Recent news surrounding DJI drones and their placement on the FCC's Covered List has raised questions across multiple industries, particularly among marketing media professionals who rely on drones as essential tools for visual storytelling, documentation, and brand promotion.

With a growing volume of speculation circulating online, it's essential to clearly explain what actually happened and what it means moving forward.

Why DJI Drones Were Placed on the FCC's Covered List

DJI's placement on the FCC's Covered List was not the result of a failed security audit.

Under federal law, designated U.S. security agencies were required to complete a formal security review of DJI systems within a mandated timeframe. That audit was not completed, and under the statute, the absence of a completed review automatically triggered DJI's placement on the list.

This distinction is critical. The action was procedural, not the outcome of an adverse security finding.

Why DJI Has Been the Industry Standard

For years, DJI drones have been widely adopted by marketing media professionals across industries, including tourism, hospitality, commercial development, construction, and real estate, because of proven real-world performance rather than marketing claims.

These systems have consistently delivered:

• Stable, predictable flight performance

• Strong safety and redundancy features

• High-quality imaging and data accuracy

• Efficient workflows for licensed commercial operators

For marketing professionals, these capabilities are essential for producing accurate, compelling, and safe visual content at scale.

What the FCC Decision Changes

The FCC decision primarily affects future purchases and long-term service considerations, which has understandably introduced uncertainty for professionals who depend on this technology every day. It does not represent an immediate shutdown of existing, legally operated drone fleets.

Berridge Media's Position and Preparedness

At Berridge Media, our responsibility is simple: to operate safely and legally, and to deliver the highest-quality marketing media using the best tools available.

We fully support innovation and would readily adopt American-made drone solutions once they meet or exceed current professional standards for reliability, safety, and performance. Until then, policy decisions of this magnitude should be evaluated with real-world operational impacts in mind.

Importantly, we planned.

Our drone fleet is fully equipped, compliant, and operational, allowing us to continue serving clients without interruption. There is no change to our current drone services, workflows, or deliverables.

What Clients Can Expect

Clients can expect the same level of professionalism, reliability, and visual quality they trust Berridge Media for. Our pilots remain licensed and insured, our safety protocols remain in place, and our commitment to accuracy and storytelling remains unchanged.

We remain hopeful that future outcomes, whether through completed audits, policy clarification, or stronger domestic alternatives, will ultimately support both national security interests and the marketing professionals who rely on this technology every day.

As always, we will continue to closely monitor developments and advocate for practical solutions that balance public trust with real-world industry needs.

Significant changes are coming to real estate appraisals beginning in 2026, affecting how properties are measured, photographed, analyzed, and ultimately valued. These updates, rolled out through Fannie Mae, Freddie Mac, and new federal appraisal-education requirements, apply to both Pennsylvania and New Jersey and will influence every financed real estate transaction across the region.

Here's what's changing, why it matters, and how high-quality listing documentation can help minimize delays and make appraisals more efficient under the new standards.

What's Changing in 2026

1. Appraisals Move to a New, Data-Rich Reporting Format

Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac are replacing legacy appraisal forms (such as the 1004) with a fully redesigned Uniform Residential Appraisal Report (URAR) powered by the UAD 3.6 dataset.

Key changes include:

• More detailed property measurements

Appraisers must report standardized measurements with clear breakdowns of all finished and unfinished areas, including basements, additions, ADUs, outbuildings, and accessory spaces.

• More required photography and visual evidence

The new report format requires more photos documenting:

• interior and exterior condition

• improvements and systems

• mechanicals

• site features

• neighborhood context

• More structured market and condition reporting

Adjustments must be backed by data, including documented trends, supply/demand conditions, and condition ratings supported by photos.

• New update forms

The long-used 1004D is being retired; appraisers will now use a Restricted Appraisal Update Report or a Completion Report, both of which require updated documentation and photos.

2. Mandatory Bias & Fair Housing Training for Appraisers

Beginning January 1, 2026, appraisers in both PA and NJ must complete federally mandated education on:

• valuation bias

• nondiscriminatory appraisal practice

• Fair Housing regulations

This requirement, adopted by the Appraiser Qualifications Board and implemented at the state level, emphasizes the need for transparent, objective, well-documented property data.

