Real Estate Drone Photography
Aerial photography and video for residential and commercial real estate listings.
Quick answer
Real estate drone work is the most common starter niche for Part 107 pilots. Typical shoot is USD 150–600 for a single-family home, equipment under USD 2k, and most operators reach USD 5k/month within 6 months by partnering with 5–10 local realtors.
Typical Revenue
USD 150 – 600 per shoot, USD 5–15k/month for active operators
Pricing Floor
USD 150 / shoot
Pricing Ceiling
USD 1,200 / shoot (luxury, edited video)
Top jobs in this niche
- Single-family listings
- Luxury home video tours
- Commercial property fly-overs
- Construction progress shots
Recommended equipment
DJI Air 3 / Mavic 3 Pro
Best image quality vs portability for typical homes
Polar Pro VND filters
Avoids stuttering shutter on bright days
iPad Mini for monitor
Sun-readable, lightweight for long shoots
Key regulations
- !Part 107 commercial certificate (US)
- !LAANC for controlled airspace
- !Local municipality permits
- !Privacy laws by state
Certifications you need
- FAA Part 107 (US)
- Public liability insurance ($1M+)
What top operators do differently
- Same-day delivery
- High-quality edits in <24h
- Realtor portal integration
Getting started checklist
- 1Get Part 107
- 2Buy DJI Air 3 + 3 batteries
- 3Sign up for Drone Insurance
- 4Build portfolio with 5 free local listings
- 5Reach 10 realtors in your area
Frequently asked questions
Do I need permission from the homeowner?
Yes — get written permission from the property owner. Realtors usually handle this but always confirm in writing.
What's the average price per shoot?
USD 150–250 for photo-only, USD 350–600 for photo + video, USD 800–1,200 for luxury / cinematic edits.