This is our entry for the January 2017 Active Rain Contest "Get Out Your Crystal Balls: What is your prediction for 2017 Contest" sponsored by Praful Thakkar and also one of our posts for the "Official 2017 Blog JUMPSTART Challenge - Enhance YOUR Personal Best" sponsored by Lynn B. Friedman.
As some of you have already seen from some of our previous posts in December and earlier this month, we "see" aerial photography using drones becoming exponentially more important in marketing listings (attracting the attention of potential buyers) and in securing listings (many sellers are "demanding" this marketing enhancement).
This applies at ALL price points.
One challenge is paying for the marketing enhancement.
We have seen pricing ranging from approximately $200 all the way up to $600 for aerial photography of residential real estate listings - and if moving into "mini documentary" territory, can cost thou$ands.
So - how to include this marketing enhancement in your listings?
Currently there are 3 legal ways to do this.
1. If an individual or entity has received an FAA 333 Exemption, then they can provide aerial drone photography PROVIDING THAT AN FAA LICENSED PILOT IS PRESENT AT THE OPERATION AND IS DESIGNATED AS THE REMOTE "PIC" (PILOT IN COMMAND). Yes, I am well aware that many ignore the requirement in capital letters in the previous sentence. Those folks should be very cautious about the consequences of continuing the illegal practice. The simplest way to "get legal" is to become a licensed drone pilot under FAA Part 107 "Remote Pilot Unmanned Aircraft System".
2. Hire a licensed drone pilot licensed under FAA Part 107 "Remote Pilot Unmanned Aircraft System".
3. Purchase your own drone and become a licensed drone pilot licensed under FAA Part 107 "Remote Pilot Unmanned Aircraft System".
We opted for Door #3.
Why?
The cost of the equipment, such as the DJI Phantom 4 Pro or DJI Mavic Pro, is less than $1,500.
The cost of the study materials to prepare for the FAA Part 107 "Remote Pilot Unmanned Aircraft System" test is less than $100.
The cost of the FAA Part 107 "Remote Pilot Unmanned Aircraft System" test is $150.
So for $2,000 you can get licensed to shoot your own commercial aerial photography using a drone!
Do the math.
How many drone photo/video shoots that you would otherwise pay for would it take to break even?
And one important thing to add to the mix, in addition to the license:
GET INSURANCE!
We see this becoming a burgeoning opportunity for the next few years, and
have created a separate LLC - Sunlit Drones - for the purpose of providing aerial drone photography and videography for our Sellers, and for other agents and businesses who can use our services!
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All images purchased and licensed from Shutterstock , shared from YouTube, sourced from Vectortoons, or were taken by the author unless otherwise noted. Restaurant logo used from their website with permission of the staff following our meal yesterday!
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