Investors understandably view Amazon as an e-commerce company, but they often ignore its disruptive effect on the real estate industry. As e-commerce has become more prominent, an activity that once took place at retail centers has moved to industrial properties, and that trend continues today.

However, the disruption also affected two other types of real estate. Airbnb (NASDAQ: ABNB) enabled tenants to better utilize residential and vacation properties, while Digital Realty Trust (NYSE: DLR) has led its own emerging real estate category.

Technology has played a critical role in the rental of homes and apartments on a short-term basis. Thanks to online lodging platforms, landlords can more easily find tenants for spaces that might otherwise lay idle.

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Source Fool.com