What is a tester in real estate?

In the context of real estate, a tester is typically associated with fair housing and discrimination testing. This involves individuals posing as prospective buyers or renters to gather information about whether housing providers are complying with fair housing laws. Testers aim to uncover discriminatory practices related to the availability of housing, pricing, and other terms based on characteristics such as race, color, religion, sex, national origin, familial status, or disability.

This practice is integral to monitoring compliance with fair housing regulations and helps to ensure that all individuals have equal access to housing opportunities without regard to these protected characteristics. By acting as a prospective buyer, the tester can provide valuable insights into the practices of real estate agents and landlords regarding their adherence to fair housing standards.

The other options do not accurately describe a tester's role within the context of real estate, as they pertain to different functions. A tester is not merely involved in loan applications, property inspections, or acting as a buyer's representative.