ESPINOSA, Judge.
¶ 1 In consolidated cases, Appellant Southwest Non-Profit Housing Corporation (Southwest) appeals trial court decisions in favor of three defendant appraisers, James E. Nowak II (Nowak), Kathleen Kniffen (Kniffen), and John T. Martell (Martell), whom Southwest alleged had conducted appraisals negligently, resulting in lost home sales for Southwest. For the following reasons, we affirm.
¶ 2 These cases arise from appraisals performed in connection with sales of residential properties. In each case the sale was subject to the property appraising for the contracted sale amount. In all three cases, the appraisals were appreciably lower than the properties' contracted sale prices. As a result, the lender refused to lend the amounts the buyers requested for purchase, and the buyers ultimately canceled the sales.
¶ 3 The seller, Southwest, filed separate complaints against the three appraisers, asserting each had been negligent in performing his or her respective appraisal. Nowak responded to the complaint with a motion to dismiss, and Kniffen and Martell filed motions for summary judgment. All three relied on § 552 of the Restatement (Second) of Torts (1977) (hereinafter Restatement) in denying any liability for negligent misrepresentation. The three motions were granted, and Southwest appealed. The cases were consolidated in this court on Southwest's motion. We have jurisdiction pursuant to A.R.S. §§ 12-120.21(A)(1) and 12-2101(A)(1).
¶ 4 In reviewing a trial court's decision to grant a motion to dismiss, we assume the truth of the facts asserted in the complaint. Airfreight Exp. Ltd. v. Evergreen Air Ctr., Inc., 215 Ariz. 103, ¶ 2, 158 P.3d 232, 235 (App.2007). Southwest purchased a residence on Desert Aire Drive in Tucson, invested $8,000 in rehabilitating the property, and then listed it for sale. Southwest received three offers for the property and accepted the highest one for $94,000. Southwest then entered into a sales contract with the prospective buyer, who applied for a loan to purchase the property. The lender required an appraisal to underwrite the loan and retained Nowak as the appraiser. Nowak appraised the property's value in June 2012 at $81,000. The lender then refused to fund the loan in the amount requested, and the prospective buyer withdrew from the contract.
¶ 6 In reviewing a trial court's decision to grant summary judgment we view "the evidence and all reasonable inferences therefrom in the light most favorable to the party against whom summary judgment was granted." Airfreight Exp. Ltd., 215 Ariz. 103, ¶ 2, 158 P.3d at 235. The parties largely agree on the facts underlying these appraisals but dispute their legal effect. In 2012, Southwest entered into a contract to sell a residence on Bayberry Street in Tucson for $170,000, contingent on the buyers obtaining loan approval supported by an appraisal of the property for at least the purchase price.
¶ 7 In a similar transaction, Southwest contracted to sell a residence located on Harvester Drive to a prospective buyer for $141,000. Again, the buyer's obligations were contingent upon the property appraising for at least the purchase price. The lender engaged Martell to appraise the Harvester Drive property, and his report appraised its fair market value at $127,000. The prospective buyer consequently exercised his right to cancel the contract.
¶ 8 Southwest brought actions against Kniffen and Martell alleging negligence relating to the appraisals. Both defendants moved for summary judgment, asserting Southwest was not the "intended user of the appraisal[s] and, in any event, took no acts in reliance thereon." Citing the appraisal certification, Southwest responded that the appraisers knew that "secondary market participants — parties other than the stated intended users — would be supplied [their] appraisal report[s]" and "so long as a party was provided the appraisal report with [the appraisers'] knowledge[,] they are entitled to rely on the same." The trial court entered summary judgment in favor of Kniffen and Martell.
¶ 9 Southwest asserts the trial court committed reversible error in dismissing its complaint "on the sole ground that Southwest had executed the sales agreement `before the appraisal was commissioned'" observing that § 552 of the Restatement imposes liability "when the provider of professional information knows the specific transaction or type of transaction involved and intends to guide and benefit those involved in the transaction."
