Gratitude is the result of actions or gestures of kindness, and profiting off of the scarcity of your abundance isn't kindness. 

That kind of specificity does wonders with brokers in my experience, and WILL get you a call back on deals that fit parameters because they see you're actually focused and looking for something.Beyond that, I probably wouldn't expect a LOT of follow-up from brokers until you've proven out to them you're a closing buyer/seller.You do the follow-up, you do the 'can we grab some coffee, I'll be in town next Tues at 11', you do the emails and the small gestures to stay top of mind...Hope that helps!

Which is a nice customer service gesture, but I can't imagine what he is going to say other than "we are in the house sales business and this is just marketing." 

Most agents will pull it up for free as a goodwill gesture/relationship building for the first couple of times.

To me it's more of a solidarity gesture, a pat on the back, encouragement for him to keep going.  

As a gesture of goodwill, return the money.

I mentioned your comments will be considered as "a friend helping a friend" as a genuine gesture to promote a fruitful mutually beneficial exchange between like minded people. 

I think it's a good idea because these gestures build better relationships.

You can gesture for them to go ahead of you and say, for example, “The master suite is in the back of the house.”

It is a very nice gesture and only confirms my belief in their company vision.