How These Changes Affect Realtors, Buyers, Sellers, and Lenders

For Realtors

Appraisers will require more complete and accurate data from the moment they step onto the property. Listings with poor, incomplete, or inconsistent documentation may require additional appraiser visits, slowing the process.  Well-documented listings with accurate measurements, floor plans, and detailed photography support faster and more confident valuations.

For Sellers

Sellers may be asked to provide more evidence of upgrades, improvements, systems, and structural modifications.  Clear pre-listing documentation helps reduce follow-up questions and the need for appraisers to revisit the property.

For Buyers

A more detailed and standardized appraisal helps prevent unexpected valuation issues but may slightly increase timelines if property data is incomplete.

For Lenders

Data inconsistencies will be flagged more easily under automated underwriting systems.  High-quality listing media helps ensure faster appraisal processing and fewer value disputes.

For Appraisers

Appraisers must gather more measurements, photos, and objective documentation, making efficient, accurate property data more critical than ever.

How Berridge Media Helps Reduce Appraisal Time

Berridge Media already provides services that can minimize the time an appraiser spends onsite and reduce the follow-up required to complete a compliant report.

Here's how:

1. iGUIDE Virtual Tours With ANSI-Compliant Measurements

An iGUIDE tour captures:

• a complete, high-resolution virtual walk-through

• detailed room-by-room floor plans

• ANSI-compliant measurements

• total finished and unfinished square footage

• clear labeling of spaces, levels, and layouts

Because the new appraisal format requires accurate, standardized area reporting, measurements built directly into an iGUIDE significantly reduce the appraiser's on-site time and may reduce the need for repeat measurements.

2. Accurate, Detailed Floor Plans

Appraisers will now need:

• clear floor plan layouts

• exact dimensions

• total GLA and non-GLA areas

• labeled rooms and features

Berridge Media's floor plans provide appraisers with much of the data they need before they even step inside the property.

3. Comprehensive Interior & Exterior Photography

The redesigned URAR requires more photographic evidence than any previous version.
Berridge Media's photography packages include:

• wide and detailed shots of all principal rooms

• optional mechanicals, utilities, and system components 

• exteriors from multiple angles

• site features

• upgrades and notable improvements

High-quality visual documentation reduces the likelihood that an appraiser will need additional photos or clarifications.

4. Drone Photos for Site & Neighborhood Insights

For properties where land, location, or surrounding development may influence valuation, drone images help appraisers:

• understand topography

• the lot layout

• evaluate positioning

• contextualize surrounding structures or amenities

This directly contributes to faster, more accurate reporting.

5. Photo Documentation of Upgrades and Condition

The new appraisal rules require a more precise explanation of:

• recent renovations

• materials used

• home condition

• functional improvements

Berridge Media captures detailed photos that help verify these updates and reduce back-and-forth communication between agents and appraisers.

6. Consistent, Organized Digital Delivery

As appraisers shift to automated, structured systems, organized digital media matters.

Berridge Media delivers:

• clearly labeled files

• measurement reports

• floor plans ready for inclusion

• virtual tour links

• downloadable high-resolution assets

This level of organization helps appraisers complete reports more efficiently under the new data requirements.

Final Thoughts

The appraisal system in Pennsylvania, New Jersey, and across the country is moving toward greater standardization, more documentation, and more detailed property analysis.  For realtors, lenders, and sellers, this means that accurate, comprehensive property media isn't just helpful, it’s quickly becoming essential.

By providing ANSI-compliant measurements, robust photography, detailed floor plans, and complete digital property documentation, Berridge Media helps streamline appraisal workflows and reduce the need for repeat visits or clarification.

As the industry adjusts to the 2026 standards, clear and accurate property information will play a significant role in keeping transactions moving smoothly, and Berridge Media is equipped to support that process from the moment a listing goes live.

Sources

Appraisal Standards & UAD Redesign

• Fannie Mae – Uniform Appraisal Dataset (UAD) Redesign
  https://singlefamily.fanniemae.com/delivering/uniform-mortgage-data-program/uniform-appraisal-dataset

• Freddie Mac – UAD Redesign Timeline
  https://sf.freddiemac.com/docs/pdf/fact-sheet/uad-redesign-timeline.pdf

• Fannie Mae – Appraiser Update (2024–2025)
  https://singlefamily.fanniemae.com/originating-underwriting/appraisers/appraiser-update

Market Analysis & Reporting Requirements

• Working RE Magazine – New Market Analysis Requirements
  https://www.workingre.com/fannie-freddie-new-market-analysis-requirements-february-4th/

