Use these reporting reminders when preparing a Uniform Appraisal Dataset 3.6 (UAD 3.6) appraisal report. Before entering data, locate the applicable report section and review its available values. This article summarizes Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac's Lessons Learned job aid, version 1.0, dated June 23, 2026.
Choose the correct sales comparison grid entries
Review all available predefined rows, including rows that may not appear initially. Learn how your software displays and selects rows before using a blank row.
Use a blank row only when no predefined row applies. Do not report the same characteristic or adjustment more than once.
Report porches, patios, and decks as Outdoor Living features, and inground pools as Water Features in Property Amenities. Make any pool adjustment there. Do not enter these as custom lines under General Information or report an inground pool in the Unit(s) subsection. For covered or screened patios and porches, select an available entry and describe additional characteristics in commentary. Include only amenities that apply to the subject or comparables.
Keep transfer terms separate from financing type. The job aid uses Typically Motivated in the Transfer Terms row to represent an arm's-length transaction, and Conventional as the Financing Type value in its example. For Site Influence, select an applicable value instead of Other with a manual description. The job aid's example uses Residential.
Keep area and level details consistent
In Unit Interior, report standard and nonstandard areas separately. Do not enter the same finished area in both categories.
Include each applicable area type for the subject. If the subject has unfinished or nonstandard areas, include those areas in the sales comparison grid too.
Match the number of Levels in Unit to the rows in Level and Room Detail. Count below-grade area as a level, and list levels from lowest to highest.
Place and caption exhibits clearly
Check that each exhibit is legible in the appraisal report. If an image appears unclear or obscured, contact your appraisal software provider's technical support.
Upload each exhibit to the report section it supports. For example, place Unit Interior exhibits in Unit Interior, not Subject Property.
Write concise, relevant captions that accurately describe each image. Avoid free-form commentary that repeats or conflicts with enumerated captions.
If the section's guidance does not identify a photo or image, add a caption that describes it.
Align comparable analysis and area terminology
Make the commentary in Reconciliation of Sales Comparison Approach consistent with the Comparable Weight values in the Sales Comparison Approach. Review canned commentary from Legacy UAD for statements that conflict with the selected weights.
Use the terminology in the UAD 3.6 Area Breakdown. Gross Living Area (GLA) is not represented the same way in UAD 3.6. Review and revise canned Legacy UAD commentary that does not match the new terminology.
Document significant appraisal assistance
Use the Significant Real Property Appraisal Assistance subsection of Assignment Information to identify people who provided significant appraisal assistance. The job aid points to Appendix F-1, Assignment Information, and Appendix D-1, Single Family Scenario 1, for examples.
Keep condition and new construction reporting consistent
When missing floor coverings are reported as a defect, damage, or deficiency, align the condition rating with the appraisal premise. The job aid states that an as-is appraisal would be C5 under the cited definition; an appraisal subject to installation of the floor coverings could be C4.
For a property that meets the New Construction definition, the job aid specifies Fully Updated for these update-status entries:
Update Status for Kitchens and Baths
Overall Update Status for Bathrooms
Overall Update Status for Flooring
This differs from Legacy UAD guidance, which used Not Updated. Confirm the property meets the New Construction definition before applying these entries; the job aid associates Fully Updated with a C1 representation.