Banks Valuation

Hitting Reset on the Appraisal Industry by: Nick Conteduca

After attending the 2025 ACTS Appraisal Conference in San Antonio, one thing is clear: our industry is on the edge of a complete reset. We’re not just waiting for new report formats—we’re waiting for everything to shift. New tools. New Data Sets. New workflows. New expectations. And we don’t fully know what it’s going to look like yet.

Only about a third of appraisers currently use mobile devices for inspections. While mobile isn’t going to be required, the shift toward more flexible, digital workflows is clear. And when the new UAD framework goes live, only 6% of the fields from existing reports will carry over. That’s not a tweak—that’s a reboot. The way we do things now won’t just need to be updated. It’ll need to be retrained.

Here’s how I see it:

Software providers are at different stages—some are further along than others—but all of them face a moving target. The dataset is evolving. The structure is dynamic. And anyone who's ever built software knows: no one gets it right the first time. They’ll need real-world feedback from actual reports to improve.
Appraisers are in wait mode. We rely on software to function, and until those tools are ready, we can’t meaningfully adopt or test the new process.
Third-party tools like comp importers, market analyzers, and QC systems are in an interesting position. Some of them may no longer be necessary once the dust settles. Software providers and larger firms have been building toward this rollout for over two years, and once the new reports go live, we’ll start to see a wave of "big" reveals. Many of the tools appraisers used to rely on from outside vendors may now be built directly into these platforms. When that happens, appraisers will need to decide which ecosystem they want to commit to—or which pieces they want to assemble themselves. I expect many platforms will offer similar features, but the real differentiators will be training and customer service. No matter how good the tech is, if the support and communication aren’t there, the entire experience suffers.
Lenders aren’t necessarily in a holding pattern—they just don’t know what’s coming yet. The challenge will be educating them, along with underwriters, on how to review and interpret the new reporting structure. I hope they’re prepared, but based on what we saw with the original UAD rollout, I expect some bumps. That transition lacked proper training across the board, and it led to unnecessary revision requests and breakdowns in communication.
New software entrants have been rare over the last two decades—and for good reason. It’s hard to build for this space. Appraisers are specialized, cautious, and often resistant to change. But this reset creates a rare opportunity. Suddenly, the door is open for innovation. Some companies are even building proprietary, internal tools to reduce their dependence on legacy platforms. That adds another layer to the mix—and another decision point for appraisers and firms looking to modernize. But here’s the reality: money and tech alone won’t solve this. Success in this space requires a deep understanding of property data, industry regulations, and—most importantly—the mind of the appraiser. From a high-level view, it might look like an easy problem to solve. But once you get in the weeds, there’s a lot to uncover. It’s not just about creating a sleek interface—it’s about aligning with how appraisers actually think, work, and make decisions under pressure.

The Big Reset: My Take

This isn’t just about a new dataset or a new user interface. I believe this is a full reset for the industry.

Everything—from how we inspect a property to how we write and deliver reports—will need to be relearned. That’s not a small shift. It’s a ground-up transformation.

And in a surprising twist, new trainees may have the advantage. They won’t have to unlearn legacy systems or workflows—they’ll be starting fresh in a world where branching logic and dynamic reporting are normal. Experienced appraisers will need to adapt, and that won’t be easy for everyone. But that’s also where the opportunity lies.

I’ve seen these cycles before. The PDC/PDR rollout had everyone scrambling, changing direction based on what was coming next. Some made smart moves. Others overcommitted to something that didn’t pan out. The lesson? Don’t chase every shiny object—but don’t ignore the real shifts either.

The technology landscape is changing faster than ever. AI is reshaping how we work, how we think, and how we deliver value. The question isn’t whether change is coming—it’s how you respond to it.

I’ve grown in my career because I’ve never been afraid of change. I don’t see disruption as a threat—I see it as opportunity. Adapting is what we do. And I plan to keep doing it.

This reset is happening. I’ll be ready. Will you?

