Using Drones for Real Estate Photography

The use of flying cameras for commercial photography is currently not allowed by the FAA, but many professional real estate photographers are using them, even advertising drones for aerial photography, for as anyone classically trained knows,

Cuius est solum, eius est usque ad coelum et ad inferos

NAR wants the FAA to allow Realtors to make use of drones for the purpose of marketing real property. I think it's very likely that eventually this will be commonplace and not against FAA regulations, but I don't blame the FAA for being a little slow about it since there are a lot of uses and possibilities to cover.

Here's the NAR message about the issue.

I'm seeing more and more listing photos that were clearly taken up in the air, and I doubt the photographer climbed a tree or was in a helicopter (at a higher price point, sure, but not at the ones I'm seeing). The photos stand out because they're unique and the views are uncommon, not the standard middle-of-the-driveway shot. Aerial photography can really showcase a property, even if it doesn't have acres upon acres of water features and topographical changes.

My only experience with drones so far is flying a super-lightweight helicopter around my house and it is super fun. I'm looking forward to being able to use flying machines to showcase a listing without  worrying that the FAA will fly in and tell me to stop.