[Claim for Real Estate Transaction Expenses]

A decision was requested by an Internal Revenue Service authorized certifying officer concerning an employee's entitlement to reimbursement for certain real estate expenses incurred as a result of a permanent change of station. The employee appealed the agency's decision to deny his claim for the cost of owner's title insurance and requested payment for the cost of a title search and examination. GAO found that the employee obtained the owner's title insurance policy for his own protection, since such insurance was not required. Therefore, that portion of the claim may not be reimbursed. Federal Travel Regulations specifically authorize reimbursement of the cost of a title search to an employee if it does not exceed the amount customarily charged in a locality. Since there was nothing in the record to show that the amount which the employee paid for his title search was excessive, that portion of the employee's claim may be reimbursed.