Short vertical video people watch to the end
Reels, shorts and FPV fly-throughs cut for the phone screen, planned for the first two seconds, and flown within the rules.
Social video is made for people who were not looking
A listing video is watched by people searching for a home. Social video reaches people scrolling past, most of whom are not in the market today. That changes everything about how it is made. It is vertical, because it plays on a phone held upright. It is short. The first second or two decides whether anyone keeps watching. Many people watch with the sound off, so it needs captions or text on screen. And it has to feel like it belongs in the feed, not like an advertisement.
For agents, the goal is usually reach and recognition: people who see your listings week after week call you when they are ready. For developers, hotels and commercial owners, it is awareness of a place. In both cases the property is the story, and the edit is built around one strong opening shot. Social cuts are easiest to add when they are part of the listing package from the start.
What we cut for social
- Vertical reel: a short tour of the property, cut to the beat, with captions and a clear first shot.
- FPV fly-through: one continuous flight from outside, through the front door, through the main rooms and out onto the deck or view.
- Aerial reveal: a single vertical drone move that reveals the view or the setting.
- Before and after: staging, renovation or construction progress in a few seconds.
- Agent-led walk: the agent on camera introducing the home, shot on a gimbal with good audio.
- Cut-downs: short versions of a longer aerial video in vertical format, reframed rather than cropped blindly.
Flying FPV legally in Canada and the United States
| Question | Canada (Transport Canada, CARs Part IX) | United States (FAA Part 107) |
|---|---|---|
| Do goggles count as line of sight? | No. The drone must be kept in visual line of sight. A pilot in goggles needs a visual observer beside them who keeps the drone in direct sight and can warn the pilot. | No. The FAA requires unaided visual line of sight. A pilot in goggles needs a visual observer who can see the drone and communicate with the pilot. |
| Certificate and registration | Drones from 250 g to 25 kg need registration and a certified pilot, including custom-built FPV drones. | Commercial flights need a Part 107 remote pilot certificate and a registered drone that meets Remote ID rules, whatever its weight. |
| Flying close to people | Depends on the certificate and on the manufacturer's safety declaration for the aircraft. Many custom FPV builds lack the declarations needed for flights close to people. | Flying over people is limited to aircraft that meet the operations-over-people categories, or by waiver. |
| Sub-250 g drones | No certificate or registration needed, but they must never be flown in a way that endangers aviation or people. Flying at advertised events needs special authorization. | Weight does not exempt commercial work from Part 107. |
| Indoors | Flights entirely inside a building are generally treated differently, but owner permission, insurance and the safety of everyone inside still apply. | The FAA generally does not regulate flight wholly inside a building; the same practical duties apply. |
| Check | Rules changed in 2025 and continue to change; check the current rules. | Check current FAA guidance. |
How an FPV fly-through is made
Plan one route
A single path that shows the house in the order a buyer would want: approach, entry, main living space, kitchen, view. Doors are propped, ceiling fans off, pets and people out.
Rehearse
The pilot walks the route, checks the gaps and flies it slowly several times. Tight doorways and glass are the usual hazards.
Brief the observer
Outdoors, the visual observer stands with the pilot, keeps the drone in sight and calls out hazards and people.
Fly and repeat
Several takes of the full route, picking the smoothest. Short FPV clips can also be stitched with hidden cuts.
Edit for the phone
Vertical, captioned, with licensed music and the opening frame chosen to stop the scroll. Review happens in the project with comments at the exact moment.
Why social video flops
A slow start
The first three seconds are a logo and a gate. People scroll on.
Muted for music
A popular track without a licence gets the video muted or blocked, and business accounts often have a narrower music library.
An FPV flight that should not have happened
Goggles, no observer, children in the yard next door.
Horizontal footage cropped to vertical
The house loses its roofline and the view falls off the edge.
Who is involved
Agent
- They need from you
- A steady supply of short videos that match their brand.
- You need from them
- Their style, captions, and whether they appear on camera.
- On the DroneLink record
- Branded and unbranded versions posted to the project for review and approval.
Seller
- They need from you
- To know a drone will fly through the house and what it will show.
- You need from them
- Permission, and a home prepared for a continuous shot.
- On the DroneLink record
- The prep list covers FPV-specific items.
Neighbours
- They need from you
- Not to appear in a reel.
- You need from them
- A few minutes of quiet.
- On the DroneLink record
- Routes are planned away from neighbouring yards and windows.
Questions
Is it legal to fly an FPV drone for real estate video in Canada?
Yes, with a certified pilot and a registered drone, and with a visual observer keeping the drone in direct sight while the pilot wears goggles. How close the drone can fly to people depends on the certificate and the aircraft's declarations. Check the current Canadian rules.
Do FPV pilots need a spotter in the United States?
Yes. Part 107 requires visual line of sight, and goggles do not count. A visual observer must be able to see the drone and communicate with the pilot. See US drone rules.
Can a drone fly through a house?
Yes. Small FPV drones fly indoor routes through doors and hallways. It takes a skilled pilot, a cleared route and the owner's permission.
What size should a real estate reel be?
Vertical, 9:16, usually 1080 by 1920 pixels or higher. Keep it short and put the best shot first.
How long should a real estate reel be?
Short enough to be watched to the end. Many successful reels are under 30 seconds. Test what works for your audience.
Can I use trending music in a listing reel?
Only if the platform licenses that track for your account type and use. Business accounts are often limited to a commercial music library. Licensed production music avoids the question.
Do micro drones under 250 grams need a licence?
In Canada, no pilot certificate or registration is required under 250 g, but safety rules still apply. In the United States, commercial use falls under Part 107 whatever the weight.
Tell us about your site.
An address and what you need is enough to start. We reply with what it will take and when we can fly.