How Fast Can You Sell Land in Vermont in 2026?

Vermont land can sell quickly in the right conditions—or sit for months when pricing, access, or permitting don’t line up with buyer expectations. The state’s mix of buildable lots, recreational tracts, and working farmland creates a wide range of timelines. Vermont also remains deeply agricultural: the USDA’s National Agricultural Statistics Service reports about 1.19 million acres of farmland (2022) with an average farm size of 177 acres, while the dairy economy continues to shape supply and demand in many rural towns.

How long does it take to sell land in Vermont?

In most Vermont markets, a realistic planning window to sell vacant land is 12–24 months from pricing prep to closing, especially if the parcel needs a specific buyer (builder, neighbor, recreation buyer, or farmer) and you’re relying on traditional marketing. Even in stronger markets, land typically takes longer to sell than a home because buyers must evaluate feasibility—access, zoning, septic, utilities, and financing—before making an offer.

What 2025 Vermont land market data suggests about timing

Recent market indicators point to a more measured pace for land sales and pricing, which can affect how long you should expect your parcel to take.

• Sales activity: 116 land parcels sold across five Vermont counties in 2025, a 3.57% increase from 2024, according to the Hickok & Boardman Vermont Land Market Report.
• Time on market: Average days on market (DOM) for land rose to 134 days in 2025, up 8% from 2024, per the Hickok & Boardman Vermont Land Market Report.
• Pricing trends: The median sale price across five counties declined 8.14% to $141,000 in 2025, according to the Hickok & Boardman Vermont Land Market Report.
• Average sale price: The average sale price dropped 33.65% to $183,952 in 2025 across five counties, per the Hickok & Boardman Vermont Land Market Report.
• Inventory pressure: New land listings increased 9.6% to 228 in 2025 across five counties, according to the Hickok & Boardman Vermont Land Market Report.

In plain terms: more listings plus longer DOM often means you need sharper pricing and better diligence materials to avoid extended market time.

County-level differences that can speed up—or slow down—your sale

Vermont is a county-by-county land market. Demand, pricing, and buyer profiles change dramatically depending on proximity to Burlington, job centers, ski areas, lakes, and highway access.

• Chittenden County: The median land sale price hit $250,000 in 2025, up 11% year-over-year, according to the Hickok & Boardman Vermont Land Market Report. Higher prices can attract more sellers, but well-located buildable parcels often draw motivated buyers faster.
• Washington County: Washington County recorded 38 land parcels sold in 2025—the highest sales volume—per the Hickok & Boardman Vermont Land Market Report. Higher turnover can indicate stronger liquidity, especially for properly priced lots.
• Franklin County: Franklin County land unit sales jumped 31.6% in 2025 despite a 1% drop in median sale price, according to the Hickok & Boardman Vermont Land Market Report. This combination often signals active buyer interest but heightened sensitivity to price and feasibility.

Why farmland and dairy economics matter to Vermont land sales

Many Vermont land transactions involve working farms, partial farm splits, or rural parcels influenced by agricultural use and conservation considerations. In 2025, Vermont had 480 dairy farms, many operating on farmland that may be available for potential sale over time, according to the Vermont Agency of Agriculture, Food and Markets (VAAFM) Dairy Report. The same report notes that 52% of Vermont farmland is dedicated to dairy and dairy crops in 2025, per the Vermont Agency of Agriculture, Food and Markets (VAAFM) Dairy Report.

For sellers, this context can affect buyer pools, permitted uses, and the documentation buyers request (soils, water, road frontage, easements, and conservation restrictions). For buyers, it influences what “highest and best use” actually looks like in a given town.

