New URAR Demo

[DWiley]

To be clear, if you clone a report, then you STILL have to fill in the drop-down sections - (not just make sure you have the right drop-down section )

No. In the software I am testing, if you clone a report the new report starts with the same drop down selections as the old report. It is a true clone of the original. Other software may behave differently. I do not have access to all the different software solutions that are out there.

 

[J Grant]

No. In the software I am testing, if you clone a report the new report starts with the same drop down selections as the old report. It is a true clone of the original. Other software may behave differently. I do not have access to all the different software solutions that are out there.

Which software does that? Is it SREP ( or whatever it's called )? If one does not need to fill in drop-down sections in real time on each order, it would be a game-changer -

If one can do that on a cloned report, then why not make a template with each drop down section filled out for each property type? (if that is possible )

 

[Fnbpos]

My original post mentioned Chat GPT. Let me clear that up. Chat CPT was not used for any part of the demo I used. I asked Chat GPT to look for any feedback on the new URAR. It produced its information, which was consistent with my findings - i rewrote and amended for posting (thus "the assist" comment.

The software company's main job should be to create software that requires the least amount of time preparing a report and offers the most shortcuts - add-ons - overall help in the process. Moving to a dynamic form in the cloud seems, on the surface, to be absurd and completely anti-productive - is there even one actual in-the-trenches appraiser out there who was consulted before they moved forward with this?

Unless this demo is just a partial of the finished product - here it is .....

No math calculations, no carry forward text to the same field in a different section, no template creation as far as I can see; no canned comments (this one has a work-around); no internal review program, NO Auto save, pictures go with each section - good idea - only problem - you have to drag/drop/save pictures to the report 6-7 times at the end of each section. There should be one area to download all pictures at once - drag and drop to their proper location in the report; sketch never opened for me; no report options/customizing, no environment options. Since it's based, if the internet goes out, you are out of luck until it's back on. (Summer storms in South Florida can be tricky with power outages and surges. Adding pictures was slow, numerous times I could not access the server - imagine when 1000's of appraisers are trying to access a cloud server.

There is much more data required - I don't have a problem with that. It's all about how we create the actual report - not the report itself.

If there is an appraisal software company that is producing a non-dynamic, non-cloud version, please let us know.

 

[Airstream]

I seldom clone a report unless the property is nearly identical. Too many places to make mistakes as J Grants state. The issue is making templates that save time… such as the description of the neighborhood, market characteristics, statistical analysis of the area, etc. And the thing is that I can make one template and use it for single family and condominium reports in one particular area.

 

[DWiley]

... then why not make a template with each drop down section filled out for each property type? (if that is possible )

As I told you before, that was one of the first things I did, because I thought it was one of the first things many appraisers would do.

 

[Airstream]

My original post mentioned Chat GPT. Let me clear that up. Chat CPT was not used for any part of the demo I used. I asked Chat GPT to look for any feedback on the new URAR. It produced its information, which was consistent with my findings - i rewrote and amended for posting (thus "the assist" comment.

The software company's main job should be to create software that requires the least amount of time preparing a report and offers the most shortcuts - add-ons - overall help in the process. Moving to a dynamic form in the cloud seems, on the surface, to be absurd and completely anti-productive - is there even one actual in-the-trenches appraiser out there who was consulted before they moved forward with this?

Unless this demo is just a partial of the finished product - here it is .....

No math calculations, no carry forward text to the same field in a different section, no template creation as far as I can see; no canned comments (this one has a work-around); no internal review program, NO Auto save, pictures go with each section - good idea - only problem - you have to drag/drop/save pictures to the report 6-7 times at the end of each section. There should be one area to download all pictures at once - drag and drop to their proper location in the report; sketch never opened for me; no report options/customizing, no environment options. Since it's based, if the internet goes out, you are out of luck until it's back on. (Summer storms in South Florida can be tricky with power outages and surges. Adding pictures was slow, numerous times I could not access the server - imagine when 1000's of appraisers are trying to access a cloud server.

There is much more data required - I don't have a problem with that. It's all about how we create the actual report - not the report itself.

If there is an appraisal software company that is producing a non-dynamic, non-cloud version, please let us know.

I really think you need to get a data collector in the field that will automatically sync pictures. I never have to drop pictures into my report. I take them on the alamode Mobile App and then sync data collected, pictures, and sketch into the report. Saves a ton time. Even sync comparable photos. If ACI doesn’t develop a mobile data collector, I suggest you get different software. Now would be a good time to change.

 

[J Grant]

I really think you need to get a data collector in the field that will automatically sync pictures. I never have to drop pictures into my report. I take them on the alamode Mobile App and then sync data collected, pictures, and sketch into the report. Saves a ton time. Even sync comparable photos. If ACI doesn’t develop a mobile data collector, I suggest you get different software. Now would be a good time to change.

I think one can still drop photos into the report - there just might be more photos in different sections.

 

[Fnbpos]

I think one can still drop photos into the report - there just might be more photos in different sections.

Photos can be dropped into the report just fine - the issue is that you have to complete that task at the end of each section of the report. Instead of dragging and dropping 30 photos into the report all at once, you will now need to drop in 3 photos to a section, 5 photos for this section, 4 photos in this section and so on....much more time needed.

Absolutely - a tablet and mobile app is going to be a must-have

 

[J Grant]

Idk where the field is going wrt dropping more $ for a quality tablet ( seems ipad is the way to go for lidar ) and spending the time needed to learn how to use the mobile app.

Every time there is an update about "exciting changes emerging for the appraiser profession!" it translates to less volume and or lower fees, as the trend continues to replace appraisals, or divide them into hybrid-type products with a lower fee for doing a section vs the whole. The hybrids have not yet affected my cliens but it can. Who knows. Clients feel the pressure as well to replace what everyone calls "inefficient" apparel with instant products, as if RE were an Amazon click sneaker purchase.

I might invest in the learning curve and cost of the app and tablet, ,,,, or not- want to see if work picks up, got dead slow here in the last few weeks after a busy summer.

 

[djd09]

Valuation Hot Topics: Four Things Valuation Professionals Need to Know Now (Sponsored by ServiceLink)​

January 26, 2026: Broad Production Period for UAD 3.6

Perhaps nothing should be circled on the calendar more than this date as the valuation industry embarks on the broad implementation of the most data-intensive valuation process ever undertaken. The redesigned Uniform Residential Appraisal Report (URAR) and new Uniform Appraisal Dataset (UAD) 3.6, as defined by GSEs Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac, is on pace to be the biggest change to residential real estate appraisal reporting since Dodd-Frank.

It’s a shift from a static boilerplate reporting form, a concept that is nearly 30 years old, to a modern and dynamic view. The new view leverages an expanded set of data points – upwards of potentially 1,500 data points – to move the industry forward. Those doing business with the GSEs will see the new URAR provides a lot more specific data, which is driven by the standardized definitions in the new appraisal report.

Lenders that were approved to participate in the Limited Production Period (which began September 8) are now accepting the new URAR/UAD 3.6 format on a small number of transactions. However, the rest of the industry must get ready, and it requires preparation. The official mandate to use the new URAR/UAD 3.6 begins November 2, 2026.

Valuation Hot Topics: Four Things Valuation Professionals Need to Know Now (Sponsored by ServiceLink) - MBA Newslink

With the steady beat of regulations, rules and new requirements in the valuation space it can be tough for valuation professionals to keep their finger on the pulse of what’s happening within the industry. Appraisers today must also balance volume challenges, learn new technologies and train the...

newslink.mba.org

the same woke jokes that waive the appraisals...taking food off your table...have new forms for you