Drones give new perspective to marketing properties

Nic Powell of Beacon Imagery demonstrates a drone he uses to take real estate photos for a variety of agencies.
Nic Powell of Beacon Imagery demonstrates a drone he uses to take real estate photos for a variety of agencies.

When Realtor Lisa Brown was marketing a 7,800-square-foot home in Thunder Farms last year, a key selling asset was a video that offered aerial and moving images of the lakefront property shot by a an unmanned aerial vehicle, commonly known as a drone.

The two-minute video showcases the pool, patio, dock and entranceway to the two-story mansion on Thunder Farm Trails.

"There's no way to capture a home like that except from the air and that really helps us market the property," she said of the home that sold last November for more than $1.9 million. "It has totally changed the way we market our properties.You really can't show acreage any other way."

Lisa Brown and Diane Patty, who created the Chattanooga Property Shop in Keller Williams Realty six years ago, bought their first drone soon after starting the business and were one of the first real estate agencies to use the aerial flying cameras, which are operated by remote controls.

Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) rules have since been adopted to require operators to have an FAA license to use a drone in commercial enterprises, but that hasn't deterred the growth of drone photography, both still and video.

Nic Powell, a photographer for the past decade, bought his first drone two years ago when he started Beacon Imagery to serve the local real estate market. Powell says his firm works with nearly 200 local Realtors and two of his four photographers work with drones as FAA commercial licensed pilots.

"Most of our Realtors don't order drone photos because they don't feel like they really need an aerial image for every house, but it's ideal for any custom home, any home on a lake or brow or a site with a lot of property," Powell says.

Beacan Imagery adds drone photos for only an extra $55 to one of its traditional home photograhy shoots. if it is sending one of his photographers. Vidoe starts at $249.

"Heritage Landing is one of the greatest places to use a drone because you can really show the proximity to the river, downtown and the mountains in the background," Powell says. "We've shot several of those and they always look great because there are so many recognizable Chattanooga landmarks in the image and it really helps sell those properties."

Drones have replaced photographer climbing ladders to take a picture of the house or searching for Google Earth images.

Ryan Dugger, owner of the photography firm Creative Revolver for the past 11 years, said drones are now involved in at least half of his real estate photography. Dugger said his experience as a youth playing a lot of video games combined with photographic interest to immediately seize upon drone photography when such devices become widespread a few years ago. Dugger is now on his third drone and expects to soon upgrade to an even newer model.

"By offering an aerial view of a property, you are able to show the entire site and also where help locate where the property is in relation to local roads and neighborhoods," Dugger says. "With a drone, I can shoot the house or commercial building and show the skyline so the viewer immediately can see the proximity to downtown, Lookout Mountain, the lake or other nearby landmarks."

FAA rules, adopted in June 2016, require:

* A person operating a drone must either hold a remote pilot airman certificate with a small Unmanned Aircraft rating or be under the direct supervision of a person who does hold a remote pilot certificate (remote pilot in command).* Unmanned aircraft must weigh less than 55 lbs. (25 kg).* Drones must remain within visual line of sight of the operator and may not fly more than 400 feet above ground or near airports• Drones may be operated only during daylight hours or civil twilight (30 minutes before official sunrise to 30 minutes after official sunset, local time) with appropriate anti-collision lighting.• Maximum ground speed is 100 miles per hour (87 knots).Source: Federal Aviation Administration, Summary of small unmanned aircraft rule (part 107)

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