Reno 
In Reno-Tahoe, buyers are often purchasing the setting as much as the structure - the lot, the view, the distance to the lake or the ski runs. Ground-level photography cannot show any of that. Aerial imagery can, which is why more than half of Realtors now use drones in their business. But commercial drone work is federally regulated, and the FAA actively enforces the rules. Both facts matter when you market a listing.
Ground Photos Can't Show What Buyers Are Buying
A camera at eye level captures rooms and facades. It cannot capture lot shape and size, the condition of the roof, the neighborhood context, or how far the property actually sits from the water, the fairway, or the trailhead. For view properties, lakefront homes, acreage, and new construction, that missing context is often the most persuasive information in the entire listing - the aerial angle is the only honest way to present it.
The Industry Has Already Adopted It
According to the National Association of REALTORS® research report Real Estate in a Digital Age, 56% of Realtors use drones in their business: 36% hire a professional to operate the drone, 14% have someone in their office who uses drones, and 6% fly one personally. Another 12% said they plan to adopt drone imagery in the future.
Source: National Association of REALTORS®, Real Estate in a Digital Age (PDF)
That adoption curve matters for a seller in a practical way: aerial imagery is now common enough that buyers notice when a premium listing lacks it, while still uncommon enough across the broader market that listings with it stand out in search results.
The Legal Line - and Why It Protects You
Flying a drone for any commercial purpose in the United States - including listing photography - requires an FAA Part 107 remote pilot certificate. That is not an industry guideline; it is federal regulation.
Source: Federal Aviation Administration, Commercial Operators (Part 107)
And the FAA enforces it. The agency has proposed $341,413 in civil penalties against 27 people who violated federal drone regulations between October 2022 and June 2024. Under the FAA Reauthorization Act of 2024, operators who conduct unsafe or unauthorized flights face fines of up to $75,000 per violation, and the FAA can suspend or revoke pilot certificates.
Source: Federal Aviation Administration, enforcement press release
Why should an agent or seller care about the pilot's paperwork? Because hiring an uncertified operator puts the transaction inside the risk chain: if an unlicensed flight causes an injury, damages a neighbor's property, or draws an FAA inquiry, everyone who paid for the flight can end up answering questions. A Part 107-certified, insured operator moves that risk off your listing entirely. Asking “are you Part 107 certified and insured?” is a one-sentence due-diligence step that costs nothing.
When Aerial Media Pays Off Most
- View and lakefront properties - the view is the value; show it
- Large lots and acreage - boundaries, outbuildings, and usable land in one frame
- Proximity claims - “minutes to the lake” becomes credible when buyers can see it
- New construction and land - context that does not exist yet at ground level
A typical deliverable set is 10-20 edited stills from multiple altitudes and angles, optional lot-line overlays, and short aerial clips that slot into listing reels. You can see the full breakdown on our drone and aerial photography page. Every operator in our network flies under a current Part 107 certificate and carries liability insurance - request a free quote and we will match you with a vetted pilot serving your area, usually with pricing within one business day.
