"Elevating Your View of the World"
Questions To Ask Before Listing With A Realtor Who Uses A Drone (sUAV) For Pictures and Videos
Why Should You Ask Questions?
Believe this or not, most droning of homes for real estate will be accomplished by those who plan to avoid the necessary steps to do this legally. This is especially true in rural areas such as those we serve in this area. It is in your best interest as a client to ask the below questions then make your decision accordingly!! The FAA is an agency to take seriously.
Enough Said!!
1. Is the realtor up-to-date with the latest information from the FAA as to whom can use a drone for commercial purposes?
Answer: Click on this link for direct answer from FAA https://www.faa.gov/uas/legislative_programs/section_333/333_faqs/#q1
Summary: 1. - Anyone can apply for a FAA 333 exemption to use a drone in their business for commercial use. There is a formal process for application and usually takes 4 or more months to receive the exemption. This can be a costly process and very time consuming. 2. and 3. - Once an exemption is granted a COA and an aircraft must be registered and N number issued. This is not that difficult to achieve. 4. - A FAA certified pilot (Commercial, Private, Sport) pilot must control the actual drone. VERY IMPORTANT COMMENT: This rule will eventually be eliminated for a rule that is much less restrictive; but, until it does, a FAA certified pilot must fly the drone.
2. Does either the realtor/broker or the contracted drone provider have the FAA 333 exemption for commercial use of a drone? If so, who provides the pilot?
Answer: If the realtor, family member, or friend is flying the drone the realtor/broker must have a FAA 333 exemption on file and show proof of existence and also that person must be a licensed pilot. If not, but:
--Broker has on file a FAA 333 exemption but no pilot. They can contract out just the pilot.
--If the broker does not have a an exemption. They can contract a drone company that must have an exemption and will provide the pilot.
3. Are they insured?
Answer: This is not required but a highly recommended question to ask. A serious drone agency with all the qualifications as stated in #1 above should have insurance for very obvious reasons.
4. What if the realtor states that he/she will get the home droned for no fee to either them or to you, so don't worry about all the rules?
Answer: There is an implied relationship which will result in a commercial benefit. Everything in #1 still applies. COMMENT: Having worked with the FAA for 28 years, I would not be so bold as to just not "follow the rules".
5. Will there be a fee charged to the listing client?
Answer: No fees will be charged to either the listing/buying client or customer. Fees for videos, pictures, and any use of the drone will be between the realtor/broke and me.
6. Will my house be droned?
Answer: Your house is only droned when you sign a simple form giving us permission to drone the home and create pictures and videos for posting in all sorts of agreed upon media plus the MLS.
7. Who determines if my home/business will meet the criteria for being droned?
Answer: Since I will be holding the exemption, I will be the one to determine if the home or business can be droned. Safety of clients, personnel, neighbors, property and equipment will have to be evaluated. This is my top priority! For example: Where I live there are a number of homes that are surrounded by trees and a definite threat to the equipment and clients property.
8. What about neighbors?
Answer: Neighbors can be a problem! Our efforts will limit any close pictures and videos of neighbors homes, yards, etc.; however, orbit shots at 200' will show the neighborhood but with little detail. Prior to the droning, with your approval, we will be sending a flier in the form of a card to your nearby neighbors informing them of our intent to drone your home/property. We will also give you several copies. Informed neighbors is a smarter way to handle this issue. The card will have my company name, my name, name of the pilot if different than me.
9. How is Privacy Issues Handled?
Answer: I have created a special page for dealing with this issue since most people are concerned about insuring their privacy is protected. Please click here.
10. What types of videos and pictures taken by the drone will you be posting?
Answer: All videos and photos will be shot in 4k resolution (UHDTV 3,840 x2,160). This is the best possible resolution in today's market. However, all videos will be posted in the HD format on YouTube. This will allow most computers and smart phones to have the ability to play the video without much stuttering. Please note: All videos will require some editing to reduce the viewing time down to between 2-4 minutes in most cases.
11. Can I get original copies of all the videos and photos?
Answer: Short answer is no. All videos and photos will be the property of the company. However, you will have the link to the property on YouTube during the time it is listed with your realtor. The YouTube video will be removed upon closing of the property with the realtor or the listing expires. At closing, you can request videos and photos for an additional fee from this company.
12. Who owns the drone equipment or is it borrowed?
Answer: This answer is critical since it reflects on the commitment, safety and experience of the personnel doing the droning. I own and insure all of the equipment and am responsible for the maintenance and all personnel assisting and or piloting the drone.
