Buying a Home in Vermont (2026): First-Time Buyer Programs, Loan Limits & Lenders

Home prices in Vermont sit near the middle of the national range, so the loan program you choose — and whether you add down payment assistance — can swing your upfront cash by thousands. Because Vermont has a smaller population, local lenders and the state housing agency play an outsized role — it pays to compare a few loan officers. A household earning around $99,000 a year could comfortably afford a typical Vermont home under the 31% housing guideline.

What does a home cost in Vermont?

Item	Vermont estimate
Typical home value	$290,500
3% down (conventional)	$8,715
3.5% down (FHA)	$10,168
20% down	$58,100
Est. monthly payment (FHA, 3.5% down)	$2,549
Household income to afford (31%)	$99,000

Rate assumption: 7.18% (Freddie Mac PMMS 30-year fixed average, week of November 5, 2026). Change it in the payment calculator.

What first-time home buyer programs does Vermont offer?

Vermont Housing Finance Agency (VHFA) is Vermont's housing finance agency. Its programs are offered through approved lenders and usually require homebuyer education plus income and purchase-price limits.

MOVE: A first mortgage for first-time buyers within limits.
ASSIST: A 0% deferred down payment and closing cost loan.

Check current terms at Vermont Housing Finance Agency (VHFA). Many Vermont cities and counties also run their own down payment assistance.

What are the Vermont loan limits for 2026?

Vermont has 14 counties; 0 are high-cost areas. Here are the official 2026 one-unit limits for its most populous counties (FHFA and HUD):

County	Conforming	FHA
Chittenden County	$832,750	$575,000
Rutland County	$832,750	$541,287
Washington County	$832,750	$541,287
Windsor County	$832,750	$541,287
Franklin County	$832,750	$575,000
Windham County	$832,750	$541,287
Addison County	$832,750	$541,287
Bennington County	$832,750	$541,287
Caledonia County	$832,750	$541,287
Orange County	$832,750	$541,287
Orleans County	$832,750	$541,287
Lamoille County	$832,750	$541,287

See all Vermont county loan limits → VA loans have no limit for borrowers with full entitlement.

How much house can I afford in Vermont?

Use Vermont's own property tax rate and insurance average: $60k, $80k, $100k, $150k salaries, or see FHA requirements in Vermont.

How do property taxes affect buying in Vermont?

Homeowners in Vermont pay a median of $4,956 a year in property taxes — an effective rate of about 1.71% of the median home value, among the highest in the country, so taxes are a major part of the monthly payment (Census ACS). Actual rates vary by county and municipality.

Which loan types are popular in Vermont?

Conventional Loan — Not government-backed; as little as 3% down for first-time buyers, PMI removable at 20% equity.
FHA Loan — Government-insured; 3.5% down with a 580 credit score and flexible debt-to-income rules.
VA Loan — For eligible veterans, service members and surviving spouses: 0% down and no monthly mortgage insurance.
USDA Loan — 0% down for moderate-income buyers in eligible rural and suburban areas.
Jumbo Loan — For loan amounts above the conforming limit; usually 10–20% down and 700+ credit.
First-Time Home Buyer Loans — Low-down-payment loans plus state assistance programs designed for first-time buyers.

Buying a home in Vermont cities

Chittenden County

Burlington — $400,200 South Burlington — $399,600 Essex Junction — $376,800

Rutland County

Rutland — $176,400

Browse every city page →

Vermont home buying FAQs

On a typical Vermont home of about $290,500, a 3.5% FHA down payment is roughly $10,168 and a 3% conventional down payment about $8,715, plus closing costs of 2%–5% of the loan.

Yes. Vermont Housing Finance Agency (VHFA) offers programs including MOVE, ASSIST. Income, price and credit limits apply.

The 2026 baseline conforming limit for a one-unit home is $832,750 in most Vermont counties; designated high-cost counties can be higher.

FHA limits are set by county. For 2026 they start at $541,287 for one-unit homes in lower-cost areas and rise in higher-cost counties.

Sources

Data last updated October 23, 2026.

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Figures on this page are estimates for educational purposes only and are not a loan offer or commitment to lend. Rates, loan limits, fees and assistance programs change frequently and vary by lender, location and borrower profile. Confirm current terms with a licensed loan officer.