¶ 10 We review dismissal of a complaint under Rule 12(b)(6), Ariz. R. Civ. P., de novo. Coleman v. City of Mesa, 230 Ariz. 352, ¶ 7, 284 P.3d 863, 866 (2012). In doing so, we look only to the complaint, assuming the truth of all well-pled factual allegations and indulging all reasonable inferences. Cullen
¶ 11 To state a claim for relief for negligent misrepresentation, including those presented here — that the defendants were negligent in their appraisals — a plaintiff must allege, among other elements, that he was owed a duty of care by the defendant. See Belen Loan Investors, LLC v. Bradley, 231 Ariz. 448, ¶ 8, 296 P.3d 984, 989 (App.2012). We address de novo the purely legal issue of whether the trial court correctly ruled that Nowak owed Southwest no such duty as a matter of law. Id.
¶ 12 To determine the scope of an appraiser's obligations to third parties we look to Restatement § 552. See Belen Loan Investors, LLC, 231 Ariz. 448, ¶ 10, 296 P.3d at 989. An appraiser has liability for losses suffered "by the person or one of a limited group of persons for whose benefit and guidance he intends to supply the information or knows that the recipient intends to supply it." This liability is limited to those transactions "that he intends the information to influence or knows that the recipient so intends." Restatement § 552(2). The appraiser need not know the specific identity of the third-party recipient when the information is supplied, so long as the appraisal is intended to reach and influence a particular type of individual or class of persons.
¶ 13 Section 552, however, does not open liability to an unlimited class of individuals who are merely "foreseeable." The appraiser is not liable to all whom "might reasonably be expected sooner or later to have access to the information and foreseeably to take some action in reliance upon it." Restatement § 552 cmt. h; see also Sage v. Blagg Appraisal Co., 221 Ariz. 33, n. 7, 209 P.3d 169, 174 n. 7 (App.2009) (foreseeability ordinarily creates no duty of care). As the Restatement observes, the "risk of liability to which the supplier subjects himself by undertaking to give the information ... is vitally affected by the number and character of the persons, and particularly the nature and extent of the proposed transaction." Restatement § 552 cmt. h. This court also has noted "there are good reasons to conclude that a professional who provides information should not owe a duty of care to anyone who happens to receive the information." Sage, 221 Ariz. 33, n. 9, 209 P.3d at 175 n. 9.
¶ 14 In its complaint, Southwest stated that Nowak "owe[d] a particular duty of care in performing h[is] professional duties." It asserted that by "agreeing to complete the Appraisal[,] Nowak attained a duty to the lender and the borrower for whom the Appraisal was to benefit," and that "by failing to properly utilize data readily available to him... Nowak breached his duty to all parties of the transaction." And finally, Southwest maintains that "[b]y breaching his duty, Nowak caused the lender to decline to underwrite the loan and effectively cancelled the sale of the Property."
¶ 15 The trial court found that under the facts pled, and the requirements of § 552, Nowak owed no duty to Southwest. The court noted § 552 required Southwest to show that it was "part of a limited group of persons or entities specifically intended to be benefitted or guided by the appraiser" and that the "appraiser intend[ed] to supply his appraisal to the seller or kn[ew] that the lender, as the intended recipient of the appraisal, intend[ed] to supply it to the seller." It also noted the requirement that "the appraiser intended that the appraisal information would influence the seller, or [knew] that the lender intend[ed] to use the appraisal to influence the seller." Expressly "[I]ooking at the language in Plaintiff's Complaint," the court found it "clear that the sales agreement
¶ 16 Southwest asserts the trial court's holding "put[] the proverbial `cart before the horse' by requiring an appraisal before the sales agreement is signed." According to Southwest, "Nowak could only become `manifestly aware' of the appraisal's purpose after Southwest signed the agreement," and contends that "Nowak's duty of care arose only after, not before, the sales agreement was executed." Southwest's complaint, however, is devoid of support for the claim that Nowak intended at any point to influence Southwest, thereby assuming a duty of care to it.
