From mountain retreats and lakefront cottages to village homes and cabins in the woods, find a Vermont property that fits the way you want to live.
There’s something appealing about having a place in Vermont to call your own. Somewhere you can escape for a long weekend, spend summers on the lake, enjoy ski season, or simply slow down and appreciate a different pace of life.
Maybe you’ve been visiting Vermont for years and have a favorite town. Maybe you’re dreaming about a cabin tucked into the woods, a home near your favorite ski mountain, or a place where your family can gather for holidays and summer vacations. Or perhaps you’re thinking longer-term, looking for a property you can enjoy now and eventually make your primary residence.
Whatever brings you here, buying a second home in Vermont is an exciting opportunity, but it’s also a decision that deserves careful consideration.
I’m Erin McCormick, a Vermont Realtor with Keller Williams Vermont and the founder of Live Local Vermont. I’ve spent more than a decade living, working, and traveling throughout Vermont, getting to know its communities, landscapes, and the lifestyle that makes people want to spend more time here.
Through my real estate business and Travel Like a Local®, I bring together two things I’m passionate about: helping people make informed real estate decisions and sharing what makes Vermont such a special place to live.
My goal isn’t simply to help you find a beautiful property. It’s to help you understand what owning that property will actually look like, so your Vermont getaway remains something you enjoy rather than another responsibility you didn’t anticipate.
Explore Vermont Homes for Sale Let's Talk About Your Vermont Getaway
What Does Your Ideal Vermont Getaway Look Like?
Finding the Right Location for the Way You Want to Spend Your Time
One of the first questions I ask second-home buyers isn’t necessarily what type of house they’re looking for. It’s what they want to do when they’re here.
Do you envision skiing every weekend? Spending summer afternoons on the water? Exploring small towns, restaurants, and local shops? Hiking, biking, or simply enjoying the privacy of a rural property?
The answers help us narrow down not just the property, but the communities that make sense for your lifestyle.
And Vermont has plenty of options.
Mountain Homes and Ski Properties
For buyers who love winter sports and year-round mountain recreation, Vermont’s ski communities offer everything from slopeside condominiums to secluded mountain homes.
Stowe, the Mad River Valley, Killington, Okemo, Stratton, and the communities surrounding Burke Mountain each offer a different experience.
Some buyers want immediate access to the slopes, while others prefer a quieter location within driving distance of skiing, restaurants, and village amenities.
We’ll consider factors like proximity to recreation, seasonal traffic, property maintenance, association fees, and whether you want a home that’s easy to lock up and leave between visits.
Lakefront Homes and Waterfront Retreats
Summer in Vermont is hard to beat, particularly when you have a place near the water.
Lake Champlain, Lake Bomoseen, Lake Willoughby, and Vermont’s many smaller lakes and ponds offer opportunities for boating, swimming, paddling, and enjoying long summer evenings.
But lakefront ownership comes with considerations that aren’t always obvious during a beautiful summer showing.
We’ll look at shoreline regulations, flood exposure, erosion, septic systems, dock and mooring considerations, property access, and whether a home is suitable for year-round use.
Waterfront properties can be wonderful places to make memories, but it’s important to understand the responsibilities that come with owning one.
Vermont Village Homes
Not everyone looking for a second home wants to be miles from the nearest neighbor.
For some buyers, the ideal Vermont getaway is a home within walking distance of a coffee shop, general store, restaurant, or village green.
Communities like Woodstock, Manchester, Middlebury, Waterbury, and Waitsfield offer different combinations of village life, recreation, dining, and local character.
A village home may provide easier access to services and a stronger sense of community, particularly if you plan to spend extended periods in Vermont.
We’ll also consider parking, historic district requirements, property maintenance, and how busy a location becomes during peak tourism seasons.
Cabins, Camps, and Rural Retreats
If your idea of getting away involves privacy, wooded acreage, mountain views, and very few neighbors, Vermont has no shortage of rural properties to consider.
A cabin in the Northeast Kingdom, a camp along a country road, or a home surrounded by conserved land may offer exactly the escape you’re looking for.
However, rural properties often require additional due diligence.
Private roads, seasonal access, off-grid utilities, well and septic systems, internet availability, and winter maintenance can significantly affect how you use the property.
The more remote the location, the more important it is to understand what ownership will require.
