Did you know that starting November 2, 2026, every appraisal delivered to Fannie Mae or Freddie Mac has to use a brand-new form? That mandate date comes directly from Fannie Mae’s and Freddie Mac’s own UAD 3.6 announcements.

It’s called UAD 3.6, and according to Fannie Mae and appraisal-industry coverage, it retires the familiar static forms — the 1004, 1073, and others — in favor of a single, dynamic Uniform Residential Appraisal Report (URAR). Instead of a narrative-style write-up, the new report captures property details in structured, standardized data fields that adjust based on the home and the type of inspection.

Why does that matter beyond paperwork? Clear Capital, an appraisal technology and analytics provider, states that standardized data supports more powerful automated reviews, and the company has already built AI tools — including an AI-driven collateral analyzer and an AI-powered automated valuation model — that validate appraisal data against property photos. Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac already use automated valuations and appraisal waivers for many refinances and some purchase loans; this new structured-data format is designed to make it easier for automated review tools to work with full appraisal reports as well.

That’s raised real conversation inside the appraisal community about how much of the valuation process should be automated versus handled by a human appraiser who’s walked the property, understands the neighborhood, and can account for things a data field can’t always capture — condition nuances, recent updates, exterior items like proximity to high tension power lines or context about the local market.

What this could mean for your transaction:- A more detailed report. The new URAR captures more data — including room-level condition ratings, energy-efficiency features, and disaster-mitigation improvements — which can mean more time on-site and more time to complete.

– Possible closing timeline impact, especially early in the transition, as appraisers, lenders, and software providers all adjust to the new format at once.

– A continued role for human appraisers. A full appraisal is still required for most purchase mortgages — AVMs are primarily used for refinances or in cases where a waiver is granted.

This is general market information, not appraisal, lending, or legal advice — appraisal requirements and AVM eligibility vary by lender and loan program, so always confirm specifics with your lender or appraiser.

What agents and buyers can do now: ask your lender whether their appraisal software and workflow are ready for UAD 3.6, and build a little extra cushion into your appraisal contingency timeline for contracts closing this fall and winter while the industry works through the transition.

If you’re buying or listing in Hampton Roads this fall, I’m glad to help you think through timing around this change before you write or accept an offer.

SOURCES

1. Fannie Mae — Uniform Appraisal Dataset (UAD) overview and timeline: https://singlefamily.fanniemae.com/delivering/uniform-mortgage-data-program/uniform-appraisal-dataset
2. Fannie Mae — Available Now in Broad Production: UAD 3.6 and Forms Redesign (announcement, confirms Nov. 2, 2026 mandate and broad production start): https://singlefamily.fanniemae.com/news-events/available-now-broad-production-uad-36-and-forms-redesign
3. Freddie Mac — UAD Redesign Timeline fact sheet (joint Fannie Mae/Freddie Mac document under FHFA direction, confirms mandate date and submission windows): https://sf.freddiemac.com/docs/pdf/fact-sheet/uad-redesign-timeline.pdf
4. Dart Appraisal — UAD 3.6 Overview (industry summary of the dynamic URAR structure and retired legacy forms): https://www.dartappraisal.com/resources/uad-3-6/
5. Clear Capital — What is UAD 3.6? How the new appraisal standard will impact lenders (confirms structured-data-to-automation link and granular data fields): https://www.clearcapital.com/what-is-uad-3-6-how-the-new-appraisal-standard-will-impact-lenders/
6. Clear Capital — 8 questions lenders should ask about UAD 3.6 (AI-driven collateral analysis workflow, timeline urgency): https://www.clearcapital.com/eight-questions-lenders-should-ask-appraisal-providers-about-uad-3-6/
7. Clear Capital — Clear Capital Releases New Capabilities in Automated Collateral Analyzer, AURA (press release confirming AI-driven collateral analyzer, AI-powered AVM, and photo-validation tools tied to UAD 3.6): https://www.clearcapital.com/clear-capital-releases-new-capabilities-in-automated-collateral-analyzer-aura-to-support-uniform-appraisal-dataset-3-6-requirements/
8. McKissock Learning — The Future is Now: Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac Announce UAD 3.6 Implementation Timeline and Policy Changes (appraiser-focused summary of timeline and retired forms): https://www.mckissock.com/blog/appraisal/the-future-is-now-fannie-mae-and-freddie-mac-announce-uad-3-6-implementation-timeline-and-policy-changes/