Realtor Resources: Talking Points, Incentives & Industry Updates

Built for my Realtor partners. Bookmark this page. I keep it updated with what your buyers and sellers need to hear right now, plus the incentives I am offering this week.

Updated October 2, 2026.

This Week's Industry Updates

1. VantageScore 4.0 is now approved for conventional loans

The FHFA has ended FICO's decades-long exclusive hold on the conventional mortgage market. Every lender originating Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac loans can now use VantageScore 4.0.

• What changed: one unified pricing grid, and lenders can now approve conventional loans with no FICO score at all. One scoring model per loan, no mixing.
• Who it helps: VantageScore 4.0 counts rent payments, utility history, and trended credit behavior. The FHFA estimates 33 million more U.S. adults can now be scored, with about 5 million newly mortgage-ready.
• Talking point for your buyers: "If a bank told you no based on your FICO score, that may not be the final answer anymore."
• The catch: not every lender accepts it yet. I work with wholesale lenders that do, and I am seeing score differences up to 30 points on the same borrower versus FICO.
• Your move: send me your turndowns. A second look under the new rules costs nothing.

2. New appraisal process goes mandatory November 2, 2026

Starting November 2, every appraisal submitted to Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac must use the new UAD 3.6 dataset and the redesigned Uniform Residential Appraisal Report (URAR). Appraisals submitted on the old forms after that date will be rejected.

• What changed: a dozen-plus old forms (1004, 1073, and others) are replaced by one dynamic report that adapts to the property. It collects far more detail: room-by-room condition ratings, renovation history, energy-efficient features, solar ownership, ADUs, and more photos.
• What did not change: how appraisers determine value. This is about documentation, not a new valuation formula.
• Why it matters for your transactions: the deadline is based on the appraisal's submission date, not the order date or effective date. Files already in progress around November 2 need a plan.
• Your move: ask your appraiser right now, "Are you already submitting on UAD 3.6?" If they are not switched over, they need a transition plan or your closing could be delayed.

Get Upstream: What Listing Agents Should Be Collecting Now

The new appraisal report asks for exactly the property detail most listings do not have organized. Agents who hand the appraiser a complete package up front get smoother appraisals and fewer revision requests. For every listing, put together:

• Every amenity, room by room, including anything a buyer would consider an upgrade.
• Every update and renovation with the date completed and approximate cost.
• Permits pulled for the work, with permit numbers where available.
• A timeline of when work was done, oldest to newest.
• Energy features: window replacements, insulation, HVAC age and type, water heater age, solar panels (owned vs. leased), EV charger.
• ADUs and accessory structures, with permits and dates.

Want a simple worksheet for this? Text me at (360) 910-3290 and I will send over the amenity and update checklist I give my Realtor partners.

Current Incentive: No-Cost 1% One-Year Temporary Buydown

For a limited time, I am offering a 1-0 temporary buydown that drops your buyer's interest rate by 1% in year one, at no cost to your buyer or your seller.

• Use it as a listing tool: "Seller offering a 1% rate buydown in year one" gets attention in this market.
• Great for listings that need a traffic boost without a price reduction.
• Contact me for details, eligibility, and availability. Subject to loan approval and program guidelines.

Let's Talk

Call or text: (360) 910-3290

Bill Black, Senior Mortgage Broker, Northwest Funding Group Inc.
NMLS 49242 (Company NMLS 101770) | Licensed in WA, OR, AZ
billcblack.com