ANSI and UAD 3.6 for Appraisers

By on February 13, 2026   /   ANSI, new appraisers, New URAR, trainees, UAD 3.6, USPAP   /   Leave a comment
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Newz: ANSI and UAD 3.6, Trainee Inside the Fast and Cheap Model

February 13, 2026

What’s in This Newsletter (In Order, Scroll Down)

  • LIA AD: Buyer Wants Lower Price to Negotiate
  • ANSI Z765 and the New UAD 3.6: What Appraisers Need to Know
  • New York Lumber Baron’s Private Island Retreat Hits the Market for $2.7 Million—With a Historic 8-Bedroom Mansion
  • We Will Always Need Appraisers: Josh Walitt on Valuation, Technology, and Adaptability By Isaac Peck, Publisher WorkingRE
  • MY AD: What is new in the New URAR. List of data requests for each page of UAD 3.6 SFR report.
  • The Trainee Inside the Fast and Cheap Model
  • The Ethics of Credibility in Real Estate Appraisal By Timothy Andersen, MAI
  • MBA: Mortgage applications decreased 0.3 percent from one week earlier

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ANSI Z765 and the New UAD 3.6: What Appraisers Need to Know

Excerpts:

Why ANSI Z765 Matters More Under UAD 3.6

Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac have both adopted ANSI Z765 as the standard for measuring one-unit detached and attached dwellings. For years, ANSI shaped how appraisers calculated gross living area, but measurement practices still varied from one professional to another. Under the new UAD 3.6 framework, those differences matter more because:

The URAR now breaks out finished area by level, making ANSI designations part of the form structure.

Lenders run automated checks that compare the sketch, GLA figures, and room-level data for consistency.

Any mismatch can trigger a revision request, a CU warning, or a QC hold.

In short, ANSI is no longer just a best practice. It’s now deeply connected to how the form captures data and how lenders review appraisals.

Core ANSI Rules that Every Appraiser Must Apply

ANSI Z765 is the national standard for measuring single-family homes. Appraisers must follow the standard in full when required by the assignment. Key elements include:

Above-Grade vs. Below-Grade

A basement is any area partially or fully below grade, regardless of finish. Even if it includes high-quality living space, it must be reported as below-grade finished area, not GLA.

Ceiling Height Requirements….

To read more, Click Here

My comments: Good review of ANSI standards and how they change with UAD 3.6

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Appraisal Adjustments Tips

By on October 23, 2025   /   adjustments, new appraisers, trainees, UAD 3.6   /   Leave a comment
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Newz: California College offers Appraiser Training, Appraiser Adjustments

October 24, 2025

What’s in This Newsletter (In Order, Scroll Down)

  • LIA AD: Can an Attorney Really Force Me to Testify?
  • How to Defend Adjustments in Appraisal Reports By Jo Traut
  • Monumental Hollywood Hills Megamansion That Took 10 Years To Complete Is Listed for $125 Million
  • West Los Angeles Community College Launches More Accessible Home Appraiser Training Program
  • Flooded With Change: Appraisers Tackle a Dynamic URAR and UAD 3.6 by Isaac Peck
  • Mortgage Rates Won’t Fall Below 6% Anytime Soon, Top Economist Says in Grim Forecast
  • Mortgage applications decreased 0.3 percent from one week earlier

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Appraising vs. the Public Good?

By on June 4, 2021   /   appraisal, appraisal business, bias, cost approach, liability, trainees, USPAP   /   Leave a comment
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Has Appraising Failed the Public Good?

by Steven R. Smith, MSREA, MAI, SRA

Excerpts: The term Public Good is in the opening paragraph of the Uniform Standards of Professional Appraisal Practice (USPAP). An appraiser friend once wrote that our regulations and guidelines are intentionally ambiguous—and that may be. But what is crystal clear to me is that the industry has put the interests of its clients before the public good.

The Public Trust statement and the Ethics Rule have been largely ignored over the years with loan production put first…

What can an individual appraiser do to support the public good, even before they start an assignment? For me, the answer always has been to appraise the client and the appraisal assignment. There are some clients and assignments that simply should be avoided because of the wants, needs and desires of the client, with respect to the assignment results.

