3.6 Crunch Time

[Fnbpos]

Its now August - getting many calls - "are you ready for 3.6?"

I use ACI - for 35 years - don't want to change BUT -

1) ACI is ready on a technical basis, I guess. Couldn't get the report to the finish line - they acknowledged it, so perhaps its really not ready. Has anyone fully completed an ACI 3.6 to the point where it can be transmitted to a client ?

1A) No templates, no cloning, no kidding
1B) If a trainee works a file, the completed report cannot be sent to the supervisor through an office network - the files are in the ACI cloud or some other cloud - no kidding
2) Cloud-based .... At this point, ACI is going to regret this move.
3) All manual entry, no carry-forward fields. It's amazing, that any developer would create this type software.
4) Street Map and Sketch need to be completed on 2.6 and then pasted into the 3.6 report. If you dont let 2.6 software calculate proximity of comparables then you have nothing because 3.6 cn not do it. No kidding.
5) No color coded fields or sections - just a blast of white backgrond all "bleeding" together.

Positives you say ? Spell check as you go is nice. Software will notify you of areas in need of completion before a module is completed.

Have tried Appraise-it-pro: Not cloud-based, easy to use, templates = yes, carry forward fields = yes - likely other features I have not found yet.

Interested in the free Reggora software - have not received it yet - anyone have the demo ?

May have to use SFREP or Reggora for a year see if ACI can get it together. ACI has had plenty of time - no excuses - software malpractice (if there was such a thing).

To all software makers: Your #1 job was to create software that let ME - THE APPRAISER - complete the report in the SHORTEST AMOUNT OF TIME POSSIBLE. Apparently, you all didn't think of that.

 

[Trihard]

All the software is garbage.

 

[J Grant]

Imo it is not the fault of the software companies.

I fail to see how any software program can overcome the limitations of UAD 3.6. It is cloud based/web based, and a software program can not change that. It is not a form, so it can not execute the functions a stable form offers, such as pasting a comp from another column, etc. It will print as a form, but it fills out in real time. Jumping from one softare to another will not change that. Because it is web-based, all these newbie companies can join the party. All they are doing is charging you to use the "dynamic format" Fannie provided.

The way to make it function efficiently that I can tell is to autopopulate the comps we choose from one of the data import programs ( Alamode offers Data Source). Perhaps the tech Bro companies offer their own version of it, but regardless of which program or AI is deployed, the data imports from the MLS that WE pay for, in addition to the free public records.

Alamode is working on a merge function ( some call it a clone ) of a saved 3.6, so if and when that comes out, it will make things easier (I hope ). Alamode can save comments for 3.6, which will work similarly to how it works in 2.6. We have to create those comments from scratch again and save them.

If it is taking the established software companies, Alamode and ACI, this long to make 3.6 functional, then there are baked-in issues that make the "dynamic format" clash with the forms that can be printed and have to be transmitted to clients.

 

[Surf Cat]

Imo it is not the fault of the software companies.

I fail to see how any software program can overcome the limitations of UAD 3.6. It is cloud based/web based, and a software program can not change that. It is not a form, so it can not execute the functions a stable form offers, such as pasting a comp from another column, etc. It will print as a form, but it fills out in real time. Jumping from one softare to another will not change that. Because it is web-based, all these newbie companies can join the party. All they are doing is charging you to use the "dynamic format" Fannie provided.

The way to make it function efficiently that I can tell is to autopopulate the comps we choose from one of the data import programs ( Alamode offers Data Source). Perhaps the tech Bro companies offer their own version of it, but regardless of which program or AI is deployed, the data imports from the MLS that WE pay for, in addition to the free public records.

Alamode is working on a merge function ( some call it a clone ) of a saved 3.6, so if and when that comes out, it will make things easier (I hope ). Alamode can save comments for 3.6, which will work similarly to how it works in 2.6. We have to create those comments from scratch again and save them.

If it is taking the established software companies, Alamode and ACI, this long to make 3.6 functional, then there are baked-in issues that make the "dynamic format" clash with the forms that can be printed and have to be transmitted to clients.

Agree.... everyone knows what rolls down hills...

The GSEs focused on the data standard and outcomes, while the burden of making it usable in day-to-day appraisal work shifted downstream to software firms and appraisers.

 

[OSU Beavers]

I had my son put together a new Windows 11 PC just to deal with all the 3.6 testing so as not to muck up my 15+ years of TOTAL files. I had to switch from ACI to TOTAL in August of 2011 because ACI could not produce a UAD 2.6 report without crashing on me. With so many new vendors available now I have information overload and decision paralysis.

 

[Airstream]

I heard someone went through the Total training, and while in training they found bugs!! How in the blazes is this going to happen by Nov. 2? And then you have to use your calculator for all the adjustments, etc. I for one will not participate as a beta tester and go through the stress of it all. The GSEs are incredibly incompetent with this entire process. Frankly I just didn’t see the need for this monstrosity in the first place. I know of 2 appraisers that state they will simply do private work and/or find other employment to subsidize necessary income. Appraisers aren’t ready. Banks aren’t ready. Software isn’t ready. This simply is not ready. This needs to take another year to smooth out this process. My guess it will take another 6 months for software companies to get their acts together to have something actually workable without numerous issues. And then it will take a year before everyone can get comfortable.

 

[gregb]

Unless the GSE's claim it is impossible to do, a reasonable compromise is to allow lenders and appraisers the option to use either 2.6 or 3.6 for awhile. Trials are common before the rollout of aircraft and meds, why is 3.6 any different?

 

[DWiley]

Unless the GSE's claim it is impossible to do, a reasonable compromise is to allow lenders and appraisers the option to use either 2.6 or 3.6 for awhile. Trials are common before the rollout of aircraft and meds, why is 3.6 any different?

You mean like this....

 

[gregb]

Since the software companies and likely the lenders are behind schedule, the 11/02/2026 mandate should be extended.

 

[RCA]

I don't know why software companies that are completely focused on writing software for UAD 3.6 are falling behind. They shouldn't be.

I and (I am sure ) certain others really regard Fannie Mae forms as extracts, as summaries, that sit on top of what should be a much larger appraisal report. And any appraiser capable of doing a much larger appraisal that presents solid arguments and connects all of the dots - should find the "Extract" relatively easy to do, unless of course, the AMCs are making it more difficult than necessary by obsessing with nitpicking small items - or alternatively, the software companies are generating a continual stream of bugs or poor documentation or both.

Where's the problem? I don't know. I am not doing these appraisals now. But I am guessing it is software bugs. These appraisal software companies have NEVER been especially competent in the first couple of years after starting work on some new software spec. Alamode is the best, IMO, although I have heard good things about SFREP.

Their software should have a good 5,000+ unit tests of all sizes and shapes. They should have programs that detect bugs and report them to the users with suggested corrections. All the usual safety features from the old programs, plus more. Especially nowadays, with AI, they should have programs that are perfect.