Hiring a real estate special commissioner in Arizona is different than searching for any real estate broker or agent licensed to practice in the state. Only a court can appoint this impartial third party to manage the sale of jointly owned residential or commercial real property in a legal dispute.
However, property owners who agree on the need for a real estate special commissioner but not on who to hire can compile and suggest a list of candidates in Arizona to a court. These three real estate offices fit the bill.
R.O.I. Properties
R.O.I. Properties consists of real estate, financial and legal professionals who collectively have completed over 350 court appointments. This record reflects court confidence in the brokerage’s deep understanding of the state’s judicial system, legal proceedings and relevant regulations. This firm has an established reputation in the legal community due to its long-standing relationships with many local bar associations and various trade association memberships, like the Arizona Fiduciaries Association.
Key features:
- Has extensive experience in handling contentious co-ownership disputes
- Deals with diverse property types
- Serves as a neutral fiduciary focused on maximizing the value of real property for owners
AZ Divorce Realty
AZ Divorce Realty is an excellent fit for cases involving high-value property disputes. Barbara Woyak, a member of the organization, is a credentialed real estate agent who has worked full-time since 2005 and has lived in the Phoenix/Scottsdale area since 1990. She is a Certified Divorce Real Estate Expert, Certified Luxury Home Marketing Specialist, Certified Negotiation Expert, and a member of The Ilumni Institute and Keller Williams Realty’s luxury division.
Key features:
- Navigates high-conflict situations involving parties with no-contact requirements or restraining orders
- Has a Certified Probate Real Estate Specialist in-house
- Abides by The Ilumni Institute Code of Ethics
Position Realty
Position Realty specializes in court-ordered property sales. Sean Heideman, the firm’s designated real estate broker, has a strong background in managing divorce, probate and partition cases. He has been a real estate special commissioner with Maricopa County Superior Courts, a 5-star Zillow Premier Agent, a Real Estate Owned (REO) listing agent for Bank of America and Xome®, and a member of Cushman and Wakefield’s commercial real estate appraisal department.
Key features:
- Has extensive real estate experience
- Uses creative, innovative strategies to overcome property sale challenges
- Nurtures established relationships with Arizona courts
Comparing Real Estate Special Commissioners in Arizona
Here is a glimpse into R.O.I. Properties’, AZ Divorce Realty’s and Position Realty’s services, foundation years and service areas.
| Firm | Services | Year Founded | Service Area/s |
| R.O.I. Properties | Judicial appointments
Receivership appointments Bankruptcy Trustee assignments Commercial and residential brokerage REO asset management | 2003 | Statewide, particularly Coconino, Maricopa, Pima, Pinal and Yavapai counties |
| AZ Divorce Realty | Special commissioner appointments
Fair house market value research Home improvement support Home staging Property sales | 2018 | Phoenix metropolitan area |
| Position Realty | Real estate special commissioner appointments
Co-owned residential and commercial property sales REO asset listings Property management | 2004 | Phoenix metropolitan area |
Choosing a Real Estate Special Commissioner in Arizona
Arizona courts do not accept any real estate professional to fill this role. Consider these factors to find qualified candidates:
- Valid Arizona real estate license: Only a licensed real estate broker or agent can be a special commissioner. Verify that your prospect holds a legitimate and valid license.
- Court-ordered sales experience: Navigating court-ordered property sales can be tricky. Evaluate a broker’s or agent’s experience in this area.
- Advertised services: Only some professionals explicitly advertise that you can hire them as real estate special commissioners in Arizona. Confirm if a broker or agent accepts judicial appointments.
- Unquestionable impartiality: Using a broker or agent associated with either party in any way defeats the purpose of using a special commissioner. Recommend someone nobody would suspect to be biased.
- Brokerage support: Neutral parties with a solid support structure can complete property sales more quickly. Know whether a broker works independently or how big an agent’s brokerage is.
- Preferred service areas: Arizona-licensed real estate professionals can practice statewide, but many specialize in specific areas. Find someone who serves your location.
- Local real estate market knowledge: Real estate professionals may be less familiar with markets outside their preferred service areas. Ask whether they have facilitated a transaction in your jointly owned property’s location.
- Adequate bandwidth: Property disputes often need immediate resolution. Use a real estate professional who can give your case the attention it requires to ensure speedy marketing and sales timelines.
- Clear communication: Articulate, transparent and responsive court-appointed agents and brokers ease the stresses of divorce, probate and partition proceedings. Assess how communicative a real estate professional is.
Empowering Your Arizona Real Estate Transaction
Real estate brokers and agents who know the ins and outs of court-appointed property sales can help resolve your case as soon as possible. Reach out to R.O.I. Properties, AZ Divorce Realty and Position Realty to see whether they fit your needs. Hiring a qualified special real estate commissioner can bring clarity and efficiency to a complex process. Their expertise can help protect your interests and ensure a smooth transaction.
