Vermont Real Estate Purchase Agreement

Last Updated: December 22, 2023 by Phil Ahn

Vermont Real Estate Purchase Agreement Template_1 on iPropertyManagement.com

The Vermont residential real estate purchase agreement (“residential real estate purchase contract”) is a contract that is used when placing an offer to purchase real estate. The agreement initiates the negotiation process by indicating the buyer’s offer to acquire the property.

Included in the offer will be the purchase price and additional conditions established by the buyer. The seller will have an assigned period in which they can respond to the offer before it expires. During this time, the seller may alter the terms by submitting to the buyer a counteroffer. Should both parties agree on the purchase conditions, they can sign the document to create a legally binding commitment to transfer ownership of the property.

Do Sellers in Vermont Have to Disclose Property Defects?

Vermont does not require real estate sellers to disclose any material defects. Certain states do not require the seller to disclose all defects (caveat emptor), meaning the buyer assumes the responsibility to conduct a real property inspection to seek out any potential defects with the property. In those states, if a buyer fails to conduct a proper examination, they may not have a legal alternative to reverse the real estate transaction.   

warning
While landlords in Vermont are not required to disclose material defects, if the seller actively concealed latent defects or otherwise made material misrepresentations amounting to fraud, then they may be liable for damages or reversal of the real estate transaction.

Required Seller Disclosures in Vermont

Although with any material defects with the property, sellers in Vermont will also need to provide the following:

  • Seller Agent Property Disclosure. Should the seller of the home commission a broker to sell the property, the broker must be held to the additional duty of disclosing any material defect associated with the property. This can refer to issues pertaining to the structure itself, heating, water or electrical-based systems, the title, or environmental concerns.
  • Lead-Based Paint Disclosure. Any home that was constructed earlier than 1978 must come with a disclosure upon the transfer of the property that includes any data concerning the presence of lead on the premises as well as educational materials that communicate the risks involved with coming into contact with the harmful substance.