High Value

Drones Boosting Real Estate

By Joel Nelson on Jan 6, 2025 in Technology

Some real estate professionals are using drone technology to gain a competitive edge.

Drones, which are unmanned aerial vehicles equipped with high-resolution still and video cameras, can give potential buyers or investors a comprehensive view of a property and its surroundings. This constitutes “a unique perspective that traditional ground-based photography cannot [offer], providing comprehensive and engaging visuals that can significantly enhance real estate marketing efforts,” says Luxury Presence, a real estate marketing service provider in Austin, Texas.

Less costly than helicopter or airplane flybys, drone-based photography can highlight such features as nearby lots, amenities and shopping areas that aren’t easily encompassed from ground level. “Drone video can make buyers feel like they’re really at a property, even when they’re on the other side of the world,” according to drone tech provider DJI of Shenzhen, China.

Some studies indicate that listing agents who use drones increase their deal closings by 68%.

“Properties marketed with aerial images not only stand out in listings but also tend to sell much faster, providing a clear competitive advantage in the fast-paced real estate market,” asserts Fox Homes, a Fairfax, Va., residential real estate agency.

Drones can also illustrate the interiors of residences and commercial buildings, producing “one cohesive video that gives viewers a realistic sense of the house,” according to The Drone Life, a Medford Lakes, N.J., operator that supports construction, conservation and other projects.

They’re also useful for inspections and for revealing maintenance needs on roofs and other hard-to-reach areas of a property.

And “building managers will be able to meet project objectives more efficiently and quickly if sophisticated photography is used to scan construction sites and drones are used to follow activities throughout the construction lifecycle,” says SkyQuest Technology Group, a global technology services provider based in Westford, Mass.

More than 850,000 drones for various applications are registered with the Federal Aviation Administration, with the total U.S. market expected to grow from $34.4 billion in 2023 to $87.5 billion within a decade.

Real estate pros seeking drone assistance should engage a licensed drone operator and be mindful of FAA altitude and no-fly restrictions, local privacy policies and other regulations.

It may well be worth the investment. “Unique photography and professional videography make a significant difference in capturing buyers’ attention and compelling them to action,” says Luxury Presence.

“As technology continues to evolve, drones will likely become an integral part of the real estate marketing toolkit,” adds Whitney Savoie of FlyGuys Nationwide Data Capture, a drone services provider in Lafayette, La.