For many Vermont homeowners, your house is likely your most valuable asset, so deciding to sell is a big step. Whether you’re moving out of state, heading to the suburbs, or downsizing, you want a smooth sale and the best possible return.
Knowing the cost of selling a house in Vermont is important. In this article, we’ll break down the typical expenses you may face and share expert advice to help you through the selling process.
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Housing trends in Vermont
Similar to the national landscape, the Vermont housing market is facing high interest rates and rising home prices.
“I would say the housing market in Vermont right now is highly predictable in some ways and unpredictable in others. Never before have we seen buyers who are taking as much time,” says Mikail Stein, a leading Vermont real estate agent with 12 years of experience.
Here’s a breakdown of the current real estate conditions in Vermont:
| As of April 2025 | |
| Days on market | 8 days |
| Median home sale price | $450,000 |
| List price vs. sale price | 96.5% |
| Supply of inventory | 4.3 months |
| Population growth year over year | -0.03% |
Sources: Vermont Association of Realtors, World Population Review
As a seller in Vermont, one important metric to consider is the days on market (DOM), which indicates the average time from listing to securing a signed purchase agreement. Currently, the average DOM in Vermont is 8 days.
“Price, condition, and location are always the determining factors, but I’d say on average it’s anywhere between 7 to 21 days at this point,” says Aaron Scowcroft, a top Vermont agent with 10 years of experience.
Start with a home value estimate
One of the first things you should do when estimating the cost of selling your Vermont home is to get a home value estimate. Because prices and markets can shift, it’s a good idea to find out what your home is currently worth — you may be surprised by the result.
You can quickly request an online value estimate using HomeLight’s Home Value Estimator. This free automated valuation model (AVM) tool uses recent sales data, local market trends, and your home’s latest selling price to provide a preliminary value range in under two minutes. Just enter your address to begin.
How much does it cost to sell a house in Vermont?
Based on our findings, the cost to sell a home in Vermont typically ranges from 6% to 10% of your selling price.
For instance, if you sell your home for $450,000 — the median home price in Vermont — your selling costs could be around $27,000 to $45,000.
Which end of this estimate you can expect to pay will depend on your choices regarding home prep work, agent commissions, and any concessions you may offer to the buyer. Next, let’s look at which factors to consider when calculating the cost of selling a house in Vermont.
What are common expenses for sellers in Vermont?
The cost of selling a house in Vermont can differ significantly based on your circumstances within the state’s evolving market.
Several factors can affect the cost of preparing your home for sale, including its size, age, and condition. Below, we’ve put together some estimated costs to guide you as you plan.
Prepping your house for sale
Preparing your Vermont home for sale generally costs between 1.5% and 2.7% of your home’s final sale price. Based on the state’s median home price ($450,000), this could amount to $6,750 to $12,150.
Here’s a closer look at these expenses:
- Pre-sale repairs: $4,500-$5,400, depending on the year your home was built and its maintenance.
- Staging your property: $1,500-$4,000 (recommended by Vermont agents for higher proceeds).
- Professional cleaning services: $118-$237, depending on the home’s size.
- Interior painting: $966-$3,086.
- Landscaping: $1,248-$6,281.
- Pre-listing inspection: $250-$500 if desired.
Before taking on any big projects, such as a kitchen remodel or roof replacement, consult with your agent. An experienced Vermont real estate agent can advise you on which repairs are worth addressing and what you can skip when selling your home.
“A lot of people will start to do work to make their home more marketable without knowing exactly what they can do that will make the home more marketable,” says Stein.
Realtor fees in Vermont
Agent commissions are among the most significant costs in a real estate transaction. In Vermont, Realtor fees usually range from 2.5% to 6%, depending on whether you pay the buyer’s agent commissions, which is no longer a given due to a landmark court settlement that changed commission rules nationwide.
Based on the median home price of $450,000 in Vermont, you can expect to pay between $11,250 (2.5%) and $27,000 (6%) in real estate agent commissions.
While agent commissions may seem on the high side, working with a skilled professional can make a huge difference in the outcome of your sale. HomeLight transaction data indicates that the top 5% of agents across the U.S. sell homes for as much as 10% more than the average agent.
“There really is no one-size-fits-all approach to this, so having someone in your corner who takes your unique situation into account, knows the market well, and can help adapt to changes, that’s really where the value is,” says Scowcroft.
Later in this post, we’ll show how commissions might affect your total selling costs in our at-a-glance analysis chart.
Seller concessions
Seller concessions can increase the overall cost of selling a house in Vermont. Beyond the direct costs of preparing your home and Realtor fees, you may also run into indirect costs. This could include seller concessions and buyer incentives.
A concession occurs when a seller agrees to use part of their proceeds to cover some or all of a buyer’s closing costs. The amount of these costs will depend on your market and selling situation.
“I’d say contributing or paying for buyer agent fees is a big one. This opens up options for the seller in terms of the buyer pool and will often result in more offers, often leading to higher priced offers with fewer contingencies,” Scowcroft says.
