Buying a home
Data from November 2026
Buying a home in Vermont
A typical home in Vermont is worth $316,600 (Average 2020–2024). The FHA limit for one unit is $541,287–$575,000 depending on the county. Here is the minimum down payment each loan type asks at that price, every county’s limit, and the state’s assistance programs.
Key numbers in Vermont
- Typical home
- $316,600
- median value, Average 2020–2024
- 5% less than the U.S.
- FHA limit
- $541,287–$575,000
- one unit, by county
- In 3 of the 14 counties, the limit is above the national floor ($541,287).
- Conforming limit
- $832,750
- one unit, 2026 data
- Above this amount, the loan is a “jumbo” loan.
- Minimum FHA down payment
- $11,081
- 3.5% of a $316,600 home
- VA and USDA ask for no down payment if you qualify.
Down payment
How much each loan asks up front
For a $316,600 home, the typical value in Vermont. The minimum down payment is each program’s rule. The monthly figure is an example of principal and interest over 30 years at the 7.18% average rate (November 5, 2026): no taxes, insurance or mortgage insurance.
Your price, rate and down payment will differ: run the calculator with your numbers. Closing costs are extra.
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FHA Program rule
Minimum down3.5%
In dollars$11,081
Per month$2,070
With a credit score of 580 or more. Carries mortgage insurance (MIP) up front and every month.
HUD Handbook 4000.1 (Update 18), II.A.2.a.iv — Minimum Required Investment · In effect since September 14, 2016
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Conventional Program rule
Minimum down3%
In dollars$9,498
Per month$2,080
3% is the lowest standard option. With less than 20% down you pay private mortgage insurance (PMI) until you have more equity.
Fannie Mae Selling Guide B5-6-01 — HomeReady Mortgage Loan and Borrower Eligibility · In effect since January 1, 2024
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VA Program rule
Minimum down0%
In dollars$0
Per month$2,145
For veterans, service members and some spouses. No down payment as long as the price is not above the appraisal; charges a one-time funding fee.
VA: Purchase loan — benefits · In effect since January 1, 2020
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USDA Program rule
Minimum down0%
In dollars$0
Per month$2,145
Only homes in eligible rural areas and households within USDA’s income limit. Finances the full price.
7 CFR §3555.103 — Maximum loan amount (Guaranteed Rural Housing Program) · In effect since December 9, 2013
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ITIN loans follow no federal rule: each lender sets its own down payment and rate, and usually asks for more. 15% is an example.
Loan limits
FHA and conforming limit in every county
FHA sets the limit by area: 3 of the 14 counties in Vermont are high-cost and sit above the national floor ($541,287). The conforming limit is the most Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac will buy; above it, the loan is a “jumbo”.
| Chittenden County | $575,000 | $832,750 | $439,200 | High-cost |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Grand Isle County | $575,000 | $832,750 | $394,100 | High-cost |
| Franklin County | $575,000 | $832,750 | $306,700 | High-cost |
| Addison County | $541,287 | $832,750 | $361,200 | National floor |
| Washington County | $541,287 | $832,750 | $315,000 | National floor |
| Lamoille County | $541,287 | $832,750 | $304,700 | National floor |
| Windsor County | $541,287 | $832,750 | $296,400 | National floor |
| Bennington County | $541,287 | $832,750 | $279,900 | National floor |
| Windham County | $541,287 | $832,750 | $279,600 | National floor |
| Orange County | $541,287 | $832,750 | $271,300 | National floor |
| Rutland County | $541,287 | $832,750 | $229,400 | National floor |
| Caledonia County | $541,287 | $832,750 | $227,900 | National floor |
| Orleans County | $541,287 | $832,750 | $223,400 | National floor |
| Essex County | $541,287 | $832,750 | $172,500 | National floor |
- Chittenden $575,000$832,750
- Grand Isle $575,000$832,750
- Franklin $575,000$832,750
- Addison $541,287$832,750
- Washington $541,287$832,750
- Lamoille $541,287$832,750
- Windsor $541,287$832,750
- Bennington $541,287$832,750
- Windham $541,287$832,750
- Orange $541,287$832,750
- Rutland $541,287$832,750
- Caledonia $541,287$832,750
- Orleans $541,287$832,750
- Essex $541,287$832,750
One unit. For 2- to 4-unit homes, each county page has the full table. Source: FHA mortgage limits (HUD) Data from 2026 data FHA mortgage limits (HUD) (external site)
Down payment help
Vermont programs for buyers
3 verified programs that put money toward the down payment or closing costs, or give a tax credit. With the source wording and the date we checked it.
Some help is a grant you never repay; other help is a second loan that is forgiven over the years or repaid when you sell. Each program’s tag says which kind it is.
