At Opteon, staying ahead of industry change isn’t just a goal, it’s a large part of our commitment to strive for excellence.  

During our last Virtual Connect meeting with our entire US team, we had the privilege of hosting Pete Fontana, Chair of the Montana Board of Real Estate Appraisers and Trustee for the Appraisal Foundation. Fontana shared critical insights into the work being done to modernize appraisal standards and reduce barriers to entry for new professionals. 

Lowing the Barriers to Entry for New Appraisers 

Fontana introduced the State Harmonization Task Force, a group formed by the Appraisal Foundation to address outdated and inconsistent state-level requirements that make it harder for new appraisers to enter the profession.  

Why does this matter?

Because 30% of all US appraisers have left the field since 2016, and projections show another 15–20% decline in 2026 as new standards and UAD 3.6 roll out. But appraisers are still very much in need to accurately and professionally value properties.  

What This Means for the Industry—and for You 

The appraisal profession is at a crossroads. Regulatory complexity and outdated state-level requirements have created unnecessary friction for new entrants, while looming changes like UAD 3.6 and the 2026 criteria update will reshape how appraisers work. These challenges aren’t just academic, and they impact lenders, borrowers, and the entire real estate ecosystem. 

At Opteon, we see three critical imperatives emerging from this conversation: 

• Modernization is non-negotiable. States that cling to archaic overlays such as refusing to recognize entry-level licenses or alternative experience risk deepening the talent shortage. Forward-thinking organizations should advocate for harmonization and support pathways that bring skilled professionals into the field faster. 

• Technology and training must evolve together. As appraisal products diversify, regulatory frameworks need to reflect reality. We believe the future belongs to firms that combine compliance expertise with tech-enabled workflows (like Opteon’s AI-enabled Intara), ensuring speed without sacrificing quality. 

• Prepare now for 2026. The upcoming criteria overhaul will be significant. Lenders and valuation providers who anticipate these changes rather than react will maintain continuity and protect their customers from disruption. At Opteon, we’re already aligning our processes and educating our teams to stay ahead. 

Our takeaway? The appraisal landscape is shifting, and leadership means leaning into change, not waiting for it. By engaging directly with industry influencers like Fontana and the Appraisal Foundation, Opteon is helping shape a future where valuation is faster, smarter, and more accessible. 

Top Questions From the Opteon Team 

Above all, this session with Fontana was an opportunity for our team to learn and grow. Learning and Development is a big part of what we do internally at Opteon to help us stay ahead of the curve and sessions with experts like Fontana are invaluable to our growth. 

Three of our teams’ top questions included: 

• Why isn’t the Appraisal Subcommittee pushing these changes? Fontana explained that while the ASC audits boards, it doesn’t control state overlays. However, ASC is now part of the task force, lending authority to these efforts. 

• What about Florida? Fontana shared plans to address Florida’s lack of license-level recognition and its refusal to accept mass appraisal experience, both major barriers. 

• Which states are most progressive? Encouragingly, every state Fontana’s team has visited so far has been receptive, with Alabama and Washington leading the way. 

Opteon is Primed to Deliver Even Greater Value in 2026 

Sessions like this aren’t just informative, they’re strategic. By connecting directly with thought leaders like Fontana, Opteon ensures our team understands the regulatory landscape and anticipates changes before they happen. This knowledge empowers us to: 

• Advocate for modernization that strengthens the profession. 

• Innovate faster, aligning our technology and processes with upcoming standards. 

• Deliver greater value to customers through expertise and efficiency. 

As Fontana said, “We’re marching forward at a rapid pace.”  

At Opteon, we’re relentless about building better tools, reducing friction, and creating solutions that keep our clients and their borrowers moving forward. 

If you’d like to learn more about how we’re getting ahead of the curve with UAD 3.6, visit our new UAD 3.6 Knowledge Hub. 

And, if you’d like to learn more about our technology tools, check out this post about Intara, an AI solution that is empowering our appraisers to modernize and streamline appraisal workflows.