About Us

Southwest Associates is known for its competence and accuracy in providing appraisals, rental studies, feasibility studies, and consulting throughout Arizona. We are approved with virtually every major lender in the Southwest and have provided appraisal services to a variety of governmental clients.  We take pride in completing our clients’ assignments on time and communicating with them along the way to ensure their needs are being met.

The principal, Mr. Steven Cole, is an MAI designated appraiser and has been practicing as a real estate appraiser since 1975. Mr. Cole attended the University of California and received a Masters Degree in Business Administration from UCLA. He has been designated a Senior Residential Appraiser, SRA, and Member of the Appraisal Institute, MAI. Mr. Cole has been active as an educator and lecturer on subjects of real estate and economics. He has been an instructor for the University of Arizona and the local junior college, Pima College, as well as numerous other real estate organizations. Mr. Cole is a past chairman of the board of the Tucson Airport Authority.

Company History

Southwest Appraisal Associates has been in business since 1982. The firm’s only line of business is providing real estate appraisal and consultation services to clients in Tucson and all other areas of Arizona. Assignments in all aspects of the real estate appraisal field have been completed by the firm. These include commercial, shopping centers, office buildings, airport properties, medical buildings, single-family and multi-family residential, restaurants, special purpose properties and vacant land.

 

The firm also specializes in absorption studies, feasibility studies, marketability studies. The firm has completed multiple assignments for government agencies such as Arizona Department of Transportation, Pima County and the City of Tucson. This includes condemnation and right-of-way appraisals.

Meet The Staff

Steven R. Cole, MAI, SRA, AI-gRS

FORMAL EDUCATION: Bachelor of Arts Degree with high honors, University of California, Santa Barbara, 1971 Master’s Degree in Business Administration, University of California, Los Angeles, 1973. Concentration: Urban Land Economics. 

The institute conducts a voluntary program of continuing education for its designated members. MAI’s and RM’s who meet the minimum standards of this program are awarded periodic educational certification. As of the date of this report, Steven R. Cole, MAI, SRA, AI-GRS, has completed the continuing education program for Designated members of the Appraisal Institute through December 31, 2024. Senior Residential Appraiser (SRA), of the Appraisal Institute. This designation signifies expertise in the valuation of residential properties of 1 to 4 units. The AI-GRS signifies General Review Specialist, of the Appraisal Institute. This designation signifies expertise in the review of appraisals of general real estate properties. EXPERIENCE: Includes valuation of most types of urban real property: single and multi-family residential, commercial, industrial, and vacant land. Experience also includes special purpose properties, feasibility studies, leased fee and leasehold interest, counseling, and appraisal for condemnation.  

ADDITIONAL EDUCATIONAL AND PROFESSIONAL ACTIVITY:  Publication of articles in Professional Journals: “A New Methodology for Estimating Highest and Best Use”, Real Estate Appraiser and Analyst, “ Estimating the Value of Proposed Developments by Discounting  Cash Flow”, Real Estate Review. Formerly a Certified Instructor with the Appraisal Institute for “Highest and Best Use Applications”, “Feasibility Analysis and Highest and Best Use- Nonresidential Properties”, and “Principles and Procedures of Real Estate Appraisal”. Associate Faculty, University of Arizona and Pima Community College: “Real Estate Appraisal Principles” and “Basic Valuation Procedures.”  Instructor: Tucson Board of Realtors, American Bar Association, Hogan School of Real Estate.  

President of Southern Arizona Chapter #116, Appraisal Institute, 1983-84.  President for the Arizona State Chapter #41, Appraisal Institute, 1990.  Chairman, Pima County Real Estate Council, 2003-2004, Director 1989-2007. Chairman, Tucson Airport Authority Chairman, 2015. Board of Directors, 2011-2016. Member, Tucson Airport Authority, 2007- Present. 

APPROVED APPRAISER:  With most major commercial banks and mortgage companies in Arizona. STATE CERTIFICATIONS:  Arizona Certified General Real Estate Appraiser Number 30130. Currently certified through August 31, 2022. Currently licensed Arizona Property Tax Agent #2017029.  Currently licensed Arizona State licensed Real Estate Salesperson. Expiration date April 30, 2024

John Medley

FORMAL EDUCATION: Bachelor of Arts Degree, University of Arizona, Tucson, 2008 PROFESSIONAL EDUCATION: Successful completion of examinations for the following courses: “Basic Appraisal Principles" and “Basic Appraisal Procedures" "Residential Sales Comparison and Income Approaches” "Residential Market Analysis and Highest and Best Use" "Advanced Residential Applications and Case Studies” “Residential Appraiser Site Valuation and Cost Approach” “Statistics, Modeling and Finance” “Residential Report Writing and Case Studies” EXPERIENCE: Includes valuation of most types of commercial, industrial, and vacant land. Experience also includes aviation properties, special purpose properties, fee simple and leasehold interests. STATE CERTIFICATION: Arizona Registered Trainee Appraiser Number RTA-1022415. Currently certified through April 27, 2024.

Susanne Grace-Poore

Certified General Real Estate Appraiser with 20 years of experience appraising retail, office, industrial, subdivisions, apartments, single-family residences, and vacant land. Experience also includes before and after valuations for condemnation purposes and equestrian facilities.

Brett Quadt

Brett Quadt is a Residential Appraisal Specialist with Southwest Appraisal Associates and is responsible for appraisal of residential properties including single family residences, townhomes, condominiums, manufactured homes, and multi-family dwellings. Prior to joining SWAA, Brett served as the Senior Vice President of Loffa Interactive Group and managed many day-to-day operations including marketing, account management, human resources, and client onboarding. Brett also worked in a variety of roles with the Cigna Corporation including Marketing & Communications, Claim Management, Human Resources, and Operations and was very instrumental in the launching of several limited-benefit medical insurance products such as Starbridge Select, Crew Select, and Fundamental Care. In addition, he is a former licensed Realtor® in the state of Arizona. Brett has a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration (Marketing) from the University of Arizona and also serves as Board President of the ABH, NAFIP & SITA association groups.

Dustin Perrin

CRE Research and Data Analyst – Information Technology Specialist FORMAL EDUCATION: University of Arizona, 2019-2022 Bachelor of Science – Retailing and Consumer Sciences. College of Agriculture and Life Sciences










Over 45 years of real estate appraisal experience in southern Arizona in the commercial, industrial, and residential fields. Appraisal of single-family/multi-residential, planned unit developments for mortgage lending, relocation, estate, private sources and repossession purposes.

Appraisal assignments have included a wide variety of residential, commercial and land appraisals.