Real estate appraisers say the Home Valuation Code of Conduct is negatively affecting business. The code was designed by Attorney General Andrew Cuomo and the Office of Federal Housing Enterprise Oversight to curb unethical practices and eliminate conflicts of interest in the appraisal industry. Bill Garber, director of governmental affairs at the Appraisal Institute, said the code does not provide much guidance on how lenders should comply with the new rules, which holds lenders accountable for appraisers. Many lenders have responded to the new rules by implementing an automated system to select appraisers from a pre-approved list, which appraisers say leaves veteran appraisal experts competing with those who are less qualified. Lenders are also using middlemen to distance themselves from appraisers, and in some cases, the middlemen can take up to 60 percent of an appraisal fee, which is typically about $400.