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Surf Cat said:
But that's not for the appraiser to decide. The OP has to identify the appraisal problem.

They maybe putting the cart before the horse out of desperation....
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I would give the person that called me free advice. Hire a local lawyer that is skilled in that area and then get your lawyer to hire me.
 
Ranch Hand said:
I have been contacted by a home owner that is being sued for building a cabin in violation of an easement that is obstructing his neighbor’s lake view. The homeowner has asked me to speak with his attorney on the phone to answer questions. This is a cold call and I have had nothing to do with this situation/homeowner. I just happen to be an appraiser with geographical competence. What should a say and what should I do?
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How can you know what to say until you know what they want to know? Take the call. Be careful about crossing the line into doing an appraisal. If the attorney's questions are simple-ish, maybe look at it as a chance to build some good will for future business. If it gets more involved, tell the attorney that you are happy to help however, there will need to be agreement on your fee. You may also need to gather some data that is specific to the issues the attorney asks about.
 
sputnam said:
How can you know what to say until you know what they want to know? Take the call. Be careful about crossing the line into doing an appraisal. If the attorney's questions are simple-ish, maybe look at it as a chance to build some good will for future business. If it gets more involved, tell the attorney that you are happy to help however, there will need to be agreement on your fee. You may also need to gather some data that is specific to the issues the attorney asks about.
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I think the potential client calling the OP is being sued by the plaintiff in this case. I think they already have a lawyer. I may have misread the whole situation.

Do you understand?

I am not calling anybody suing the person that called me to call the plaintiff's lawyer.

The person that called me needs a real good real estate lawyer to call the plaintiff's lawyer and then I will be happy to assist.

There is no way in hell I am going up against another real estate lawyer without the person calling me having a really good real estate lawyer.
 
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Do you understand OP the homeowner that called you and told you adjoining homeowner is suing them?

Do you really understand the big picture?

Do you think you might want the homeowner's lawyer speaking with the person suing the homeowner?

Then the SOW is handed to you on a platter.

If the person that called you tells you their lawyer will be contacting you on what they need to fight this lawsuit?

Your in good shape.
 
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No problem lawyer. This is what I charge for my services. I will be billing you directly and this is what I want up front. Do you understand?

Engagement starts when you pay my engagement fee.

My other terms and conditions are in this engagement letter. Please return signed by certified mail with my signature required.
 
Surf Cat said:
But that's not for the appraiser to decide. The OP has to identify the appraisal problem.

They maybe putting the cart before the horse out of desperation....
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The dispute is over how much the neighbor's home will change in market value due to an obstructed view.
 
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Ranch Hand said:
The dispute is over how much the neighbor's home will change in market value due to an obstructed view.
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And somebody has already sued somebody. That changes the whole picture. It is deep. No way I would touch it without talking to lawyer that is representing either one and maybe both once the lawyer signs my engagement letter on my terms and conditions.

The chances of them both using same lawyer is slim.
 
Ranch Hand said:
The dispute is over how much the neighbor's home will change in market value due to an obstructed view.
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Oh.... based on the op, I thought you were contacted by the people who built the cabin.... lol...my bad.

Tough gig unless there's available sales providing proof of a loss in value due to an obstructed view. Inputting sales in the report with other externalities (newly constructed highway, apartments, a new AirBnB causing havoc) might be subjective at best.

Almost seems like it would be easier for your client to have the authorities make them tear it down as opposed to suing them.

I would personally pass on this but maybe some others here will provide more concrete ideas. Good luck.
 
It costs nothing to listen. Take the call and find out what's going on. Then you can decide.
 
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sputnam said:
It costs nothing to listen. Take the call and find out what's going on. Then you can decide.
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Yeah, the lawyer suing knows what they need. The appraiser can"t help them if they don't know.

Remember we specialize in real property rights.

This one scares me with the one being sued calling me for advice to call the lawyer that is suing them.

I don't like it. I would rather caller get their own lawyer and call the lawyer suing and then see if I can help.

The lawyer suing the person calling did not call me.

I don't work free if I can keep from it.

Lawyers don't work free.
 
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