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If you’ve replaced your roof, remodeled your kitchen, upgraded your windows, or made other improvements to your home, there’s a good reason to keep track of those details. And an upcoming change to the appraisal process makes that documentation especially relevant.
Beginning November 2, 2026, updated appraisal reporting standards known as UAD 3.6 (Uniform Appraisal Dataset) will become mandatory for new appraisal reports submitted to Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac, subject to limited transition exceptions.
While that may sound technical, it highlights something important for homeowners: keeping accurate records of your home’s improvements can make a difference when it’s time to sell.
What’s Changing?
When a buyer finances a home purchase, their lender typically requires an appraisal to determine the property’s market value. This helps the lender confirm that the home’s value is sufficient to secure the mortgage.
The new standards modernize how appraisers document and report property information, with greater emphasis on consistent, detailed descriptions of a home’s condition, features, and renovations.
For example, instead of simply describing a kitchen as “recently updated,” an appraisal may be asked to include more specific information about when the renovation was completed, the materials used, and the extent of the improvements.
The new standards don’t change the fundamental principles of property valuation, but they do change how appraisers document and report a home’s features, condition, and improvements.
Why This Matters When You Sell
Over the years, it’s easy to forget exactly when you replaced the furnace, which brand of windows you installed, or whether you still have the paperwork from that bathroom remodel.
But those details can help your listing agent and appraiser better understand your home’s condition and improvements.
When preparing a home for sale, it’s helpful to have a record of:
- Major replacements: Roof, furnace, water heater, windows, and HVAC systems, including installation dates and brands.
- Renovations: Kitchen and bathroom remodels, flooring, and other improvements, including the year completed and materials used.
- Energy-efficient upgrades: Insulation, solar panels, heat pumps, and other efficiency improvements.
- Supporting documents: Permits, contractor invoices, warranties, and before-and-after photos.
Your listing agent can organize this information into an improvement summary and make documentation available to the appraiser.
Of course, it’s important to note that not every improvement increases a home’s market value dollar-for-dollar, but accurate documentation can help ensure those improvements aren’t overlooked simply because the details weren’t available.
A Little Organization Now Can Help Later
You don’t need to be planning a move to start keeping track of your home’s improvements. In fact, it’s much easier to gather the information as projects are completed rather than trying to reconstruct everything years later.
I recently shared a guide on creating a Homeowner File, with tips on organizing maintenance records, improvements, and important documents.
Ready to get organized? I’ve created two free resources to help:
- Homeowner File Checklist to help you organize and keep track of important homeownership documents.
- Home Improvement Record to document repairs, renovations, and upgrades as you complete them.
Whether you’re thinking about selling soon or planning to stay for years, keeping good records now can make a future sale a little easier. And when the time comes, I’ll help you put that information to work.
Kristina Bulajewski
Broker | Realtor®
Windermere Real Estate Co. | Ballard
Helping buyers and sellers navigate Seattle real estate with thoughtful guidance and local insight.