Member of:
Unmanned Aerial Videographers-United States
Answer: Click on this link for direct answer from FAA https://www.faa.gov/uas/legislative_programs/section_333/333_faqs/#q1
Summary: 1. - Anyone can apply for a FAA 333 exemption to use a drone in their business for commercial use. There is a formal process for application and usually takes 4 or more months to receive the exemption. This can be a costly process and very time consuming. 2. and 3. - Once an exemption is granted a COA and an aircraft must be registered and N number issued. This is not that difficult to achieve. 4. - A FAA certified pilot (Commercial, Private, Sport) pilot must control the actual drone. VERY IMPORTANT COMMENT: This rule will eventually be eliminated for a rule that is much less restrictive; but, until it does, a FAA certified pilot must fly the drone.
2. Does either the realtor/broker or the contracted drone provider have the FAA 333 exemption for commercial use of a drone? If so, who provides the pilot?
Answer: If the realtor, family member, or friend is flying the drone the realtor/broker must have a FAA 333 exemption on file and show proof of existence and also that person must be a licensed pilot. If not, but:
--Broker has on file a FAA 333 exemption but no pilot. They can contract out just the pilot.
--If the broker does not have a an exemption. They can contract a drone company that must have an exemption and will provide the pilot.
3. Are they insured?
Answer: This is not required but a highly recommended question to ask. A serious drone agency with all the qualifications as stated in #1 above should have insurance for very obvious reasons.
4. What if the realtor states that he/she will get the home droned for no fee to either them or to you, so don't worry about all the rules?
Answer: There is an implied relationship which will result in a commercial benefit. Everything in #1 still applies. COMMENT: Having worked with the FAA for 28 years, I would not be so bold as to just not "follow the rules".
5. Will there be a fee charged to the listing client?
Answer: No fees will be charged to either the listing/buying client or customer. Fees for videos, pictures, and any use of the drone will be between the realtor/broke and me.
6. Will my house be droned?
Answer: Your house is only droned when you sign a simple form giving us permission to drone the home and create pictures and videos for posting in all sorts of agreed upon media plus the MLS.
7. Who determines if my home/business will meet the criteria for being droned?
Answer: Since I will be holding the exemption, I will be the one to determine if the home or business can be droned. Safety of clients, personnel, neighbors, property and equipment will have to be evaluated. This is my top priority! For example: Where I live there are a number of homes that are surrounded by trees and a definite threat to the equipment and clients property.
8. What about neighbors?
Answer: Neighbors can be a problem! Our efforts will limit any close pictures and videos of neighbors homes, yards, etc.; however, orbit shots at 200' will show the neighborhood but with little detail. Prior to the droning, with your approval, we will be sending a flier in the form of a card to your nearby neighbors informing them of our intent to drone your home/property. We will also give you several copies. Informed neighbors is a smarter way to handle this issue. The card will have my company name, my name, name of the pilot if different than me.
9. How is Privacy Issues Handled?
Answer: I have created a special page for dealing with this issue since most people are concerned about insuring their privacy is protected. Please click here.
10. What types of videos and pictures taken by the drone will you be posting?
Answer: All videos and photos will be shot in 4k resolution (UHDTV 3,840 x2,160). This is the best possible resolution in today's market. However, all videos will be posted in the HD format on YouTube. This will allow most computers and smart phones to have the ability to play the video without much stuttering. Please note: All videos will require some editing to reduce the viewing time down to between 2-4 minutes in most cases.
11. Can I get original copies of all the videos and photos?
Answer: Short answer is no. All videos and photos will be the property of the company. However, you will have the link to the property on YouTube during the time it is listed with your realtor. The YouTube video will be removed upon closing of the property with the realtor or the listing expires. At closing, you can request videos and photos for an additional fee from this company.
12. Who owns the drone equipment or is it borrowed?
Answer: This answer is critical since it reflects on the commitment, safety and experience of the personnel doing the droning. I own and insure all of the equipment and am responsible for the maintenance and all personnel assisting and or piloting the drone.
Member of:
Unmanned Aerial Videographers-United States
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Academy of Model Aeronautics Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association
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"What About Bob" and Kimball Realtors
Click on Picture Bob Schick, Realtor with Kimball Realtors LLC, Owner of "Wisconsin Drone Homes", owner/ operator of a DJI Phantom 3 Professional drone. 414-350-9539 608-844-3154 BobSchick@KimballRealtors.com RESchick@yahoo.com |