Why Actual Property Brokers Assume Drone Photographs Ought to Price $$$20

Howdy fellow pilots! How are you doing in the present day? This text of in the present day, let me let you know, is more durable to put in writing for one very particular and particular situation that I’ve and I CAN BET that no different author on DroneXL.co shares with me: I’m a registered actual property agent right here in Ecuador.

Stunned?

Effectively, since I moved right here to Ecuador in 2017, I’ve tried many various sorts of jobs. After all I’ve been a photographer since 1997, however often once you flee into one other nation as a result of your life is in danger in your unique one, you’re not precisely “choosy” relating to what you do for a dwelling. I’ve been a line prepare dinner (and in Norway too, however that’s one other story for one more article), salesman, bodyguard, chauffeur, actual property agent, photographer, videographer and—after all—drone pilot.

In the course of the first few years as a drone pilot, my foremost supply of revenue got here from doing aerial images and video of land on the market! My first movies have been near terrible, as you may see right here

I used to be mainly the aerial equal of a toddler with a disposable digital camera—a number of enthusiasm, questionable outcomes. However finally, once I began learning, I obtained higher

It’s like that outdated saying: “Follow makes excellent.” Though in drone images, it’s extra like “Follow means fewer tree collisions and fewer footage of your individual shadow operating round like a panicked ant.”

And whereas capturing these properties, a proposal from the homeowners of the company got here to me: “Would you prefer to be an actual property agent?” And I simply stated: “Why not?” 6 months later I used to be right here sporting a shiny new actual property license and questioning if I ought to get enterprise playing cards with “Jack of All Trades, Grasp of Flying Issues” printed on them.

And once I let you know that I do know firsthand the rationale why Actual Property Brokers assume Drone Photographs ought to price $20, TRUST me: I’m one in all them.

However not one of many ones that assume the work of drone pilots needs to be paid that low, simply one in all their species. Like that bizarre cousin at household reunions who everybody is said to however no one fairly understands.

And really, there are plenty of “legitimate” the explanation why they assume that:

The explanations

Initially, often when drone pilots begin on the lookout for purchasers, they provide a free pattern. In a spot with a number of pilots, that might create a pretend sense of extreme choices to shoot a property (or varied) for the unbelievable quantity of 0 {dollars}. It’s the aerial images equal of these pattern cheese cubes on the grocery retailer—as soon as everybody’s had a free style, they’re shocked when requested to pay for the entire block.

Second: desperation brings hunger. A ravenous pilot that simply desires to place meals on his desk won’t cost for what he is aware of and the advantages he’s offering to the company or the realtor, however will cost any quantity that may assist him feed his household. Even when that quantity is as little as 20 bucks. We’ve all been there—counting our drone batteries AND our pennies on the identical time.

Third: many individuals simply cost:

• For the hour
• For the quantity of images

However have by no means thought in regards to the VALUE

For me, it’s completely unacceptable to promote a home utilizing cellular phone photographs the place you may’t select aperture of the diaphragm, bracketing and even uncooked capturing. Or altering the lens to a selected focal size for a particular take. Utilizing a smartphone to promote luxurious actual property is like making an attempt to win a Formulation 1 race with a golf cart—technically, it has wheels, however come on!

And it’s the sum of those elements, including, after all, composition and storytelling, that creates the actual worth that you just give them… as a result of what you’re giving them will not be simply photographs. They’re photos crafted to make the shopper drool and to assist the agent be a step nearer to closing on the property. We’re not simply “taking photos”—we’re creating the visible equal of actual property poetry that makes viewers assume, “I must reside there or my life is incomplete.”

However we, as artists, must discover ways to clarify that to RE brokers. We have to educate them. We have to present them how a lot of a brilliant asset to their enterprise we may be. Give it some thought: the typical actual property fee on a $500,000 home is likely to be $15,000. If our drone work helps promote that home even ONE DAY quicker, how a lot is that value? Much more than twenty bucks and a “thanks, Rafa” textual content message!

The irony is that the identical agent who balks at paying $200 for skilled drone work gained’t assume twice about spending $300 on dinner with a possible shopper. One lasts a couple of hours, the opposite lives eternally of their advertising supplies. Go determine!

We have to study HOW TO SPEAK TO THE AGENT

Ultimately, for us it’s approach simpler to inform them, “Oh yeah, flying a drone is SO straightforward, why don’t YOU strive it?” and watch them crash their Mini SE in sport mode in opposition to their very own automobile… however isn’t it higher once we do our job and are effectively paid? The sound of a drone propeller is good, however the sound of correct cost hitting your checking account is even sweeter.

If we discover ways to present them our worth, they are going to assume twice about these $20 and begin including one, possibly two extra zeros to that quantity. In spite of everything, we’re not simply drone pilots—we’re airborne artists, flying entrepreneurs, and hovering storytellers all rolled into one extremely environment friendly package deal.

And what has been the worst RE agent that you’ve labored with? Let me know within the feedback. My wager is that they most likely requested if you happen to might “simply add a swimming pool” to the yard photographs or “make the neighbors’ junk pile disappear” together with your “drone Photoshop.”