What Does a Real Estate Expert Witness Actually Do?

Real estate cases often involve issues that are too technical or specialized for judges and juries to evaluate without assistance. A real estate expert witness provides the industry knowledge, analytical support, and professional insight necessary to help the trier of fact understand the complexities of real property. Expert witnesses typically assist litigation teams by:

• Reviewing and interpreting transaction files, leases, appraisal reports, financial statements, and communications
• Analyzing property condition, market value, and industry standards
• Providing written expert reports
• Giving deposition and trial testimony in a clear and defensible manner
• Explaining causation, damages, and standard-of-care issues

The best real estate expert witnesses bring a combination of legal understanding, technical expertise, and real-world experience. Many, like Jeffrey S. Rothbart, Esq., LL.M., blend legal training with decades of practical industry involvement, allowing them to offer clear opinions grounded in established professional standards (IREM, BOMA, USPAP, NAR, ASTM, etc.). Whether the dispute involves valuation, property management, brokerage conduct, lease enforcement, or investment losses, an effective expert witness helps transform complex facts into understandable, actionable conclusions.