What drone shots add to a listing

• The land: acreage, lot lines, fields and woods are hard to show from the ground. In the Hudson Valley, land is often a big part of the price.
• The setting: a mountain view, a lake, a quiet cul-de-sac or the distance to the neighbors.
• The extras: pools, barns, long driveways, outbuildings and gardens.
• The location: how close the home is to a village, a park or the train.

When aerials matter most

Drone photos earn their place on homes with land, views, water, privacy or outdoor features, and on rural listings in places like Pine Bush, Warwick, Montgomery and northern Dutchess. On a townhome or a dense village street, one or two aerials for context is usually enough, and the interior photos do the selling.

Airspace and safety

Some parts of our five counties sit near airports and controlled airspace, including the areas around Stewart International Airport and Westchester County Airport. Our pilots check airspace before every flight and fly only where it is allowed. Wind and rain can also ground a flight, so we may reschedule the aerials separately.

How to plan for the drone

• Clear cars, trash cans and hoses from the driveway and yard.
• Open the pool cover if the pool is in season.
• Tell us about anything you want highlighted: a view, a stream, the back acreage.
• Let neighbors know if the home is close to theirs.