How Adding 8 Aerial Photos Increased Rental Rates by 18% for a Vacation Rental Property

Our client, a vacation rental property owner in a popular coastal destination, was looking to increase rental rates and occupancy for their property. The property was a beautiful 3-bedroom, 2-bath home with a spacious backyard, a private pool, and stunning views of the surrounding neighborhood and nearby beach. However, despite its attractive features, the property’s rental rate had plateaued, and it wasn’t standing out as much as the owner had hoped in the competitive rental market.

Challenge:

The property had been listed with traditional ground-level photography, capturing the interior and exterior of the home but not fully showcasing its full potential. The owner noticed that similar properties in the area were booking faster and at higher rates, even though their features were comparable.

Key issues identified:

• Ground-level photos didn’t highlight the expansive outdoor spaces or the prime location near the beach.

• Potential renters couldn’t get a true sense of the property’s full layout, location, or surrounding area.

• The listing wasn’t standing out against other vacation rentals with better visual marketing.

Solution:

To address these challenges, we recommended a comprehensive update to the listing’s visual content. Our strategy involved adding 8 high-quality aerial photos to the property’s existing listing. The goal was to provide prospective guests with a bird’s-eye view of the entire property and surrounding area, highlighting key features that were previously underrepresented.

What We Did:

• Aerial Photos of the Property: We used a professional drone to capture a series of 8 aerial photos, strategically shot to showcase the property from different angles. These images highlighted the expansive backyard, the pool area, and the proximity to the beach. A few shots also included the surrounding neighborhood and local attractions, which helped to frame the property in the context of its location.

• Enhanced Visual Appeal: The aerial shots were edited for vibrant color, sharp focus, and crisp detail to ensure they stood out on the property listing. These images were incorporated alongside the existing interior and exterior photos to provide a comprehensive visual experience.

• Increased Listing Visibility: The updated listing was promoted on popular vacation rental platforms like Airbnb, VRBO, and Booking.com, featuring the new aerial shots as the hero images of the listing.

Results:

The addition of 8 aerial photos had a significant impact on both the property’s rental rates and occupancy rates. Here’s a breakdown of the key results:

1. Rental Rate Increase:

Within one month of the new aerial photos being added to the listing, the property owner was able to increase the rental rate by 18%. By showcasing the property’s unique features—such as its proximity to the beach, large outdoor areas, and the scenic views—the aerial photos helped potential renters see the full value of the property.

• Before Aerial Photos: The property was listed at $350 per night.

• After Aerial Photos: The property rate was increased to $413 per night, an 18% increase.

2. Increased Booking Rate:

In addition to the higher rental rate, the number of inquiries and bookings also saw a noticeable boost. The combination of visually engaging content—photos, videos, and aerial shots—captured the attention of prospective renters more effectively.

• Before Aerial Photos: The property was receiving an average of 5-7 inquiries per week.

• After Aerial Photos: The number of inquiries increased to 12-15 per week, reflecting a significant 50% rise in interest.

3. Enhanced Competitive Edge:

With aerial photos highlighting both the property and its desirable location, the listing now stood out significantly from other properties in the area. Properties in the same price range had similar interior features, but the aerial images of the outdoor space, nearby beach, and neighborhood amenities gave this property a clear competitive advantage.

• Before Aerial Photos: The property’s listing didn’t receive much attention compared to others in the area.

• After Aerial Photos, the property consistently ranked higher in search results on vacation rental platforms due to its visually striking images, which increased its visibility and led to faster bookings.

Why Aerial Photos Made a Difference:

1. Showcased the Property's Full Potential: The aerial shots provided a unique perspective that ground-level photos simply couldn't capture. Renters were able to visualize not only the property itself but also its size, layout, and surroundings. For example, the pool area and outdoor spaces looked much more inviting from above, and the nearby beach was more clearly visible, which helped renters visualize the experience they would have.

2. Emphasized the Location: Aerial photos highlighted the property’s prime location near the beach and local attractions, which is often one of the most important factors for vacationers when selecting a rental property. By providing context for the location, these images helped potential guests understand what made this property special.

3. Increased Engagement: Aerial shots are visually striking and stand out in a crowded marketplace. Listings with drone images tend to receive more clicks and higher engagement, which directly translates into more inquiries and bookings.

4. Created a Professional, High-Quality Listing: The addition of professional aerial images positioned the property as a high-end rental, which allowed for the price increase. Renters are often willing to pay more for properties that are visually appealing and professionally presented.

Check out the video here:https://youtu.be/LtaJmbAPiOA

Conclusion:

The decision to incorporate 8 aerial photos into the vacation rental listing proved to be a game-changer for our client. Not only did the property’s rental rate increase by 18%, but it also led to a significant uptick in bookings and a stronger competitive position in the market. The aerial images helped potential guests gain a better understanding of the property, its features, and its desirable location, ultimately resulting in higher perceived value and greater demand.

This case study clearly illustrates the power of updated, professional imagery—specifically aerial photography—in boosting both rental rates and booking performance for vacation rental properties.

For property owners looking to increase their rental rates and occupancy, incorporating aerial shots can be a highly effective strategy that provides exceptional value for a relatively low investment.