April 29, 2022
Valbridge Property Advisors | San Antonio was originally started in 1974 as Love & Dugger Appraisal Firm. Over the decades, the firm has grown and seen ownership changes, and today is managed by five directors. Of the 21 appraisers in our two offices, eight individuals hold the MAI designation, three hold the ARA designation and two are CCIM designees. With a trade area that spans half of the state (it’s big, y’all) – including central Texas to the southern border to the western border and the thousands of miles in between – we have a diverse team that truly does it all.
In addition to standard commercial property appraisals, estate planning work makes up a large portion of the firm’s portfolio. This work generally includes a heavy number of farms and ranches across the state, many of which are recognizably named and very large in size. Partial interest valuations are also a piece of the estate planning arm, as well as conservation easements.
Member involvement with organizations like IRWA has led us to be regularly involved in Right of Way valuations, working for cities, cooperatives, and other interest organizations.
As with most Valbridge firms, we are constantly looking for new appraisers to add to our team in the San Antonio office.
Meet the team:
Paul P. Grafe, MAI, CCIM, Senior Managing Director
Paul has been with the firm since 1988 and has experience in appraisals and consulting services in all types of properties, including multi-family, office, retail, industrial, research and development, warehouses, special purpose properties, affordable housing appraisals, and affordable housing market studies. He is an accredited member of the Appraisal Institute and a member of the Commercial Investment Real Estate Institute. He is also a real estate broker. He and his wife, Cynthia, have three children (two of which have followed his footsteps in the real estate field) and three grandchildren. He enjoys time with family, raising registered Boer goats, hunting, and fishing.
Merrill E. Swanson, ARA, Senior Managing Director
Merrill has been with the firm since 1989 and specializes in farm and ranch valuation. He is an accredited member of the American Society of Farm Managers and Rural Appraisers (ASFMRA) and is also a real estate broker. He served as National President of ASFMRA in 2015/2016. He and his wife, Elizabeth, have three children who all graduated from Texas A&M University (the oldest is also an appraiser) and enjoy outdoor activities with family and friends.
Bret E. Weatherbie, MAI, Senior Managing Director
Brett joined the firm in 2004 and his specialties include all aspects of real estate valuation, consulting, appraisal review litigation support, and expert witness testimony. Brett is a designated member of the Appraisal Institute and he currently serves on the Appraisal Institute’s Leadership Development and Advisory Council Planning Committee. He and his wife, Natalia, have two children.
Clint J. Bendele, MAI, ARA, Senior Managing Director
Clint joined the firm in 2004 and specializes in appraisal and consulting assignments related to residential and commercial properties, farm and ranch, and most notably, right of way services. He is an accredited member of the Appraisal Institute and an accredited member of the American Society of Farm Managers and Rural Appraisers (ASFMRA). He and his wife, Stacy, have four children and enjoy sports activities, school functions, and working in agriculture.
John P. “Tooter” Robertson, Jr, ARA, Managing Director
John “Tooter” has been with the firm since 2006 and specializes in the valuation of farms and ranches across the state of Texas. “Tooter” is an active member of the American Society of Farm Managers and Rural Appraisers (ASFMRA) at both the national and local level and also holds his real estate sales license. He and his wife, Jimma, have two children and enjoy their kid’s activities including youth rodeos, stock shows, sports, etc. They also enjoy working at the ranches and traveling as a family.