Litigation Appraiser for Real Estate Disputes
Court-Ready Appraisal Reports for Legal Disputes in Ontario
Litigation-Support Appraisals at Record Levels
Real estate disputes across the GTA have reached unprecedented levels in 2025
Failed transactions where buyers couldn't close at agreed prices
MLS misrepresentation including inaccurate sizes, unverified zoning
Builder disputes with inflated floor areas in pre-construction condos
Non-disclosure claims where material facts were withheld by sellers
A litigation appraiser is a certified real estate professional who provides independent, defensible, and market-supported appraisal evidence specifically for legal disputes, lawsuits, and court proceedings. Unlike standard appraisals used for mortgages or sales, litigation appraisals must meet elevated reporting standards that withstand cross-examination, legal scrutiny, and challenges from opposing counsel. At Alpha Appraisals Inc., we serve as a trusted valuation partner to litigation lawyers across the Greater Toronto Area.
What is a Litigation-Standard Appraisal?
Litigation-standard appraisal reports are a specialized area of practice, prepared specifically for court use and legal dispute resolution. These assignments require:
All opinions of value are developed and reported in full compliance with the Appraisal Institute of Canada (AIC) and CUSPAP requirements for litigation-support reporting.
When Do You Need a Litigation Appraiser?
Real estate disputes require certified appraisal evidence to establish fair market value and quantify damages. Here are the most common situations:
Failed Real Estate Transactions
Buyer couldn't close, seller seeking breach of contract damages
MLS Listing Misrepresentation
Inaccurate floor areas, unverified zoning, incorrect features
Builder & Developer Disputes
Inflated square footage, missing floor plans, undisclosed charges
Non-Disclosure Claims
Material defects, property stigma, or facts withheld by seller
Divorce & Partnership Dissolution
Fair market value for equitable asset division
Power of Sale Disputes
Challenging inadequate valuations or bad faith sales
What Are Real Examples of Litigation Appraisals?
Litigation appraisals quantify damages in real estate disputes by establishing fair market value at specific dates. Common cases include MLS misrepresentation where sellers hide defects, pre-construction condo disputes over inflated square footage, and failed transactions where buyers breach contracts. These case studies show how court-ready appraisals resolve complex disputes in Ontario.
MLS Misrepresentation & Non-Disclosure
When Buyers Discover Hidden Problems
The Situation
A Toronto couple purchased a detached home for $1,450,000 in North York. The MLS listing stated the basement was a legal rental unit generating $1,800/month income. Six months after closing, the City issued a notice that the basement suite was unpermitted and must be decommissioned.
The Problem
The buyers lost expected rental income and faced $85,000 in costs to either legalize or remove the suite. They sued the seller and listing brokerage for misrepresentation and non-disclosure.
How the Litigation Appraisal Helped
Outcome
The litigation appraisal report provided clear, market-supported evidence of the value differential. The case settled before trial with the buyers receiving compensation for their documented losses.
Key Insight
Clauses like 'buyer to verify all information' do not eliminate disclosure obligations. A certified appraisal quantifies the actual financial impact of misrepresentation.
How Do You Get a Litigation Appraisal?
Getting a litigation appraisal involves five steps: initial consultation, engagement and scope definition, document collection, property inspection, and court-ready report delivery. The process typically takes 2-4 weeks depending on complexity. We follow a rigorous, transparent process designed to produce reports that withstand legal scrutiny and cross-examination.
Initial Consultation
Contact Alpha Appraisals to discuss the nature of the dispute, the property involved, and the effective date(s) required for valuation.
Engagement & Scope Definition
We prepare a detailed engagement letter outlining the appraisal scope, methodology, timeline, and fee structure for litigation-standard reporting.
Document Collection & Research
Gather relevant legal documents, contracts, MLS listings, and any other evidence pertinent to the dispute. Conduct extensive market research.
Property Inspection (if applicable)
Complete a thorough property inspection documenting current conditions, or conduct retrospective analysis for historical date valuations.
Court-Ready Report Delivery
Receive a comprehensive litigation-standard appraisal report with detailed methodology, market analysis, and conclusions that withstand legal scrutiny.
What You'll Receive in Your Litigation Report:
- ✓Detailed property description with comprehensive market analysis
- ✓Clear methodology explanations that withstand cross-examination
- ✓Damages quantification with market-supported evidence
- ✓CUSPAP-compliant format accepted by Ontario courts
