Weather is the one variable in real estate video production that no one controls. It's also, understandably, one of the first questions agents ask when booking: what happens if it rains? Here's exactly how we handle it.
FAA Weather Rules for Drone Operations
The FAA's Part 107 regulations prohibit flying a small UAS in conditions that exceed the operator's ability to safely control the aircraft. In practical terms, this means we do not fly in rain, in sustained winds above 15 mph (or gusts above 20 mph), in fog or reduced visibility, or during active thunderstorm activity. These aren't just FAA rules — they're common sense. A wet drone is a damaged drone, and a drone flown in excessive wind is a liability.
Our Rescheduling Policy
Weather rescheduling is always free. No fees, no minimums, no hassle. If conditions on your shoot day prevent safe drone operation, we contact you the morning of the shoot (typically by 7 AM) to discuss options. We can either proceed with the interior-only portion of the shoot and return for the aerial when weather permits, or reschedule the entire shoot to a date that works for both parties.
We monitor weather closely in the 48 hours before every shoot. If a multi-day rainy pattern is forecast, we'll reach out proactively to discuss whether to move the date before the morning of.
What We Can Fly In
Light overcast conditions — a flat gray sky with no wind and no precipitation — are actually workable for drone footage and sometimes preferable. Overcast diffuses harsh shadows and can produce a clean, even light on the property and landscape. What we can't do is fly in rain, even light rain, or in turbulent wind conditions.
Partially cloudy days with breaks in the cover can produce dramatic aerial footage with cloud texture above and good light below — these are often our favorite conditions to fly in.
Interior Shoots in Any Weather
Your interior video shoot is unaffected by weather. If rain prevents the drone portion, we can proceed with the full interior walkthrough and schedule a separate aerial session when conditions improve. This keeps your listing timeline intact — you can launch with interior video and add the aerial footage as supplemental content once it's captured.
Weather in Middle Tennessee is variable but generally predictable enough that most shoots in the spring, summer, and fall proceed as scheduled. Winter months carry more weather uncertainty but also tend to have more scheduling flexibility. Book your shoot and we'll monitor conditions together as the date approaches.