What the drone orbit does
The drone circles the whole property at a fixed height. Show the whole footprint, roofline and lot from above.
See the move
Circles around. Circle the property. Inside the app, every move also has a 3D preview of the rig and the exact photo map it asks for.
Best rooms for a drone orbit
- Estates and large lots
- Showing the roof and footprint
- Pools and outdoor living
- Corner lots
The 3 photos to take (plus 1 optional)
Take them in one visit, in the same light. The first photo is where the clip opens and the last is where it lands, so shoot them in the order the camera should travel.
- 1
Front of the house
Straight-on aerial view of the front — this is where the circle starts.
- 2
From the left
A quarter of the way round to the left, same house, same height.
- 3
Rear of the house (optional)
Directly opposite the front. Skip it for a half circle.
- 4
From the right
A quarter of the way round to the right, same house, same height.
Tips for a better drone orbit
- Hold the same height for every photo.
- Keep the house centred as you go round.
- The photo of the back is optional — skip it for a half circle.
Mistakes to avoid
- Changing height between photos.
- Drifting closer or further from the house.
- Harsh midday shadows on one side and soft light on the other.
Not sure your photos will work? The AI Listing Planner reads a folder of photos, picks the move each room can support, and says what to re-shoot when a set won't work.
Questions
How many photos does a drone orbit need?
3 photos, plus 1 optional of the same property: first front of the house, then from the left, then rear of the house, last from the right. Take them in one visit in the same light — the drone orbit opens on the first and lands on the last.
Do I need a licence to fly a drone for a listing?
In the US, flying a drone for commercial work — real estate marketing included — needs an FAA Part 107 remote pilot certificate, and local airspace rules still apply. Many agents hire a licensed drone photographer for the stills and build the video in Villenza from those photos.
Is the drone orbit included on every Villenza plan?
Yes — the drone orbit, like every drone move, is on every plan at the same 720p HD output; plans differ only in listings per month.
New to listing video? Start with how to make a real estate listing video and what a photo set needs before the move works.