Los Angeles, CA asked in Real Estate Law, Small Claims, Civil Litigation and Legal Malpractice for Oregon

Q: I had an appraisal done on my house & 3 years later, the value hasn't changed. Do I have a case against appraiser E&O?

This was result of dealing with a litigation with EX (not divorce) and I fought the appraiser on the value, as I'm in real estate, also had shared the value with another friend of my in real estate no one could believe the value he was giving it. I had also provided him with the $30k in repairs that were needed at the time based on inspections, and he didn't budge on the value. I have reason to believe that there was espionage with my Ex as I had to pick amongst 3 appraisers that were of his recommendations.

2 Lawyer Answers
Joanne Reisman
Joanne Reisman
Answered
  • Portland, OR
  • Licensed in Oregon

A: I am not sure what your legal question is. The appraisal at a given point in time has nothing to do with the value at any other point it time. An appraiser is supposed to give you their professional opinion of a value of real estate on a certain date. You can always testify and give your opinion of the value of real or personal property. In a domestic relations case Judge will then decide what opinion they want to adopt as to value. But the value three years later is not relevant. You don't really state why this is even important to you and I suspect this has to do with the outcome of your divorce. Frankly talking about a legal matter on the internet only works for very general guidance. I suspect that what you really need is to discuss with an attorney what the exact problem is you are having now, three years post divorce, and see if there is some way to fix it. But go to talk to an attorney, don't lose your right to privacy and put a lot of detail on a public web page.

Joanne Reisman
Joanne Reisman
Answered
  • Portland, OR
  • Licensed in Oregon

A: Correction, I reread your post and see that this was not a divorce situation so I would still tell you the same thing but I wouldn't use the word divorce. I would say legal dispute instead. (Incidentally there is such a thing as a dissolution of a domestic partnership which could be used in lieu of a divorce to settle a property disputes between people who were a couple but have now broken up.

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