Regarding Rule 702 and Daubert v. Merrell Dow Pharmaceuticals Inc., 509 U.S. 579, 589, this court decision set a precedent placing an obligation on federal judges to determine that scientific testimony is relevant and reliable. The four criterion utilized are testability, peer review of theory or technique, potential error rate, and industry standards and general acceptability in the industry i.e. real estate. The case purportedly set new guide lines for testimony. However, in Kumho Tire Co. v. Carmichael (97-1709) 526 U.S. 137 (1999) 131 F.3d 1433, reversed, the Eleventh Circuit court held that the District Court erred in that Daubert was limited to a scientific context and did not apply to the expert testimony in this case, which it characterized as skill-or experience-based.

We believe all of our appraisal reports prepared by AppraiserValues.com meet or exceed the Uniform Standards of Appraisal Practice (USPAP)and generally recognized real estate industry standards, techniques and methodologies. In order to comply with guidelines set forth in Daubert, generally additional research is required to search out empirical data and peer review articles to further support an appraisal valuation opinion of the real estate involved. However, one must note that because an appraisal opinion is generally regarded in the real estate industry as an art and not a science, appraiser experience and skill level is also extremely important in expert court testimony.   

Each California real estate expert in appraisal must remain unbiased when testifying in a real estate matter. Therefore, we cannot be an advocate for either side, unless you hire us as a consultant and not as an appraiser. As an real estate consultant, we can consult with you and advise you about the relative strength of an appraisal presented by opposing parties. We can also perform additional real estate research and analysis to support or discredit assumptions or conclusions. If hired as an appraiser, we must remain unbiased and neutral. Some examples of issues acting as an expert appraiser or as a real estate consultant involving real estate assignments include:

• Bankruptcy 
• Standards of Professional Practice
• Mortgage Fraud
• Real Estate Fraud 
• Stigma
• Real Estate Research & Opinion Survey's
• Marital Dissolution (Divorce)
• Real Estate Construction Defects
• Real Estate Damages
• Diminution in Value
• Fair Market Rent - Leasehold Analysis
• Probate & Wills involving Real Estate Appraisal
• Trusts
• IRS Estate Tax Filing 706, 709, 8283
• Foreclosure & REO real estate Bank Owned
• Estate Planning
• Fractional Valuations (tenancy in common) 
• Property Tax Assessment Appeal Challenge
• Date of Death Valuation (forensic research & restrospective valuation) 
• Estate Settlement Valuation for Divorce, Partnership, IRS Taxation issues etc.
• Accounting Matters - Balance Sheet Real Estate Asset Valuations
• Foreclosure Fraud (Professional Practice)
• Los Angeles Real Estate Fraud
• Condemnation and Eminent Domain
• Orange County Fraud
• Deceptive Loan & Mortgage Practices
• Riverside Real Estate Fraud
• San Bernardino Real Estate - Mortgage Fraud
• Insurance Claims Loss Adjuster - Flood Appraiser Services 
• Real Estate Damages
• Condominium Construction Claims
• Fire & flood damages Appraiser
• Landslide, Foundation, Soils and Geological Damage
• Los Angeles Real Estate Expert

Clients who have utilized our real estate expert witness services include, attorneys, testimony for mortgage fraud, loan fraud, SBA lending, wholesale secondary mortgage market, lenders, banks, construction loan finance entities, secondary mortgage warehousing market, REO Sales Departments, auction companies, alternative dispute resolution, fee arbitration panels, savings banks, corporations, estate tax entities, bankruptcy attorneys, insurance and financial institutions, legal and accounting firms and many other businesses. In many cases, our real estate appraisal consultants have produced independent supportable opinions of value that has allowed many clients to settle real estate disputes without going to court.

Our appraisal firm is listed in the Los Angeles County Bar Association Real Estate Expert Consultants Directory with 30 years of experience and a proven track record in real estate and appraisal consulting services. 

If your client requires real estate court testimony, our firm will review each case presented to us. If we feel your case meets our requirements, the following fees and requirements will apply before we accept any appraisal assignment:

• A non-refundable expert designation fee of $500, a signed written retainer agreement, and payment of a retainer fee as per a defined scope of work, is required before filing a designation as an expert with the court.
  
