Testimony from an real estate expert witness could help make or break your case.
If you find yourself in the middle of a real estate dispute, then you may need a real estate expert witness who can give factual analysis, serve as a guard against bias, and act as a professional consultant for your lawyer. Whether you are involved in a home building dispute or a potential breach in a construction contract, testimony from an real estate expert witness could be the deciding factor when it comes time for your day in court.
Increased Credibility in the Courtroom
First and foremost, having a real estate appraiser as an expert witness on your side means you have an experienced and knowledgeable professional providing litigation support with trial preparation, exhibit preparation, expert testimony, and rebuttal testimony. This will inherently increase your own credibility, which can play a huge role in the outcome of a case. Real estate expert witnesses are called on for testimony on a wide range of cases involving property litigation:
- Property tax appeals
- Estate tax returns
- Forclosures and condemnations
- Developer and lender disputes
- Divorce settlements
- Disaster recovery
These experts can provide both residential and commercial property valuations, and can be called to testify on finer points of the real estate contract.
Documentation and Statistical Support
A real estate expert witness can also provide documentation and statistical support that you may otherwise be unable to obtain. For example, an expert witness appraiser can present and explain important documentation pertinent to your case:
- Feasibility analysis
- Investment analysis
- Market studies
- Appraisal reviews
- Insurance valuations
Additionally, because real estate data and reports can be extremely technical and therefore difficult to interpret for those outside the industry, having a real estate expert witness also means that a detailed explanation and interpretation of the data will be provided. They will understand the complexities unique to your particular situation and can help you prove your case.
Knowledge of Industry Standards
Part of any real estate professional’s job is to stay up-to-date on the ever-changing world of real estate law and other industry standards. In this sense, an expert witness can be your first available resource when it comes to analyzing the details of your case and determining the best course of action. For example, an expert witness may be able to perform an appraisal review to determine whether or not a previously completed appraisal was accurate in the event of a legal dispute about the value of a property.
Essentially, a real estate expert witness serves as a neutral third party. The court tends to place greater weight in the testimony of a sworn expert witness due to the fact that they are technically neutral parties who are sworn in under oath to provide factual testimony.
If you have a legal dispute and are in need of a real estate expert witness, contact Ferstl Valuation Services at 501.313.0641 to get the assistance you need to substantiate your case.
