Dealing with Multiple Offers on the Marital Home During Divorce
When a marital home hits the market during a divorce—especially in popular areas like Scottsdale, Arcadia, or the East Valley—it’s not uncommon to receive multiple offers quickly. While this sounds like a win, it often creates new conflict between spouses and confusion for attorneys.
In this post, we’ll break down how to handle multiple offers in a divorce situation strategically, neutrally, and profitably—while avoiding the drama that can derail a high-stakes sale.
💥 Multiple Offers = Multiple Opinions
In a typical real estate sale, homeowners celebrate when multiple buyers compete for their home. In a divorce, it often leads to:
Disagreements on which offer is best
Accusations of bias or sabotage
Delays in response timelines
Risk of losing the best offer due to indecision
Every hour matters when handling multiple offers—especially in Arizona’s fast-moving real estate market.
🧠 What Makes an Offer “Better” Isn’t Just Price
It’s easy to assume the highest price wins, but seasoned CDREs know there are other factors to weigh:
Appraisal Risks: Will it appraise at the offer price? If not, will the buyer cover the gap?
Contingencies: Inspection waivers, financing terms, and home sale contingencies can make or break a deal.
Closing Flexibility: Divorce sales often require extra time for legal signatures—some buyers can’t wait.
Earnest Money Strength: A higher deposit often signals stronger commitment.
🧭 The CDRE’s Role in Navigating Conflicting Opinions
As a Certified Divorce Real Estate Expert, I help both homeowners—and their attorneys—understand the nuances of each offer by:
Creating a side-by-side comparison of all offers, showing strengths and weaknesses
Staying neutral when presenting pros and cons
Offering expert insight on which offer is most likely to close with minimal risk
Documenting communication with both parties to reduce future disputes
In one recent case in North Scottsdale, we received five offers within 72 hours. The wife wanted to accept the highest price, while the husband preferred the all-cash offer with no appraisal. I presented both attorneys with a visual breakdown, including timelines and net proceeds estimates. The parties agreed—and the home closed without issue.
⚖️ Attorney Guidance: Keep the Process Clear and Fair
Attorneys can reduce risk of conflict by:
Including clear court order language allowing the CDRE to present offers to both parties simultaneously
Clarifying who has final authority to accept an offer—whether jointly or through an appointed Special Commissioner
Agreeing on a response deadline (usually 24-48 hours) to avoid buyer withdrawal
Requesting that the CDRE document communication timelines and offer details in writing for court protection
📍 Phoenix Market Snapshot: Timing is Everything
In hot ZIP codes like 85254 (Magic Zip), 85018 (Arcadia), or 85260 (North Scottsdale), multiple offers often come in within the first 5 days
Listings priced under $1.2M with updated interiors and good staging can receive 3+ offers
Delayed responses can cost sellers thousands, especially if the top buyer moves on or finds another home
💬 What to Say When Emotions Get in the Way
To the angry spouse:
“I’m here to protect your equity. Let’s review each offer side-by-side and focus on the best financial outcome for both of you.”
To the hesitant attorney:
“If we delay, we risk losing all the offers. I can provide a written comparison so you and your client feel confident.”
📢 Final Thoughts
Multiple offers can be a blessing or a battleground. But with the right systems in place—and a CDRE guiding the process—they become a powerful tool to maximize equity and minimize conflict.
If your client is navigating a home sale during divorce,
Then make sure they have expert, neutral representation to handle multiple offers with precision.
Barbara Woyak
Certified Divorce Real Estate Expert
Helping Family Law Attorneys and Divorcing Homeowners Navigate Real Estate with Confidence
📍 Serving Phoenix | Scottsdale | Arcadia | East Valley