ACI Sky Workbench Update

[glenn walker]

It's gonna be extended to May. First American spilled the beans.

Extended to Lenders that's not a go for appraisers except may help some if their working with lenders who are not up to speed. No matter what get good software and learn to use it so your not caught in middle.

 

[Airstream]

Gives time for lenders to fund and deliver 2.6 appraisals and ones funded often aren't packaged and sold to GSEs for months. This may help some appraisers but Biggest Players are going to be ordering 3.6 way before their deadlines and get prepared. The smart appraisers will use the lull to purchase the best software and learn to use it now and not get caught losing the lenders that get up to speed.

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UAD 3.6 Implementation — Delays for Appraisers and Banks​

There has been no official delay in the UAD 3.6 mandate, but Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac have created a temporary, one‑time policy exception for certain lenders (banks) that cannot meet the November 2, 2026 deadline, giving them until May 19, 2027 to continue using legacy UAD 2.6 appraisals McKissock Learning+2.

What the GSEs Announced​

On September 30, 2026, Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac confirmed that the mandatory UAD 3.6 implementation date remains November 2, 2026 for all lenders that have not requested an exception McKissock Learning+1. However, they introduced a temporary policy exception for eligible lenders that cannot meet that date:

• Exception period: Lenders approved for the exception may continue submitting UAD 2.6 appraisal reports through May 19, 2027 McKissock Learning+2.
• During the exception: Both UAD 2.6 and UAD 3.6 appraisals will be accepted for these lenders from Nov. 2, 2026, through Feb. 28, 2027 WRE News.
• After March 1, 2027: UAD 2.6 submissions under the exception will lose certain representations‑and‑warranty relief, increasing risk for lenders WRE News+1.
• After May 19, 2027: All new appraisal submissions must use UAD 3.6; UAD 2.6 support ends June 28, 2027 ABA Banking Journal.

Impact on Appraisers​

The mandate for appraisers has not been delayed. Appraisers should still prepare for the Nov. 2, 2026 deadline, but may receive both UAD 3.6 and legacy UAD 2.6 assignments depending on whether the client/lender has an approved exception McKissock Learning. The GSEs recommend appraisers work in both formats temporarily while building proficiency in UAD 3.6.

Impact on Banks/Lenders​

For banks, the only “delay” is the optional extension for those who request and are approved for the exception. This is not a blanket postponement — ready lenders must still comply by Nov. 2, 2026 McKissock Learning+2. The exception was introduced in response to operational readiness concerns raised by the American Bankers Association and other industry groups ABA Banking Journal.

Bottom Line​

• No universal delay — the Nov. 2, 2026 deadline stands for all lenders without an approved exception.
• Temporary relief exists for certain banks until May 19, 2027, but with increasing restrictions after March 1, 2027.
• Appraisers are not given extra time; they must be ready for both formats during the transition.

 

[Fernando]

Let's see. Higher appraisal fees for 3.6 or lower fees for 2.6. I wonder which form lenders will choose. Again GSEs out of touch with reality.

 

[Fargo1]

Aivre didn't waste any time wooing the ACI customers. Did they know something before hand, or are they just really quick on their feet. It could be they are quick on their feet. They are a small enough company to be quite nimble.

​

New $500 Discount For ACI Users:​

[/td]​

We know yesterday’s news regarding UAD 3.6 was a lot to take in for some appraisers of ACI. Adapting to a new system is always a challenge, and our team at Aivre is dedicated to helping you make a smooth, confident transition. Many we're left not knowing what their next option will be after the news by the legacy platform yesterday after doing months of testing. Right now can be confusing as you're unsure how to navigate this change. It's unfortunate for the ACI users and were sorry for you have to endure this. Now it not the time to wait, but to act and educate yourself on another software. To support you through this shift, we’re offering all ACI users $500 off ANY annual software tier. How to redeem your discount:​ Go to aivre.com/#pricing Select your annual software plan Sign in or create your Aivre account Enter promo code: ACI2AIVRE Complete your checkout and start using Aivre Offer valid through November 5th Click the button to participate in the Aivre Referral Program​

 

[glenn walker]

Aivre didn't waste any time wooing the ACI customers. Did they know something before hand, or are they just really quick on their feet. It could be they are quick on their feet. They are a small enough company to be quite nimble.

​

New $500 Discount For ACI Users:​

[/td]​

We know yesterday’s news regarding UAD 3.6 was a lot to take in for some appraisers of ACI. Adapting to a new system is always a challenge, and our team at Aivre is dedicated to helping you make a smooth, confident transition. Many we're left not knowing what their next option will be after the news by the legacy platform yesterday after doing months of testing. Right now can be confusing as you're unsure how to navigate this change. It's unfortunate for the ACI users and were sorry for you have to endure this. Now it not the time to wait, but to act and educate yourself on another software. To support you through this shift, we’re offering all ACI users $500 off ANY annual software tier. How to redeem your discount:​ Go to aivre.com/#pricing Select your annual software plan Sign in or create your Aivre account Enter promo code: ACI2AIVRE Complete your checkout and start using Aivre Offer valid through November 5th Click the button to participate in the Aivre Referral Program​

Can ACI survive the flight by customers to other providers ?

