Where in VT to build

[AdironRider]

So Ive now graduated college, and while Im heading to Jackson in 2 weeks for a season, the time has come to start thinking about the real world and where Id like to end up in life. Ive grown up in NH and cant ever picture myself living outside of NE. Sure the riding is better out west, but theres just something about NE I cant seem to leave. Maybe its the water or something....

Anyways, Ive always wanted to live in the Whites, but the job market there just plain sucks, so its looking like Northern VT is the ticket. Somewhere within 45 minutes of Burlington. Im looking at renting for a year or two but the ultimate goal is to buy a couple secluded acres in the woods and build an A-frame myself. Im a competent woodworker and extremely mechanically inclinded (Ive rebuilt my car from the ground up as well as built two 20+ foot sailboats). Im thinking up north towards Jay would be ideal, but if it is affordable to buy land down in the MRV Id love to make Sugarbush my home mtn as well. I had been thinking about Lake Placid, but Im not sure there would be many jobs available for an econ major round those parts. Anyone know of any cool, laid back towns in the Northern VT (or anywhere really) where I could pick up a couple wooded acres relatively cheap? Ive got a good chunk of savings lined up for a down payment already, but Im not planning on rushing into anything. Thanks for the input.

 

[nelsapbm]

What do you consider relatively cheap?
That said, check out Bristol, New Haven, Starksboro, Monkton, Ferrisburg (northern Addison County). This puts you on the "back" side of Sugarbush/MRG. Housing is much more reasonable than the valley.

 

[AdironRider]

Id like to pick up a spot for under 100 grand just for the land. I like to live pretty modest so the house isnt going to be insane (more sweat equity with the wood working).

 

[nelsapbm]

You can find a couple acres for under $100k in the Bristol area. Bristol puts you 20ish minutes to MRG, and about 1/2 to 45 minutes to the Burlington area (depending on where you are going).
A couple local realtor's websites to check out:

http://vermontgreentree.com/

http://www.lmsre.com/lms/

 

[Talisman]

It is good to have dreams, make them into plans and then into reality. A winter season in the West is something I never did and always wonder about. I followed the jobs versus what you are proposing of seeking a location. Both options can work.

Best of luck to you and may you live your dreams.

 

[Tin Woodsman]

Some good input in this thread already. The Starksboro/Hineburg/Monkton/Huntington area is a good place to look. It's secluded alright. Perhaps somewhere on the outskirts of Waterbury as well. Close proximity there to Stowe, Bolton, MRG and SB, some decent restaurants, and great interstate access. I think you'll find the MRV to be a bit pricy.

 

[crank]

From my understanding, there is a great deal of variation in the amount of property tax between towns in VT. Resort towns such as Stowe pay higher rates and towns with lesser income levels pay much less. If this is true, I would be looking for one of those "lesser" areas to build in. I am thinking about buying a small place in northern VT, 100-200K, range in about 5 years or so for retirement.

 

[roark]

From my understanding, there is a great deal of variation in the amount of property tax between towns in VT. Resort towns such as Stowe pay higher rates and towns with lesser income levels pay much less. If this is true, I would be looking for one of those "lesser" areas to build in. I am thinking about buying a small place in northern VT, 100-200K, range in about 5 years or so for retirement.

I can't speak for VT but in general the opposite is true in NH (a broad generalization, schools/bussing play a huge role. at least near me). Poorer towns have a higher rate per amount of assesment. Higher priced places can have a lower rate and still have the revenue.

 

[nelsapbm]

It's confusing. Resort town tax rates are LOWER than poorer towns (usually), BUT, property assessments are much higher in those resort towns. Poorer towns have higher tax rates, but lower property assesments. It's supposed to all even out (note SUPPOSED). We have a small 3 bdrm cape on 5 acres and we pay a little less than $4k/year for taxes. We live in a non-resort town.
Edit: Here are the '06 rates: http://www.picketfencepreview.com/PropTaxRates.asp
N

 

[crank]

I thought the idea was that money form the wealthier towns works to help support schools in the poorer ones.

Sorry for thread hijack but this is info you'll want before buying/building anyway.