¶ 17 In applying § 552, "[i]ntent to influence is a threshold issue." Bily v. Arthur Young & Co., 3 Cal.4th 370, 11 Cal.Rptr.2d 51, 834 P.2d 745, 771 (1992); see Restatement § 552, cmt. j. ("the liability of the maker of a negligent misrepresentation is limited to the transaction that he intends, or knows that the recipient intends, to influence, or to a substantially similar transaction"). Under the facts as pled, it is undisputed that Southwest's contract with its buyer preceded the appraisal and that the appraisal was performed for the lender. As such, the trial court could not reasonably find that Nowak had intended to influence Southwest, which had already committed to the sale price.
¶ 18 Southwest also contends there is a factual issue to be determined, specifically, "who Nowak intended his appraisal to benefit and guide in the transaction." Again, however, nowhere in its complaint does Southwest assert that Nowak intended to benefit and
¶ 19 When a party appeals a summary judgment decision, our review is de novo to determine whether the trial court correctly applied the law. Tenet Healthsystem TGH, Inc. v. Silver, 203 Ariz. 217, ¶ 5, 52 P.3d 786, 788 (App.2002). We also review de novo issues of contract interpretation. Id.
¶ 20 In its ruling on the motion for summary judgment, the trial court rejected Southwest's argument that it was owed a duty because its real estate broker was a "secondary market participant" under paragraph twenty-one of the appraiser's certification. That paragraph identifies the parties to whom the "lender/client may disclose or distribute this appraisal report" without having to obtain the appraiser's consent,
¶ 21 On appeal, Southwest no longer advances its "secondary market participant" argument, but instead contends the court erred in effectively concluding Southwest had waived Kniffen and Martell's tort liability to it based on the fact that paragraph twenty-one did not include the term "seller" in the list of those intended to receive the appraiser's report. Southwest argues, "the omission of [the term] `seller' from paragraph 21 in the[] Appraiser's Certifications raises a genuine issue of material fact as to whether Southwest waived its tort liability against the appraisers and precludes summary judgment." Southwest further argues that "[f]ederal law charges an appraiser with knowledge that the recipient of an appraisal, such as a lender, must supply the appraisal to a person with an interest in the real estate transaction, such as the seller."
¶ 22 Southwest asserts that paragraph twenty-one of the Appraiser's Certifications for Kniffen and Martell constitutes a waiver of tort liability, which contravenes public policy unless the waiver was freely and fairly made. Southwest maintains that because "it did not waive its tort remedies against Martell and Kniffen," any such waiver was not "knowingly bargained for," and "[w]ithout such evidence, a genuine issue of material fact exists as to whether the omission of the term `seller' from paragraph 21 constitutes a
¶ 23 The appraisal engagements, however, were solely between the appraiser and the lender/client. Southwest was not a party to the agreement or the intended user of the appraisal. A waiver is an intentional and voluntary relinquishment of a known right. Am. Cont'l Life Ins. Co. v. Ranier Constr. Co., 125 Ariz. 53, 55, 607 P.2d 372, 374 (1980). Southwest simply had not acquired a right that it might have waived. Cf. Restatement (Second) of Contracts § 315 (1981) (incidental beneficiary acquires by virtue of promise no right against promisor or promisee).
¶ 24 Restatement § 552 provides that a negligent supplier of misinformation is liable "only to those persons for whose benefit and guidance it is supplied." Restatement § 552 cmt. h. The maker of the representation may be liable when he intends the representation:
Id. The language of paragraph twenty-one evidences Kniffen's and Martell's intent to limit the distribution of the appraisals to particular classes of people, none of which included the seller of the property. Southwest was thus part of the "much larger class" who sooner or later might have access to the information and foreseeably rely on it. Id. As such, Kniffen and Martell did not owe Southwest any duty and summary judgment was appropriate. See Kuehn v. Stanley, 208 Ariz. 124, ¶ 15, 91 P.3d 346, 351 (App.2004).