Link to Original Article

Hitting Reset on the Appraisal Industry by: Nick Conteduca

After attending the 2025 ACTS Appraisal Conference in San Antonio, one thing is clear: our industry is on the edge of a complete reset. We’re not just waiting for new report formats—we’re waiting for everything to shift. New tools. New Data Sets. New workflows. New expectations. And we don’t fully know what it’s going to look like yet.

Only about a third of appraisers currently use mobile devices for inspections. While mobile isn’t going to be required, the shift toward more flexible, digital workflows is clear. And when the new UAD framework goes live, only 6% of the fields from existing reports will carry over. That’s not a tweak—that’s a reboot. The way we do things now won’t just need to be updated. It’ll need to be retrained.

Here’s how I see it:

Software providers are at different stages—some are further along than others—but all of them face a moving target. The dataset is evolving. The structure is dynamic. And anyone who's ever built software knows: no one gets it right the first time. They’ll need real-world feedback from actual reports to improve.
Appraisers are in wait mode. We rely on software to function, and until those tools are ready, we can’t meaningfully adopt or test the new process.
Third-party tools like comp importers, market analyzers, and QC systems are in an interesting position. Some of them may no longer be necessary once the dust settles. Software providers and larger firms have been building toward this rollout for over two years, and once the new reports go live, we’ll start to see a wave of "big" reveals. Many of the tools appraisers used to rely on from outside vendors may now be built directly into these platforms. When that happens, appraisers will need to decide which ecosystem they want to commit to—or which pieces they want to assemble themselves. I expect many platforms will offer similar features, but the real differentiators will be training and customer service. No matter how good the tech is, if the support and communication aren’t there, the entire experience suffers.
Lenders aren’t necessarily in a holding pattern—they just don’t know what’s coming yet. The challenge will be educating them, along with underwriters, on how to review and interpret the new reporting structure. I hope they’re prepared, but based on what we saw with the original UAD rollout, I expect some bumps. That transition lacked proper training across the board, and it led to unnecessary revision requests and breakdowns in communication.
New software entrants have been rare over the last two decades—and for good reason. It’s hard to build for this space. Appraisers are specialized, cautious, and often resistant to change. But this reset creates a rare opportunity. Suddenly, the door is open for innovation. Some companies are even building proprietary, internal tools to reduce their dependence on legacy platforms. That adds another layer to the mix—and another decision point for appraisers and firms looking to modernize. But here’s the reality: money and tech alone won’t solve this. Success in this space requires a deep understanding of property data, industry regulations, and—most importantly—the mind of the appraiser. From a high-level view, it might look like an easy problem to solve. But once you get in the weeds, there’s a lot to uncover. It’s not just about creating a sleek interface—it’s about aligning with how appraisers actually think, work, and make decisions under pressure.

The Big Reset: My Take

This isn’t just about a new dataset or a new user interface. I believe this is a full reset for the industry.

Everything—from how we inspect a property to how we write and deliver reports—will need to be relearned. That’s not a small shift. It’s a ground-up transformation.

And in a surprising twist, new trainees may have the advantage. They won’t have to unlearn legacy systems or workflows—they’ll be starting fresh in a world where branching logic and dynamic reporting are normal. Experienced appraisers will need to adapt, and that won’t be easy for everyone. But that’s also where the opportunity lies.

I’ve seen these cycles before. The PDC/PDR rollout had everyone scrambling, changing direction based on what was coming next. Some made smart moves. Others overcommitted to something that didn’t pan out. The lesson? Don’t chase every shiny object—but don’t ignore the real shifts either.

The technology landscape is changing faster than ever. AI is reshaping how we work, how we think, and how we deliver value. The question isn’t whether change is coming—it’s how you respond to it.

I’ve grown in my career because I’ve never been afraid of change. I don’t see disruption as a threat—I see it as opportunity. Adapting is what we do. And I plan to keep doing it.

This reset is happening. I’ll be ready. Will you?