Find the Right Vermont Community
10 Things to Consider Before Buying a Second Home in Vermont
1. How Often Will You Actually Use the Property?
It’s easy to fall in love with the idea of owning a Vermont getaway, but I encourage buyers to think realistically about how often they’ll visit.
Will you come every weekend, once a month, or primarily during ski season and summer vacations? How long is the drive from your primary residence? Will you still want to make that trip after a long workweek or during a winter storm?
A property that’s four hours away may sound manageable until you’re making the drive regularly.
I often encourage buyers to consider convenience as seriously as the home itself. The easier it is to get here, the more likely you are to use and enjoy it.
2. What Will It Cost to Own When You’re Not Here?
The purchase price is only one part of the equation.
Second homes come with ongoing expenses, even when they’re sitting empty. Depending on the property, those might include:
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Property taxes and insurance
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Heating, electricity, and other utilities
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Snow removal and driveway maintenance
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Lawn care and landscaping
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Well and septic maintenance
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Condominium or association fees
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Property management and periodic inspections
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Repairs and unexpected maintenance
In Vermont, heating costs and winter maintenance deserve particular attention. A property needs to be protected from freezing temperatures even when nobody is staying there.
I’ll help you think through these expenses so you can evaluate the full cost of ownership, not just the mortgage payment.
3. Is the Property Accessible Year-Round?
A picturesque Vermont driveway in July can be a very different experience in January.
Steep driveways, unpaved roads, shared access, and seasonal roads can all create challenges during winter and mud season.
Before purchasing, we’ll want to understand whether the road is publicly or privately maintained, who handles plowing, what access rights exist, and whether the property is reliably accessible throughout the year.
If you’re planning to visit frequently during ski season, these details become especially important.
4. Is the Home Designed for Year-Round Living?
Not every Vermont camp or cottage was built for four-season use.
Some properties have limited insulation, seasonal water systems, inadequate heating, or utilities that need to be winterized when the home isn’t occupied.
A seasonal property can be a great option if it aligns with how you plan to use it. But converting it into a year-round home may involve significant costs and permitting considerations.
We’ll want to understand the property’s existing systems and whether your intended use is realistic.
5. Who Will Take Care of the Property When You’re Away?
This is one of the most overlooked aspects of second-home ownership.
What happens if a pipe freezes, the power goes out, a tree falls across the driveway, or a winter storm leaves several feet of snow on the roof?
For buyers who don’t live nearby, having reliable local support is important.
That may mean hiring a property manager, arranging periodic property checks, establishing relationships with local contractors, or choosing a condominium where certain maintenance responsibilities are handled by an association.
I’ll help you think through the level of involvement you’re comfortable with and how that should influence the type of property you purchase.
6. Do You Want the Option to Rent It?
Some buyers purchase a second home solely for personal use. Others hope to offset some of the carrying costs through short-term rentals.
If rental income is part of your plan, it’s important to investigate the rules before purchasing.
Short-term rental regulations vary by municipality, and condominium associations or deed restrictions may impose additional limitations. Vermont also has statewide requirements that may apply to short-term rental operations.
We’ll want to evaluate zoning, applicable permits, registration and tax obligations, insurance requirements, management costs, and the practical realities of hosting guests.
I also encourage buyers to be conservative when estimating rental income. A property shouldn’t depend on an overly optimistic occupancy forecast to make financial sense.
7. What Does Financing a Second Home Look Like?
Financing a second home can be different from financing a primary residence.
Lenders may have different requirements for down payments, credit, debt-to-income ratios, occupancy, reserves, and property eligibility.
Some seasonal or unconventional properties may be more difficult to finance through traditional mortgage programs.
It’s important to speak with a lender who understands second-home financing early in the process, particularly if you’re considering a camp, condominium, or property with unusual characteristics.
I can help you connect with lending professionals who can explain your options based on your circumstances.
8. How Will Property Taxes and Residency Rules Affect You?
Vermont’s property tax system distinguishes between qualifying homestead properties and nonhomestead properties.
A second home generally does not qualify as your Vermont homestead simply because you own it or spend weekends there.
Tax treatment, municipal assessments, and other obligations can affect your overall ownership costs.
If you’re considering eventually making Vermont your primary residence, it’s also worth understanding how residency and tax rules may change.
I recommend reviewing these questions with a qualified tax professional rather than making assumptions based on how frequently you plan to use the property.
