Robinson

This case stems from the sale of a home by John E. Helm and Anne Marie Grossman to Mark S. Robinson and Susan K. Robinson. The Robinsons appeal a judgment entered after Grossman, Prudential California Realty, the listing broker, and its agent Marti Gellens-Stubbs obtained defense verdicts. The Robinsons contend the court misunderstood the disclosure duties of a seller’s real estate agent to prospective purchasers, and as a result incorrectly excluded expert witness testimony and refused jury instructions on the issue. They also contend the court abused its discretion in excluding evidence of postescrow events, and in awarding Grossman attorney fees and other costs. We affirm.

I

Factual and Procedural Background

Helm, an architect, designed and built a large home in 1989. Because the hilly terrain would not support a conventional foundation, a pier and grade beam foundation was used. Helm and Grossman moved into the home in 1990, but listed it for sale with Prudential in March 1991.

On the real estate transfer disclosure statement, Helm and Grossman represented they were unaware of any significant defects in the foundation, exterior walls, windows, ceilings or other…