UAD 3.6 is officially here. Are you ready, or just trying to get ready?

In this episode, Bryan talks with Jake Lew of Aivre about how their appraisal software is already equipped to help appraisers deliver reports that meet the new UAD 3.6 requirements. Jake, Aivre's CEO and co-founder, gives Bryan a quick demo of how the software works, including a screen-share of some inputs and part of a sample report. (To see the demo, watch the video interview on our YouTube channel.)  

Find out what appraisers can expect if they want to try Aivre's product, including how to start using it and what pricing might look like. Whether you’re fully prepared or just starting to gear up, this episode will help you get ready for the new URAR.

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Can you imagine taking out a loan and buying a house before graduating from high school? That's exactly what Bryan's guest did. Karis Crawford is an agent, landman, and seasoned Texas appraiser with one of the most fascinating origin stories in the business. At just 16 years old, she walked into a bank, determined not to leave without a mortgage, and walked out with the keys to her very first investment property.

Her story is one of grit, determination, and pure entrepreneurial spirit. From that bold first deal to building a respected appraisal career in Texas, Karis shares lessons every appraiser, investor, and young professional can learn from.

Tune in to hear how one teenager’s courage became the foundation for a lifelong passion in real estate and valuation. Listen to this inspiring story of drive and determination, only on The Appraisal Update Podcast.

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Bryan shares a story illustrating that saying “I didn’t know” or “I didn’t remember” doesn’t get you out of trouble — especially when you’ve done a dumb thing. (Let’s just say a speeding ticket might’ve been involved.)

That same rule applies in the world of appraisal. Too often, appraisers make careless mistakes, like signing on the left side of the report, which actually certifies they inspected the subject property. If they didn’t? Well… that’s one of those dumb things.

Listen in as Bryan shares his own wake-up call and reminds appraisers everywhere to slow down, follow the rules, and double-check before they do something that could cost them their license — or at least their pride.

Takeaway: Ignorance isn’t an excuse. Whether you’re behind the wheel or behind the desk — slow down, read the fine print, and don’t do dumb things.

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✅ NEED APPRAISER CE? We've got you covered: appraiserelearning.com

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In this episode, Bryan dives into some of the most important updates in UAD 3.6 and what they mean for appraisers in the field. He highlights where to find the latest official guidance directly from Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac, and reminds appraisers that these resources are publicly available and well worth a deep dive.

Bryan spotlights a major change from Fannie Mae’s update — the retirement of the long-standing requirement for appraisers to drive by the comparable sales. He walks through the Fannie Mae website, showing exactly how to download the Appendix F-1 URAR Reference Guide and how to search within it to find what you need fast.

Plus, he shares a handy resource for checking broadband availability at a property — another valuable tool to add to your appraisal workflow.

 Listen now on your favorite podcast platform or watch the episode on our YouTube channel for a full walkthrough!

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✅ NEED APPRAISER CE? We've got you covered: appraiserelearning.com

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Big news from FHA: Appraisers are no longer required to take photos of attics or crawl spaces—and MLS photos are now acceptable. But before you breathe a sigh of relief… there’s more to it. Join Bryan and special guest John Dingeman as they unpack what this change really means and why caution is still key.

See the Mortgagee Letter 2025-18 here.

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✅ NEED APPRAISER CE? We've got you covered: appraiserelearning.com

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From the Val Expo 2024 trade show floor: Hear Bryan talk with Allison Rodriguez and Jason Covington, two fabulous colleagues who volunteered to help us put on the conference last year. We could not have done it without them! And as a bonus, Allison takes up the mic and interviews an attendee from Nashville. 

This conference is less than a month away! Listen in to find out why appraisers love to be there.

Valuation Expo
August 11-13, 2024 in Las Vegas
https://www.valuationexpo.com/

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Sometimes the best conversations happen by accident. Bryan was meeting with a group of appraisers at a local coffee shop, discussing the future of the profession and the rise of AI. Sitting nearby was Brian Govatos, there with his son, quietly working on a laptop—until he chimed in: “Sorry to eavesdrop  but remember 'GECS.'”

That simple interruption turned into a fascinating conversation about what AI is and is NOT, how to understand it, and how to use it in the best possible way.

Tune in to hear what happens when a Bryan and a Brian cross paths over coffee and curiosity.

🔔 SUBSCRIBE to our YouTube channel to watch these episodes:    /appraiserelearning

✅ NEED APPRAISER CE? We've got you covered: appraiserelearning.com

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Join Bryan and our fabulous Chief Development Officer Jim Morrison (we call him J-Mo!) for a quick overview of Valuation Expo, coming this August. 

Here are the Cliff's Notes: It's the biggest appraisal conference there is. You'll meet fellow appraisers and reps from the GSEs, AMCs, software companies, lenders, E&O insurance, education providers, and more. You'll get lots of CE and hear from speakers on big data, mobile tech, and UAD 3.6, which starts rolling out in September. And you'll have some fun along the way, at cocktail events, a cornhole tournament, the VE Open mini-golf competition, and numerous giveaways. 

Listen in to find out who's who and what's what at Valuation Expo this year. 

Valuation Expo, August 11-13, 2025

Caesars Palace in Las Vegas, NV

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✅ NEED APPRAISER CE? We've got you covered: appraiserelearning.com

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Join Bryan Reynolds for a look back at ValExpo 2024 and conversations with three happy attendees, including a trainee and ADI scholarship winner who met potential supervisors and a TN appraiser who got on the VA panel after meeting with a VA rep at ValExpo two years ago. "The day they put me on their panel, my life changed," he said.

"Coming to this convention gets me around other appraisers. where I can hear their ideas. And all of a sudden, I don't feel like I'm a lone soldier out there making up my own rules. This place gives me education and competence." —Carl Grissom

Big thanks to these folks for speaking with Bryan:

Jeff Morley, certified general appraiser in Utah

Beverly Ochieng, licensed appraisal assistant in Columbus, OH

Carl Grissom, appraiser in Crossville, TN

🔔 SUBSCRIBE to our YouTube channel to watch these episodes:    /appraiserelearning

✅ NEED APPRAISER CE? We've got you covered: appraiserelearning.com

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In this episode, Bryan is joined by Jarrett Hardesty and Chris Stewart, MAI for a timely conversation on the importance of appraiser engagement and leadership.

Chris shares insight on the monthly appraiser meetups he facilitates in Bowling Green, KY—creating space for local appraisers to discuss real issues and build community. Together, the three discuss their work with the newly formed Kentucky Association of Appraisers (KAA), how it’s growing, and what they hope to accomplish for the profession.

Whether you’re looking to connect, collaborate, or make an impact, this episode is for you.

🔔 SUBSCRIBE to our YouTube channel to watch these episodes:    /appraiserelearning

✅ NEED APPRAISER CE? We've got you covered: appraiserelearning.com

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