Just move onto the next one and hopefully they're not as ignorant to the fact that what we do as investors is legal, ethical and more importantly, helpful to all parties involved.

And some have bad work ethics

The appraiser has valued some of my other properties in the past, and I've always been happy.I'd like to give him a gift to show my appreciation, but don't want to break any professional ethics code of conduct, or make it seem as if I'm paying him off. 

Your license.Ensure that your prospect knows that they are in the best possible position by selling it directly to you as opposed to a "unlicensed wholesaler" (Sorry guys, in this case, it's his mortgage, or someone else's).Obviously, as a licensee, you need to do certain things... i.e. use a State Contract, Disclose the Value (Article 1 NAR Code of Ethics), and disclose your position as the principal in the transaction (Article 4 NAR Code of Ethics).Once you have determined what their motivation is... and more importantly, what happens if it doesn't sell... then you will have a better grip on what the disposition should be. 

That is a violation of the code of ethics.

Unless you have already worked with them and know their work ethic, production etc, I would get him to give you firm, all inclusive pricing even if it's on a room by room basis...Long story short...

Or isn't very ethical?

Plus, at the end of the day I don't think its ethical to tie up an agents listing in hopes of you finding a buyer.

LOLBiggest thing in working with other professionals is the ability to communicate, are your and their ethical approaches being similar, are they accessible are they (do they answer the phone or are you taking to a recorder and get a call back the next afternoon?)

Did they get the deal under contract legally and ethically?