For larger properties, particularly those with expansive outdoor spaces, drone photography can be a game-changer. Aerial shots provide a unique perspective that standard ground-level photos simply can’t capture. From showcasing sprawling farmland to highlighting a home’s proximity to lakes or forests, drone photography adds a “wow” factor that can help sell a property faster.
In this post, we’ll cover how and when to use drone photography for real estate listings. Whether you’re photographing a large estate, farmland, or a home with notable outdoor features, drone photography can help elevate your listing and give buyers a broader view of the property.
Why Use Drone Photography?
Drone photography allows you to capture a property from angles and perspectives that are impossible to achieve with traditional photography. For larger properties, especially those with multiple acres of land or significant outdoor features, drone shots can showcase the full scale of the property. It’s also useful for highlighting specific selling points, like waterfront access, proximity to nature, or an expansive backyard.
Here’s why drone photography can make a big impact:
- Showcase the Size and Layout of the Property For homes with large yards, gardens, or multiple buildings, drone photography provides a comprehensive view of the entire layout. Buyers can see how the house sits on the property, how the yard is arranged, and where outbuildings or other structures are located.
- Highlight Proximity to Natural Features If the home is near a lake, forest, or mountain, drone photography can emphasize the property’s proximity to these desirable features. A well-placed aerial shot can highlight the scenic surroundings and give buyers a sense of the lifestyle the property offers.
- Capture Hard-to-See Features Some features of a property, like a large roof, swimming pool, or expansive driveway, are better captured from above. Drone photography gives you the ability to focus on these details and show them off in a way that ground-level shots can’t.
- Create a Sense of Scale With drone photography, you can convey the size and scale of the property in a single image. For example, a large estate with multiple buildings or vast farmland can be overwhelming to photograph from the ground. Aerial shots provide a bird’s-eye view that makes it easier for buyers to see the entire scope of the property.
Best Practices for Drone Photography
- Plan Your Shots in Advance Just like with traditional photography, it’s important to plan your drone shots in advance. Walk around the property and identify the key features you want to capture, such as the main house, outdoor spaces, or nearby landmarks. Make a list of these shots to ensure nothing gets missed.
- Shoot During Ideal Lighting Conditions Lighting is just as important for drone photography as it is for ground-level shots. Early morning or late afternoon (the “golden hour”) is usually the best time for aerial photography, as the soft light adds warmth and dimension to the images. Avoid shooting in the harsh midday sun, as it can create unflattering shadows.
- Use Drone Footage for Video Tours In addition to still photos, drones can also capture stunning aerial video footage. A sweeping video tour that transitions from an aerial view of the property to an interior tour can create a dynamic and engaging listing that holds buyers’ attention.
- Follow Legal Guidelines It’s important to remember that there are specific regulations around drone usage. Ensure that the drone operator is licensed and follows FAA guidelines for flying drones over residential areas. Be mindful of no-fly zones, privacy laws, and safety considerations.
Real-World Example: How Drone Photography Helped Sell a Large Farm
We recently photographed a large farm property that had several acres of land, a barn, and a scenic river running along the back of the property. Traditional ground-level shots didn’t do the property justice, so we used a drone to capture aerial views of the farmland, the barn, and the river. The resulting photos showed the full scope of the property and attracted several interested buyers who were drawn to the wide-open space and natural beauty. The property sold quickly, and the drone shots were a major selling point in the listing.
Activity: Identify Drone Photography Opportunities
Think about your property and how drone photography could be used to enhance the listing. Are there any features—like a large yard, a nearby lake, or a unique roofline—that would look better from an aerial perspective? Make a list of potential drone shots and consider how they could help show off the property’s best features.
Discussion Question: How Can Drone Photography Help Sell Larger Properties?
Discuss the benefits of drone photography for real estate listings. Why do you think aerial shots make such a strong impression on buyers? Talk about how capturing the full scope of a property from above can give buyers a better understanding of its size, layout, and features.
Wrapping It Up
Drone photography is an invaluable tool for larger properties or homes with unique outdoor features. By providing a bird’s-eye view of the property, drone shots can help buyers get a better sense of the layout and see features they might miss from the ground. Stay tuned for next week’s post, where we’ll dive into managing sellers during a real estate shoot and keeping the process smooth and stress-free!
