e070824 Discounts to agents-clients

Identifier: e070824

Date: 08/24/2007

Question

As a marketing tool, can I extend a discount to real estate agents who pay for their client's listing inspection? 

Response

Offering discounts to clients, whoever they may be, is a part of normal business practice and does not constitute a conflict of interest or a violation of the Code of Ethics.  However, when the person paying for the inspection is not the owner or buyer of the inspected property, it is important to remember that the inspector is responsible to "act in good faith toward the client and other interested parties," per principle 2. in the Code of Ethics.  It is recommended that the inspector ensure that the identity of the client is understood by the parties to the sale in order to prevent any misunderstanding regarding the inspector's responsibility to his or her client, including confidentiality regarding inspection results.

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