It ’ s a Bird , It ’ s a Plane , It ’ s a … Drone
C . A . R . Magazine , Paul Smith
When people think of “ drones ,” issues like privacy violation and accidental harm come to mind . Americans overwhelmingly back the use of drones that target extremists abroad , but are reluctant to support private drones , including those utilized for commercial purposes at home , data from Pew Research Center shows . Yet drones don ’ t have to be scary , which many in the real estate industry recognized early on . Indeed , two years ago , the first REALTOR ® applied for a special waiver to use a drone for commercial purposes . In 2015 , one-third of special Federal Aviation Administration ( FAA ) waivers to fly drones for commercial purposes came from those in the real estate profession . California Real Estate spoke with two California-based businesses that have a considerable number of REALTOR ® clients , and when it comes to using drones in real estate , the sky ’ s the limit for what can be achieved in real estate marketing .
FAA Rule Change
Many industries , especially real estate , appealed to the FAA , which issued a final operational rule for the use of commercial drones last summer . Drone operators don ’ t need a pilot ’ s license anymore , but that doesn ’ t mean anyone can fly a drone for commercial reasons . Under the new regulations , the drone must weigh 55 pounds or less , cannot fly higher than 400 feet , cannot fly within five miles of an airport or registered landing strip , and cannot go faster than 100 mph . The rule took effect in late August , 2016 and requires a remote pilot airman certificate . To obtain the certificate , an applicant needs to be at least 16 years old , needs to pass an initial FAA-approved aeronautical knowledge test or hold an existing non-student Part 61 pilot certificate , complete a flight review within the previous 24 months , and complete an FAA-provided small unmanned aircraft system ( UAS ) online training course . This appears to be the FAA ’ s first step in facilitating greater drone use . “ With this new rule , we are taking a careful and deliberate approach that balances the need to deploy this new technology with the FAA ’ s mission to protect public safety ,” said Michael Huerta , Administrator of the FAA . “ But this is just our first step . We ’ re already working on additional rules that will expand the range of operations .” The bottom line is that using drones for commercial purposes requires special licensing , so don ’ t go out to buy a drone yet . The good news is that drone technology has considerably evolved , gotten cheaper , and more marketing options are available from companies that have gotten into the business of flying drones , especially for real estate purposes .
Top Producing Team Gilroy Office , 2016
Marta Dinsmore , Realtor GRI Intero Real Estate Services DinsmoreThePowerOfTwo . com 408.840.7420 DRE # 01352339
Sean Dinsmore , Realtor Intero Real Estate Services DinsmoreThePowerOfTwo . com 408.840.7327 DRE # 01966405
How Much Does It Cost ?
It costs around $ 150 to take the aeronautical knowledge exam at a licensed testing center , according to the FAA . While it ’ s not expensive , a person looking to become a professional will need to spend many hours learning how to operate a device . Drone photography usually starts in the mid-hundreds , while video and still photography is in the high hundreds to thousands . “ If a REALTOR ® is seeking to capture their own aerial footage for commercial purposes , they can do so by acquiring a UAS license certification ,” Rodolfo Bianchi , a chief remote pilot and CEO of LA Video Drone , told California Real Estate . However , Bianchi noted that professionals aren ’ t only licensed , they are insured . It ’ s a sentiment shared by Michael Izquierdo , a drone pilot and CEO of Beverly Hills Aerials . Both Izquierdo and Bianchi capture other footage , for television , top universities , major motion picture companies , and other well-known franchises . Yet the bulk of their clientele comes from the real estate industry .
Generating Compelling Marketing
“ I am trying to create a media packet that makes clients feel like they ’ re there ,” because oftentimes , people are in another state or city , and learn more about a property through video . Clark acknowledged that drone video and photography can be costly , but said it ’ s more than worth it . “ If you fight for a legitimate commission , which is usually five or six percent , that ’ s a good paycheck . That ’ s what it is there for ,” he suggested . “ It costs what it costs . If the best vendor is $ 1,000 and can make your video truly beautiful , then it ’ s worth it ,” as it helps sell the house for top dollar and shows a client that you will go the extra mile . It is increasingly looking like the rapid adoption of drones for commercial uses is becoming the norm . REALTORS ® have shown they will not be left in the rotor dust . The future is here and it ’ s currently flying around another property .
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GILROY • MORGAN HILL • SAN MARTIN MARCH / APRIL 2017 gmhtoday . com