  If you are under an urgency to designate, we will authorize designation in the case, subject to you’re sending us the following email and payment of a non-refundable designation fee of $750 by credit card, on our web site: I agree to the terms and conditions of designating an expert as stated on your web site at AppraiserValues.com.

• All communications with you or your client by phone, email, or in writing is considered to be only preliminary discussions and does not constitute acceptance of an assignment without a signed written fee agreement and payment of a retainer fee.

• By clicking on the CV link on this web site and/or obtaining a copy and/or pdf file of any of the experts listed on this web site you agree to the following terms and conditions: Absent a signed retainer agreement with a defined scope of work and payment of a retainer fee, we will only allow you to designate us as an expert subject to payment of a designation fee of $750 by credit card on this web site, prior to any designation with the court. If payment is not made prior to designation, the offer to designate the expert is unauthorized and is immediately revoked. We reserve the right to decline the designation or perform any appraisal work, until there is a signed retainer agreement and payment of a retainer fee. 

• We will quote a flat fee for an appraisal with a defined scope of work of the real estate in question. Absent a defined scope of work $100 to $250.00 per hour, subject to the scope of work and may include Inspection, research, and consultation. All expert witness testimony is billed separate from work performed under a flat fee for the appraisal. 
  
• Retainer required. The fee for real estate court testimony is separate from the appraisal report fee @ $250.00 per hour. There is a four hour minimum portal to portal plus expenses. Travel time outside our defined area is billed at $100 per hour.
  
• Deposition testimony $350 per hour. As per CCCP 2034:440 Deposition preparation time, pre- and post-testimony conferences or meetings and standby waiting to testify will be billed to the client retaining the expert. Client agrees to pay any difference from the amount paid at deposition by opposing council and the actual amount billed as per above. A Deposition cancelation fee of $350 is charged for cancelation of deposition or court testimony with insufficient notice (less than 48hrs before appointment) and the client will be invoiced for deposition preparation time, pre- and post-testimony conferences or meetings, and expenses. 
• Declarations - Minimum review and signing fee $500.00. If research is required by the principal $250.00 per hour, senior staff $100 to $200 per hour.
• Additional fees include document preparation based on an hourly rate.
• Film, photo finishing , postage, copies, time and cost of materials, document review.
• Outside typical service areas - normal appraisal fees and expenses incurred.
• Non-refundable fee for designation with the court of $500.00 (must accompany signed agreement).
  
• A Minimum retainer Fee $3,500 & up, determined on a case by case basis. The full amount of the retainer is applied to the final invoice for the matter. Any unused portion will be returned within 30 days. Any amount spent from retainer is non-refundable. All fees are payable up front and are not contingent or based upon settlement or withdrawal of the matter. Invoices are due and payable upon receipt.

• 100% of any remaining estimated consulting fee charges are payable prior to attendance at the first day of hearing/trial or deposition. All travel and hotel accommodations are expected to be provided as well. This insures the court or arbitration/mediation panel that the real estate appraiser is independent and fees are not contingent on an award being granted.

• Prompt payment is a condition precedent of the engagement agreement. The expert may halt work if outstanding invoices are not paid in a timely manner. To insure objectivity, testimony will only be given after payment for all outstanding invoices and statements.

• Cancelation - Client will be billed for work completed based upon hourly rates including a contract administration fee, set up fee, data access fee, research and or preparation time, telephone consultations, conferences or meetings, copies, printer charges, and other applicable expenses.

Disclaimer: All information that we provide on our web site is of a general nature. It is not intended to address the circumstances of any particular individual or entity. Even though we strive to provide accurate and timely information, we do not guarantee that such information is accurate. No one should act upon such information without appropriate professional advice after a thorough examination of the facts of their particular situation. We are not attorney's, tax professionals, financial planners or accountants. The above is not intended to give advise on legal, tax, financial planning, or accounting matters. Please check with your attorney, tax advisor, financial planner, and accountant for information regarding said matters. The MAI Appraiser designation is a Trademark of the Appraisal Institute.