Question:

What is UCDP?

Answer:

UCDP is the Uniform Collateral Data Portal. It's a single web-based portal for submitting appraisal data directly to Fannie Mae or Freddie Mac (aka "the GSEs" or the "secondary market.")

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Question:

What is the deadline for submitting my appraisals to UCDP?

Answer:

All loans sold to Fannie Mae or Freddie Mac after March 19, 2012 must have their appraisal data submitted to UCDP if the loan was originated on or after December 1st, 2011.

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Question:

My AMC is submitting my appraisals to UCDP for me. Why would I register for UCDP?

Answer:

If your AMC is submitting appraisals to UCDP for you, you're required to invite them to act as your "lender agent." This can only be done after you've successfully registered for UCDP.

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Question:

I don't sell any loans to the GSEs. Do I still need to register for UCDP?

Answer:

Most likely. If you sell your loans to anyone, it's possible those loans will end up being sold to either of the GSEs. If that happens, the appraisal data must have been successfully submitted to UCDP during origination. With this in mind, it's likely the UCDP submission will become a normal part of underwriting for most everyone, even if they don't sell directly to Fannie Mae or Freddie Mac.

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Question:

I'm a mortgage broker. Should I register for UCDP?

Answer:

No. Mortgage brokers shouldn't register for UCDP.

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Question:

I sell my loans to an aggregator who sells to the GSEs. Am I still required to submit to UCDP?

Answer:

If your aggregator sells their loans to the GSEs, they might ask you to submit the appraisals to UCDP so they'll have the required Doc File ID and a copy of the submission summary report (SSR.)

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Question:

Can I submit an appraisal to the GSEs before the deadline?

Answer:

Yes. The portal is available now, and you can submit appraisals by logging into UCDP. Even better, as soon as you complete the required steps, you can submit your appraisals directly to UCDP via Mercury Network today.

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Question:

I'm already receiving appraisals in UAD format, but they're "XML" files and I can't open them. What's going on?

Answer:

Most people find that they can't open XML files, or if the file opens, it's completely unreadable to "normal" humans.

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Question:

I've looked at the GSEs' websites, and I'm really confused. What do I do?

Answer:

Check out our complete guide to UCDP. It shows you the registration process, videos about appraisals submission, and tips to get your appraisal process UMDP-compliant.

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Question:

What do I have to do in order to submit to UCDP using Mercury Network?

Answer:

Click here for an overview of the process. First, you'll need to register for UCDP. Next, you'll need to request a Direct Integration User ID. Finally, you'll need to set up your connection to UCDP in Mercury Network.

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Question:

How do I register for UCDP?

Answer:

You can access our web-based guide that will help you get registered quickly.

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Question:

How long does it take to register for UCDP?

Answer:

The actual process of filling out the forms probably won't take anyone longer than an hour. The entire process of registering can take from 3 days to a few weeks.

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Question:

How do I know if I'm registered for UCDP?

Answer:

If you've logged into UCDP, you're registered. In order to completely log in, you would have received an authorization e-mail from one or both of the GSEs, as well as an invitation e-mail from Veros. For more details, click here.

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Question:

What is a UCDP user ID?

Answer:

Your UCDP User ID is the "username" you use to log directly into UCDP. If you're the lender administrator, you created this login when you completed your registration for UCDP. This user ID is different from your Direct Integration User ID.

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Question:

What is a lender admin?

Answer:

The lender admin (or lender administrator) is the person who initially registers for UCDP with the GSEs. They have the authority to grant access to additional users, as well as request Direct Integration User IDs, and Business Units. The lender admin may also invite a lender agent to submit appraisals to UCDP on their behalf. For lender agents (AMCs and other appraisal providers) the lender agent admin will take on a similar role.

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Question:

Do I have to register all my users on UCDP?

Answer:

No. You'll already have a lender admin, and that's all you'll need to get set up to submit to UCDP in Mercury Network. The lender admin can request additional (or backup) lender admins, and that's generally a good idea. The lender admin can also set up additional users who can log directly into UCDP, but it's not required for UCDP submission from Mercury Network.

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Question:

What is a lender agent?

Answer:

A lender agent is someone who is authorized to submit appraisal to UCDP on another party's behalf. The most typical scenario is an AMC who is submitting appraisals to UCDP for their lender client. In this case, the AMC is the lender agent for their client.

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Question:

How do I know if my AMC is registered as a lender agent in UCDP?

Answer:

First, we recommend that AMCs and their clients have a conversation before starting the UCDP registration process. This will help make sure you are on the same page, and avoid delays or surprises. If an AMC has completed registration as a lender agent, their clients will find their name in the Lender Agent drop-down list on the Relationships page in UCDP. From there, the client can invite the AMC to become their lender agent. Click here for detailed instructions.

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Question:

Do I have to create a Business Unit?

