10/08/2026
The home appraisal is getting a makeover this fall, and it's worth knowing about.
The report itself is changing. Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac, which back many conventional loans, are rolling out a new appraisal format called UAD 3.6. It adapts to the type of property being appraised, pairs photos directly with the details they support, and replaces shorthand codes with plain-language descriptions, meaning a clearer, more detailed report for everyone involved in the transaction.
Here's the timeline. PRMG started ordering appraisals in the new format for standard conventional loans on October 1, 2026, ahead of the requirement. Appraisals for those loans are required to use UAD 3.6 starting November 2, 2026.
For your buyers and sellers, there's nothing extra they need to do. The appraisal will be ordered in whatever format the loan requires. What's worth flagging to your clients: they'll typically get a copy of the appraisal, and the new format is designed to make it easier to see how the value was actually determined, which can help head off a confused call after the report lands.
If a deal in your pipeline is moving toward an appraisal, happy to walk through what to expect under the new format before it gets ordered.
Save this and share it with a buyer or seller who has questions about how the appraisal process works.
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