The appraisal world’s long-planned re-platform went live this week — on a limited basis.
Starting today, the government-sponsored enterprises opened the Limited Production Period (LPP) for the Uniform Appraisal Dataset (UAD) 3.6 and the redesigned Uniform Residential Appraisal Report (URAR), allowing approved lenders and vendors to begin submitting the new, single report for 1–4 unit properties in live pipelines. Legacy forms will continue alongside the new URAR during LPP.
Think of LPP as a controlled trial inside production: lenders that complete readiness steps with the GSEs can send new-format reports to test systems, workflows, and vendor integrations in real time. The period runs through Jan. 25, 2026, followed by Broad Production from Jan. 26-Nov. 1, 2026, when adoption expands more widely across the industry.
What changes for originators and appraisal management partners? The new URAR replaces multiple legacy forms with one dynamic report populated by structured fields, drop-downs, and conditional comment prompts.
Instead of writing long narratives to describe condition or quality, appraisers select from standardized elements; the report asks for commentary when (and only when) the input indicates an issue that affects value or marketability. Over time, that design should reduce unnecessary revisions and shorten turn times.
A small but telling example is in condominium reports. The new URAR splits unit-level and project-level conditions into distinct data elements and requires a photo when a project deficiency is observed. That helps underwriters distinguish a chipped countertop from a failing parking deck, for example, and decide which issues are eligibility-critical.
Don’t expect everyone to switch overnight. LPP participation is limited to lenders and software providers who’ve cleared readiness checks. Appraisal software updates and lender LOS/AUS integrations won’t roll out on the same day, and many shops will route only selected channels or geographies into LPP while keeping the bulk of their flow on legacy forms.
That means originators should verify which channels (retail, correspondent, wholesale) are LPP-enabled at their company and which appraisal panels are ready, then set borrower expectations accordingly.
Fannie Mae has already issued a Selling Guide supplement for UAD 3.6, recognizing that appraisers will deliver both UAD 2.6 and UAD 3.6 reports during the overlap. Other agencies, including FHA, USDA, and VA, have signaled plans to adopt UAD 3.6 on their own timelines. For now, the GSE transition is the main event for conventional lending.
For LOs And Brokers
Your action items are operational. Ask secondary/ops which products and channels are LPP-enabled, confirm your LOS and AUS have the right builds, and check with your AMC/vendor about readiness and any fee or Service Level Agreement (SLA) changes.
For borrowers, be transparent: some files will still use legacy forms for a while, and a mixed environment is normal during a staged rollout.
What’s Next
Key dates are clear: LPP Sept. 8, 2025-Jan. 25, 2026; Broad Production Jan. 26-Nov. 1, 2026. If your shop wants to test in LPP, your GSE reps will look for a completed readiness questionnaire and evidence that your vendors and panels can deliver.
Even if you’re not in LPP, it’s a good idea to use this window to train staff on new data fields and comment logic so you’re not learning on the fly during Broad Production.
Conclusion
UAD 3.6 is a data upgrade more than a cosmetic form change. By structuring information and narrowing commentary to what matters, it promises fewer revisions and faster underwriting once your tech stack and panels catch up.
The near-term work is coordination: know which loans flow through LPP and be ready for a dual-track world through early 2026.
