO
Northern Colorado Residential Real Estate

Hi Jerry - I dipped my toe in - with that exact model in the photo - and discovered a couple of additional concerns - the technology isn't quite there yet, so you don't just unpack these and start using them - set-up, updating the firmware, loading the software and debugging it, etc. are all necessary. And when problems arise, as they did, customer service can be a huge hassle. I decided to become a late adopter rather than an early one.

Aug 11, 2016 06:24 AM
Bob Crane
Woodland Management Service / Woodland Real Estate, KW Diversified - Stevens Point, WI
Forestland Experts! 715-204-9671

I have been watching these cool little tools for several years, and was about to buy one last year when the government decided that they had the right to over-regulate them.

Takes the fun an profit out of it when you need to deal with the government in order to use it.

Aug 11, 2016 01:35 PM
Jerry Newman
Brown Realty, 210-789-4216, - San Antonio, TX
Texas REALTOR, San Antonio Military Relocation

Yes, Gene Mundt, IL/WI Mortgage Originator - FHA/VA/Conv/Jumbo/Portfolio/Refi I think it might be awhile before more agents are actually using them. I expect the government regulations will keep changing over time, especially since it has to address that privacy concern.

Aug 12, 2016 02:55 AM
Jerry Newman
Brown Realty, 210-789-4216, - San Antonio, TX
Texas REALTOR, San Antonio Military Relocation

Hi Dick Greenberg Sometimes it's better to let others work out all the bugs first. I would most like call a professional to do all the work, if I decided to use one on a high end home.

Aug 12, 2016 02:57 AM
Jerry Newman
Brown Realty, 210-789-4216, - San Antonio, TX
Texas REALTOR, San Antonio Military Relocation

Hi Bob Crane Love your new photo! Looking Sharp!

Yes, I know what you mean about the government over regulating the use of them. They are nice tools to use in our industry, especially for high end commercial and residential properties.

Aug 12, 2016 02:59 AM
Tammy Lankford,
Lane Realty Eatonton, GA Lake Sinclair, Milledgeville, 706-485-9668 - Eatonton, GA
Broker GA Lake Sinclair/Eatonton/Milledgeville

They have been used in my marketing, but I do not pilot it nor do I intend to begin to pilot it.

Aug 14, 2016 04:33 AM
Jerry Newman
Brown Realty, 210-789-4216, - San Antonio, TX
Texas REALTOR, San Antonio Military Relocation

I expect more laws and restrictions will be forthcoming. I would prefer to hire a professional if I ever decided to take some Drone photos.

Aug 14, 2016 05:13 AM