To read more, click here

My comments: I have known Steve Smith for a long time. To read more comments from Steve and other savvy appraisers, join the National Appraisers Forum, an email discussion group. I have been a member since it started. It is my “go-to” resource for appraisal topics. Moderated. Very different from Facebook and other appraiser online discussion groups where filling out forms and dealing with AMCs are discussed.

The future of residential appraising

Appraisal Business Tips 

Humor for Appraisers

Click here to subscribe to our FREE weekly appraiser email newsletter and get the latest appraisal news!!

To read more of this long blog post with many topics, click Read More Below!!

NOTE: Please scroll down to read the other topics in this long blog post on unusual homes, appraiser diversity, Cost Approach, liability, mortgage origination stats, etc.

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How to Fool the Appraiser

By on October 9, 2020   /   Coronavirus, COVID, fauci, FHA, mortgage loan volume, real estate market, Strange homes, trainees   /   Leave a comment

By Jonathan Miller

Excerpt from Jonathan Miller: She recently promoted her video called Fool The Appraiser a catchy marketing phrase to promote dishonesty. She literally has no idea how offensive this is to the appraisal industry and how unprofessional this makes her look to the public and her peers.

Excerpt from the video: “So, the purpose of the game is to fool the appraiser into thinking that the property is worth the agreed upon purchase price.

Because if we follow the rules of the game, the homeowner has already accepted an offer greater than list price. So how do we get an appraiser to think that the property is worth? The agreed upon purchase price which is higher than list price.”

To read Miller’s article, watch the 1 hour 17 min. video, plus transcript and webinar handout, click here

Direct link to broker video and transcript Click here

Note: Registration is required to watch it and read the transcript, but you can always use your “alternative” gmail address. If you don’t have one, get one. I have one.

My comments: Great training for real estate agents. NOT!! But, maybe you will see someone doing this. This video and handout will let you know what they are up to!!

Which Appraisal Clients are used the most?(Opens in a new browser tab)

What Is An Appraiser?(Opens in a new browser tab) Humor

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Tales of a Trainee at Appraisal Camp Sedona

By on October 8, 2020   /   trainees   /   Leave a comment
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By Bryan Aldridge, Appraiser Trainee

“Why don’t you come on an inspection with me?”

It was February 2020, and there were rumors about a new virus beginning to get traction. I was in retail leadership in Sedona, Az and beginning to wonder if I wanted to work with the public during a pandemic. And eventually write this story, Tales of a Trainee at Appraisal Camp Sedona.

Julie Friess was one of my true “local” customers in a store that relies on international tourism that floods Sedona. I did not realize when she uttered those words that it would lead me to take the biggest risk of my life and becoming a member of Appraisal Camp Sedona.

Foto: Bryan on the right, Julie next to him, Jason Vargo on the left, with Tracy Terry next to him.
Julie and her 3 trainees!!

The response of friends and relatives

You can imagine the response I got when I told my friends and family that I was going to leave a secure job (health insurance, industry-leading pay, Covid-19 bonuses) to become a Real Estate Appraiser Trainee.

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Women in Appraising

By on April 11, 2019   /   Appraisal Qualifications Board, Appraisal Standards Board, lender appraisals, marketing, Mortgage applications, new appraisers, trainees, USPAP   /   Leave a comment
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Women in Appraising

Karen Mann: An accidental encounter turns into a lifelong career in the appraisal industry

Excerpts: Karen Mann is a Certified General Appraiser in Discovery Bay, CA. In her 39-year tenure, Karen has made it her mission to help continue the evolution of the industry – serving on several national and local committees for both the Appraisal Institute and the American Society of Appraisers.

Karen’s success in the industry started with a fortuitous event that turned into a successful career and a lifelong friendship. Even today, she remains close to two of the mentors that helped her get started. Her leadership and activism in the industry have helped guide others just getting started, and her acceptance of technology has aided in her success.

