SAN DIEGO -- Prior to the housing market crash real estate appraisers were caught across the country overestimating home values in an effort to earn more money for lenders. Now the government’s fix to the problem is costing San Diego homeowners thousands of dollars a year, some have said.

The federal government said they fixed the scandalous behavior with ethics rules for appraisers known as "the home valuation code of conduct."

The rules restrict the relationship between appraisers and lenders, requiring brokers and homeowners to use an appraisal management company to hire an appraiser.

According to San Diego mortgage broker Dan Siegel this process makes home appraisal less accurate. Siegel said many appraisers working in San Diego do not know the market and are hired from other areas. The law calls for appraisers to be picked at random.

According to the California Association of Mortgage Brokers the appraisal management companies are unregulated, often hiring appraisers who will work for the lowest wage.

The California Association of mortgage brokers is leading the charge to get the home valuation code of conduct overturned.

“What we suggest is the enforcement of the existing laws,” said California Association president Ed Smith Jr. “Appraisal intimidation and appraisal influence is already against the law.”