[SSA Employee's Claim for Real Estate Expenses]

The Social Security Administration (SSA) requested a decision concerning whether: (1) an employee was entitled to reimbursement for real estate expenses for the sale of his residence incident to his transfer; and (2) it should collect the relocation company's contract cancellation fee from him. The employee entered into an informal agreement with his spouse's parents for the purchase of their residence, but did not purchase the house until he learned of his transfer. GAO held that, since the employee: (1) did not acquire interest in the property prior to the date he received notice of his transfer, he was not entitled to reimbursement of his real estate expenses; and (2) undertook his actions in good faith, SSA need not charge him for the costs of cancelling the contract. Accordingly, SSA should not reimburse the employee for his real estate expenses.