Link to Original Article

Hitting Reset on the Appraisal Industry by: Nick Conteduca

After attending the 2025 ACTS Appraisal Conference in San Antonio, one thing is clear: our industry is on the edge of a complete reset. We’re not just waiting for new report formats—we’re waiting for everything to shift. New tools. New Data Sets. New workflows. New expectations. And we don’t fully know what it’s going to look like yet.

Only about a third of appraisers currently use mobile devices for inspections. While mobile isn’t going to be required, the shift toward more flexible, digital workflows is clear. And when the new UAD framework goes live, only 6% of the fields from existing reports will carry over. That’s not a tweak—that’s a reboot. The way we do things now won’t just need to be updated. It’ll need to be retrained.

Here’s how I see it:

Software providers are at different stages—some are further along than others—but all of them face a moving target. The dataset is evolving. The structure is dynamic. And anyone who's ever built software knows: no one gets it right the first time. They’ll need real-world feedback from actual reports to improve.
Appraisers are in wait mode. We rely on software to function, and until those tools are ready, we can’t meaningfully adopt or test the new process.
Third-party tools like comp importers, market analyzers, and QC systems are in an interesting position. Some of them may no longer be necessary once the dust settles. Software providers and larger firms have been building toward this rollout for over two years, and once the new reports go live, we’ll start to see a wave of "big" reveals. Many of the tools appraisers used to rely on from outside vendors may now be built directly into these platforms. When that happens, appraisers will need to decide which ecosystem they want to commit to—or which pieces they want to assemble themselves. I expect many platforms will offer similar features, but the real differentiators will be training and customer service. No matter how good the tech is, if the support and communication aren’t there, the entire experience suffers.
Lenders aren’t necessarily in a holding pattern—they just don’t know what’s coming yet. The challenge will be educating them, along with underwriters, on how to review and interpret the new reporting structure. I hope they’re prepared, but based on what we saw with the original UAD rollout, I expect some bumps. That transition lacked proper training across the board, and it led to unnecessary revision requests and breakdowns in communication.
New software entrants have been rare over the last two decades—and for good reason. It’s hard to build for this space. Appraisers are specialized, cautious, and often resistant to change. But this reset creates a rare opportunity. Suddenly, the door is open for innovation. Some companies are even building proprietary, internal tools to reduce their dependence on legacy platforms. That adds another layer to the mix—and another decision point for appraisers and firms looking to modernize. But here’s the reality: money and tech alone won’t solve this. Success in this space requires a deep understanding of property data, industry regulations, and—most importantly—the mind of the appraiser. From a high-level view, it might look like an easy problem to solve. But once you get in the weeds, there’s a lot to uncover. It’s not just about creating a sleek interface—it’s about aligning with how appraisers actually think, work, and make decisions under pressure.

The Big Reset: My Take

This isn’t just about a new dataset or a new user interface. I believe this is a full reset for the industry.

Everything—from how we inspect a property to how we write and deliver reports—will need to be relearned. That’s not a small shift. It’s a ground-up transformation.

And in a surprising twist, new trainees may have the advantage. They won’t have to unlearn legacy systems or workflows—they’ll be starting fresh in a world where branching logic and dynamic reporting are normal. Experienced appraisers will need to adapt, and that won’t be easy for everyone. But that’s also where the opportunity lies.

I’ve seen these cycles before. The PDC/PDR rollout had everyone scrambling, changing direction based on what was coming next. Some made smart moves. Others overcommitted to something that didn’t pan out. The lesson? Don’t chase every shiny object—but don’t ignore the real shifts either.

The technology landscape is changing faster than ever. AI is reshaping how we work, how we think, and how we deliver value. The question isn’t whether change is coming—it’s how you respond to it.

I’ve grown in my career because I’ve never been afraid of change. I don’t see disruption as a threat—I see it as opportunity. Adapting is what we do. And I plan to keep doing it.

This reset is happening. I’ll be ready. Will you?