See all programs-
VHFA ASSIST
Verified November 5, 2026
Vermont state agency loan of up to $10,000 at 0% deferred, with no monthly payments, for the down payment and closing costs alongside the VHFA MOVE mortgage; for people who have never owned a home and have less than $20,000 in liquid savings
- Deferred
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Vermont state agency grant of $15,000 for the down payment and closing costs, with a VHFA mortgage; for people who have never owned a home and have less than $20,000 in liquid savings, if their parents or guardians never owned a home (or lost it to foreclosure) or if they were in foster care
- Grant
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Mortgage Credit Certificate (MCC)
Verified November 5, 2026
Vermont state agency certificate that turns up to 50% of the interest you pay each year on your mortgage into a credit on your federal taxes, capped at $2,000 a year, while you live in the home and keep the original mortgage
- Tax credit
What the state publishes
Vermont rules that change the math
Exemptions that lower property tax and taxes paid when the deed is recorded, summarized from the official page each one cites.
Property tax in VermontExemptions and caps
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Property tax credit for your primary home (homestead)
You may get a credit on your property taxes if your home qualifies as a homestead (your primary home) and you meet all the requirements: you filed the year's Homestead Declaration, you were domiciled in Vermont for the whole taxable year, no one claimed you as a dependent, you owned and lived in the home on April 1, and your household income is within the limit. The maximum credit is $5,600 for the State education property tax portion and $2,400 for the municipal portion. The income limit changes every year and is shown on the form.
Vermont Department of Taxes · Verified October 24, 2026
When the sale is recorded
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State property transfer tax
Vermont taxes the transfer of property by deed. The general rate is 1.25 percent of value (or $1, whichever is greater). If the property will be the principal residence of the person receiving it, the tax is 0.5 percent of the first $200,000 and 1.25 percent of the value above $200,000. If the purchase mortgage is funded in part with a homeland grant through the Vermont Housing and Conservation Trust Fund, or the state housing finance agency (VHFA) or USDA Rural Development has committed to make or purchase it, there is no tax on the first $250,000 and 1.25 percent on the value above that.
32 V.S.A. §9602 · Vermont General Assembly (Vermont Statutes Online) · Verified October 24, 2026
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3.4 percent rate when the home will not be a primary residence
The transfer tax is 3.4 percent of value when the residential property is fit to live in year-round, will not be the principal residence of the person receiving it, and that person will not be required to provide a landlord certificate under section 6069.
32 V.S.A. §9602(4) · Vermont General Assembly (Vermont Statutes Online) · Verified October 24, 2026
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Clean water surcharge
On top of the transfer tax there is a surcharge of 0.22 percent of the property's value. It does not apply to the first $200,000 when the property will be the principal residence of the person receiving it, or to the first $250,000 when the purchase mortgage is funded in part with a homeland grant through the Vermont Housing and Conservation Trust Fund or the state housing finance agency (VHFA) or USDA Rural Development has committed to make or purchase it.
32 V.S.A. §9602a · Vermont General Assembly (Vermont Statutes Online) · Verified October 24, 2026
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Who pays the property transfer tax
The law makes the transfer tax the liability of the person who receives title (the buyer), unless the parties agree otherwise.
32 V.S.A. §9604 · Vermont General Assembly (Vermont Statutes Online) · Verified October 24, 2026
Your next steps
Where to go next in Vermont
What you can do today, free and without giving personal information. Go in order: your numbers first, then the help.
- Run the numbers with your figures
The Vermont calculator already has the typical value, the average rate and the state’s property tax.
- Check whether you qualify for help
Each program says what it gives, who qualifies and when we checked it.
- Talk to a counselor for free
7 HUD-approved agencies help you prepare to buy; 1 says it serves in Spanish.
- Follow the steps to buy a home
From the budget to the keys, in order.
Frequently asked questions
How much down payment do I need for a typical home in Vermont?
For a $316,600 home (typical value, Average 2020–2024), the FHA minimum (3.5%) is $11,081 and the conventional minimum (3%) is $9,498. VA and USDA ask no down payment if you qualify. State programs can cover part of it.
Are there high-cost counties in Vermont?
Yes. In 2026 data, 3 of the 14 counties in Vermont have an FHA limit above the national floor ($541,287); the highest is Chittenden County ($575,000).
What is the conforming loan limit in Vermont?
In 2026 data, the conforming limit for one unit is $832,750 in every county in Vermont: the most Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac will buy. Above it, the loan is a “jumbo” and each lender sets its own terms.
What would the monthly payment be on a typical home in Vermont?
With $316,600, the FHA minimum down payment ($11,081) and the 7.18% average rate (November 5, 2026), principal and interest over 30 years comes to about $2,070 a month. Tax, insurance and mortgage insurance are missing: the calculator adds them.
What down payment help is there in Vermont?
We have verified 3 state programs in Vermont that put money toward the down payment or closing costs, or give a tax credit. Each shows the source wording, who qualifies and the date we checked it.