Finding the elusive cap rate in today’s transaction market is the biggest challenge commercial appraisers’ face. And, it is not simply a U.S. problem; it permeates the entire global appraisal profession.

Mr. Fox is the president of Colin Fox & Associates. He has more than 25 years experience in the field of commercial investment brokerage. With offices and strategic alliances in the United States and United Kingdom, Colin Fox & Associates provides real estate services for private and intuitional investors in both countries.

Bruce explains why the RICS Americas Valuation Council is so vital to the profession today.

Why Join RICS? Brian Glanville FRICS - Integra Realty Resources Brian describes the benefits of membership.

Bringing Together The Best In Valuation To Meet Challenges: Don Dorchester FRICS - Cushman & Wakefield Don highlights the caliber of valuation professionals on the RICS Americas Valuation Council. This high-powered group is poised to solve some of the most difficult problems facing the valuation profession today.

The CCIM Institute and the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors have announced the signing of a memorandum of understanding that will lead to greater cooperation and improved benefits and opportunities for members of both organizations.

With the construction industry growing in new markets and more UK companies working overseas, the need for comparable cost data internationally has never been more acute. As a result BCIS has compiled a comprehensive report into international construction cost standards.

The attempt to raise profitability remains the key factor driving the interest in sustainable buildings globally; but the United States is still not placing as much importance on the issue as other markets, according to the latest Global Commercial Property Sustainability Survey, released by RICS today.

More than 80 percent of countries surveyed saw a rise in distressed sales in the commercial property market, according to RICS research published today.

RICS Americas, a division of the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors, the world’s leading membership organization for professionals in property, land, construction and related environmental issues, announced today the launch of RICS Americas Career Center, a new member benefit.

RICS Americas commentary from Stan Mullin FRICS, SIOR, CRE, CCIM. "We know our economy is in the grip of something entirely different than in the recession in the late ‘80s and early ‘90s (in 1989 alone, 534 banks failed). That recession was limited to a collapse in the real property market. Our current economic troubles are a credit problem and credit is the financial “air we breathe” and no one is unaffected."

The Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors today announced its commitment to taking concrete action in response to the challenges of global climate change.

New global construction forecasts released today by Global Construction Perspectives and Oxford Economics indicate that the output of the construction sector is likely to rise sharply over the next decade driven by emerging markets China, India and Brazil.

The RICS Global Commercial Property Survey for the third quarter of 2009 shows an overall decrease in the negative sentiment felt by North and South American commercial property professionals in the economy generally and in the region’s office, retail and industrial real estate markets, in particular.

As professional valuation associations increase their development of technical guidance and education, a critical need exists to compare, contrast and merge the output to ensure that appraisers are led by universal guiding principles and a single body of knowledge.

RICS Americas and CCIM sign MOU - CCIM Institute Two of the most influential and respected member organizations in commercial real estate have signed a memorandum of understanding that will lead to greater cooperation and sharing of information between them.

Sentiment in global commercial real estate improved in the third quarter, but growth is still very slow, Simon Rubinsohn from RICS told CNBC Thursday. Asia is outperforming the rest of the world in terms of real estate, he added.

The latest RICS Global Commercial Property Survey is noticeably more upbeat than the second quarter report both in terms of the lettings environment and investment activity.

Commercial Property is Improving: RICS October, 29 2009 Sentiment in global commercial real estate improved in the third quarter, but growth is still very slow, Simon Rubinsohn from RICS told CNBC Thursday. Asia is outperforming the rest of the world in terms of real estate, he added.

Cheap money is continuing to drive up prices in the arts and antiques market, according to the latest survey from The Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors.

Rob Nahigian FRICS has been appointed by Massachusetts Gov. Devel Patrick to serve on the Mass. Highway Real Estate Appraisal Review Board for a three-year term. The board reviews valuations on eminent domain cases and engages Rob’s full 37 years of real estate experience.

Bob White FRICS, President of Real Capital Analytics, talks about possible troubles for commercial real estate market with PBS' NewsHour.

New quantity surveying firm and management consultancy based in Southern California and Washington DC area

RICS Americas is pleased to announce the upgrade of 16 qualified Members (MRICS) to RICS Fellowship (FRICS) status since May 2009. Most MRICS are eligible to apply for Fellowship as soon as they are elected.

RICS members in the Washington, D.C., area came together for the September 30 Chapter Rendevous.