Vermont Property Records

Property records in Vermont are essential documents, forms, and reports that contain valuable information about real property and its owners. Each one contains a small piece of the puzzle. You should gather them all to fully understand the entire history of the property.

Sources of Property Records in Vermont

It would be easier if all property records were maintained by one agency, but they are not. They are scattered among many local government offices, such as courts, private companies, and realty affiliates.

Vermont does not have a county recording system. Instead, if you want to file a new deed in Vermont, you must visit the local town clerk's office to file it. The town will charge you a $15 filing fee to record. The city of Burlington has much more information on its website.

Property taxes are also handled at the town level. Each local town assessor sets tax rates for the entire area, sends out tax bills, and collects the taxes. The Vermont Department of Taxes oversees all local tax officials.

Vermont's Department of Public Safety, Division of Fire Safety, is the government office responsible for building permits and safety codes. They provide detailed information on obtaining a building permit for various types of construction, renovation, and demolition.

Town clerks in Vermont are elected officials who serve a three-year term. They provide essential services to the residents of the town. Morristown explains the duties of the town clerk as "receiving and recording of all land record documents, vital statistics, voter registration, preparing and officiating all elections and Town meetings, issuance of certified copies of birth, death and marriage certificates, and the issuance of civil marriage licenses and dog licenses."

How Property Records are Maintained in Vermont

Every Vermont town has its own method of maintaining land records. However, one constant is that when a new document arrives, it is stamped with the date, time, and unique identifier to make it easily retrievable later. Once recorded, the document becomes a public record.

Accessing Records at the Town Clerk in Vermont

Vermont property records are public records. Anyone can request them or review them at any time. Each town makes its records available during regular business hours at the town clerk's office. Some offer land records online, and you can search for them there. To help get you started, here are a few town websites.

Town Clerk Locations in Vermont

Vermont has 251 cities and towns, so finding the one you need might be tricky. Use this state-provided Guide to Vermont's Town Clerks, Treasurers, & County Clerks resource to find the one you need.

Property records come in many different forms. When examining records, you should get all types to cover all your bases. Records may be acquired from different offices and agencies. The most common types of property records in Vermont are as follows:

Property records assist in many situations when you are looking for information about a specific piece of real property. Thankfully, you have many options available when searching for records. Try the methods below.

Online Property Record Search

First, start with a generic property record search. Type the full property address into a Google search and see what comes up. You will probably see only rudimentary results, but keep trying.

In-Person Property Record Search

You can also perform a property history search by visiting the town clerk's office and asking for property records. You can only visit during regular business hours and must pay a small fee for certified copies.

Using Property Record Indexes

Using property indexes is also an option. The internet is full of them, but many do not get their content from reputable sources. Be careful when trusting these types of repositories.

How to Search Property Records by Address

It's always best to use the property address to search for records. Type the full property address into a search bar and review the results.

How to Search Property Records by Name

Sometimes, you can search by the owner's name, but it's not the best way. Many people share the same first and last names, so you might have to wade through many records to find what you need.

Vermont is a beautiful state with proud owners. Owning a piece of the Green Mountain State is lovely but comes with some obligations. You must pay your mortgage, interest, and taxes on time. You must also maintain it well to keep up the property value.

Every piece of real property in Vermont has a legal property description. These descriptions have map coordinates, boundaries, and other information, like natural landmarks, making them easy to find. They appear in property records like deeds, appraisals, mortgages, building permits, and others.

Boundary Disputes and Resolutions

Boundary disputes are all too common. They exist when one neighbor believes another is encroaching on their land and crossing boundaries. Often, they take things to court to let a judge decide. The courts use professional surveyors to provide information to settle the matter.

Liens are encumbrances that negatively affect real property and its owners. They appear in property records for anyone to see. Too many liens lower a property's value and can make it harder to sell. There are two main types of liens: voluntary and involuntary.

Voluntary Liens

Voluntary liens are those over which you have control. You can use your house as collateral to secure a loan. The lender places the lien on the house for the duration of the loan. If the homeowner fails to repay the loan, they can foreclose and sell the property to get back their money.

Involuntary Liens

Unfortunately, you don't have control over involuntary liens. They are imposed against your property when you fail to pay a debt. These are serious liens that almost always lead to foreclosure and loss of the home.

The Process of Property Liens in Vermont

Placing a lien on a property in Vermont differs according to the type of lien. Here is a breakdown of how to place the most common lien on a property, the mechanic's lien in Vermont:

Real estate transactions are when public records come in really handy. Before the sale, realtors, title companies, attorneys, and buyers may use property records to fill in the blanks and learn more about it. New records like new deeds, appraisals, insurance binders, and others will be created during the sale to replace old records.

Buying Property: Due Diligence

Before buying property in Vermont, perform due diligence and learn as much as you can about it to make an informed decision. You can use property records to investigate all angles.

Selling Property: Providing Disclosure

When selling property, you must disclose any material defects about the property, like a leaky roof or crumbling foundation. If you are unaware of some things, you can consult property records to find out.

Title Searches and Insurance

If you take out a mortgage to buy a house, your lender will require you to purchase title insurance. These policies protect the lender and you from legal claims made after the sale. Your title company or attorney will perform a property title search to look for any issues like these.

Foreclosure and Property Records in Vermont

Foreclosures appear in property records, damaging the owner's financial reputation. Houses in foreclosure are more complex to sell, and many regular buyers won't want to deal with the hassles, but investors don't mind.

Pre-Foreclosures in Vermont

Pre-foreclosure homes are a target for investors who want to buy them cheaply and then sell them for a profit. The homeowner will sometimes jump at the chance to avoid foreclosure and get out of debt.

When was the House Built?

If you want to learn when the house was built, you can easily do so by contacting the local town clerk's office and asking to see the oldest building permit for the property. It will show you when it was first built and who owned it.

Property values appear everywhere in property records. These values show the fair market value of what the house would sell for in the current real estate market. At any given time, property values can change based on inflation, the local real estate market, and dips in the economy. The median house price in Vermont is $310,000, which is affordable compared to other states.

Tax officials use assessments to arrive at a property value, whereas appraisers use an appraisal. Appraisers aim for fair market value, but tax officials do not. Both use complex calculations to form an opinion about the property for their specific purpose.

Privacy and property records do not go hand-in-hand. Public records mean anyone can view them at any time and see your information. When you purchase the property, your name, address, and sometimes other details show up.

Accessing Public Property Records

The town clerk is responsible for providing access to public land records. They offer visitors regular business hours during which anyone can come in and ask for copies of records. Some towns/cities also have a search tool on their website where people can search for property records.

Why are Property Records Public?

Property records are public records for two reasons. First, they provide a public chain of title showing every owner of a property. Second, they prevent a government office from gaining too much power over the people.

How Do I Protect My Personal Information in Property Records?

To avoid identity theft and fraud, you should limit the information about you online. You can do so by visiting the town clerk's office and asking them to remove anything beyond your name and address from public records.

When life events occur, you should update your property records so they are correct when you need them. It's your responsibility to keep your records updated. The agency that holds them will not know to do it automatically.