 

[kbroderick]

You might want to consider Bolton Valley itself; there are a couple of lots available right now for around $100k that would provide access to the slopes without a vehicle. http://www.crownrealestatevt.com/Homes.html

(I don't know if that pricing will hold up in a couple of years or not, though.)

 

[AdironRider]

Thanks for the input guys. Havent really put much thought into property taxes and stuff yet, but Im more inclined to pay more for the right lot, rather than sacrifice just to save some money on the yearly payout to Uncle Sam....

 

[nelsapbm]

I thought the idea was that money form the wealthier towns works to help support schools in the poorer ones.

Sorry for thread hijack but this is info you'll want before buying/building anyway.

It does end up being that way....look at the amount of taxable property in Stowe vs. say, Elmore, or Killington vs. Stockbridge.

Like I said, it's very, very confusing . I don't totally understand it either. I don't even think the legislators who wrote that bill even fully understand it LOL!

 

[snowman]

You might want to consider Bolton Valley itself; there are a couple of lots available right now for around $100k that would provide access to the slopes without a vehicle. http://www.crownrealestatevt.com/Homes.html

(I don't know if that pricing will hold up in a couple of years or not, though.)

Ha ha ha. No one told those sellers the real estate market is in the toilet yet I guess?

 

[snowman]

Im a competent woodworker and extremely mechanically inclinded (Ive rebuilt my car from the ground up as well as built two 20+ foot sailboats).

I have no doubt whatsoever that you can. I would however suggest that you enlist the help of a friend in the contracting business though, unless you have intricate knowledge of "code". It would suck to have all your framing done and have the BI come along and ask you where your sill gaskets are. I'm also not a big fan of A-Frames. They're difficult to build and require extremely well built and over designed foundations. I've yet to see a 20 year old A-Frame that doesn't have a foundation crack in the middle from the weight on the outside walls...some have cracks you can shove your whole arm thru. If you're hell bent on the A-Fram, make sure your foundation is ridiculously overbuilt on TERRA FIRMA with heaps of rebar. From a fellow handy guy who's built a couple buildings by himself...I really suggest you go with a contemorary design.....especially if you've never built a building before. :beer:

 

[kbroderick]

Ha ha ha. No one told those sellers the real estate market is in the toilet yet I guess?

Up here, it's not. Chittenden County has enough of a supply vs. demand issue that I don't think the market here is going to drop the way some will. Plus, the supply of walk-to-the-slopes housing is pretty darn limited, especially when you consider that it's also within a reasonable drive of both Montpelier and Burlington job markets.

 

[AdironRider]

Im not planning on building everything myself. Ill admit I know very little about excavation, septics, plumbing, and foundation work. Those will all most likely be contracted out. Good to know though on the foundation concerns as I was planning on having a fully done basement with a game room and an extra bedroom.

 

[nhski]

Up here, it's not. Chittenden County has enough of a supply vs. demand issue that I don't think the market here is going to drop the way some will. Plus, the supply of walk-to-the-slopes housing is pretty darn limited, especially when you consider that it's also within a reasonable drive of both Montpelier and Burlington job markets.

I've been following the market up near Jay for a little over a year now and have started to see some price declines. While i don't think declines are going to be huge, i think they will continue for at least a year or so. In the next twelve months, many ARM's will be re-setting, leaving the homeowners will almost no options. Can't refi as home value/debt is too high and the reset of the mortgage payments they can't afford. Supply is increasing. It will be interesting to watch.

 

[tree_skier]

The reality in Vermont is that resort towns get hammered in property tax by the state and spending skyrockets in recieving towns. My school tax has gone up more then 500% since act 60 was enacted while my town tax has stayed about the same.

 

[snowman]

Im not planning on building everything myself. Ill admit I know very little about excavation, septics, plumbing, and foundation work. Those will all most likely be contracted out. Good to know though on the foundation concerns as I was planning on having a fully done basement with a game room and an extra bedroom.

Make sure you get someone REALLY GOOD on the foundation, that's all I have to say. If they're not on really solid ground and the foundation isn't top notch they split up the middle because the load on the outside walls is far greater than a contemporay home. A newb foundation guy will not understand this and will build your foundation to contemporary spec. I would go as far as to have an engineer spec it. If you get on solid ground, the foundation guy knows what he's doing, and use a lot of rebar you should be fine.