On July 31, Class Valuation hosted the first in a series of webinars on the upcoming Uniform Appraisal Dataset (UAD) 3.6 rollout and what it means for lenders, appraisers, and technology partners. The session was led by Mark Walser, SVP of Sales; Ashlee Randall, Senior Vice President; Tim Staudenmaier, EVP of Product Development; and Ken DeFeo, Senior Collateral Risk Manager at Fannie Mae. Together, they provided a high-level overview of the new UAD 3.6 standard, key changes from the legacy 2.6 format, and practical steps to prepare for the November 2, 2026, GSE mandate.
Attendees from the mortgage industry participated, raising essential questions about timelines, fees, IT requirements, Collateral Underwriter integration and handling non-GSE loan types such as FHA and HELOCs. This blog answers 10 top questions and provides additional resources, including a link to the webinar replay.
1. Since FHA hasn’t announced switching over to UAD 3.6 yet, will ordering an appraisal be confusing if our systems have to handle both the legacy reports and the new UAD format?
FHA has been part of the UAD 3.6 design process, and its requirements are embedded in the standard, although adoption timing may differ. Class Valuation will run a dual process, offering both 2.6 and 3.6 until at least November 2, 2026, a GSE mandate. Orders can be designated as 2.6 or 3.6, ensuring appraisers receive the correct format. This means lenders can roll out 3.6 gradually without disrupting current FHA workflows. The key step is confirming LOS/AMS readiness for both versions and training staff to order the correct format until all loan types are fully aligned.
2. Is this change going to cause a mass exodus of appraisers?
The industry does not expect a mass departure. While some appraisers may initially feel pressure from the learning curve, 3.6 is designed to be more intuitive, easier to read, and less repetitive than 2.6. The enhanced structure supports automation and reduces manual text entry, which may eventually improve efficiency. Class Valuation trains staff and pilot appraisers early, partners with education providers, and phases in broader panel adoption. This mirrors the 2.6 rollout, where early apprehension gave way to routine use. With the right resources and gradual onboarding, appraisers should adapt without widespread attrition.
3. What do lenders actually need to do to start this process — do we just learn the new reports?
Learning the form is just one part. Lenders should:
- Confirm LOS/AMS vendors’ timelines for 3.6 readiness
- Test ZIP file intake and handling (PDF, XML, images)
- Update engagement letters to remove form-specific references
- Adjust QC checklists for the new data structure
- Train underwriting staff on the layout and CU output changes
- Access the GSE readiness kits, sample reports, and 4-hour training module
Our experts recommend planning a phased rollout by geography or product type to allow lenders to practice before full compliance, avoiding last-minute operational stress.
4. Will the new UAD 3.6 format impact HELOC appraisals?
Little will change for HELOCs that rely on BPOs or limited desktops. When a HELOC requires a full appraisal, the format depends on whether it’s delivered to a GSE. Post-November 2026, GSE-bound HELOC appraisals must use 3.6. Non-GSE loans can still use 2.6, but lenders may choose 3.6 for consistency and data quality advantages. The enhanced structure can help portfolio lending, too, particularly if lenders use appraisal data for analytics. Lenders can retain 2.6 for specific HELOC workflows and use 3.6, which offers benefits.
5. Will appraisers all be on the same timeline, or will the rollout be staggered?
The rollout will be flexible. Lenders can specify the format per order, and Class Valuation can route 3.6 orders to already trained appraisers. The official timeline is: limited production in September 2025, broad output in January 2026, and GSE mandate on November 2, 2026. This approach allows lenders to begin adoption by testing specific counties or product lines before scaling up. It also avoids overloading appraisers and systems, giving time for targeted readiness work and training before full industry compliance is required. To plan your migration and be ready ahead of the mandate, schedule a custom consultation with Class Valuation.
6. Will Class Valuation still accept 2.6 reports after the mandate?
Class Valuation will fully align with the GSE-mandated transition to UAD 3.6. We will begin supporting limited production in September 2025 and broad production in January 2026, during which time we’ll continue to accept both UAD 2.6 and 3.6 reports to give lenders flexibility as they prepare. After the November 2, 2026 mandate, Class Valuation will only accept new 3.6 submissions, with one exception: resubmissions of previously delivered 2.6 reports will be allowed until May 3, 2027, if tied to the original document ID. Our goal is to guide lenders through this timeline and ensure a seamless transition.
7. What involvement will our IT department need for UAD 3.6?”
IT departments must ensure systems can handle and store larger ZIP appraisal packages containing the PDF, XML, and separate JPEG images. This may involve adjusting firewall or email filters to allow ZIPs, and confirming storage and archiving processes. If the lender is submitting directly to UCDP, they need to ensure systems are updated to extract the XML from the zip Middleware platforms must also be tested for compatibility. IT teams should run end-to-end tests with sample 3.6 files before live use to confirm file flow, security, and integration with QC tools.
8. How will Collateral Underwriter (CU) compare current to new forms and keep model consistency?
CU will support both 2.6 and 3.6 during the transition. The most visible change will be combined bedroom/bath counts in 3.6, with details accessible via hover or expanded views. Eventually, CU will sunset the older display format. The structured, standardized data in 3.6 will enhance CU’s analysis and comparability, improving model accuracy over time. Lenders should train underwriters to interpret these new displays and ensure that internal QC processes are updated to reflect the revised field formats and data presentation.
9. Will appraisers need iPhones instead of Androids since iPhones have Lidar?
No. Lidar is not mandatory for UAD 3.6. While iOS devices offer Lidar-based measuring, many forms providers will support iOS and Android through their own apps or integrated third-party tools. Some advanced imaging features may only be available on iOS, but Android users can still complete 3.6 appraisals. The choice of device will depend on the software the appraiser uses, not on the UAD 3.6 standard itself. Lenders should ensure their panels know available options and aren’t excluded based on device preference.
10. So there will no longer be an ENV or PDF/XML … how will we get the reports?
That’s correct. ENV files are not part of 3.6. Instead, deliverables will be a ZIP file containing the PDF report, XML data, and individual JPEG images. This enables direct image analysis and avoids scraping from PDFs. For 2.6, ENV will still be supported for legacy appraisals. Lenders whose platforms rely on ENV must work with vendors to support ZIP intake. IT teams should prepare for larger files and ensure secure handling. This shift also offers lenders new automation opportunities for reviewing structured data and property images.
Contact the Class Valuation team if you have questions about transitioning to UAD 3.6.
For Class Valuation customers, we are offering a custom consultation to help you gauge your readiness and plan your transition timeline to UAD 3.6 reports. Schedule your custom UAD 3.6 consultation today.
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