Do aerial photos really help sell homes?

The short answer? Yes!

Aerial photography gives buyers a unique perspective they just can't get from regular ground-level photos. Combined with professional interior and exterior photography, aerial images help tell the complete story of a property.

Aerial Photo by Katie Pinkston

Buyers Are Scrolling.

Buyers are scrolling through dozens of listings online every day. You have most likely done the same thing. Just scrolling, scrolling, scrolling.

With so many homes competing for attention and literally all of them at buyers fingertips, you have seconds to make someone stop the scroll. Research from the University of California found that the average attention span, on a screen, is 47 seconds... And after getting distracted, it can take over 23 minutes to focus again.

If someone scrolls past your listing and doesn't interact with it, getting them to revisit is a challenge. We have to grab the buyers attention quickly and hang on to it!

First impressions matter and always will. Aerial photos aren't just there to make a listing look fancy (although they do look pretty cool and can make your listing look fancy).

They are there to help capture a buyers eye and excite them to check out the property. Image buyers saying out loud, "Ooo look at this yard!" or "Oh my gosh now THIS is my dream pool!" or even "Honey, this one is has a perfect view of the back nine!".

Professional photography is a must for a stunning listing, but aerial photography takes it up a level by showing buyers more.

Beautiful interiors paired with stunning aerial images helps tell the full story of a home.

Sometimes, all it takes is one photo to make a buyer stop scrolling and say,

"Okay... I want to check this one out."

Aerial Photo by Katie Pinkston

What Aerial Photography Shows That Ground-Level Photos Can't

Aerial photography gives buyers a bird's-eye view they simply can't get from ground-level photos.

Depending on the property, aerial images can highlight:

• Large lots and acreage

• Swimming pools and outdoor entertainment spaces

• Detached garages and workshops

• Landscaping and topography

• Corner lots and unique property layouts

• Nearby parks, bodies of water, golf courses, and walking trails

  
  

Instead of buyers having more questions than answers about a property, they can see it with their own eyes! There is no wonder on where the house sits in the neighborhood, or how big the backyard is. The whole story is right there. The more questions you answer before a showing, the more confident buyers feel about scheduling one.

Aerial photography isn't about making every listing look expensive, it's about boosting the visual appeal of your listing by giving buyers a more complete understanding of the property before they ever step inside.

The Research Backs It Up

Aerial photography isn't just about capturing impressive images (although I have to admit, getting that perfect shot is pretty satisfying).

Studies have shown that listings, that include aerial photography, receive more online engagement, and some have even reported that homes with aerial images sold up to 68% faster than comparable listings with just regular photos.

Now, is a drone going to magically sell a house overnight? Umm, no. As much as I would love to say my drone could do that, I would be lying. Of course the home itself, the pricing, and market conditions all play a huge role in sale. But great marketing gives your listing the best chance to grab buyers attention.

Aerial Photo by Katie Pinkston

One Shoot = Listing Photos AND Marketing Content

Speaking of marketing... your listing photos don't have to just live on the MLS, and honestly they shouldn't just live there!

Those same aerial photos and videos can (and should!) be used on your social media, website, in presentations, email marketing, and anywhere you're promoting yourself and your business.

Think of it as a 2 for 1 investment. You're getting high-quality media to showcase your listing AND incredible content to market yourself as an agent.

Because at the end of the day, you're not just marketing a house, you're also marketing yourself.

Aerial Photo by Katie Pinkston

My Take

Aerial photography doesn't sell homes by itself. But it is an important marketing tool that can help make any agent's listing stand out from the rest.

If it gets someone to stop scrolling and click on your listing, then it's doing exactly what it's supposed to do.

I genuinely love what I do. It's so rewarding being able to help real estate agents showcase a property at its absolute best and giving their listings the attention they deserve. I'm always so excited to help tell the story of a home.

If you're looking for a professional real estate photographer and drone services (from a FAA Certified Remote Pilot) in the surrounding St. Louis,MO area, I'd love to be a resource for you. Contact me today to schedule!

Aerial Photo by Katie Pinkston