The Federal Housing Administration (FHA) took another step forward in its transition to utilizing the modernized Uniform Appraisal Dataset (UAD) 3.6, which promises to provide a standardized, data-driven process for mortgage appraisals.
The updates are intended to build on guidance issued in August 2025 (FHA INFO 2025-42) to strengthen collateral risk management for the FHA Single Family program and align with industry-wide adoption efforts.
The new UAD 3.6 Uniform Residential Appraisal Report (URAR) is slated to replace the current Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac appraisal forms with a single report format covering all residential property types.
While the government-sponsored enterprises (GSEs) are required to adopt the new framework on Nov. 2, the FHA’s mandatory transition will not begin until stakeholders have sufficient time to complete system updates and testing, according to the release.
The agency also noted the development of its technology systems is nearing completion, and beta testing with a limited group of mortgagees is already underway. It also noted it is seeking additional participants for the testing phase and plans to announce an optional transition period following successful completion of beta testing, which will begin before the GSEs’ mandatory implementation date.
The FHA’s Electronic Appraisal Delivery (EAD) portal has been updated to include a new implementation resource center, complete with a “UAD 3.6 Implementation Preparedness Toolbox.” The toolbox was designed to provide technical specifications, documentation and guidance to help lenders, appraisers, technology providers and other stakeholders prepare for changes related to the transition.
The FHA has encouraged mortgagees, FHA-approved appraisers and software vendors to begin preparing their technology and business processes for the UAD 3.6 transition.
The agency noted that the EAD portal is now ready for development using the new EAD 3.6 application programming interface (API) and supports appraisal submission testing in the Veros Integration environment, while prospective direct integrators may request a Technical Integration Guide from the FHA Resource Center.