New URAR and UAD 3.6 Appraisal Fees, AMC Tech Fees
February 6, 2026
What’s in This Newsletter (In Order, Scroll Down)
- LIA AD: Using trainees – the safe way
- Will the New URAR and UAD 3.6 Impact Appraisal Fees?
- It looks like an SF apartment complex. It’s actually a $32M estate.
- From Dealerships to AMCs: Tech Fees as the New Normal by Desiree Mehbod
- MY AD: New in the February 2026 issue of Appraisal Today. Book Review: Mein Comp: The Last Appraiser
- “Because Houses Are Human” AI and Appraisers By David Hyman
- Architecture Is About to Grow a Nervous System
- Buildings that are alive
- MBA: Mortgage applications decreased 8.5 percent from one week earlier
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Will the New URAR and UAD 3.6 Impact Appraisal Fees?
Excerpts: With the new URAR and UAD 3.6 rolling out this year, you may be wondering what effect this will have on your fees. While there’s still a lot of uncertainty and speculation around this question, we’re sharing the opinions of professional real estate appraisers who answered our survey, “How do you anticipate the new URAR/UAD 3.6 changes will impact your appraisal fees?”
FEE INCREASES
Over 40% of respondents said they expect their appraisal fees to increase. Still, many respondents (28%) said they anticipate that fees will remain static, and 31% said they are not sure yet. Read their comments below to learn why or why not some appraisers believe their fees will increase with the new URAR and UAD 3.6.
APPRAISER RESPONSES
I Expect Fees to Increase” (41%)
“I have had ample time to practice the new 3.6 through my software and the inspection time will be increasing substantially…. Inspections are going to take some time especially if the dwelling is more than 1,000sf, which most in my market area are well above that. The report cannot be submitted until all sections are 100% complete, so there will be more time contacting agents, homeowners, town facilities, etc. Hoping the learning curve will be quicker than it appears at this point in time.”
I Expect Fees to Stay About the Same” (28%)
FEES REMAIN THE SAME
“I think it will be more labor intensive in the field but easier once you get back to the office.”
“I expect fees to stay the same. There may be less form filling; however, the analysis will remain the same. It’s not about the form or the analytics tools we use; it’s the analysis itself.”
The Bottom Line
While many appraisers anticipate that UAD 3.6 and the new URAR will initially require more time, tighter workflows, and new technology investments, the longer-term outlook is more balanced and, in many ways, promising.
Transitions of this scale often come with short-term growing pains, but clearer data standards, more structured reporting, and modernized tools are designed to create greater consistency and efficiency once the learning curve levels out. As several respondents pointed out, it will take real-world experience to understand where timelines and workloads ultimately settle.
At the same time, the new form offers appraisers a stronger platform to demonstrate the depth of their analysis, judgment, and market expertise.
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My comments: THIS IS THE HOTTEST TOPIC IN RESIDENTIAL LENDER APPRAISING. Appraiser opinions are useful but we all want to know what AMCs are planning for fees. I anticipate higher fees by AMCs, borrowers and direct lenders. I have been writing about what is happening since early this year, including details of all the “questions” and uncertainties on the SFR report.
Another significant fee factor is that many appraisers are retiring or quitting because they don’t want to learn the UAD 3.6 for appraisers. Those who stay will have lots of appraisal work as the 11-2-26 mandatory deadline approaches.
UAD 3.6 is not mandatory until November 2, 2026. The Legacy forms will be used during the transition. Will it be done by 11-2-26? Now, software vendors and lenders are way behind. 11-2-27 new mandate date???
On the plus side, 41% of appraisers said fees would go up and are positive about the new reports.
