Foreclosure & court-ordered sale
Why it matters
A value that survives review by the court.
In conduct-of-sale and foreclosure proceedings the value of the property is the central fact, and it will be examined by counsel on both sides. An appraisal establishes market value with the evidence and reasoning set out in full, so the number can be relied on rather than argued about.
WesTech is retained by lenders, by counsel conducting the sale, and by owners responding to a proceeding. The report states the effective date, the exposure assumed, the comparable sales relied on and every adjustment made: the elements a court looks for when weighing competing opinions.
Where a matter proceeds, the appraiser who inspected the property can support the report as an expert witness. Retrospective values are available where the relevant date has already passed.
Before the day of the appraisal
What to have ready
Not every item applies to every file. What's needed depends on the scope of the appraisal, and the more you can provide, the more complete the report will be.
The appraisal process
Can you appraise a property you cannot enter?
Yes, as an exterior-only appraisal, often called a drive-by, with the limitation clearly noted. Because interior condition must be handled through extraordinary assumptions under CUSPAP standards, we always pursue interior access first if it is available, to produce the strongest possible report.
Do you act for lenders or for owners?
Both, on separate files. Our opinion of value never changes based on who retains us; strict impartiality and objectivity are fundamental requirements of our AIC designation.
Is this a "forced sale" valuation?
Not by default. Unless a specific liquidation premise or a truncated marketing period is formally instructed, our appraisals estimate standard market value based on typical market exposure.
How quickly can an appraisal be produced?
File setup typically happens within one business day of instructions, with the signed report delivered swiftly once we have property access. Our timelines are built around tight legal and lender deadlines.
Will the appraiser appear in court or arbitration?
Yes. If required, the appraiser who completed the assignment can be retained as an objective expert witness to speak to the report's findings.
Related services
Other appraisal services.
Value needed for a proceeding?
Send us the property address and the required effective date. We will follow up promptly with a flat-fee quote and our first available appraisal time.