Key factors that influence how fast Vermont land sells

Vacant land sales are less emotional and more technical than home sales. Buyers must solve for “Can I use it the way I want?” before they commit. These variables often determine whether your parcel sells closer to 12 months or stretches toward 24 months (or more):

• Location and demand drivers: Parcels near ski areas, lakes, village centers, and commuter corridors usually attract more buyers.
• Legal and practical access: Road frontage, deeded right-of-way, and year-round drivability can make or break a deal.
• Utilities and buildability: Power at the road, well potential, septic feasibility, and topography reduce perceived risk and development costs.
• Intended use: A ready-to-build house lot sells differently than recreational, timber, or agricultural land.
• Parcel size and layout: Smaller, buildable lots often move faster; larger tracts can take longer but may appeal to fewer, higher-intent buyers.
• Zoning, setbacks, and permitting: Restrictions, road requirements, wetlands, and subdivision limits can slow offers and extend due diligence.
• Surrounding influences: Noise, commercial neighbors, and nearby land uses affect buyer interest and value.
• Pricing strategy: Accurate pricing based on recent comparable land sales (not just tax assessments) is one of the strongest levers you control.

The Vermont land sale process: stages and typical timing

1) Pricing, feasibility review, and listing preparation (about 2–4 weeks)

Start by clarifying what you’re selling and how it can be used. A strong listing package often includes maps, zoning details, road frontage, known easements, and any available survey, septic, or soils documentation. Your agent can use local comparable land sales to set a competitive price and position the property correctly from day one.

2) Marketing, buyer outreach, and showings (about 4–18 months)

Land needs targeted exposure. Effective marketing typically includes MLS distribution, online land platforms, signage, outreach to builders and neighboring landowners, and prompt follow-up with buyers who want feasibility answers. This stage can move quickly when the parcel is “ready” (access + septic + realistic price) and slower when buyers must investigate unknowns.

3) Offer acceptance, due diligence, and closing (about 30–60 days)

Once you accept an offer, buyers often verify title, access rights, zoning compliance, and buildability. If the buyer finances the purchase, underwriting can add time. Title and closing professionals then coordinate the transfer and settlement.

Total timeline recap: setting realistic expectations

When you combine prep, marketing time, and closing, many Vermont landowners should plan for roughly 12–24 months to sell, with the understanding that county conditions and land-specific issues can shorten or extend that range. The 2025 data—higher new listings, longer average DOM, and lower median/average sale prices across five counties—supports the need for disciplined pricing and strong diligence materials, as reported by the Hickok & Boardman Vermont Land Market Report.

If speed matters more than maximizing price, some sellers explore direct-to-buyer options. For example, companies that advertise selling land for cash in Vermont may close faster by purchasing as-is, though terms vary by property and buyer.

Frequently asked questions

What should I do before listing vacant land in Vermont?

Gather the deed, tax information, zoning details, parcel maps, and any existing surveys. Identify easements or rights-of-way, confirm road access, and document utilities. If septic feasibility is unknown, consider a soils evaluation or perc test where appropriate. Clear visible trash or debris, mark boundaries if possible, and take current photos that show terrain, access points, and key features.

How do I price my Vermont land?

Use recent comparable land sales with similar location, road access, and buildability. Adjust for utilities, slope, wetlands, and permitting complexity. Overpricing is one of the most common reasons land lingers; accurate pricing typically creates more inquiries, more showings, and better negotiating leverage.

What marketing works best for Vermont land?

MLS exposure plus targeted land buyer channels works best. Pair strong photos and maps with a listing description that answers feasibility questions (frontage, zoning, septic, utilities, and any known constraints). Buyers will often skip listings that don’t provide enough details to evaluate the property.

Should I expect to negotiate?

Yes. Land buyers frequently negotiate based on uncertainty (septic, access, wetlands, subdivision potential) and projected development costs. Sellers who can document feasibility and price to the market typically negotiate from a stronger position.

How can I estimate net proceeds from a Vermont land sale?

Estimate: sale price minus any loan payoff, commissions, closing costs, and any liens or taxes due at closing. Ask your closing professional for a preliminary estimate early so you can make decisions with real numbers.