Claim for Real Estate Expenses

An advance decision was requested on a claim for certain real estate expenses incurred in the sale of a residence in connection with a permanent change of duty station. Reimbursement was requested for photo fees, inspection fees, documentation fees, a tax service contract, an appraisal fee, and a Federal Housing Administration (FHA) application fee. The regional office of the FHA indicated that the expenses claimed are customarily paid by the purchaser; thus GAO held that the claimed expenses could not be reimbursed.