From the get-go, we decided our mission would be to help people going through difficult situations when real estate was at the centre of it all. Seeing as we appraise homes for divorces, probate, estates, insurance loss, taxes and more, we've seen our fair share of contentious situations.
So how bad does it actually get?
Before proceeding with any assignment we think might be contentious, we ask our clients to rate the potential level of animosity on a scale of 1 to 10, with 1 meaning as amicable as possible and 10 meaning the police might need to be called.
We've seen everything on that scale.
Recently, I went to a property where the client believed the situation was a 3 or 4 out of 10. We could get told off, but would otherwise be left alone. Within the first 2 minutes at the house, my client was assaulted by the other tenant in common. The police was called and we vacated the premises. Within the hour, the offending tenant was arrested, the home was raided, several firearms were removed and charges were laid. In the end, we did not view the home at the agreed-upon time due to the significant safety risks involved, ones that were previously unknown to us.
Another not-so-common situation is the destruction of property. In one particular case, a joint tenant had taken a sledgehammer to every room and door in the house before the appraisal viewing. The damage was extensive. We completed the viewing and were subsequently instructed by the court to provide two values: one as is and one as if it hadn't been destroyed. Reportedly, the joint tenant who caused the damage was held responsible to refurbish it.
So here's some advice from someone with over a decade of experience in the appraisal industry:
Don't.
Don't damage the property.
Don't disallow access to the property.
Don't assault a joint tenant/tenant in common, or anyone for that matter, regardless of how you feel.
If you do, it will only create problems for you in the end.
The very best thing you can do is maintain the property without completing any significant renovations. Fix any structural issues that are further damaging the property, keeping all receipts. These would include leaks in the roof, leaks in the basement, or sewage backups. Get an appraisal done as soon as possible, and please don't punch anyone in the face, especially the appraiser, during the viewing.
If you're in an ugly situation, rest assured that we've seen it all. And we're not afraid to help.
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