Relocating can feel like an imminent auto accident – but it doesn't have to be that way. Whether moving your family is a treat – or a torture – depends a lot on your approach. The secret to avoiding stress is remaining positive, believing that moving is primarily a time of discovery, not regrets. Before The Move.

• Accentuate the positive. Be upbeat..

• Gather the facts about what can happen during a move and ways to deal with move-related events

• Be flexible

During The Move.

• Schedule family recreation time to get away from moving stress.

• Exercise regularly – it is a wonderful stress-buster.

• Seek support from friends and family.

• Eat regular, well-balanced meals. Hunger amplifies stress

After The Move.

• Consider counseling for the adults and children if stress persists.

• Tap community resources to provide the family with information on vital services in the new community.

• Help the family members make new professional and social contacts.

Will the company pay me a bonus for moviing? Ask around if the company has paid other employees a special bonus for relocating. If bonuses are paid, the word has probably gotten around.

Will I get a bonus if I use my own real estate broker and sell the house myself?
Some companies offer a bonus of 1% or 2% of the appraised market value of the house for successful advance marketing.

How many trips to the new area will the company provide?
Often, two or more such trips are among relocation benefits.

What home buying costs will the company pick up?
Many companies pay closing costs, mortgage fees and points. Some also pay for credit reports, inspections, title searches and other services.

Will the company ship all my possessions?
An important question. Most companies have lists of items they will and will not pay to ship. Be sure to ask about such large items as cars (how many), boats, RVs, lawn tractors, lumber, exotic pets, horses, farm equipment, even firewood. Also ask about expensive items such as artwork, collections, furs, or heirlooms that might require additional insurance.

Will I get a bonus if I use my own real estate broker and sell the house myself?
Some companies offer a bonus of 1% or 2% of the appraised market value of the house for successful advance marketing.

How many trips to the new area will the company provide?
Often, two or more such trips are among relocation benefits.

What home buying costs will the company pick up?
Many companies pay closing costs, mortgage fees and points. Some also pay for credit reports, inspections, title searches and other services.

Will the company ship all my possessions?
An important question. Most companies have lists of items they will and will not pay to ship. Be sure to ask about such large items as cars (how many), boats, RVs, lawn tractors, lumber, exotic pets, horses, farm equipment, even firewood. Also ask about expensive items such as artwork, collections, furs, or heirlooms that might require additional insurance.

If I take this job, my spouse will be out of work. We need that second income; how will the company help?
Some companies have an established spouse job assistance program. Others may help on a case-by-case basis, or not at all. Forewarned is forearmed. Call or e-mail us. We'll be glad to advise you on our experience with these questions and also help you in any way with your real estate needs.

Decision making is tough. You go back and forth, never sure what makes the most sense. Deciding whether to sell your home or rent it out can feel like that. Most transferees choose to sell their house and buy a new home in the new location. But some choose to hold on to the property and try being a landlord. Here are a few questions to help you decide whether to rent the old house or sell it:

Can you buy in the destination city without the profits of selling the old house?
If you want to buy in the new location, how will you make a down payment on another house? One way may be to refinance the old property or use an equity loan to get some cash in hand, but this may also raise the mortgage payments on the old property.

Is the old home a special house you want to keep?
You may want to hang on to a home you like in the place the family will retire to, or a home customized specifically for your family, or a house that is highly likely to appreciate in value. Will you be returning to live in the origination area in the near future?
A recent tax law correction has changed the two-year waiting period for capital gains exemption for work-related moves. You can now take a prorated exemption. If you stay only one year before moving again (50% of the time limit), you can claim up to 50% of the maximum exemption.

Can you afford to carry the old mortgage?
Whether a family can rent or buy in the new location while paying the old mortgage depends on lifestyle, income, and any corporate benefits. Rental income may cover part of the mortgage – but often the rent isn’t high enough to cover all expenses. You should be able to make ends meet even if the home stands vacant, the tenant defaults or other problems arise. Because of this, many lenders count only 75% of the rental income as real income when you apply for another mortgage. They often consider the other 25% of the rent to be a reserve against expenses and vacancies

Will you be close enough to manage the old property, or is there a reliable agent who can handle things?
Tax laws favor those who can manage their rental properties themselves, but if the distance is more than an hour’s drive, consider hiring an agent to manage the property. A long-distance landlord will need such help in finding good tenants, preparing a lease, setting the rental rate and, most important, overseeing repairs and maintenance.