County Averages
Median Sale Price: Units Sold: Days on Market:
$275,750 (+4%) 1404 (0%) 129 (-9%)
The residential property market in Chittenden County continues to see strong demand from home buyers, including first-time home purchasers and luxury buyers on the hunt for lakefront or mountain-view estates.
A stronger economy is prompting employers such as The University of Vermont Medical Center and Allscripts to hire employees within Chittenden County. That’s bringing more out-of-state buyers into the market, and providing local residents with the financial stability to either consider making the jump from renting to home-buying or moving into a new home.
Inventory: The Good and The Bad
Inventory levels remain the chief issue for homebuyers, with the number of new listings declining by 8.3% from a year ago. Finding desirable homes in mid-range prices can be especially tough, although buyers looking for executive-level homes and luxury estates will have more choices. The county has about 7 months of available inventory, down from 9 months a year earlier.
Affordability: A Top Concern
Buyers on the hunt for properties below $400,000, considered the sweet spot in Chittenden County, may struggle because of a lack of choices, especially in sought-after neighborhoods. As a result, our Realtors are finding that attractively priced homes in good condition may receive multiple offers and sell quickly. Depending on a buyer’s price range and desired location, some house-hunters may need to consider homes that need some work, or search for properties in towns and counties with more affordable prices.
Burlington
- Across the city, new listings have declined by one-quarter from a year ago.
- The market in Burlington has more than 6 months inventory on hand, little changed from a year earlier.
05401, or Burlington’s Old North End, Hill District and South End neighborhoods, is the top-searched zip code for Northwest Vermont real estate searches. - More buyers are extending their search to the New North End, where houses typically have a lower price point than in the South End or the Hill District. The proximity of the bike path and several beaches are appealing to home buyers.
- Home buyers are gravitating toward lower-priced homes. The median residential sale price in the third quarter was $254,000, or about 2% lower than a year earlier.
Sold properties are moving faster than a year earlier. Homes are selling after an average of 53 days on the market compared with 62 days a year ago.
South Burlington
- South Burlington appeals to buyers who like the proximity to Burlington and the range of price points. The town has a diverse condominium market, as well as a range of single-family housing options.
- Pricing in South Burlington rose 2% during the first 9 months of the year, while sales are little changed from a year earlier.
- South Village, a community planned around walking trails and a farm, is popular with buyers moving from out-of-state and professionals who are seeking newly constructed homes.
Winooski
- Nicknamed “The Brooklyn of Burlington,” Winooski’s revitalization, bringing new restaurants, condominium developments, and stores, is attracting professionals to this former mill town.
- Inventory has eased slightly, but still remains tight. There are now about 6 months of inventory on hand, compared with about 5 months a year earlier.
- Homes are selling after an average of 20 days on the market, the fastest rate in at least three years.
- The median sale price has gained slightly, rising 1% during the first nine months of 2016.
Shelburne
- Thanks to stronger hiring by Chittenden County employers, buyers are returning to Shelburne. Sales in the town jumped 62% in the first three quarters, while the median sale price also gained.
- Available inventory has declined to 6 months, compared with a year’s worth of inventory at the same time last year.
- Homebuyers are returning to the higher-end properties, helping to boost sales of houses in the $500,000 to $900,000 range, our Realtors note.
Multi-family market
- Demand for multi-family homes remains strong, although inventory has tightened.
- There are about 10 months of available inventory in Burlington, the most active market for multi-family homes, compared with 15 months a year ago.
- Within Chittenden County, the median sale price jumped 22%, while the number of sales was little changed from a year earlier.
- For a longer discussion of trends, please see our multi-family section in the Fall Market Report.
Land Sales
- Some professionals are opting to buy land and construct custom-built homes. Demand for land increased, with sales jumping 8% in the first nine months of the year. Still, buyers opted for lower-priced lots, with the median sale price declining 9% to $119,500.