9. Could This Become Your Primary Residence Someday?
For some buyers, a second home is part of a longer-term plan.
Maybe you’re thinking about retirement, transitioning to remote work, or eventually relocating to Vermont full-time.
If that’s a possibility, it’s worth evaluating the property through a different lens.
Does the layout work for aging in place? Is there reliable high-speed internet? How far away are healthcare services, grocery stores, and other daily necessities? Will you enjoy the location in November as much as you do in July?
A home that makes a wonderful weekend escape isn’t always the best choice for full-time living.
Thinking ahead can help you purchase a property that supports both your current lifestyle and your future plans.
10. Are You Buying for the Lifestyle or the Investment?
There’s nothing wrong with wanting your second home to appreciate in value. Real estate can be an important part of a long-term financial plan.
But I encourage buyers to distinguish between purchasing a property primarily for personal enjoyment and purchasing one with specific investment expectations.
A beautiful vacation home doesn’t automatically make a strong investment property.
Resale demand, operating expenses, maintenance, rental restrictions, and market conditions all matter.
The right purchase should align with your priorities, financial circumstances, and tolerance for risk.
Buying a Second Home in Vermont Is Different From Buying Your Primary Residence
When you’re purchasing a primary residence, your daily routine often drives the decision. Commute times, schools, proximity to work, and access to essential services may be top priorities.
A second home introduces a different set of questions.
How much maintenance do you want to manage? Do you prefer a walkable village or complete privacy? Would you rather spend more for a turnkey property or take on renovations? Are you looking for a place to enjoy for the next five years or the next twenty?
I help buyers work through these questions before we start narrowing down properties.
Because sometimes the home that looks perfect online isn’t the one that will actually give you the Vermont experience you’re hoping for.
How I Help You Find the Right Vermont Second Home
1. Understand What You’re Looking For
We’ll start with your lifestyle, budget, preferred locations, timeline, and how you intend to use the property.
2. Narrow Down the Right Communities
I’ll help you compare Vermont towns and regions based on your interests, preferred amenities, accessibility, and the character of each location.
3. Identify Properties That Fit
We’ll evaluate available homes based on both their appeal and their practical suitability, considering condition, location, maintenance, and potential ownership costs.
4. Look Beyond the Listing
I’ll help you investigate important property details, review available disclosures, and identify questions related to access, utilities, permits, land use, and other Vermont-specific considerations.
5. Develop a Competitive Offer Strategy
We’ll review comparable sales, market conditions, and the property’s unique characteristics to determine an offer strategy that reflects your goals and comfort level.
6. Navigate Inspections and Due Diligence
I’ll help coordinate the transaction and connect you with appropriate professionals for inspections, financing, legal questions, and specialized property evaluations.
7. Remain a Local Resource After Closing
Once you own your Vermont property, I’m still here to help.
Whether you need recommendations for local contractors, snow removal services, restaurants, recreation, or simply want to get to know the area better, I want to be someone you can continue to call.
More Than a Realtor. Your Local Connection to Vermont.
One of the things that makes my approach to second-home buyers different is that my knowledge of Vermont extends well beyond real estate.
As the founder of Travel Like a Local®, I’ve spent years exploring the state, visiting small businesses, getting to know local communities, and sharing experiences that make Vermont worth visiting and living in.
I know that finding the right second home isn’t just about locating a property with mountain views or proximity to a ski resort.
It’s about finding a place where you’ll enjoy spending your time.
That might mean being able to walk to your favorite coffee shop, having access to great mountain biking trails, discovering a restaurant you’ll return to every weekend, or finding a quiet backroad where you can escape the pace of everyday life.
My role is to help you understand both the property and the place.
Because when you’re buying a second home in Vermont, you’re really investing in how you want to spend your time.
Ready to Find Your Place in Vermont?
Whether you’ve been dreaming about a Vermont getaway for years or are just beginning to explore the possibility, I’d love to help you understand your options.
You don’t need to know exactly where you want to buy or what type of property you’re looking for.
We’ll start with a conversation about what draws you to Vermont, how you envision spending your time here, and what makes sense for your budget and long-term plans.
From there, we’ll develop a thoughtful strategy to help you find the right property.
Start Your Vermont Second Home Search Schedule a Consultation With Erin
Erin McCormick | Live Local Vermont
Realtor, Keller Williams Vermont