1. No down payment—One of the most valuable and touted benefits, and for good reason. Saving enough for a down payment can be the biggest obstacle to buying a home. But a VA loan eliminates that roadblock. In most cases, qualified VA buyers don’t have a down payment requirement. A VA purchase transaction still requires closing costs and [...]

If you’ve lived through even one winter in northern Vermont, you know the drill: early sunsets, snowbanks taller than your car, and that stubborn layer of ice that refuses to melt until April. So when homeowners ask me, “Is it even worth listing my place this time of year?” my answer is always the same: Yes, if you do it [...]

Buttoning up is an exercise as unique as the home in which you live. This is especially true here in Vermont, given our state’s older housing stock. Efficiency Vermont and partners around the state are on hand to help you evaluate your home’s unique efficiency opportunities and develop the plan that’s right for you.

Here are some of the ways you can get objective guidance on buttoning up your [...]

Fall is one of the best times to walk land in Vermont — the leaves are down, the views open up, and you can really get a feel for the lay of the property. But it’s also hunting season, which means it’s important to take a few extra precautions before you head [...]

This year, the Orleans County Conservation District’s Annual Plant Sale can help you transform wet areas into blooming beauty. Planting on your property can provide many benefits: tasty snacks for you and your family, add beauty to your land (even in the wetter spots), provide shade, help with erosion control on lake shores and riverbanks, [...]

Originally built in 1967, steps from the shoreline of Holland Pond, Washburn Camp was constructed to last. So when the extensive renovation process began during black fly season in 2021, the current owners were fortunate to discover that the camp’s good bones meant they could retain the main structure. The project “took on a life of its [...]

The Value of a Home Inspection

A home inspection is an important step when purchasing a property because it helps buyers better understand the condition of the home before closing the deal. Here are the key [...]

Every month, Rural Edge offers Homebuyer Education Workshops at various locations throughout the Northeast Kingdom. These workshops are ideal for first-time homebuyers who are unfamiliar with the steps involved in searching for and purchasing a home. Workshop topics include: Talking with a Lender, Types of Mortgages, What You Can Afford, the [...]

Why Getting Preapproved Before Buying a Home is a Game Changer

Thinking about buying a home? Before you start browsing listings and picturing yourself in that dream kitchen, there’s one important step you shouldn’t skip—getting preapproved for a [...]

By pushing back one wall of the kitchen, installing new flooring, and painting the walls a crisp white, the current owners have created a bright, open main living area in this 1,112-square-foot home. New appliances, countertops, sink and wood cabinets add warmth to the efficient kitchen. Other updates to the home include the remodeling of [...]