Despite this era of instant gratification, I don’t think anyone has yet created a device or application that can predict the future (unless you count Michael Jennings from the 2003 movie Paycheck).
So even though you’ll have to wait to see if our seven Internet predictions come true in 2007, you won’t have to wait to see them, as they are listed below in no particular order.
1. Comcast will further establish itself in the Internet portal market with material partnership developments.
2. Google will strengthen its relationship with Apple Computer
3. Google’s efforts beyond Internet search and contextual advertising will continue to deliver only mixed results.
4. Facebook’s efforts to expand beyond students and recent graduates will be largely unsuccessful.
5. Although the November elections bolstered the chances for a new net neutrality law, we don’t expect one to be enacted in 2007.
6. Despite Google’s leading market share, Yahoo!’s Panama launch, and Microsoft’s substantial search-related investments, Ask.com, part of IAC/InterActiveCorp, is the search engine to watch in 2007.
7. We expect transactional activity involving private Internet companies (primarily acquisitions of and minority stakes taken in them) to continue throughout the year.
Julia on January 8th, 2007 at 10:13 am
What is a Real Estate Bubble?
- Recently there have been concerns and speculation voiced about a “real estate bubble”.
The media has created a buzz correlating the “real estate bubble” with rising mortgage rates. However, the housing market is determined by the job market and not rates. If people feel like they’re jobs are in jeopardy, they will be less reluctant to buy homes even with low mortgage rates. Conversely, if rates rise and people feel secure with the job market, they are more apt to buy homes even though the monthly mortgage payment might be slightly higher.
Every city has different real estate and financial trends, what is happening in New York may not be happening in Milwaukee! Before you buy any real estate you should first find a good realtor and a good mortgage broker to help guide you down your path to ownership!
Even buying in a real estate bubble isn’t necessarily a bad thing. Not all real estate bubbles burst; some simply cool down and level off with no depreciation in value.