According to statistics from the MLS (multiple listing service), homes with aerial images sell 68 per cent faster than homes with standard images so its no surprise that 83% of home sellers prefer working with an agent that uses drones and that top agents are 3.5 times more likely to use drone photography than low volume agents.
Now we have dealt with the drone real estate statistics, lets consider not just the benefits of using drone photography but some examples of where drone photography can really help show off a property to its maximum.
The arial shot is the standard drone shot but there are a number of ways in which drone photography can be used to improve the way a property is presented online.
5 Reasons To Use Drone Photography in Real Estate
1) Arial Shot
This is often used with rural properties to give a sense of perspective and context within the overall landscape. Below is a good example of showing the location of the subject property and its relationship with the neighboring vineyards.
The shot below, from one of my listings on West Dry Creek, focusses more on a close up of the actual property itself versus the surrounding area.
With the shot above, the photographer has chosen an angle that uses the shadows of the trees in the midday sun to make the image more interesting.
2) Access
Everyone automatically thinks of drone photography as showing arial images from a distance but I like to use drones to get photographs that are just not possible with a camera on a tripod.
For example, the listing above in Santa Rosa is really hard to photograph from the street because of the trees. With a regular camera on the street it is only possible to photograph the garage. This close up of the front of the house was only possible using a drone.
This property below was on 2 acres but 95% of it was unusable. By using a drone, we were able to capture the entertaining area at the back of the house, making it look as large as possible.
3) Mood and Shapes
Everyone knows that taking photographs around sunrise and sunset is the best time to get the best photos. Unfortunately many photographers want to shoot through the day when the light is really harsh rather than get up for sunrise or keep working through sunset.
As can be seen from the shot above at 2476 Wright Ranch Lane, the mood that can be created by photographing in the late day sun is a huge improvement on the harsh light of the day.
Drones can also be used to show interesting shapes in the land. While this is perhaps a little more abstract, it leaves a little more to the imagination
The picture below also uses a drone to capture the interesting shape of the road on this lot on Wright Ranch Lane in Healdsburg.
4) Proximity
A drone can also be great to show the proximity of a property from a nearby landmark or feature of the area.
For example, I am working with the developer of the Riverhouse in Healdsburg which is a new community of eight properties by the river. The drone photography below shows the relationship of the project to the river and also to downtown Healdsburg.
5) Illustrative
The combination of arial photography and photoshops illustrations can be used to great effect when trying to create an informational schematic.
One of the challenges with the listing above (18475 Old Monte Rio Road, Guerneville) which was a lot with the foundations built and full architectural plans was showing the inter-relationship between the foundations and the plans.