Now here's something we probably thought we'd never hear........Drone's are now being used to take videos and photographs for marketing homes in the Bay Area!  Say what?!!  SF Chronicle has an article today talking about some Bay Area Realtors who are now using Drone's to take expansive videos of some of their properties that may otherwise be overlooked by prospective buyers who are looking for particular "scapes".....like views of water,  parks, lights of the city.   Who would have thought,  right?   Now before we all jump on to the bandwagon to get these special videos and photographs,  the article also mentions involvement by the FAA regarding certain regulations which may or may not crack down on the commercial use of drones.  It seems there's still some ambiguity as to whether you need authorization by the FAA in order to operate these drones for commercial use.
The article goes on to state that the FAA "rarely goes after commercial drone operators" .... unless it's with a "warning call", "warning letter" or "cease and desist order".......   After reading the article,  it sounds alot like an advertisement for the company currently doing these videos, even going so far as to mention exactly how much they charge for doing the photos or videos.....  I'm not sure how you feel about it,  but as someone who has been a professional, ethical Realtor for over 35 years,   even though we always strive to keep up with all the current technology and gadgets that will help get our listings sold,  I think I'm going to pass on doing "drone videos" until there's clarification on the legality of it.
I'm sure most of the big real estate companies will have their own "policy" out on use of drone's sooner rather than later too. It sounds kind of "gimicky" to me......if there's such a word.