Asteroom is helping lenders navigate UAD 3.6 by (1) expanding the acceptance of inspection-based appraisal waivers, and (2) leveraging hybrid appraisals with their direct-to-appraiser panel and top AMC partners.
The Uniform Appraisal Dataset (UAD) 3.6 becomes mandatory for loans delivered to Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac. This initiative is part of an FHFA initiative of appraisal modernization that expands valuation options, such as inspection-based appraisal waivers and hybrid appraisals.
The GSE have released two solutions that reduce turn times, fees and risk (R&W Relief), offering a competitive advantage to lenders:
1. Inspection-Based Appraisal Waivers - for 8-15% of all GSE loans
These GSE solutions - Fannie Mae Value Acceptance + Property Data, and Freddie Mac ACE+ PDR - are the next-best alternative to an appraisal waiver - require a Uniform Property Data (UPD) report, and no appraisal. Benefits:
- Faster Closing - a UPD report is completed in 3–4 days
- Lower Fees - Asteroom charges $215, nationwide, with no fee escalations
- Reduced Risk - guaranteed GSE R&W Relief on value.
New GSE valuation options are typically adopted over a number of years.
From Q3 2025 to Q3 2026 the total number of GSE sellers (lenders delivering directly to GSEs) grew ~10% and the number of GSE sellers using appraisal waivers grew 22%.
In the same period GSE sellers using Inspection-Based Appraisal Waivers grew 53%.
Today, only ~25% of Inspection-Based Appraisal Waivers offers are accepted by lenders, with many opting to get a traditional appraisal costing the borrower more, taking longer and likely losing R&W Relief.
By contrast, Appraisal Waiver offers - with no appraisal or inspection required - are accepted +90% of the time. During COVID-19, refinancing volumes and social distancing rules drove rapid appraisal waiver adoption and usage has remained high.
2. Hybrid Appraisals - for 99% of all GSE loans requiring an appraisal
Hybrid Appraisals have been available in the GSE Selling Guides since 2025, and have emerged as an essential tool for lenders preparing for UAD 3.6. Highlights include:
- Full Appraisal - hybrid appraisals eligible for +97% of GSE loans
- Lower Fees - nationwide fees are $450-$525 (excluding management & transactions fees)
- Turn Times - nationally 4-5 business days.
Asteroom is the largest independent provider of UPD reports - supporting +450 lenders and +100 AMCs - and is an approved integrated technology & service provider for Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac.