09/18/2026
𝐈𝐟 𝐲𝐨𝐮 𝐩𝐥𝐚𝐧 𝐨𝐧 𝐛𝐮𝐲𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐨𝐫 𝐬𝐞𝐥𝐥𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐚 𝐡𝐨𝐦𝐞 𝐚𝐟𝐭𝐞𝐫 𝐍𝐨𝐯𝐞𝐦𝐛𝐞𝐫 𝟐, 𝟐𝟎𝟐𝟔 — 𝐭𝐡𝐢𝐬 𝐢𝐬 𝐬𝐨𝐦𝐞𝐭𝐡𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐲𝐨𝐮 𝐧𝐞𝐞𝐝 𝐭𝐨 𝐤𝐧𝐨𝐰.
One of the biggest changes to the residential appraisal process in years is coming.
Beginning November 2, Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac will require new appraisal reports submitted through their system to use UAD 3.6 and the newly redesigned Uniform Residential Appraisal Report.
And no — this isn’t just an appraiser problem.
It matters to buyers.
It matters to sellers.
It matters to lenders.
And it absolutely matters to your REALTOR®.
The old appraisal forms we’ve worked with for years are being replaced by a much more detailed, data-driven reporting system.
So what does that mean for you?
𝐁𝐔𝐘𝐄𝐑𝐒 — 𝐏𝐀𝐘 𝐀𝐓𝐓𝐄𝐍𝐓𝐈𝐎𝐍.
The appraisal process is becoming more detailed. Especially during the industry’s transition, communication between your lender, appraiser, and agent is going to matter.
Your agent should be asking questions before the appraisal becomes a problem — not scrambling for answers when you’re already trying to get to the closing table.
Ask your lender what appraisal product is being ordered, what the expected turnaround is, and whether their appraisal partners and systems are fully prepared for UAD 3.6.
In other words: the team you choose matters.
𝐒𝐄𝐋𝐋𝐄𝐑𝐒 — 𝐘𝐎𝐔’𝐑𝐄 𝐏𝐀𝐑𝐓 𝐎𝐅 𝐓𝐇𝐈𝐒 𝐓𝐎𝐎.
Expect more detailed information about the property to matter.
Updates. Renovations. Condition. Features. Improvements. Property characteristics.
This is another reason I believe a listing appointment should involve a whole lot more than deciding where to put the sign.
A prepared listing agent should understand what information may be useful to an appraiser, have accurate property information ready, know how to communicate appropriately with the appraiser, and anticipate potential issues before they threaten your transaction.
And yes — during a major industry transition, building a little breathing room into timelines may be wise.
THE BOTTOM LINE:
November 2 isn’t just a new form.
It’s a significant change in how residential property information is collected and reported in the appraisal process.
Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac have been preparing lenders, appraisers, appraisal management companies, and other industry professionals for this transition for quite some time.
Your real estate professional should be preparing, too.
So if you’re planning to buy or sell in late 2026 and your agent hasn’t mentioned the appraisal changes coming November 2…
𝙖𝙨𝙠 𝙩𝙝𝙚𝙢 𝙖𝙗𝙤𝙪𝙩 𝙞𝙩.
Because part of our job isn’t simply knowing how real estate worked yesterday.
It’s knowing what’s changing tomorrow — and having a plan before our clients ever have to feel the effects of it.
Want to know what these changes could mean for your upcoming purchase or sale?
Send me a message. I’m happy to walk you through what’s changing, what I’m watching, and how I’m preparing my clients for it.
— Sierra Arnett, REALTOR®
𝑅𝑒𝒶𝓁 𝐸𝓈𝓉𝒶𝓉𝑒 𝐵𝓊𝒾𝓁𝓉 𝑜𝓃 𝑅𝑒𝓁𝒶𝓉𝒾𝑜𝓃𝓈𝒽𝒾𝓅𝓈