Once a customer is thrown under the bus it's extremely difficult to get trust back.

My bet is you may see a quick fire sale to another provider but the real question is unless one is only doing non lender work who'd not switch to another provider.

 

[Fargo1]

I'd be very nervous switching to one of the new Venture Capital funded guys like Aivre though. They could disappear just as quickly. The safest bet is probably alamode due to its size and SFREP due to it having the most up to date software stack prior to the change. SFREP just did a complete re-write 5 years ago using the latest 64 bit .NET framework. So they had a solid base that was ready for the upgrade. Alamode seems to be patching their old 32bit software instead of doing a 64bit re-write. So I think SFREP is nicer running software from my demos. But everything is pretty unknown at this point. I haven't looked into Bradfords Nighthawk. So I'm not sure what the status is there.

Tough times for ACI users either way. I'm still in shock. I wasn't a current user. But I was expecting ACI to have one of the better implementations. Especially with all the First American data at their disposal. I think all the software is really lagging. Its a tough time to change. Trying to anticipate who will have the best software and the best features is a tough call right now.

 

[Airstream]

I'd be very nervous switching to one of the new Venture Capital funded guys like Aivre though. They could disappear just as quickly. The safest bet is probably alamode due to its size and SFREP due to it having the most up to date software stack prior to the change. SFREP just did a complete re-write 5 years ago using the latest 64 bit .NET framework. So they had a solid base that was ready for the upgrade. Alamode seems to be patching their old 32bit software instead of doing a 64bit re-write. So I think SFREP is nicer running software from my demos. But everything is pretty unknown at this point. I haven't looked into Bradfords Nighthawk. So I'm not sure what the status is there.

Tough times for ACI users either way. I'm still in shock. I wasn't a current user. But I was expecting ACI to have one of the better implementations. Especially with all the First American data at their disposal. I think all the software is really lagging. Its a tough time to change. Trying to anticipate who will have the best software and the best features is a tough call right now.

I looked at SFREP. Didn't like it. Sketching program wasn't very good. No digital work files. No integrated Mobile app. And didn't like their adjustment process.

 

[Dublin ohio]

Aivre didn't waste any time wooing the ACI customers. Did they know something before hand, or are they just really quick on their feet. It could be they are quick on their feet. They are a small enough company to be quite nimble.

​

New $500 Discount For ACI Users:​

[/td]​

We know yesterday’s news regarding UAD 3.6 was a lot to take in for some appraisers of ACI. Adapting to a new system is always a challenge, and our team at Aivre is dedicated to helping you make a smooth, confident transition. Many we're left not knowing what their next option will be after the news by the legacy platform yesterday after doing months of testing. Right now can be confusing as you're unsure how to navigate this change. It's unfortunate for the ACI users and were sorry for you have to endure this. Now it not the time to wait, but to act and educate yourself on another software. To support you through this shift, we’re offering all ACI users $500 off ANY annual software tier. How to redeem your discount:​ Go to aivre.com/#pricing Select your annual software plan Sign in or create your Aivre account Enter promo code: ACI2AIVRE Complete your checkout and start using Aivre Offer valid through November 5th Click the button to participate in the Aivre Referral Program​

I think they discovered that they didn't re-invent the wheel. They had a previous $500 discount about a month or so ago for a limited time. Then they came out with their buyout program. Sounds a bit desperate to me

 

[Airstream]

Whatever ACI people do it better be done fairly quickly, because I seriously doubt ACI will now suddenly come up with a workable program by Spring of 2027.

This is not an industry-wide delay or an extension of the mandate. The November 2, 2026, UAD 3.6 mandate remains firmly in place. [1, 2]
The GSEs have explicitly structured this as a conditional contractual agreement for individual lenders: [1]

The Action Plan Obligation

• Forced Progression: Lenders cannot simply ask for an extension to buy time. To get the policy exception, they must submit a formal application detailing exactly why they are behind. [1]
• Agreed Implementation Plan: If approved, the bank enters into a strict contractual arrangement requiring them to execute an active, agreed-upon transition plan to UAD 3.6 with each GSE. [1]
• No Free Pass: It acts as a safety valve to prevent sudden disruptions to their loan pipelines, not a license to pause implementation efforts. [1, 2]

The fact is 3.6 is here to stay. Any banks still using the legacy forms will be on the hot seat to get their acts together and legacy appraisals will eventually go away. They may not go away 100%, but I would seriously bet there will be more 3.6 orders on Nov 2 than 2.6.

ACI really did their appraisers a disservice. I wouldn't count on them.

I really don't get the "delay." I have a little Savings and Loan I do appraisals for. They already have been using 3.6.

 

[Airstream]

I think they discovered that they didn't re-invent the wheel. They had a previous $500 discount about a month or so ago for a limited time. Then they came out with their buyout program. Sounds a bit desperate to me.

Nighthawk, SFREP, Total would be where I would start. The one thing in favor of Nighthawk is that it is a 3.6 stand alone. You could still use your ACI program for other work.