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Air photos -- drone policy
From the blog at DartDrones.com: “Drones can hurt people and damage property if pilots are not careful. Whether you fly drones yourself or hire a company, the pilot must be insured, properly trained, and have a drone license from the FAA.”
This leads to a common question is “Do you provide drone shots, and if so how much do you charge?”
Yes, most importantly I am licensed by the FAA with a UAV Remote Pilot rating — and I fly a late model registered drone with a high-quality camera and I am insured against any claim that might be lodged against you the agent or your broker.
Furthermore, I don’t apply special charges for this service. If it can be provided legally and responsibly, it is already factored into the time quote I provide upon request. I don’t charge to switch lenses or to provide supplementary lighting — and by that line of reasoning, the air shots should be considered just another camera position.
A few words on the legal part follow: The FAA has made much progress from the days — not all that long ago — when flight authorizations had to be filed online days, if not weeks, in advance. Now, through one of several private/public partnerships, a clearance to fly an unmanned aerial vehicle is available to licensed pilots in a mobile app that processes a few critical flight numbers and other pertinent facts stored on the device or in the aircraft firmware.
Of course there are still restrictions — generally in the close proximity of airports, heliports, sports venues, temporary flight restriction zones, and sensitive installations. In such cases, I will advise the agent that elevated views will not be part of the mix.
Sure, it’s not difficult to find a self-declared ‘drone pilot’ who will fly a hobbyist or toy drone in total disregard of the law and the safety of other people and/or their property. But I have two licenses to protect — as do agents and brokers — plus a reputation for business integrity that hopefully all of us guard carefully.
My clients understand — both the integrity of knowing the rules and ethics involved and our mutual need to keep the subject listing compliant with all applicable laws and guidelines.
The estate home photography market
Some 50,000 homes 'go on the market' each year here in Southwest Florida. And while not all agents seek professional photography, a vast majority do -- for a number of good reasons. First, it's become truly affordable since the film age gave way to the digital era. Couple that with the fact that nearly all buyers now start their search online disincentivizes the temptation to make DIY phone photography the focal point of a sound marketing plan.
Dark, crooked, or otherwise amateurish photos speak loudly to the quality of service and the buyer-seller relationship that is to follow. Professional images will be bright, straight, and well-composed to convey the notion that both the seller and the agent care about delivering a pleasant and productive experience from first viewing to close.
Not unexpectedly, the Naples area has an ample supply of professionals in the specialty -- and even some who are 'testing the waters offering listing photos in addition to their portrait, school sports, or wedding business. Add to that the influx of dozens of new 'real estate photographers' switching careers or taking a first step as an entrepreneur. Many arrive in the marketplace as not merely real estate photo experts but a "Marketing Company" with an expanding list of additional products and services to offer.
What is to be made of all this? First, it's not my intent to denigrate the industry. IAt best, if I were competing with the ‘marketing companies,’ would be able to properly service less than one-half of one percent of the available business! I do, however, have a stake in furthering the high ethical and quality standards that have to date defined the architectural, design, and listing photography industry.
To that end, I present this opportunity, in the form of the Comments section or by personal consultation, to engage in discussions related to the use of professional photography in real estate transactions.
Click on any individual post header to open the relevant Comments section, where you can make statements, start a new topic, or ask questions!
How many photos needed for maximum results?
The MLS now allows 35 but this is neither mandatory nor a recommended number. I suggest we consider the following:
A photograph will occasion one of three results: it will either persuade, cause little to no reaction, or dissuade and become a turnoff. Clearly only those in the first category belong on the MLS and in promotional material. It goes without saying that placing 'shrug' or 'yuk' photos in front of buyers simply to attain an arbitrary number is not a path to success as a real estate professional.
It's my approach to only produce as many photos as the subject property will yield gracefully. And that number varies not only with the size of the structure and the number of rooms but also with the condition or appearance of individual areas or objects.
And that's why I don't 'shoot to a number.' In most purchases of listing photography, agents are sold a package of 15, 20, 25, or even 50 or more! After the prime scenes are taken, the photographer reverts to taking superfluous or repetitive photos ... perhaps the dining room table from several different angles, or capturing small bathrooms, closets, storage rooms, and unflatteringly cramped outdoor scenes. I've even seen snaps of a water heater in a messy garage!
In fact, it's a rare property that can yield even 25 "home run" photographs -- and forget trying to make that number in a 1900 square foot condo. Much beyond 12 - 15 photos in a property of under 3,000 square feet risks crossing over into the Too Much Information trap. But there is no absolute rule. It's something I work out on location and the agent does after the final edits are delivered.
Don't be misled by the new MLS max of 35. Run only the photos with a clearly established 'wow' factor. And hope that your competitive listings are the ones that have maxed out, increasing the chances that potential buyers will experience TMI and move on.
To your listing -- populated 100% by compelling photographs.
Click on the individual post header to open the Comments section.