This document contains the most frequently asked questions regarding the the new Uniform Appraisal Dataset (UAD 3.6). Click a question below to expand the panel and view the answer.
When is UAD 3.6 required of appraisers?
We now have a good understanding of when UAD 3.6 will be implemented and in what stages:
September 8, 2025: Limited Production begins with just a handful of select lenders. Volume expected ramp up to 5% to 10% of loans be the end of this phase. The majority of work will still be the legacy UAD 2.6.
January 26, 2026: Broad Production begins and UAD 3.6 opens to all lenders. UAD 2.6 and UAD 3.6 formats will coexist.
November 2, 2026: UAD 3.6 becomes required for all new assignments.
Click here to view the new timeline.
How much does UAD 3.6 cost?
UAD 3.6 updates are included with every level of support contract, from Silver to Elite. It's what we did last time around, and it's the right thing to do.
What do the UAD 3.6 forms look like?
The concept of individual forms will go away. Instead, there will be one dynamic form that changes based on property type, loan type, inspection notes, and scope. Check out our blog post where we go into more detail about what to expect with the new form.
Where can I learn more about UAD 3.6?
Check out our videos and blog posts — and check out Fannie Mae's announcement: https://singlefamily.fanniemae.com/media/34686/display
Additional Resources:
Will a la mode have training for UAD 3.6?
Yes, of course! Check out www.alamode.com/UAD and our Facebook page for updates, news, webinars, and more. And as we get closer to implementation, you'll be able to watch additional videos and sign up for live, detailed training.
Is there anything I should do to get ready for the UAD 3.6 changes?
Going mobile NOW is the best way to get ready for these changes. UAD 3.6 has a drastically larger dataset, and because some sub‑fields don't show until a "parent" field is filled out, it's easy to miss some information if you rely on paper and clipboards. TOTAL for Mobile helps by showing you what you need in real time and prevents the need for return visits to gather data or photos.
Also, be sure to take advantage of the resources the GSEs have provided. They offer detailed timelines, helpful videos, and invaluable documentation of sample scenarios for you to get into the nitty gritty of the planned changes well in advance of any deadlines.
What is the "Learning Edition" of TOTAL and how do I get it?
Good news: You already have access as long as you have the latest TOTAL updates.
Think of the "Learning Edition" of TOTAL as a sneak peek at the new UAD 3.6 format. It has some basic functionality so you can familiarize yourself with the layout, but the XML TOTAL currently creates is not yet fully verified for actual assignments. Take advantage of this time so you're ready when TOTAL is verified for limited production.
How much appraisal volume is expected during the Limited Production Period?
From our understanding, expected volume is projected to be 5% to 10% of volume by the time Limited Production ends on January 25, 2026.
What happens if I receive a UAD 3.6 order? Do I have the option to complete the order in UAD 2.6 format?
Inform your client that you will need to complete the order using the UAD 2.6 report and that this format is valid until November 2026. Get confirmation from your client before actually completing the report, since they may need to adjust the order in their system. TOTAL will be ready for production with UAD 3.6 orders in November 2025.
Can I integrate my other a la mode products into these UAD 3.6 reports?
Integrations for our other productivity products is the #1 priority in 2026. See our timeline for when we expect to bring them online with the new report. Until then, one option would be to work up an appraisal in a temporary old UAD 2.6 form, then transcribe the data into the new engine.
How do I set my clients’ expectations as to when I will be ready for Limited Production assignments?
Assure your clients that you are actively preparing for UAD 3.6 during this time of limited lender participation. We have prepared the following updated readiness form that you may send to your client.
How do I gauge how long it will take to complete the new UAD 3.6 report?
That’s what this Learning Edition is all about. You’ll have the opportunity to work with the baseline product so you can get a feel for how the new appraisal reporting format works. As we build up all of TOTAL’s other features for UAD 3.6, we’ll be constantly looking for ways to streamline and simplify the creation of reports. Meanwhile, we recommend taking courses on the new format and learning how to use TOTAL for Mobile.
What should I do if I accidentally start a UAD 2.6 report and need to convert it to a UAD 3.6 report, and vice versa?
Due to the dynamic nature of the new UAD 3.6 report, and the fact that roughly only 6% of the data matches field to field in both versions, it will not be possible to convert an old report to the new UAD 3.6 format or vice versa. In this situation you would start a new report and manually copy any applicable data from the original.
How do I use 3rd‑party products such as TrueTracts, Spark, DataMaster and SwiftEstimator during Limited Production?
You can continue to integrate TrueTracts, Spark, and DataMaster and SwiftEstimator for UAD 2.6 reports. UAD 3.6 integration with 3rd‑party products are planned to be available by January 2026.
When do you expect to be fully approved for production?
Late November
When will UAD 3.6 be ready in TOTAL for Mobile?
UAD 3.6 will be available in TOTAL for Mobile in late September. This edition is to help you learn and get comfortable with the new format but is not intended for production work. The production version will be available in November.
Should I start creating template files with the Learning Edition?
Not yet. We appreciate your enthusiasm, but we’re likely to alter the internal file format as we finalize the PDF and XML generation. This means anything you create with the Learning Edition could be incompatible with the production-ready version of TOTAL, which is expected in November 2025.
That said, yes, templates will absolutely be supported. Initially, you’ll be able to create them using the “Save As” function. Later, the experience will evolve to resemble the SmartStart feature you’re familiar with from legacy 2.6 reports.
The Learning Edition is designed to help you get comfortable with the new UAD 3.6 format, but it’s not intended for production work. We recommend waiting until the verified version is released in November before investing time in building templates.
How do I create a UAD 3.6 report?
To create a UAD 3.6 report, simply click New on the upper left of TOTAL's Appraisal Desktop. In the SmartStart window, fill out the property details as you normally would. Then, select Yes next to Is this report UAD 3.6?, choose the appropriate report type from the dropdown below, and click OK.
Click here for step-by-step instructions on creating a new report in TOTAL.
How will QuickLists and Recent Responses work with UAD 3.6 reports?
QuickLists are being enhanced and will be available soon in UAD 3.6 reports. In addition to assigning hotkeys (like ALT+1, ALT+2) to frequently used entries, you'll be able to organize your QuickLists into custom categories - perfect for tailoring entries to different assignment types or criteria that matter to you. Since the fields in UAD 3.6 only match about 6% of UAD 2.6 fields, QuickLists are not being automatically converted.
Because UAD 3.6 relies heavily on predefined picklists, the traditional Recent Responses dropdown (which showed the last 10 manually typed entries) is not part of our immediate development timeline. However, QuickLists will help fill that gap. You’ll be able to save commonly selected picklist entries to your QuickList and recall them instantly by hotkey or by clicking the entry in the QuickList panel.
This means you’ll still have fast access to your most-used responses, even in a picklist-driven environment.