¶ 25 Southwest alternatively argues that a recent federal law, the Dodd-Frank Act, caused Kniffen and Martell to "know" that Southwest would receive their appraisals. Southwest points to 15 U.S.C. § 1639e which sets out requirements for independent appraisals. Generally, the statute forbids "a person with an interest in the underlying transaction" from attempting to influence the appraised value assigned. 15 U.S.C. § 1639e(b). Exempted from this prohibition, however, are enumerated parties including "any other person with an interest in a real estate transaction" who requests that an appraiser (1) consider additional appropriate property information; (2) provide further detail for the appraiser's value conclusion; and (3) correct errors in the appraisal report. 15 U.S.C. § 1639e(c). Citing this provision, Southwest argues "[t]he Act thus charges an appraiser with the knowledge that a seller will receive the appraisal when a dwelling secures the buyer's credit."
¶ 26 Kniffen and Martell respond that nothing in the statutory language of 15 U.S.C. § 1639e requires disclosure of an appraisal to a seller under the facts at issue here. We agree. The federal provision allows a variety of parties with an interest in a real estate transaction to request that an appraiser consider more information, provide further detail and correct any errors. It does not, however, impose any affirmative requirements regarding the distribution of appraisals or duties owed to third parties. Accordingly, Southwest's claim that § 1639e provides a basis for imputing knowledge to Kniffen and Martell is unpersuasive.
¶ 27 Finally, assuming arguendo that some duty was nevertheless owed to Southwest by Kniffen and Martell, we address Southwest's argument that the trial court erred by determining as a matter of law that Southwest did not rely on their appraisals.
¶ 28 Before justifiable reliance can be found, however, there must be some evidence in the record of reliance. Southwest is a corporation in the business of purchasing, rehabilitating, and reselling properties. When the prospective buyers of the Bayberry Street property sought to reduce the contract price based on Kniffen's appraisal, Southwest's president, "[u]sing [his] own analysis and upon the advice of [his] agent," rejected the offer. Southwest later sold the residence to another buyer. Similarly, after receiving Martell's appraisal, Southwest challenged it by formally asking for reconsideration of the appraisal's property valuation. When the prospective buyer cancelled the contract upon learning of Southwest's challenge, Southwest remarketed the property and sold it to another buyer.
¶ 29 As asserted by Kniffen and Martell, the record does not support Southwest's assertions of reliance. Southwest doubted the accuracy of both appraisals; in Martell's case, it asked for the appraisal to be reconsidered, and in Kniffen's case, refused to lower the contract price of the property. There is no indication Southwest relied on either appraisal in acting or refraining from action. See Western Techs., Inc. v. Sverdrup & Parcel Inc., 154 Ariz. 1, 3, 739 P.2d 1318, 1320 (App.1986) (party injured by negligent misrepresentation "must have relied on the information the defendant supplied"); see also Ness v. Western Sec. Life Ins. Co., 174 Ariz. 497, 502, 851 P.2d 122, 127 (App.1992) (no reliance where plaintiff did not accept defendants' statements that he lacked disability insurance coverage, consulted attorney, and ultimately brought action against insurer); Wingate Land, LLC, 722 S.E.2d at 870 (no reliance where plaintiff seller asserted information in appraisals was false); cf. Restatement § 537 (recipient of fraudulent misrepresentation may recover if he relies on misrepresentation in acting or refraining from action and reliance justifiable).
¶ 30 Southwest also contends it relied on the appraisals when it ultimately sold the properties to new buyers for reduced amounts. The record, however, again does not support this assertion. By affidavit, Southwest attested that in remarketing the property after the contracts were cancelled, it "was mindful that [its] agent would need to explain to interested buyers that the property was back on the market because [it] failed to appraise for the prior contract price," and Southwest was "generally aware that a negative association attaches to properties under these circumstances." Southwest then reported that it had sold the Harvester Drive house for $136,000 and the Bayberry Street house for $152,000.
¶ 31 Based on the foregoing, the trial courts' dismissal of the negligence claim alleged against Nowak and grant of summary judgment in favor of Kniffen and Martell are affirmed.