The Cost/Benefit Analysis of Using Drone Photography for Real Estate Listings

In the world of real estate, presentation is everything. Buyers want to see what they are getting, and sellers want to show off their properties in the best light possible. That’s why real estate agents are always on the lookout for new and innovative ways to market their listings. One such innovation is the use of drone photography.

Drone photography is the talk of the day everywhere and has become increasingly popular in recent years — all for good reason. Drones offer a unique perspective that traditional photography simply cannot match.

With a drone, you can capture stunning aerial views of a property and its surrounding area. This type of photography can give buyers a better understanding of the property’s location, size, and features.

But as with any new technology, there are costs associated with using drone photography. In this blog post, we will explore the cost-benefit analysis of using drone photography for real estate listings.

Costs of Using Drone Photography for Real Estate Listings

Equipment: The first cost associated with using drone photography is the equipment itself. A high-quality drone can cost anywhere from a few hundred to several thousand dollars. You will also need a camera and other accessories to capture high-quality images.

Training: Using a drone requires a certain level of skill and expertise. Real estate agents who want to use drones must undergo training to learn how to fly them safely and effectively. Training can range from a few hundred to a few thousand dollars.

>> Related Reading: 5 Reasons You Should Invest in Your Drone Training

Licensing: In many areas, you need a license to fly a drone commercially. The cost of obtaining a license can vary depending on where you live and the type of license you need.

Insurance: Using a drone for real estate photography also requires insurance coverage. If something goes wrong during a flight and the drone causes damage or injury, insurance will protect you from financial liability. The cost of insurance can vary depending on the coverage you need and the size of your drone.

>> Related Reading: Why Do Drone Photographers Need Business Insurance?

Benefits of Using Drone Photography for Real Estate Listings:

Better Marketing: One of the biggest benefits of using drone photography is that it can help you market your listings more effectively. Aerial footage can give buyers a better understanding of the property’s location, surroundings, and features. This can help you attract more potential buyers and sell properties faster.

Competitive Advantage: Using drone photography can also give you a competitive advantage over other real estate agents in your area. By offering a unique perspective, you can stand out from the crowd and show potential clients that you are willing to go the extra mile to sell their property.

Improved Communication: Drone photography can also improve communication between real estate agents and their clients. By providing high-quality images and videos, you can give your clients a better understanding of the property and help them make informed decisions.

Increased Property Value: Finally, using drone photography can help increase the value of a property. By emphasizing a property’s unique features and location, you can help potential buyers see the value in the property and be willing to pay more for it.

Cost/Benefit Analysis:

Now that we have looked at the costs and benefits of using drone photography for real estate listings, let’s do a cost/benefit analysis to see if it’s worth the investment. 

 Costs: 

  • Equipment: $1,500 or more

  • Training: $500

  • Licensing: $250

  • Insurance: $500 or more

Total Costs: $2,750

Benefits:

Better Marketing: Increased sales of $10,000 per property (based on an average property value of $500,000 and a 2% increase in sales due to drone photography)

Competitive Advantage: Increased sales of 2 properties or more per year due to better marketing

Improved Communication: Increased customer satisfaction leads to repeat business (value difficult to quantify, but significant)

Increased Property Value: Increased sale value of up to $5,000 per property (based on an average property value of $500,000 and a 1% increase in property value due to drone photography)

Potential Total Benefits: $32,000 per year

As we can see from the above cost-benefit analysis, the benefits of using drone photography for real estate listings far outweigh the costs. In fact, the investment in drone photography can pay for itself many times over, with a potential return on investment of more than 1,000%.

Of course, the actual costs and benefits will vary depending on a number of factors, — such as the location and size of the properties being sold, the level of competition in the local real estate market, and the skill and expertise of the real estate agent.

It’s also important to note that drone photography is just one tool in a real estate agent’s marketing toolkit. While it can certainly help to attract more potential buyers and sell properties faster, it should not be relied upon exclusively. A successful real estate agent will use a variety of marketing strategies to sell their listings — including traditional photography, video tours, and social media marketing.

In Summary - The Perfect Solution

Drone photography is an incredibly valuable tool for real estate agents looking to market their listings more effectively. While there are costs associated with using drones, the benefits can far outweigh the investment.

Now, what if we told you there’s a way to enjoy all the benefits of drone photography while keeping the costs down? Well, that’s exactly what we’re telling you! 

By hiring a professional drone photographer, you can avoid the costs associated with purchasing and maintaining the drone, obtaining a license, and securing insurance coverage. A professional drone photographer will do all of those things for you, and work with you to realize your vision for high-quality real estate photography.

At Falco Media Services, we’d love to help you realize your vision. We’re famous for working magic with our drone photography for real estate agents. Get in touch with us today and let’s sell some properties together!