Canadian housebuilding continues to improve: Global Real Estate Weekly Comment

An update on the Canadian housing market comes next week with the release of building permits data for December due out on Thursday, February 4th. The recent upturn in building permits should also be reflected in continued improvements in housing starts into 2010.

How will new tax codes affect the construction industry in Trinidad?

Afra Raymond MRICS, managing director of Raymond & Pierre Ltd., explains how changes to the tax code in Trinidad and Tobago will impact the construction industry. Raymond also details the findings of a recent commission established to investigate inefficiency in the public construction sector.

Will the application of basic principles help during a distressed market?

Don Dorchester FRICS, interim chairman of the RICS Americas Valuation Council, speaks at the IAAO conference in September 2009 on the application of basic principles to deal with the distressed market conditions.

Can RICS unify the valuation profession?

Bruce Bingham FRICS makes the case for RICS being the best opportunity to unify the valuation profession. The goal is to make valuation standards consistent across industries and borders.

What does it mean to be a member of RICS?

Brian Glanville FRICS answers the question, "What does it mean to be a member of RICS?" Brian has many years experience as a leader in the valuation field and explains how RICS brings together the best people in his and other property professions, worldwide.

Introducing the RICS Americas Valuation Council.

Don Dorchester FRICS explains how the RICS Americas Valuation Council brings together the best minds in valuation to help remedy many of the root ills that led to the economic meltdown.

The impact of GM's bankruptcy process on Mexico.

Oscar Franck Terrazas MRICS, managing director of Integra Realty Resources Mexico, speaks to the impact of General Motors bankruptcy process on Mexico's commercial and industrial property market, and on Mexico's economy overall.

Finding the silver linings in the midst of challenging times.

Charles Warren MRICS, of Warren & Warren in San Francisco, talks about finding the silver linings in the midst of challenging times. "For every sad story like Northern Rock, or the fudgy fate of Fannie, there are thousands, millions, of silver linings," he says.

Mark-To-Market and Fair Value – and the real causes of the financial melt-down.

Brian Glanville FRICS, Managing Director of Integra Realty Resources – Portland and Chair of RICS Americas Real Property Board, weighs in on Mark-To-Market and Fair Value – and the real causes of the financial melt-down.

What about the waiting game that investors are playing in the commercial property market today?

Paul Waters FRICS, Executive Vice President at NAI Global, addresses the waiting game that many investors are playing in the commercial property market today. He says the answer is to look to seasoned property professionals for guidance.

What is the significance of the auction sale of the Hancock Tower in Boston?

Dr. Sam Chandan FRICS, President and Chief Economist for Real Estate Econometrics LLC, speaks to the significance of the auction sale of the Hancock Tower in Boston as an indicator of where the market is headed for landmark commercial properties worldwide.

The importance of sustainability within the global property industry.

Elizabeth Belenchia MRICS, President of Carroll Properties Corporation, champions the importance of sustainability within the global property industry to preserve future opportunity and business success.

Real estate opportunities in the healthcare, education and rental markets.

Tom Justin FRICS, Executive Vice President of The Weitzman Group and RICS Americas Chairman, considers real estate opportunities in the healthcare, education and rental markets.