Answer:

By default, your Primary Business Unit will be created for you when you complete the registration for UCDP. You aren't required to create additional Business Units, but you might want to, depending on your organization's structure. For more information, see the GSEs' guidance on managing Business Units here (FRE) and here (FNM.)

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Question:

Where do I find my Business Unit Number?

Answer:

Your Business Unit names and numbers can be found when you log into UCDP. Go to the Account Administration tab under User and Business Unit Administration. Your Primary Business Unit will appear at the top of the left column. If you have created additional Business Units, they will be displayed in the hierarchy in the left column. You can click any Business Unit on the left to see the Business Unit number or name on the right. Note that lenders have Business Unit numbers, while lender agents will have Business Unit names. Click here for detailed instructions from the GSEs.

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Question:

Where do I find my Seller Servicer Number(s)?

Answer:

Your Seller/Servicer Number(s) (S/SN) can be found when you log into UCDP. Go to the Account Administration tab under User and Business Unit Administration. Expand any Business Unit in the column on the left, and your S/SN will be display in the hierarchy underneath. Your S/SN(s) are specific to each GSE.

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Question:

What is a Direct Integration User ID?

Answer:

A Direct Integration User ID (DI User ID) gives you the ability to submit appraisals to UCDP using someone's direct connection to the portal. As a Mercury Network user, requesting a DI User ID will let you submit your appraisals directly to UCDP within your Mercury Network account. Otherwise, you would need to log directly into the portal, upload the appraisal files, and monitor submission status completely separately from order management. You can only request a DI User ID after you've completely registered for UCDP.

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Question:

Do I need a Direct Integration User ID?

Answer:

If you're a Mercury Network user, you will definitely need a Direct Integration User ID (DI User ID.) Having a DI User ID is what enables you to submit your appraisals to UCDP from Mercury Network.

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Question:

How do I register for a Direct Integration User ID?

Answer:

The lender admin (or lender agent admin for AMCs) must request the Direct Integration User ID. It only needs to be requested once, even if you're submitting to both Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac. Click here for complete instructions.

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Question:

Can I use my Direct Integration User ID with a another vendor?

Answer:

Yes. Although you entered "Mercury Network" on the "vendor" line on the DI User ID request form, you'll be able to use that User ID with other vendors. So, if you use another vendor's UCDP solution, you don't need to request a different DI User ID.

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Question:

Once I have my DI User ID, what do I do with it?

Answer:

You'll need to enter the DI User ID and password in Mercury Network's Connection Settings. Click here for complete instructions.

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Question:

I'm submitting my appraisals to UCDP using Mercury Network. Do I need to set up more users in UCDP?

Answer:

You're not required to set up any additional users in order to submit appraisals to UCDP from Mercury Network. It's recommended that you set up additional lender admins (or lender agent admins, if you're a lender agent) in case the primary admin is not available to perform management in the UCDP. Since your individual Mercury Network users can submit appraisals directly to UCDP without ever logging into the portal, they don't need their own UCDP User IDs.

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Question:

If I create users in UCDP, will I see them in Mercury Network?

Answer:

No. Your Mercury Network users are entirely separate from your UCDP users. The users you create in UCDP will receive UCDP User IDs that will let them log directly into UCDP outside of Mercury Network. Each user will need their own Mercury Network login so you can give them permission to submit to UCDP from Mercury Network. Click here for more information about setting up users and permissions in Mercury Network. You probably don't need to set up all your users in UCDP, since they can submit to UCDP directly from Mercury Network.

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Question:

Since I use Mercury Network, do I ever need to log in to UCDP?

Answer:

For day-to-day UCDP submission, status updates, or error checks, you really never need to log directly into UCDP. Mercury Network has all the submission tools available in UCDP, and more. Still, it's possible you'll need to do administration like adding a Business Unit or executing the PDF extraction agreement. Those types of things can only be done in UCDP by the lender admin. Individual users who simply submit appraisals to UCDP will likely never need to log into UCDP.

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Question:

How do I submit to the UCDP in Mercury Network?

Answer:

When viewing order details for any completed order, click Set Order Status and choose Submit to UCDP. You'll see a dialog where you can select the GSE and Business Unit, as well as supply the loan number and internal notes. Then, click Send to submit the appraisal. Click here for detailed instructions.

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Question:

How do I set up users that can submit to UCDP in Mercury Network?

Answer:

You can create additional users or give existing users permission to submit to UCDP from Mercury Network. To do so, you must be the Mercury Network admin or have permission to manage others' Mercury Network user accounts. Click here for more information about setting up users and permissions in Mercury Network.

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Question:

Why can't I see the option to submit to UCDP in Mercury Network?

Answer:

If you don't see the option to submit to UCDP, it's likely that you don't have permission to do so. If you think this is incorrect, you'll need to ask your Mercury Network admin to give you the right permissions. Click here for more information about setting up users and permissions in Mercury Network.

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Question:

What is a Submission Summary Report (SSR)?

