Searching for your #VT country dream home online can be exciting, but it’s important to look beyond the photos and catchy descriptions. A property listing will highlight the properties’ best features and may not openly note potential issues. Here’s a guide to help you spot hidden hints in online listings to make sure you’re making a well-informed decision.
1. “Cozy Retreat”: Tall people, listen up! Cozy retreat can mean it’s lovely, tiny and A-okay. But it can also mean to expect low doorways, small rooms, closets and few electric outlets per room. Upstairs rooms may be unheated and have minimal area that is not under the roof line/eaves, thus tough for tall people to stand comfortably. It may need many small changes to be convenient for modern living. And, the storage areas may be few, too.
2. “Fixer-Upper” or “Needs Some TLC”: If a listing says this, it could be a sign of underlying issues like water damage, and roof or foundation problems that Seller simply can’t or won’t tackle. On the other hand, it might be in excellent condition, but simply have dated bathroom and kitchen fixtures and finishes.
3. “Rustic Charm” : These terms sound delightful, and also suggests the property perhaps has outdated, limited or no permanent system for heat, water and electric demands. It might just mean lots of interior wood surfaces and a big woodstove for heat.
4. “Sought-After Location”: While it’s great to be in demand, this could also just be a focus on the most valuable feature. This helps VT buyers look past concerns with any existing foundation, roof and mold damage that might have been unaddressed. It could have an unbelievably steep driveway and yard…in a highly preferred school district. Or, very close to a busy highway.
5. “Open Concept”: This term is often used to describe a wall-free layout between living, dining and kitchen areas. It might offset potential concerns elsewhere. Big permanent ones, like being in a flood zone, steep property or being situated close to a busy road. You should be aware early before a showing, if these scenarios are a deal-breaker for you.
6. “Historic Details”or “Vintage Features”: Similar to rustic charm, this phrase can mean beautiful tiger-wood baseboard trim, a slate roof or a connection to the Underground Railroad. But it can also mean potentially outdated components that need modernization for healthy living. This may mean addressing asbestos siding, lead paint trim, vermiculite insulation in walls and tired, sagging floor joists.
7. “Natural Landscaping” ,”Mature Trees”: While a natural setting *is* Vermont, it might also mean dense or overgrown vegetation. Or Oak, Birch and Maple trees. This can mean pests; large like deer and small like ticks. In the Fall, you may be dismayed by the volume of beautiful leaves refilling your gutters and yard.
8. “Beaver pond”: This might seem downright adorable. This also indicates wetlands. Wetlands can have valuable state and global habitat and floodplain functions. Some are subject to state restrictions to protect them. You may love the idea of hearing Spring frogs peeping at night, however, and so just seek to understand how close it is to the current or future house site.
9. “Cosmetic Upgrades”: While a fresh coat of paint on new drywall in a basement and on-trend lighting fixtures are nice to see in place, don’t forget to look for potential underlying issues that perhaps were unaddressed. Sellers may not be in a position to address larger issues and so put their energy into what they could tackle to prepare their property for sale. Have your buyer agent ask.
10. "Quintessential" Vermont farmhouse. With an older VT farmhouse, you can rightly expect original details oozing charm from every finish and feature. You may also expect a stacked-stone basement showing its familiarity with water infiltration, lead based paint on finishes, older electric wiring, odd room layouts and non-level floors.
Ask your real estate agent to find out more information than is online. This includes service receipts, property documents and even aerial photos with flood and wetland overlays.
By paying attention to clues and advice from a local expert you will know what you don’t know. And then, you can an informed decision about whether a property is a match for you.