UAD 3.6 reports… my first response… (to be edited again if things change)
Appraiser Train · Learn & Evaluate
There’s a difference between improving a process and overcomplicating it.
After sitting through training on the new UAD and URAR format, one thing stood out clearly: many appraisers are still trying to understand how this actually improves real-world valuation.
The instructors were knowledgeable and approachable. But even within the course, there was acknowledgment that parts of the material may not yet reflect the final requirements. That leaves appraisers in a position of learning something that is still evolving.
And in the meantime, we’re expected to apply it.
What Appraisers Actually Do
At its core, appraisal is not about filling out forms.
It is about understanding the market.
We analyze:
- What buyers pay attention to
- What features actually influence value
- How properties compare in real-world conditions
That requires judgment, context, and experience.
Where the Disconnect Starts
Some of the new reporting requirements focus heavily on detailed categorization of property features.
The challenge is that not all details carry equal weight in the market.
When reporting begins to prioritize highly specific data points that buyers may not recognize or react to, it raises an important question:
Is this improving the analysis, or just expanding the report?
Real Markets Are Not Cookie-Cutter
Many appraisers do not work in uniform neighborhoods.
Instead, we see:
- Rural properties
- Lakefront homes
- Manufactured housing
- Mixed-age and custom-built homes
These properties do not fit neatly into rigid categories.
Trying to force them into a structured format can feel like trying to fit a square peg into a round hole. It can be done, but it often becomes more time-consuming without adding meaningful clarity.
What’s Still Needed
Appraisers are not resistant to change.
But we do need clarity.
Specifically:
- How this format applies to non-standard properties
- What data truly matters in the market
- How to balance detail with meaningful analysis
Without that guidance, the result is more questions than answers.
Final Thought
A longer report is not always a better report.
A credible appraisal comes from understanding the market, not just documenting every possible detail.
As this new format continues to develop, the focus should remain on credibility. Not just more for the sake of… more?
Progress alone is not the goal. As new technology moves forward, we need to stop and ask whether it is actually improving the way we understand value.
Note: These reflections are based on early training experiences with the new UAD/URAR format and may evolve as guidance becomes more refined.
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