Answer:

The SSR contains a summary of the appraisal submission(s) for each loan, the status of the submission(s), and a Document File Identifier (Doc File ID.) An appraisal must be submitted to the UCDP and receive a "Successful" status on the SSR before the loan is delivered to the GSE. In Mercury Network, SSRs are attached to any order where an appraisal has been submitted to UCDP. Separate SSRs are attached for each individual submission. The SSR contains the Doc File ID that will be required by the GSEs before they'll purchase the loan, so your investors may require it even if you don't sell directly to the GSEs.

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Question:

What is a Doc File ID?

Answer:

The Document File Identifier (Doc File ID) is the unique appraisal identifier generated by the UCDP. When you submit an appraisal to UCDP using Mercury Network you'll immediately see the Doc File ID in the audit trail. One Doc File ID is assigned per loan, and is the same for delivery to either GSE. Lenders will be required to deliver a Doc File ID to the GSE's loan delivery system as part of the loan delivery process. The Doc File ID must be associated with a Submission Summary Report(SSR) that has a status of "Successful."

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Question:

My submission to the UCDP was not successful.  What do I do next?

Answer:

If your UCDP submission has a status of "Not Successful" you'll want to find out why. To do so, view the details for the order with the failed submission, then look at the audit trail. If you've submitted the appraisal multiple times, each submission will have its own results. Click the View Results link near the most recent submission event in the audit trail. You'll see a report that details any errors, and you'll have the option to override errors (if applicable) as well as request revisions from the appraiser. For more information about errors that can cause your submission to fail, click here. To learn more about requesting revisions and overrides from the appraiser to fix these errors, click here.

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Question:

Will UCDP accept a field review, like those on FNM 2000/FRE 1032?

Answer:

No. If the lender uses a field review to obtain an updated value, the original appraisal report is required to be submitted to UCDP. If the lender relied on the value obtained on the field review, that value should be provided at loan delivery, and the lender must include both the original appraisal and the field review in the mortgage file.

In the future, the GSEs will enhance UCDP to enable the field review to be delivered using the portal.

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Question:

Do I need to know which GSE the loan will be sold to prior to UCDP submission?

Answer:

No. Lenders can submit an appraisal to UCDP without knowing which GSE will eventually purchase the loan. As long as you have a Document File Identifier (Doc File ID) for an appraisal that has a Submission Summary Report(SSR) with a "Successful" status, you'll be set to deliver the loan to either GSE.

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Question:

Can appraisals be transferred from one entity to another in UCDP?

Answer:

No. Appraisals cannot be transferred within the UCDP.

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Question:

What appraisals need to be submitted using UCDP?

Answer:

Any appraisal sold to Fannie Mae or Freddie Mac will need to be submitted to UCDP if it was originated on or after December 1st, 2011. This includes appraisals on all the following forms:

• Uniform Residential Appraisal Report (Fannie Mae 1004/Freddie Mac Form 70)
• Manufactured Home Appraisal Report (Fannie Mae 1004C/Freddie Mac Form 70B)
• Small Residential Income Property Appraisal Report (Fannie Mae 1025/Freddie Mac Form 72)
• Individual Condominium Unit Appraisal Report (Fannie Mae 1073/Freddie Mac Form 465)
• Exterior-Only Inspection Individual Condominium Unit Appraisal Report (Fannie Mae 1075/Freddie Mac Form 466)
• Exterior-Only Inspection Residential Appraisal Report (Fannie Mae 2055/Freddie Mac Form 2055)
• Individual Cooperative Interest Appraisal Report (Fannie Mae Form 2090)
• Exterior-Only Inspection Individual Cooperative Interest Appraisal Report (Fannie Mae Form 2095)

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Question:

I need to validate my loan data within the Loan Delivery XML Test Tool.  Can you help me?

Answer:

Loan delivery (and the XML Test Tool) are addressed by the Uniform Loan Delivery Dataset - or ULDD - which is a component of the UMDP that doesn't involve Mercury Network. For more information about ULDD, check out the GSEs' information here (FNM) and here (FRE.)

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Question:

How long will my submission results be available from the portal?

Answer:

Currently, Veros (the company who maintains UCDP) has no plans to remove files after submission, so your SSRs and other docs should be available indefinitely. In addition, your SSRs, XML, and other documents are also available in Mercury Network.

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Question:

My Submission Summary Report gave me an error:  "Unmatched Appraiser License Information" but I've double-checked the appraiser's license number and it's correct.  What's up?

Answer:

Most likely, this has something to do with the way the license number is formatted. The appraiser's name and license number need to match the Appraisal Sub-Committee's records exactly. Depending on some state requirements, the license number maybe entered differently, resulting in this error. Click here to learn more.

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Question:

I see an error about a "Duplicate Submission" when submitting to UCDP in Mercury Network.  What can I do about that?

Answer:

There are several possible causes for this type of error, so you'll need to determine which one applies to you. Click here for the details you need.

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