Link to Original Article

Hitting Reset on the Appraisal Industry by: Nick Conteduca

After attending the 2025 ACTS Appraisal Conference in San Antonio, one thing is clear: our industry is on the edge of a complete reset. We’re not just waiting for new report formats—we’re waiting for everything to shift. New tools. New Data Sets. New workflows. New expectations. And we don’t fully know what it’s going to look like yet.

Only about a third of appraisers currently use mobile devices for inspections. While mobile isn’t going to be required, the shift toward more flexible, digital workflows is clear. And when the new UAD framework goes live, only 6% of the fields from existing reports will carry over. That’s not a tweak—that’s a reboot. The way we do things now won’t just need to be updated. It’ll need to be retrained.

Here’s how I see it:

Software providers are at different stages—some are further along than others—but all of them face a moving target. The dataset is evolving. The structure is dynamic. And anyone who's ever built software knows: no one gets it right the first time. They’ll need real-world feedback from actual reports to improve.
Appraisers are in wait mode. We rely on software to function, and until those tools are ready, we can’t meaningfully adopt or test the new process.
Third-party tools like comp importers, market analyzers, and QC systems are in an interesting position. Some of them may no longer be necessary once the dust settles. Software providers and larger firms have been building toward this rollout for over two years, and once the new reports go live, we’ll start to see a wave of "big" reveals. Many of the tools appraisers used to rely on from outside vendors may now be built directly into these platforms. When that happens, appraisers will need to decide which ecosystem they want to commit to—or which pieces they want to assemble themselves. I expect many platforms will offer similar features, but the real differentiators will be training and customer service. No matter how good the tech is, if the support and communication aren’t there, the entire experience suffers.
Lenders aren’t necessarily in a holding pattern—they just don’t know what’s coming yet. The challenge will be educating them, along with underwriters, on how to review and interpret the new reporting structure. I hope they’re prepared, but based on what we saw with the original UAD rollout, I expect some bumps. That transition lacked proper training across the board, and it led to unnecessary revision requests and breakdowns in communication.
New software entrants have been rare over the last two decades—and for good reason. It’s hard to build for this space. Appraisers are specialized, cautious, and often resistant to change. But this reset creates a rare opportunity. Suddenly, the door is open for innovation. Some companies are even building proprietary, internal tools to reduce their dependence on legacy platforms. That adds another layer to the mix—and another decision point for appraisers and firms looking to modernize. But here’s the reality: money and tech alone won’t solve this. Success in this space requires a deep understanding of property data, industry regulations, and—most importantly—the mind of the appraiser. From a high-level view, it might look like an easy problem to solve. But once you get in the weeds, there’s a lot to uncover. It’s not just about creating a sleek interface—it’s about aligning with how appraisers actually think, work, and make decisions under pressure.

The Big Reset: My Take

This isn’t just about a new dataset or a new user interface. I believe this is a full reset for the industry.

Everything—from how we inspect a property to how we write and deliver reports—will need to be relearned. That’s not a small shift. It’s a ground-up transformation.

And in a surprising twist, new trainees may have the advantage. They won’t have to unlearn legacy systems or workflows—they’ll be starting fresh in a world where branching logic and dynamic reporting are normal. Experienced appraisers will need to adapt, and that won’t be easy for everyone. But that’s also where the opportunity lies.

I’ve seen these cycles before. The PDC/PDR rollout had everyone scrambling, changing direction based on what was coming next. Some made smart moves. Others overcommitted to something that didn’t pan out. The lesson? Don’t chase every shiny object—but don’t ignore the real shifts either.

The technology landscape is changing faster than ever. AI is reshaping how we work, how we think, and how we deliver value. The question isn’t whether change is coming—it’s how you respond to it.

I’ve grown in my career because I’ve never been afraid of change. I don’t see disruption as a threat—I see it as opportunity. Adapting is what we do. And I plan to keep doing it.

This reset is happening. I’ll be ready. Will you?

Link to Original Article