10/06/2026
If you haven’t talked about appraisal changes with your buyers lately, now is a good time.
The appraisal process has been going through a major overhaul in 2026, and another big milestone hits November 2.
Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac are moving to UAD 3.6, which changes the way property information is collected and reported. Instead of relying on the same appraisal forms we’ve used for years, the new system uses a more detailed, dynamic report designed to better reflect the actual property.
For buyers and agents, that can mean seeing more detailed information about the home, its condition, features and characteristics in the appraisal report.
Starting November 2, 2026, UAD 3.6 becomes mandatory for new appraisal submissions to Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac. The remaining pipeline of older UAD 2.6 appraisals will phase out completely by May 2027.
I’ve been in mortgage lending since 2001, and changes like this are exactly why I believe buyers and agents need a lender who keeps up with what is happening behind the scenes.
The appraisal may look different. The goal is still the same: understand the property, protect the transaction and keep everyone prepared for what comes next.