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## Drone use in real estate may increase By KATIE THISDELL (mailto:katie.thisdell@sddt.com), The Daily Transcript Wednesday, January 7, 2015

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When broker Kurt Wannebo added an aerial video to the listing for a Carmel Valley house, located on a large corner lot overlooking canyons on two sides, he saw Web traffic noticeably increase.
And so did the number ofoffers, resulting in what Wannebo said was a record high price forthe community ofCarmel Country Highlands, where the home sold for about $1.275 million.
"I feel it's absolutely essential to be able to take aerial photos and videos ofcertain properties to be able to convey these valued propositions," said Wannebo, CEO and broker ofSan Diego Real Estate and Investments.
Wannebo is one ofthe increasing numberof real estate agents who desire to use unmanned aerial vehicles-- UAVs, or drones

-- to shoot video and photos for marketing properties, particularly those that have assets beyond what's visible at street level. Though commercial use ofdrones over 400 feet is currently prohibited, this weekthe Federal Aviation Administration granted itsfirst exemption for use in real estate photography, possibly opening the doorfor the industry. "They really make sense," said professor Norm Miller ofthe Burnham-Moores Centerfor Real Estate atthe University of San Diego. "Just like the 360-degree cameras can capture virtual touring

... we will see the same efficiencywith inspections, search and rescue, with marketing, and with home delivery. It's really going to make it betterfor visualizing, marketing and accurate information gathering. It's really a boon forthe whole economy, notjustfor real estate." The FAA has banned the use ofdrones for commercial purposes while it crafts regulations, now scheduled to be implemented by 2017. Exemptions are available for companies and individuals, and the FAA has now granted 14, and has received 214 requests for exemptions from commercial entities.
On Tuesday, the FAA gave exemptions to Tierra Antigua Realty, based in Tucson, Ariz., authorizing Douglas Trudeau to fly a Phantom 2 Vision+ quadcopterto "enhance academic SUBSCRIBE (HTTPS://SECURE.SDDT.COM /CUSTOMERSERVICE /NEW/SUBSCRIBE.CFM) 

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### San Diego Source>News > Drone use inreal estatemay increase http://www.sddt.com/News/article.cfm?SourceCode=20150107czk&

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"Ifthere's no problems with the few exemptions they provide, I expectthey'll let out more approvals," Millersaid. "Clearly the big condo developers and high-rise developerswould love to be able to go up 50 or 60 floors to showthe views before their buildings are built." Many companies in San Diego offer aerial video and photography, for everything from filming events, weddings and sports, to creating real estate listings. Drones are being used for all sorts ofjobs now, for inspections for roofs and utilities, in securitywork, or

### even for filming whale and dolphin migrations. A huge hobby has expanded around drones in just the pastfew years, with groupsforming and shops opening to support users. Drones were also a popular Christmas gift item this year. "We are really atthe heart ofrobotics here," Miller said. "Most ofthe robotics companies you'll find in San Diego work on drones, eitherfor the military orfor research purposes." For real estate, being able to tell the story ofa property, whether it sits on the edge of canyons orbythe ocean, is vital to effective marketing, Wannebo said. Some agents buytheir own drones and film themselves, others hire companies that provide the aerial video and photography services. Wannebo outsources things to specialists, like professional photography and house staging, and said filming by drones is also best leftto third-party companies. "They keep track ofthe laws and what's allowed to be done and what's not able to be done," said Wannebo, who didn't wantto name the company he hires. "I letthem worry about it." Depending on flight height and other considerations, without FAA approval, some companies may be operating in a somewhat grayarea. The National Association of Realtors had previously recommended that its members not use drones for any purpose related to selling a property, and to not hire aerial photographers.
Afterthis week's news, the NAR said it is compiling resources for memberswho want to apply for an exemption



### 1/8/2015 12:49PM

### SanDiego Source>News>Drone use inreal estatemay increase http://www.sddt.com/News/article.cfin?SourceCode=20150107czk&

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3 of4 to legally use UAVs fortheir real estate business. "NAR will continue to educate our members about new technology and innovation that can enhance the experience ofbuying and selling real estate," a statement said. Large cities, like San Diego and Chicago, present particular safety concerns forthe FAA because ofairports. "I'm quite sure they all would apply instantly ifthey thought it was possible" to receive an exemption, Miller said about local companies. 

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