Discover Your Vermont Dream: Explore Life in Central Vermont

FAQ

What is the best time of year to sell a home in Vermont?

The short answer is that the best time of year to sell a house in central Vermont is when the time is right for you. Some of the more common calendar events for putting your house on the market include the beginning of spring, the end of a school year (and through the summer). For some sellers in Vermont, it makes more sense to wait until the fall, when the school year has begun.

Of course, there are individual and personal things to consider.

If you’re a teacher, then putting your house on the market in March, and hoping to move in May might not be ideal. In that case, maybe the play would be to list in May or June, and then have it on the market during the summer.

If you have school-aged children, and if things just didn’t line up for getting on the market in the spring, then maybe your path is to wait until fall. The beginning of the school year might provide some structure to the days, and the family calendar might be more predictable.

If your home is in a college town, then it could be a good idea to try to align your home being on the market with the hiring cycle of that college.

Live on a gravel road that’s absolutely gorgeous for most of the year, but, mud season is a bit of a challenge? Consider waiting until the roads are solid, and graded. Think of it as municipal staging for your house.

And, of course, I have a curveball. What are your plans for when your home sells? Do you already have your next place lined up? Does the purchase of your next house depend on the sale of this one? What is your real estate agent telling you as far as how long it’s taking properties to sell?

So many questions! And all you wanted was an answer.

There are some things that you’re in control of–what your house looks like, how it presents, and whether you are priced competitively in your market. And there are things you’re not in control of. Those include how buyers will react to your offering, how long a property takes to get into contract, and then to close, and all of the variables with your next living situation.

The best advice is to talk with an experienced real estate agent. You might not be able to chart a foolproof, unchanging path, but you’ll be able to think about scenarios, and play some what-ifs. All of that is helpful as the process unfolds.

And for all the data heads out there, and you know we love you! In an analysis of a recent 3 year period of sales data, here’s the number of single family homes listed for sale in Washington County, by month:

The three months with the most new listings are June, July, and August. Just because those are the most common months for new listings doesn’t mean those are the months that are best for you. But, you know, they might be.

To make for a smooth sale, it’s recommended to have access to your property tax bill, the deed, and the town’s lister card. Other documents that can help include a property disclosure, survey, any relevant inspection reports, and utility information. Any house built before 1978 has required lead paint disclosures. Vermont requires sellers to provide a flood disclosure to potential buyers. To sell a condo in Vermont, you’ll also need to have a completed Resale Certificate. For a detailed list, it’s best to talk with a real estate agent, as different types of properties, and even different towns have different requirements, recommendations, and customs.