An increasing number of commercial real estate professionals are using drones for marketing. A drone helps differentiate commercial property listings by bringing them to life for potential buyers and tenants all over the world. While this is an excellent marketing strategy, there are some things to know.

With drone marketing, buyers and tenants see much more than just the building itself. In addition to hovering over a driveway, flying through a door, and capturing amazing images of the interior, a high-quality drone provides prospects with stunning mountain, ocean, and landscape views.

Capturing PerfectionWhen a drone is properly focused and in a fixed position, you avoid unsightly features and can make a small space appear larger.A drone does not work well for buildings that are shrouded by other tall buildings or overgrown trees.For a small investment of roughly $2,000, you can purchase a state-of-the-art drone that features object tracking, live high-definition video streaming, collision avoidance, up to 25 minutes of flight time, full remote control, and more.

For marketing commercial property, a drone produces dramatic and compelling images, as well as interesting virtual tours. Not only do these images look professional, they create a wow factor that demands attention.

For outstanding results, it pays to hire a professional unless you are a skilled drone operator. To ensure the final product is exceptional, always shoot footage two to three times. The reason is that with each flight, things like vibrations, lighting, and weather change. It is also important for the drone to be flown with the wind rather than against it.

Important Safety Rules

Regardless if you fly the drone or hire a professional, there are a number of local, state, and federal safety rules that must be followed. For example, because a done presents a major risk should it fall from the sky or wander into the path of an aircraft, the FAA carefully regulates any unmanned aerial vehicles.

When using a drone to market commercial real estate, anything weighing more than 0.5 pounds must be registered with the FAA. To do this, visit the FAA’s website and pay the nominal $5 fee. If you fail to register the drone, you could be fined up to $25,000.Whether the drone is registered with the FAA, if it is used for any commercial purpose, the operator needs an aircraft’s pilot license (COA). In addition, the pilot must obtain a Section 333 Exemption from the FAA.The drone cannot be flown within a 5-mile radius of an airport terminal.Generally, a drone for commercial use cannot be flown at more than 400 feet in altitude. pilot of the drone must maintain visual contact at all times.

Although not mandatory, you should seriously consider carrying a minimum of $1 million in liability for commercial drone insurance. Typically, there is little risk. However, because things can always go wrong, insurance is strongly recommended.

The bottom line is that drones have a place in both residential and commercial real estate. However, to implement this as a successful marketing strategy, you need to be aware of these important factors. By following current laws regarding their operation, you have the opportunity to capture images that create a wow factor.