A drone takes flight from a neighborhood street to take photos of a real estate holding in Huntsville. (CONTRIBUTED)

HUNTSVILLE, MADISON – A local real estate broker has incorporated the 21st-century technology of drones into the business of showing properties.

Russ Russell Commercial Real Estate in Huntsville has signed an agreement with Sky View LLC for aerial photographic services. A small, unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) or drone takes the photographs.

“Huntsville doesn’t wait when it comes to technology,” publicist Kimberly Ballard said. “Even though the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has not finalized its rules and regulations for drone use, local business owners like Russ Russell are leading the way in utilizing drone technology. It’s catching on quickly.”

“When I see technology that is so new, and there are few if any regulations surrounding it, that tells me it is groundbreaking,” Russell said. “Drone operators like Sky View believe there should be regulations, but currently, the law is ambiguous.”

Drones offer a new, cost-effective tool for improved marketing with real estate holdings. “Drones are significantly less expensive than hiring an aerial photographer and an airplane. Panoramic capabilities give the potential buyer a better understanding of the space and layout,” Russell said.

In addition, an aerial view reveals more details than a photograph or other image taken from the ground.

Sky View founder Max Lee said aerial pilots charge about $300 per hour. A fixed-wing plane costs about $200.

“I charge $85 an hour,” Lee said. He takes photos at a much lower elevation, giving better perspective and more detail. Lee’s company uses “self-subscribed, common-sense regulations that make their work safe and non-controversial.”

Potential clients can click a drone’s aerial video and photos to see a property’s size and layout. “For me, it’s a pre-qualifier. It prevents us from wasting time showing properties that don’t meet a client’s base criteria, like size or location,” Russell said.

Russ Russell Commercial Real Estate has acquired the largest number of commercial real estate listings in North Alabama. For more information, visit russrussell.com.