“Becoming an appraiser has changed my world. I’ve now been in quite a few leadership roles in and outside the appraisal industry. And, I feel that I’ve had a very fortunate career. I’ve worked really hard, but for the whole 39 years (so far), it’s been an honor to be an appraiser.”

My comment: I have known Karen for over 30 years. She is a lot of fun also. I will never forget when Karen and I plus a couple of other women got on stage and dancing and doing karoke at a national Employee Relocation Conference (social event). Appraising interferes sometimes with cruising on her big power boat ;>
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Maggie Hambledon, ASB member since 2011

Maggie is president of Hambleton, Inc., a real property appraisal firm in Columbus, OH. She has been in practice for over 40 years, specializing in the valuation of residential properties, with an emphasis on litigation support.

She got started by Sheer luck. “I answered an ad to work as an assistant for an appraisal department in a corporation.  The luck was I had two pioneer male appraiser mentors who believed in upward mobility and this was in 1968! I was able to learn from the time a potential assignment was logged in through the entire process and to travel to other states to participate in large multi-property appraisal assignments.”

https://www.appraisalbuzz.com/international-womens-month-part-3/

My comment: How did I get started? After 7 years I was bored working in labs, started when I graduated from college. In 1975 I saw an ad for “Engineering Aide” at the county’s assessor’s office. It said “work in the field” (verifying county records before switching to automated valuation). Previously I worked on the 1970 census in the field and really liked it. I had never heard of appraising and got an appraisal book at the library. Have been appraising ever since!

Appraisal Business Tips 

Humor for Appraisers

Covid-19 Residential Appraisers Tips on Staying Safe

For Covid Updates, go to my Covid Science blog at covidscienceblog.com

To read more of this long blog post, click Read More Below!!

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7/26/18// Newz .Funny Appraisal Ad, IL C/R Survey, Basements and GLA

By on July 26, 2018   /   adjustments, appraisal how to, commercial appraisal, humor, statistics, trainees, unusual home, unusual homes   /   1 Comment
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The best appraisal ad I have ever seen – cats playing instruments, song appraisal re-title contest, etc.

 Just For Fun!

Short Excerpt: … submit a favorite song title– be it classical, jazz, rock, religious, country, or whatever- adapted to the appraisal business. Here are a few examples for starters (with a little literary license):
  • Appraising Pink Houses (John Cougar Mellencamp)
  • Measuring the House that Built Me (Miranda Lambert)
  • What Goes Up, Must Come Down (Spinning Wheel by Blood Sweat & Tears, describing the housing market)
  • Everything Happens to Me (Frank Sinatra)
Subject  line: Wednesday Wild Ideas from Intercorp
If you didn’t open it, or “opted out” of getting ads, Click here to read the full “ad” and see the cats!!

My comments: I have been doing ads for my newsletters since 1992. Boring. Boring. Boring. Yesterday’s Intercorp ad was the best I have ever seen!! Of course, my favorite is the cat playing cello. I play electric cello so I can amplify and use effects in my experimental music band, playing together for 8 years ;> Here’s link to a gig:  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Dk8zXPJ6hVA
AI Education

Great Spaces: Lakefront Living Goes Luxe

Just For More Fun!

Excerpt: To celebrate summer, in this month’s edition of Great Spaces, we’re highlighting some seriously serene lakefront properties, from Minnesota all the way to sunny Florida.
Click here to see the fotos:

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7 Strange home remodeling projects for appraisers

By on April 5, 2018   /   adjustments, Appraisal Foundation, Appraisal Qualifications Board, appraisal waivers, appraiser shortage, data, evaluations, lender appraisals, Mortgage applications, mortgage loan volume, new appraisers, real estate market, rental market, state appraiser regulators, Strange homes, trainees, unusual home, weird homes   /   Leave a comment
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7 Strange home remodeling projects for appraisers
Excerpt: There’s a huge difference between decorating for your own pleasure and spiffying up your home to sell. If you’re staying put and pining for a purple bathroom, go for it! The resale value of your eclectic tastes don’t apply.
3. Too much purple or yellow
4. Too much cold white
7. A statement door that makes too much of a statement
To see all of them plus photos and details click here:

Appraisal Business Tips 

Humor for Appraisers

Covid-19 Residential Appraisers Tips on Staying Safe

For Covid Updates, go to my Covid Science blog at covidscienceblog.com

Click here to subscribe to our FREE weekly appraiser email newsletter and get the latest appraisal news!!

