UAD 3.6 is entering its next phase. More appraisal reports are being ordered, completed, reviewed, and delivered under the new standard as organizations move into production.

While some organizations are already processing UAD 3.6 reports, others are still preparing for broader implementation ahead of the November 2 mandate.

For those organizations, the remaining weeks are about being ready to place that first UAD 3.6 appraisal order into production with confidence. That requires much more than implementing new technology. UAD 3.6 affects operational workflows, vendor integrations, cross-functional training, the teams responsible for ordering, reviewing, underwriting, and delivering appraisal reports. Successful implementation depends on all of those components working together.

Although the UAD 3.6 mandate takes effect on November 2, many appraisal assignments ordered in early October may ultimately be delivered under the new standard. That means lenders and AMCs can't afford to think of November 2 as the starting point. By the time those orders are placed, technology should be tested, workflows validated, employees trained, and business partners aligned.

That's why the coming weeks matter.

Are organizations preparing for the mandate—or preparing for the pipeline that leads to it?

Years of Preparation Are Paying Off

Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac have invested heavily in implementation, appraisal software providers have developed and validated their solutions, and organizations across the mortgage and valuation ecosystem have spent years preparing. Some are already processing UAD 3.6 reports in production, while others are approaching broader rollout.

In my experience, technology is rarely the hardest part of a major implementation.

People are.

Communication is.

Operations are.

UAD 3.6 Is More Than a New Report

Successful implementation depends not only on software, but on people, processes, training, communication, and operational execution.

Having worked across appraisal, lending, appraisal management, valuation technology, and industry education, I've come to view UAD 3.6 as much more than a new appraisal report. It's one of the most significant operational transformations our industry has experienced in decades, affecting appraisers, lenders, AMCs, technology providers, reviewers, underwriters, and everyone involved in the valuation process.

UAD 3.6 introduces a fundamentally different reporting environment. New data elements, redesigned report structures, updated software workflows, revised exhibits, and new ways of communicating property characteristics and analysis all require adjustment. Like any significant operational change, there is a learning curve as appraisers become familiar with the new report structures, data elements, and software workflows.

But appraisers aren't the only ones adapting.

Reviewers, quality control analysts, underwriters, collateral risk teams, sales staff, loan production teams, operations personnel, and technology professionals will all be interacting with reports that look and function differently than they have for many years.

That's why I hope organizations are asking questions that extend beyond whether the software is installed.

Questions to Ask Before October

Technology

• Are appraisal ordering platforms fully configured for UAD 3.6?
• Have loan origination systems (LOS), valuation management platforms (VMS), APIs, mapping services, and downstream integrations been thoroughly tested?

Workflow

• Are lenders and AMCs aligned on new ordering workflows and report naming conventions?

Training

• Are production and sales teams prepared to order reports without relying on legacy form numbers?
• Have underwriters, appraisal reviewers, quality control teams, and collateral risk personnel been trained to efficiently interpret the redesigned reports?

Operations

• Have pipeline cutoff dates and transition plans been clearly communicated across production, operations, underwriting, valuation, and vendor management teams?

Contingency Planning

• Have contingency plans been established for delayed assignments, rejected submissions, or unexpected technology issues?

These aren't simply technology questions.

They're operational readiness questions.

They're also customer experience questions.

Borrowers shouldn't experience unnecessary delays because internal processes weren't fully prepared for the transition. Likewise, appraisers shouldn't bear the burden of avoidable operational challenges that can be addressed through planning, communication, testing, and training.

Why October Matters

August and September provide valuable time to validate workflows, train employees, test integrations, identify gaps, and refine processes before October appraisal orders begin moving through production. Because the November 2 mandate is tied to report delivery—not appraisal ordering—the weeks leading up to October are the time to validate systems, workflows, and teams before those first production assignments begin moving through the organization.

The Final Stretch

November 2 will come whether we're ready or not.

The organizations that experience the smoothest transition won't necessarily be those with the newest technology.

They'll be the ones that prepared their people, tested their processes, and worked closely with their business partners before October arrived.

The standards are established.

The technology is available.

Now is the time to make sure your organization is operationally ready.

What is your organization seeing as UAD 3.6 moves into production? I'd welcome hearing your thoughts and experiences as we continue learning together across the valuation ecosystem.

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About the Author

Gynell Vestal is President of the American Valuation Society (AVS). Her career has included leadership roles across residential appraisal, mortgage lending, appraisal management, valuation technology, and industry education.