Appraiser Training Requirements (PA & NJ via AQB Standards)

• Pennsylvania Department of State – Mandatory Bias & Fair Housing Training
  https://www.pa.gov/content/dam/copapwp-pagov/en/dos/department-and-offices/bpoa/certified-real-estate-appraisers/valuation-bias-and-fair-housing-laws-and-regulations-announcement.pdf

• Appraiser Qualifications Board – Education Criteria Effective 1/1/2026
  https://ndappraiserboard.org/uploads/3/5/4/5/35456267/education_changes_to_criteria_effective_1-1-2026.pdf

Reconsideration of Value Guidance

• Fannie Mae – ROV Policy
  https://singlefamily.fanniemae.com/initiative-updates/reconsideration-value-rov

The real estate industry is undergoing a digital transformation, and one of the biggest experiments is now underway in New Jersey. Bergen County, the state's most populous county, has launched the largest blockchain-based real estate deed initiative in the country, aiming to digitize over 2.3 million land records representing more than $240 billion in property.

But what does this mean for agents, title companies, and homeowners? And should the rest of the country follow?

Let's break down what's happening, the pros and cons of putting real estate deeds "on-chain," and how this could affect the future of property ownership and transactions.

🧠 What Is Tokenization of Real Estate?

Tokenization refers to the process of converting ownership rights in a real estate asset into a digital token that exists on a blockchain, a secure, decentralized digital ledger. Think of it like a virtual deed stored in an encrypted, fraud-resistant format.

In Bergen County's pilot program, being developed in partnership with blockchain firm Balcony DAO, property deeds will be recorded on a blockchain instead of (or in addition to) traditional county record systems.

✅ Pros of Blockchain-Based Deeds

1. Improved Security
Blockchain records are tamper-proof and cryptographically secure. This reduces the risk of title fraud and clerical errors, two major pain points in today's title insurance process.

2. Faster Transactions
Traditional deed recording can take days or even weeks. Blockchain enables real-time updates, streamlining closings and making the title process far more efficient.

3. Transparency and Auditability
Blockchain's decentralized architecture creates a transparent system in which every transaction can be traced and verified. This can be a game-changer in disputes over ownership or property boundaries.

4. Cost Reduction
By automating aspects of the title search and insurance process, blockchain could lower closing costs and eliminate redundant administrative work.

5. Easier Fractional Ownership
Tokenized deeds could eventually open the door to fractional ownership models, making it easier to invest in real estate without buying an entire property.

❌ Cons and Concerns

1. Regulatory Hurdles
Title laws vary by state. Many local governments have outdated infrastructure or legal requirements that make blockchain adoption difficult. Federal clarity is still lacking.

2. Privacy Questions
While blockchain is secure, some critics worry about the public visibility of ownership data and transactions. Sensitive financial info may need to be encrypted or stored off-chain.

3. Tech Access and Learning Curve
Widespread adoption requires real estate professionals, title companies, and government offices to embrace new technology, something that may take time and education.

4. Risk of Centralization by Private Firms
Though blockchain is decentralized by design, county governments partnering with private tech companies like Balcony raises questions about data control and access.

📍 Who Else Is Doing This?

New Jersey isn't the only place testing blockchain for real estate:

• Cook County, Illinois, was among the first to pilot blockchain deed recording back in 2016.

• South Burlington, Vermont, began recording property transactions on blockchain in 2018.

• Miami-Dade County, Florida, and Wyoming have explored tokenization models for broader property tech applications.

But Bergen County's initiative stands out as the most significant and most ambitious effort to date.

🚀 What This Means for Realtors, Title Companies, and Property Owners

While the average agent may not be dealing with blockchain deeds this year, the groundwork is being laid now. Professionals who understand how tokenization works—and how it may eventually reshape closing processes—will be better prepared to lead in a more digital future.

At Berridge Media, we're always watching the latest shifts in real estate technology so we can help our clients stay ahead. Whether it's drone media, 3D virtual tours, or future-ready listing strategies, we're here to make your business stand out in a changing world.

Want Help Modernizing Your Marketing?

We may not tokenize your deed, but we can digitize your entire listing presentation.
📸 Book your next session at www.berridge.media

📚 Sources:

• TheStreet

• NJBIZ

• NJB Magazine

• ROI-NJ

• Banking Dive