Do I Need Drone Photos and a Walkthrough Video to Sell My Pensacola Home?

Neither is required, but both answer questions regular photos can't. A walkthrough video lets a buyer moving from another base or another state walk your home before they book a flight. Drone photos show the lot, the street, the neighborhood and what's nearby.

Vivian Corwin is a bilingual Realtor and Military Relocation Professional with IXL Real Estate Florida in Pensacola, FL, helping military and relocating families buy and sell homes across Pensacola, Pace, Milton, Gulf Breeze, and Navarre. Every listing of mine gets professional photos and a walkthrough video, at my cost. Drone photos are included on homes over $400,000, and on other homes you can add them at your cost.

Pensacola is a military market, and many buyers are relocating from another base or another state. For them, the video is often the showing. It lets a family three states away see how the rooms connect, how the light comes in and how the home actually feels to walk through.

My post on selling to buyers who live out of town explains why that matters.

The view from above: the lot, the street, the neighborhood and what's nearby. In an area where buyers care about the water, the base and the school zone, the aerial view answers questions a photo from the front yard can't. In Gulf Breeze, drone photos show the water and the location better than anything else.

On homes over $400,000, they're part of my listing package. On other homes, think about adding them when the lot, the location or the view is part of what you're selling: a large or unusual lot, a home near the water, or a location buyers will want to see from above. We decide together at our first meeting.

1. A walk-through first. Before photos, I walk your home with you and point out what to move or put away.
2. Professional photos. Bright, level photos of every room that matters.
3. The walkthrough video. The whole home, start to finish.
4. Drone photos, on homes over $400,000 or when you add them.
5. One place for all of it. Your home's own website, where the ads and the sign send people.

See how every listing of mine is presented.

• Finish the list from our walk-through. Do it before the photographer arrives.
• Turn on every light and open the blinds. Light makes rooms read bigger.
• Clear the outside. The yard and the driveway show up in photos too.
• Put cars and bins away. They distract from the house.
• Plan to be out. The crew works faster in an empty house.

• Shooting before the home is ready. The photos are the first showing.
• Forgetting the outside. Buyers see the front of the house first.
• Skipping the video. Relocating buyers may never see the home in person before they offer.
• Spreading the media around. Keep it in one place, on your home's own website.
• Not asking what's included. Ask any agent which photos, video and drone work are part of their service.

Here's an example of how I lay out the steps. It shows the process, and it isn't a real client's story.

• The walk-through. Your home, room by room, and a pre-listing inspection.
• Getting ready. The list from our walk-through and any repairs worth doing.
• Photo day. Photos and the walkthrough video, plus drone photos when they're part of the plan.
• The website. Built for your home alone, with every photo and the video.
• Launch. Ads start and the home goes live.
• Every week. An update on online activity, showings and feedback.

Do I need drone photos to sell my home?

They're not required, but they show the lot, the street and what's nearby in a way regular photos can't.

Why does a walkthrough video matter in Pensacola?

Many buyers are relocating from another base or another state. For them, the video is often the first showing.

Who pays for the photos, drone and video?

Professional photos and the walkthrough video are part of my service, at my cost. Drone photos are included on homes over $400,000, and on other homes you can add them at your cost.

How do I get ready for photo day?

Finish the list from our walk-through, turn on the lights, clear the outside and plan to be out while the crew works.

Vivian Corwin is a bilingual Realtor and Military Relocation Professional with IXL Real Estate Florida in Pensacola, FL, helping military and relocating families buy and sell homes across Pensacola, Pace, Milton, Gulf Breeze, and Navarre. Let's talk about your goals and your timeline. I'll walk you through it before you decide anything.

See how I sell homes in the Pensacola area, get a free home value analysis, or schedule a time to talk with Vivian.