How to Use Drones to Help Sell Your Home

Employing a drone to sell a home can be a fantastic way to show off the extent and condition of a property. Instead of just photographing the koi pond in the backyard, homeowners can now display aerial footage so home buyers can see how that pond fits into the rest of the land. As the cost of the technology drops, drones have become useful for more than just showcasing million-dollar homes. Learn more about how homeowners can use a drone to their advantage to attract serious buyers.

For informational purposes only. Always consult with a licensed real estate professional before proceeding with any real estate transaction.

Assessing Your Property

Single-family homes are usually discouraged from using drones because they may not sell for enough to warrant the extra expense. However, all homes can benefit from drone footage because it can show the home and the surrounding area, including great landscaping. The footage is primarily a way to help buyers develop emotional feelings about the property. The high-quality resolution gives them a true idea of what it would be like to roam around on a weekend morning or kick up their feet outdoors at the end of a grueling workday.

And while drones are certainly not an inexpensive choice to market the home, agents have noted that drones make home sales more efficient. It means fewer uninterested buyers are physically showing up to see the property, which cuts down on time and can potentially increase the quality of offers. The right agent can give homeowners more information about whether or not their property can benefit from drone footage.

Rules and Regulations

The laws in Canada for drones have not really changed since they were issued for military parameters back in the 1990's, meaning homeowners should find out more about the restrictions of their neighborhood before developing a strategy. One drone operator in Montreal was issued a $1,000 fine for operating a drone, He states that he was given no warning before the fine, so it's crucial to do the research first.

Homeowners cannot fly in a restricted airspace, nor are they allowed to take photos or videos of their neighbors without their permission. Drones will always need to yield to children or animals when in use. Talking to a professional can make it easier to determine what exactly can be shown, how the footage can be manipulated, and when the drone should operate to meet the requirements.

How to Strategize the Footage

There are a number of things that sellers can showcase when it comes to getting the right drone footage:

• Condition of the roof
• Surrounding amenities (e.g., grocery stores, community centers, etc.)
• Viable sidewalks
• State of the roads

A good real estate agent will take the time to point out all of the benefits to prospective West Calgary home buyers, but sellers need to gather all the footage first. Buyers want to see that the property itself is in good shape, but they also want to make sure that the immediate neighborhood is up to their standards. Whether a buyer cares about proper walking trails so their dog gets plenty of exercise or they just want to make sure they're not driving into pothole after pothole, drones can give them this information before they ever leave the house.

While drones can be an extremely helpful tool to sell a home, they're not necessarily right for everyone. Learning more about their restrictions and benefits will help homeowners determine whether or not they're right for them.

For informational purposes only. Always consult with a licensed real estate professional before proceeding with any real estate transaction.