Appraisal Firewall X
January 2026 Release Notes

Enhancements Information for Managers

 
Appraisal Firewall X is kicking off 2026 with all things Uniform Appraisal Dataset (UAD) 3.6! Our January 2026 release focuses entirely on revealing the new UAD 3.6 form. On Friday, January 23, 2026, clients can begin placing orders on the new form, appraisers can deliver reports via ZIP file, and submitting to UCDP through Appraisal Firewall X is available.

Broad Production launches on Monday, January 26, 2026. Register below for our UAD 3.6 launch event! In this beta phase of the UAD 3.6 release, we encourage you and your clients to provide us with feedback! Over the next 10 months, Appraisal Firewall X will be updating and refining the UAD 3.6 form regularly to align with your clients’ experiences, plus implementing any changes applied by the GSEs. Through your continued partnership, our expectation is to provide your clients with a seamless transition for the November 2, 2026, mandate.

Check out the Recap and Release Notes below for more information.

UAD 3.6 Recap & Roadmap

  • New order form replaces multiple legacy forms into a single, data-driven URAR.
  • Structured fields & standardized responses for enhanced consistency and automation.
  • Deliver appraisal packages that include XML, PDF, and images for improved Quality Control (QC) and compliance.
  • Enhanced data quality checks and alignment with ULDD Phase 5.
  • Most appraisal forms software providers are still implementing changes.
  • January 26, 2026, launches Broad Production through November 1, 2026.
  • November 2, 2026, UAD 3.6 will be required for submissions.

Release Notes

  • UAD 3.6 New Order Form Debuts: Place appraisal orders via the UAD 3.6 order form, available on the Residential New Order screen. NOTE: by default, the new order screen will continue to default to the current form type (UAD 2.6). Modernized order form includes expanded subject property data fields.
  • ZIP Files Accepted for Deliverables: Appraisers can deliver their UAD 3.6 reports via ZIP files. Appraisal Firewall X’s technology automatically extracts all the ZIP files’ content, posting them to the Communications Log, just as it does currently.  
  • Automatic UAD 3.6 Submissions to UCDP in Place: Appraisal Firewall X conveniently submits UAD 3.6 reports to UCDP on your behalf (so long as credentials are set up) and imports the results directly to your order. HUD announced in August 2025 that EAD submissions will not be available until Spring 2026. Read the update HERE on page 91.
  • Updating Current LOS Integrations: Continued preparations with our current LOS partners to ensure UAD 3.6 data fields map appropriately and documents return intentionally.
  • ‘Legacy PSDK Integration’ Discontinuation of Service: Adaptation of the new UAD 3.6 order form is incompatible with legacy PSDK’s embedded Internet Explorer (IE) web browser and will no longer be supported for all Appraisal Firewall X order placements. Encompass® clients currently utilizing the legacy integration must move to Encompass® Partner Connect (EPC) by Friday, January 23, 2026.

UAD 3.6 Launch Webinar

Join us for our UAD 3.6 Launch event on Monday, January 26, 2026, at 10am Pacific/1pm Eastern.
 
REGISTER HERE
This 45-minute webinar, hosted by Appraisal Firewall X’s Danielle Walker and Chief Appraiser & Director of Compliance, Preston Pruett, will focus on:
  • UAD 3.6 overview & roadmap
  • Preparing for industry-wide process changes
  • Unveiling Appraisal Firewall X’s new UAD 3.6 order form design
We encourage you to invite your clients to join this webinar as we collectively embark on experiencing this new process together. Should your clients need additional support, please reach out to Danielle Walker to schedule a one-on-one call at Danielle.Walker@SharperLending.com, or 509.462.4751.

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