UAD 3.6 LPP Early Adoption: Key Implications for Appraisers with Proactive Lender Clients

Hi, I'm Daniel Yoder. With the Uniform Appraisal Dataset (UAD) 3.6 Limited Production Period (LPP) kicking off September 8, 2025, much of the industry buzz is around lender preparedness. But what if your lender client is one of those early adopters? This isn't just another pilot program; it’s a live, production environment for the new UAD 3.6 and redesigned Uniform Residential Appraisal Report (URAR). For you, the appraiser, this means engaging with these significant changes sooner than many of your peers. Let's break down what this early entry into the new appraisal landscape practically means for your daily work.

You're Using the New URAR/UAD 3.6 for Real Assignments

If your lender client is participating in the LPP, you'll be on the front lines, using the new UAD 3.6 and the redesigned URAR for actual, live assignments. As we've highlighted previously, the LPP is a critical live phase, not a test run. This means you'll need to be fully operational with the new dataset and report format in real-world scenarios, moving beyond theoretical training to practical application. It's an opportunity to gain early experience, but also to navigate the initial learning curve.

Closer Collaboration with LPP Lenders is Key

The GSEs' "Limited Production Readiness Overview for Lenders" explicitly states, "It’s imperative that you, your vendors, and appraisers are ready to use UAD 3.6 and URAR." As a key vendor, expect closer communication and collaboration with your LPP lender clients. They will have undergone their own readiness assessments and will be counting on their appraiser panel to be equally prepared to ensure a smooth transition.

Early Access to UAD 3.6 Features and Tools

Working with an LPP lender means you'll be among the first to utilize the benefits (and navigate the initial learning curve) of the new system:

• A Unified URAR and UAD: You'll experience firsthand the move to "One URAR and one UAD for all property types," simplifying the forms landscape. This shift away from traditional form numbers is a significant change, as detailed in "Beyond Form Numbers: How UAD 3.6 Data Defines Property Types in the New URAR."
• Pre-Submission Compliance Checks: A major advantage highlighted by the GSEs is the ability for "the appraiser [to] check UAD 3.6 compliance rules with the GSEs before sending you the report." This will be facilitated by a new UAD Compliance API, which appraisal software vendors will integrate. This feature aims to reduce revisions and improve efficiency from the outset.
• Emphasis on Discrete Data: The new UAD 3.6 leverages discrete data, meaning less free-form text and no addenda, which should streamline the review process.

Your Software and Systems Must Be Primed

Your appraisal software must be fully UAD 3.6 compliant to work with LPP lenders. Lenders are required to verify that their own systems (like LOS) are updated, and the same expectation extends to their appraiser partners' technology. This is where proactive engagement with your software provider is crucial. As the industry moves towards more granular and standardized data, solutions like Valuemate, which are designed for efficient and precise property data collection, could become increasingly valuable in meeting these new demands, particularly with features like the UAD Compliance API.

The Importance of Proactive Training

The GSEs are urging lenders to "Use the industry training to make sure your staff are educated about UAD 3.6 and are ready to use it." This directive absolutely extends to you. If your clients are entering the LPP, ensure you've completed all available GSE-provided training (like the "User’s Guide to the New Uniform Residential Appraisal Report (URAR)" available from Q4 2024) and any specific training offered by your software vendor. The Lender Readiness Kit also outlines resources that are beneficial for appraisers.

Adapting to Operational Shifts

Lenders participating in the LPP will be implementing "necessary operational changes to account for new processes." This could impact your workflow, including how you receive appraisal orders, what information is required upfront, how reports are submitted, and how revisions are handled for these specific clients. Stay in close communication with your LPP lenders to understand these changes.

Your Role in the Feedback Process

Lenders and their vendors in the LPP will "provide critical feedback to the GSEs ahead of the Broad Production Period." While you might not be providing this feedback directly, your experiences, challenges, and successes in using the new URAR and UAD 3.6 will inform your lender clients, and thus indirectly contribute to refining the system for the broader industry rollout.

Benefiting from High-Touch GSE Support (Indirectly)

The LPP overview mentions that early adopters will receive "hands-on, high-touch support from the government-sponsored enterprises (GSEs)." While this support is primarily directed at the lender, any systemic issues or significant challenges encountered with the new UAD 3.6 or URAR during this period are likely to get escalated and resolved more quickly, which benefits everyone in the workflow.

The "What If I'm Not Ready?" Scenario

Given that lenders in the LPP must ensure their appraisers are ready, being unprepared could risk your position on their panel for these early UAD 3.6 assignments. This underscores the importance of proactive training, software updates, and process adjustments on your part.

Looking Ahead

The Limited Production Period is a significant milestone in the UAD 3.6 and Forms Redesign initiative. If your lender clients are among the early participants, it’s a valuable opportunity to be at the forefront of this industry evolution. Embrace the learning, communicate closely with your clients, and ensure your tools and processes are aligned. This early, real-world experience will undoubtedly provide a competitive edge as the entire industry transitions to this new standard.