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NYONE WHO HAS EVER HOUSE HUNTED KNOWS
that you always start by looking at photographs.
As they say, 'a picture is worth a thousand words'.
And who hasn't been enticed by wonderful photography?
In the past, you would peer through the steamed-up
windows of an estate agent. These days you are more likely
to begin on the web. But have you ever considered what a
property might look like from the sky?
How about, before viewing, seeing a virtual 360° tour
filmed from above the property? This really is an unequalled
way to view the larger properties. For châteaux, vineyards,
farms and the like, it enables the viewer to see exactly what
they are buying. The true extent of the property, its architecture
and the gardens are immediately appreciated. What a
way to view the formal parterres so beloved of French gardeners!
And then there's the geography, the lay of the land.
This is the perfect way to see the terroir that's so essential
for larger estates with vineyards, woodlands and extensive
acreage.
Our Leggett Immobilier in-house photographer, Cyrille
Moeningen, is an expert in this type of filming and photography.
He enthuses about the very latest technology:
"By using a drone and specialised camera technology, we
are able to film and create aerial photography of some of the
larger properties we've listed for sale. The results speak for
themselves. They are simply stunning.
"We are the only real estate agency using drones to create aerial 360° views
which are then integrated into a virtual
tour. To our knowledge, no one in real estate in France has
ever done this.
"Photographs have to be factual. They must represent
your home in the best possible light to make buyers want
to view. Once attracted, the buyers can then come and fall in
love with your property.
"When you can see sweeping views from above the terrace
over a river or landscape - before you even get into your
car to visit - well, it really is something very special."
Cyrille adds that this technology presents its own challenges:
"As with any photography, the light has to be right.
We also have to take into consideration the flight path of
the drone, the weather and wind speed. There may be trees
or poles with wires to avoid. And sometimes there can be
updrafts over the more complex roofs of some châteaux.
Once these potential difficulties are overcome, the results
are amazing."
French privacy and security legislation restricts the use
of this type of technology over towns and villages. Of course,
when the property is surrounded by 30 hectares of land, we
don't have the same sort of issues.
Other restrictions include the height at which a drone
may be used. Although they can potentially reach a height of
800 metres, we are not allowed to take aerial photographs
from higher than 150 metres above a property.
Up, up and away!
Leggett Immobilier is the first real estate agency in France to take
Virtual Tours to the skies. Aerial photography and films are now
included in the powerful arsenal of marketing tools on offer
WORDS: HELEN HOLBROOK | PHOTOS: CYRILLE MOINGEON
AERIAL PHOTOGRAPHY LEGGETT MAGAZINE
leggettfrance.com