Even though sellers don’t have to offer concessions, doing so can draw in more buyers, help your home stand out, or simply make it easier to close a deal. Here’s a quick overview of some seller concession examples that might increase the cost of selling a house in Vermont:
- Home inspection fees: $296-$424, depending on square footage.
- Buyer’s home warranty: $350-$900 ($1,200-$1,400 for more comprehensive plans).
- Repair credit: Seller credits vary and can lower your net proceeds.
“For those who end up offering no money toward buyer agent fees, they either end up paying more or it takes longer for them to sell a property because it is a large amount of money that they’re then putting on the buyer, and it’s never been as expensive as now to purchase a property,” says Stein.
Closing costs and additional fees
Your closing costs and additional fees (excluding agent commissions) will likely range from 2% to 4% of your home’s selling price. Using Vermont’s median home price of $450,000, this would be between $9,000 and $18,000.
So, what closing costs do sellers need to pay in Vermont? Here are examples of the line items you’ll find on your final settlement statement:
- Escrow fee
- Title insurance premiums
- Title search fees
- Tax liens or other judgments
- Homeowner’s association dues
- Reconveyance fee and recording fees
- Prorated property taxes
- Mortgage loan payoff amount (U.S. average: approximately $250,000)
A note about Vermont’s transfer tax: In Vermont, the buyer is generally responsible for paying the property transfer tax at closing. The standard tax rate is 1.25% of the sale price, plus a Clean Water Surcharge. Lower rates may apply to principal residences for the first $200,000 of value.
At-a-glance home selling cost example for Vermont
This at-a-glance analysis is based on Vermont’s median home price of $450,000. To simplify things, this table does not include a mortgage payoff amount. These figures may serve as a helpful planning tool as you get ready to sell your home.
At-a-glance table:
| Prepping your home for sale | $9,000 | 2% |
| Realtor fees (commissions) | $13,500 | 3% (listing agent only) |
| Concessions, closing costs, taxes, fees | $13,500 | 3% |
| Total selling cost example | $36,000 | 8% |
*General estimates based on Vermont’s median home price of $450,000
If you choose to pay the buyer’s agent fee: Add an estimated 2.5% or $11,250.
How much profit will you make? To gain a clearer understanding of your potential earnings after expenses, try HomeLight’s Net Proceeds Calculator. This free tool considers all the selling costs discussed above, plus your mortgage payoff amount.
Relocation expenses
One expense that’s easy to forget is the cost of moving. Your total will depend on where you’re headed and whether you use professional movers for packing. Here’s what you can expect to pay for relocation after your home sale:
- Typical cost to move: $883-$2,568
- Typical cost to move out of Vermont: $3,000-$9,500
How can I reduce my seller costs in Vermont?
Reducing the cost of selling a house in Vermont is possible through various strategies, some more impactful than others. Here are ways to lighten your expenses:
- Make repairs yourself when possible.
- Negotiate a lower commission with your real estate agent.
- Use a discount-commission agent or brokerage.
- Consider selling your home for sale by owner (FSBO).
- Avoid offering seller concessions or buyer incentives.
- If you agree to cover closing costs or provide a repair credit, consider raising your Vermont home’s purchase price.
- Resist the temptation to over-improve or make unnecessary repairs when selling.
- Sell your house off-market.
- Time your home sale using HomeLight’s Best Time to Sell Calculator.
- Work with a top-performing Vermont agent who has a proven sale-to-list ratio.
While a discount agent or broker may offer lower-cost services, they might lack the experience needed to close the sale successfully, potentially costing you money in the end.
“There’s a reason some agents charge a premium. It’s because their track record speaks for itself,” says Scowcroft. “Why trust one of the largest investments you’ve ever made to someone who doesn’t have the experience or track record to get the job done?”
Helpful tools for your next home purchase
As you plan to buy your next home, consider these HomeLight tools and our modern Buy Before You Sell program:
Connect With a Top Agent to Sell Your Vermont Home
It takes just two minutes to match clients with the best real estate agents, who will contact you and guide you through the process. To connect with an agent, simply tell us a little bit about your property and how soon you’re looking to sell.
Our data shows the top 5% of agents across the U.S. help clients sell their home for as much as 10% more than the average real estate agent.
Partner and plan with a top Vermont agent
A good first step in determining the cost of selling a house in Vermont is to get a home value estimate.
Then, you’ll need to create a plan to maximize your profits. HomeLight’s free Agent Match platform can pair you with a top real estate agent in your Vermont market who can sell your property over its list price.
Typically, the cost to sell a house in Vermont is 6% to 10% or more of your home’s final sale price.
“My biggest advice to sellers is research who you’re going to work with and understand what you can expect and don’t feel surprised or afraid to ask questions either,” Stein says.
HomeLight’s Agent Match helps you connect with the best agents in your market, so you can get the most from selling your home.
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