To start using UAD Reader, double-click on the UAD Reader icon on your desktop, or click Start, (All) Programs, UAD Reader, UAD Reader.

Alternately, if you chose to associate MISMO XML files with UAD Reader during installation, you can simply double-click any MISMO XML file on your PC, or even in an e-mail (if that's supported by your e-mail client.)

While the GSEs have implemented the requirement that appraisals be delivered in UAD format, and with MISMO 2.6 XML, there are some important distinctions to be aware of.

1. The PDF is the only part that's an actual appraisal report.
2. The XML is NOT an appraisal. It's a subset provided for reviewing convenience.
3. The XML shouldn't vary from the PDF values on the UAD fields.
4. The XML will never contain formatting.
5. The XML will be missing almost all of the non-valuation addenda, such as invoices, cover letters, photo pages, etc.

Send an e-mail to UADExperts@alamode.com and your issue will be addressed as soon as possible. Since this is the Public Beta version, phone support is not available.

No, but almost. As you're looking through the form, you may see a small number of fields or checkboxes that are empty, although they contain data in the PDF (as well as in the native appraisal file created from the appraiser's formfiller). The reason is that UAD Reader loads the UAD MISMO XML generated from the appraisal, and not the original native appraisal file itself. Because MISMO XML doesn't contain every field on every form, UAD Reader can only display data for the fields contained in the XML file.

In the 1004 (URAR) and 2055 (Drive By) forms, for example, you may notice the following as being empty in fields or Dynamic Field Expansion (DFE) windows on the form:

Improvements Section:

• The Actual Age DFE that displays when clicking Effective Age
  The text comment field next to the "Individual" checkbox under Cooling
  

Cost Approach Section:

• When clicking a DFE that includes the "Check this box when including the Cost Approach"
  The Effective Age and Lifespan fields in the Depreciation Calculation scratchpad
  

Additional Comps Pages:

• UAD requires the Analysis/Comments section to be combined with the data in the Summary of Sales Comparison Approach field beneath the grid

The appraisal was completed by a licensed appraiser, and cannot be edited. UAD Reader, as the name implies, only shows the appraisal data to you but doesn’t allow editing of the appraisal report.

One of the benefits of UAD Reader is that it gives lenders the ability to see the .XML appraisal data on screen, along with the permissible UAD data that an appraiser can choose from when completing the form. If you have questions about a particular field in the report, UAD Reader will show you all the possible entries for the form so you can easily discuss with your appraiser.

The GSEs won’t require submission to UCDP until after December 1st of 2011. We believe UCDP will be ready well before then so you can get some practice before it’s mandatory. For more information on UCDP and its availability, you can visit the GSEs’ websites here or here.

UCDP will not be officially launched until later on this year, even though it’s live for testing and trials right now. In the Submission Status Result, you'll see a statement from the GSEs regarding the current status of the platform.  So for now, the errors returned during UCDP submission may be inaccurate, but the GSEs continue to refine and improve the platform until its official launch.

The GSEs won’t require submission to UCDP until after December 1st of 2011. We believe UCDP will be ready well before then so you can get some practice before it’s mandatory. For more information on UCDP and its availability, you can visit the GSEs’ websites here or here.

When you click Export PDF, you'll be able to save the XML file's embedded PDF as it's own, separate file. When you click Save As, you'll be able to save the entire XML file under a different name, wherever you like.