FAA Investigates The Use of Drones in Real Estate
✉️ Want to forward this article? Click here.
![FAA Investigates The Use of Drones in Real Estate: Figure 1](https://assets.urbanturf.com/dc/images/blog/2014/06/quadcopter550.jpg)
Realtors are using drones to capture aerial photos of properties in New York City and in the Hamptons, and the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) isn’t exactly excited about it.
The FAA recently demanded to know exactly how realtors are using the devices, according to the New York Post. That’s an ominous sign for the practice, because the commercial use of drones is prohibited in the U.S.
A broker told the Post that using drones to photograph new projects in the city was cheaper than the alternative.
“You can get them online for 1,500 bucks,’’ the broker told the paper. “It’s a lot cheaper than hiring a photographer and a plane for an aerial shot. As long as they aren’t used for spying, what’s the problem?’’
Technically the FAA says the problem is that commercial uses are prohibited, although some realtors claim their use isn’t commercial because they don’t charge clients for the photos, at least not directly. But safety is another issue. Last October drone crash-landed in Manhattan and nearly hit a pedestrian.
Inman reports that several real estate companies in New York City and the Hamptons have received subpoenas from the FAA regarding the practice.
Image: Flickr user Don McCullough
This article originally published at https://dc.urbanturf.com/articles/blog/faa_wants_to_investigate_realtors_using_drones_to_take_listing_pictures/8699.
Most Popular... This Week • Last 30 Days • Ever
![Buying with Friends: What You Should Know](https://assets.urbanturf.com/dc/images/blog/2010/05/home_value.jpg)
Here are some precautions to take before buying real estate with a buddy.... read »
![$10 Million McLean Home Of Former Nationals Star Stephen Strasburg Finds a Buyer](https://assets.urbanturf.com/dc/images/blog/2024/09/resized/VAFX2180246_45_0_image_560x420.jpg)
The six-bedroom home listed for just south of $10 million back in June went under con... read »
![16-Story, 325-Unit Building Pitched For Arlington's Wilson Boulevard](https://assets.urbanturf.com/dc/images/blog/2024/09/resized/2500-wilson-1_image_560x420.jpg)
The new project will take the place of an obsolete office building in Courthouse.... read »
![Mayor Bowser Announces First Office-To-Residential Projects To Receive Tax Abatements](https://assets.urbanturf.com/dc/images/blog/2024/09/resized/1625-mass-1_image_560x420.jpg)
The three office-to-residential conversion projects have been conditionally awarded t... read »
![500 Apartments, Live/Work Units And A Park: The New Plans Coming To St. Elizabeths](https://assets.urbanturf.com/dc/images/blog/2024/09/resized/parcel-6-park_image_560x420.jpg)
The plans for one of the final parcels at DC's St. Elizabeth's East campus are beginn... read »
- Buying with Friends: What You Should Know
- $10 Million McLean Home Of Former Nationals Star Stephen Strasburg Finds a Buyer
- 16-Story, 325-Unit Building Pitched For Arlington's Wilson Boulevard
- Mayor Bowser Announces First Office-To-Residential Projects To Receive Tax Abatements
- 500 Apartments, Live/Work Units And A Park: The New Plans Coming To St. Elizabeths
DC Real Estate Guides
Short guides to navigating the DC-area real estate market
We've collected all our helpful guides for buying, selling and renting in and around Washington, DC in one place. Start browsing below!
First-Timer Primers
Intro guides for first-time home buyers
Unique Spaces
Awesome and unusual real estate from across the DC Metro