Whether or not it’s drone photographs of the yard, the neighborhood or the roofline, aerial pictures has turn out to be mainly desk stakes in actual property listings.
Consumers count on to see drone images on these Redfin listings, and brokers who provide them stand out. However right here’s the half a shocking variety of actual property professionals get incorrect: utilizing a drone for something actual estate-related virtually actually requires an official license from the Federal Aviation Administration.
In case you’re an actual property agent who makes use of drones, right here’s what you really must know.
Sure, you want a Half 107 drone license for actual property
Any time a drone is used to advertise the sale of a property, comparable to photographing listings, taking pictures neighborhood overviews or capturing footage for advertising supplies, the FAA classifies that as business drone use. Business drone use requires a Distant Pilot Certificates underneath FAA Half 107, generally known as a Half 107 drone license.
This is applicable whether or not you’re an actual property photographer getting paid per shoot, an actual property agent flying your individual drone to your personal listings, or somebody doing it “as a favor.” The FAA’s place is that if the footage is getting used to assist an actual property transaction in any manner, it’s business. Fines for flying commercially and not using a Half 107 certificates can attain $32,000 per violation, per flight.
The grey areas that aren’t really grey
A number of eventualities that actual property professionals generally suppose are exceptions — and aren’t:
“I’m simply flying for my very own listings, not charging anybody.” This doesn’t matter. You’re utilizing drone footage to advance a business transaction (the sale of a property), which is business use underneath Half 107.
“My drone weighs underneath 250 grams — I heard I don’t want a license for these.” The 250-gram threshold exempts drones from FAA registration necessities for leisure flyers. It doesn’t exempt business operators from needing a Half 107 certificates. In case you’re flying a DJI Mini 4 Professional for paid actual property work, you continue to want your license.
“A pal is doing it as a favor, and no cash is altering fingers.” It’s nonetheless business use, so it counts.
“I employed a licensed drone photographer, so I’m lined.” Largely true — the pilot wants the license, not you. However because the individual hiring them, you bear some accountability for making certain they’re really licensed. Ask to see their Distant Pilot Certificates. If they’ll’t produce one, you’re taking over authorized publicity too.
What should you don’t need to get licensed your self?
Hiring a licensed drone operator is usually the neatest transfer for actual property brokers who don’t need to cope with FAA certification, airspace authorization, or the training curve of working a drone safely round individuals and constructions.
In case you go that route, all the time confirm the pilot’s Half 107 certificates is present — certificates have to be renewed each 24 months by way of free on-line recurrent coaching. You’ll be able to lookup any drone pilot’s FAA certification on the FAA’s public airmen registry.
What the Half 107 take a look at really covers
In case you do determine to get licensed (and for actual property professionals who need to shoot their very own listings repeatedly, it’s completely well worth the funding) right here’s what you’re signing up for.
The Half 107 take a look at is a 60-question multiple-choice examination administered in individual at an FAA-approved testing heart. Subjects embody airspace classifications, studying sectional charts, aviation climate (METARs, TAFs, wind patterns), FAA rules, Distant ID necessities and emergency procedures. The take a look at prices $175 no matter whether or not you cross or fail, and also you want a 70% or larger to cross.
Value noting: in 2025, the common Half 107 take a look at rating hit an all-time low of 79.31%, with solely 82.96% of take a look at takers passing. It’s not simple, so research up!
One of the best ways to organize
I used Drone Pilot Floor Faculty to review for my very own Half 107 take a look at and handed with a 90% on my first attempt. For somebody coming in with no aviation background (which describes most actual property professionals) the structured video classes, observe assessments, and 1:1 teacher assist make an actual distinction. The course usually runs $299 however you should utilize code DRONEGIRL100 to carry it all the way down to $199.
If price range is a precedence, Drone Launch Academy is a strong different at $149 with code DRONEGIRL50. I’ve completed a full breakdown of each — and three different choices — in my Half 107 take a look at prep course information.
Is it value it for actual property particularly?
Sure! Aerial pictures instructions a premium for actual property listings — many photographers cost $150–$300 extra for a package deal that features drone photographs. In case you’re a photographer who can add aerial to your providing, or an agent who can management your individual aerial content material somewhat than outsourcing it, the $199 course value and $175 take a look at payment pay for themselves shortly.
Flying a drone is the straightforward half. Getting licensed is the exhausting half.
Nonetheless, flying with out certification is a legal responsibility that no itemizing is value. The positive construction is punishing, the FAA does implement it, and the reputational injury from an incident throughout an uncertified business flight — to the drone pilot and to the brokerage — isn’t well worth the shortcut.
Use code DRONEGIRL100 to enroll in Drone Pilot Floor Faculty for $199 →
FTC disclosure: This publish comprises affiliate hyperlinks. I’ll earn a fee if you are going to buy by them, at no additional value to you.
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