Stress is the operative word when buying or building a new house, and when a buyer's circumstances change in the middle of the transaction, difficulties can multiply.

Recently, a Family Money reader was completing his "snag list" with a Dublin builder when he was informed by his employer that he was being transferred abroad.

For legal reasons, the first-time buyer completed the transaction but is now concerned about his tax liability. Since he never lived in the house, can he sell the property as new?

According to the Revenue Commissioners, the property may be sold as new if the reader can provide proof that he has never lived there. If sold as new, the vendor will be responsible for capital gains tax - currently 20 per cent - on any gains in the property's value, said a Revenue spokeswoman.

Selling the house as a secondhand property is the reader's other option.

Since the buyer's company is responsible for the work transfer, it may be willing to pay its employee's financial losses. If possible, he should consider negotiating his new contract on that basis.