President Trump, drones and cannabis: 2017 should be interesting - by Rick Kaplan

We are about to start a new year with a new president, drones flying all around us and new cannabis laws going into effect. All three of these changes will impact the commercial real estate industry. Whether you like it or not, the changes are coming, I recommend you accept it because I think all three are here for at least the next four years.

First, we have our new President Donald Trump, what changes he will make is really unknown at this point. One thing that he is hot on will be the security of our nation, which I think we all agree is very important after seeing the terrorist attack in an open market in Berlin, the Paris attack, and the list goes on. Protecting our property and investments as well as citizens is, in my opinion, number one, then tax incentives, health care, etc.

Second we have the newest trend drones, we can see some big changes on how we do many things. Drone operators are now being used in the construction, insurance, marketing and delivery of products in half the time it would take to drive across town. There is no end to what the new drone era can bring.

Third, which is very controversial, is the cannabis industry. The cannabis law has just passed which will open a whole new market for commercial real estate. This product will change some industrial and retail space, as well as create many more construction and trades related jobs. The areas of the country where the law was changed a few years ago have seen a growing economy.

I am sure there will be other changes and products in 2017 making changes like 3D printing, virtual reality, artificial intelligence and I probably have left something out. Are all of the new products and technology a good thing? For a lot of us yes, but sometimes the old fashion way is more gratifying.

I wish everyone Happy Holidays and a Happy New Year.

Rick Kaplan is media director at the New England Real Estate Journal, Norwell, Mass.