To read more of this long blog post with many topics, click Read More Below!!

NOTE: Please scroll down to read the other topics in this long blog post on data, weird interior design, mortgage origination stats, Covid tips for appraisers, etc.

Read more!! →
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8-24-17 Newz .Fannie Freddie appraisal waivers, AVMs and HELOCS, Passwords

By on August 24, 2017   /   AMCs, AVMS, Fannie, fees, Freddie, lender appraisals, Mortgage applications, trainees   /   Leave a comment
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The Traveling Apprentices of Germany

 And you thought appraiser trainees have it rough!!

Just For Fun ;>
Excerpts: They hitchhike across Europe, instantly recognizable in the wide-bottomed, corduroy trousers, white shirts and colored jackets that identify them as bricklayers, bakers, carpenters, stonemasons and roofers.
While on the road, journeymen are not supposed to pay for food or accommodations, and instead live by exchanging work for room and board. In warm weather, they sleep in parks and other public spaces. They generally carry only their tools, several changes of underwear, socks and a few shirts wrapped into small bundles that can be tied to their walking sticks – and that can also double as pillows.
In an adaptation of the old rules to modern times, journeymen do not carry devices like cellphones that allow them to be found. They carry digital cameras, if they like, and write emails from public computers.
My comment: Fascinating with great photos!! Yes, there are women travelers now…

Passwords: What if Everything You Know Is Wrong?

By Shelly Palmer
Excerpt:  According to the Wall Street Journal, Bill Burr (the man who wrote the NIST memo back in 2003 that recommended the cryptic craziness and frequent replacement guidelines) has had an epiphany. “Much of what I did I now regret,” said Mr. Burr, 72 years old, who is now retired. If the reporting is accurate, he had very little evidence upon which to base the NIST’s recommendations. (Sort of makes me think about the USDA Food Chart I grew up with. But that’s for another article.) Why were Mr. Burr’s assumptions wrong?…
Do what the experts are now telling you to do. Start using the longest passwords possible. I would not use correcthorsebatterystaple, but “passwordswedontneednostinkinpasswords” will absolutely do the job.

My comment: Very interesting article!! Plus the Fun Cartoons ;> Passwords are a Pain.. I think one of the most popular passwords is “password”. Looks like finally there is another way.

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3-2-17 Newz .Appraiser identity theft .Data shows no appraiser shortage

By on March 2, 2017   /   AMCs, appraisal, Appraisal fees, appraiser shortage, forecast, Fraud, lender appraisals, Mortgage applications, mortgage loan volume, new appraisers, trainees, unusual homes   /   Leave a comment
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HUD Fraud Alert: Appraiser Identity Theft

 Excerpt: Most of the schemes happened when an FHA roster appraiser provided his or her personal identification number (PIN) for the desktop appraisal software to a colleague or supervisor. Providing the PIN was often rationalized because

* It was needed to keep the process timely,
* A fast turnaround was requested by the lender, or
* It was a contingency for when the roster appraiser was away or unavailable.
While these actions may seem innocent enough, they raise severe risks for misuse because the appraiser can never be sure the PIN will only be used with his or her knowledge and for legitimate purposes. Over the last couple of years, OIG has received more than a dozen reports of identity theft by colleagues or supervisors. Following are some case examples of the various schemes.
The identity theft examples were in IL, CA and WA
Click here to read the 2-page Fraud Bulletin:

My comment: Read the bulletin for more info. There was a lot of this reported when trainees were used in the last boom. All the appraisers were sentenced to 3-5 years in prison.

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How much value does a huge backyard shop add?
Another good post from Ryan Lundquist!!

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