Closing costs in Vermont
What a buyer or seller pays at the closing table in Vermont — the real transfer-tax rate, recording fees, title-insurance method and attorney rules, plus a calculator that uses Vermont's actual rates.
- Transfer tax
- 0.5%
- customarily buyer-paid
- Recording fee (deed)
- ~$15
- charged per page of the document
- Title insurance
- filed
- ~$4.50 / $1,000
- Attorney at closing
- Not required
Vermont in the national transfer-tax dataset
0.5%, #12 of 51 nationally; at $400,000, that is $1,360 above the median $640 tax at $400,000. The comparison uses the 51 source-verified state and DC records in the TallyClose dataset; null transfer-tax states count as 0% rather than being filled with an estimate.
- National rank
- #12 of 51
- highest state transfer-tax rate first
- Median-state tax at $400,000
- $640
- Vermont: $2,000
- County coverage
- 0
- 0 with a city-tax field
Vermont transfer-tax data: official source linked on this page, reviewed 2026-Q2.
How closing costs work in Vermont
The biggest closing-cost variable in Vermont is the real-estate transfer tax, which here is 0.5% and is customarily buyer-paid. Vermont's property transfer tax is paid by the buyer (PTT-172). For a principal residence: 0.5% on the first $200,000 of the sale price, and 1.25% on the amount above $200,000. A Clean Water Surcharge of 0.22% applies to the amount above $200,000. For non-principal-residence sales, the rate is 1.25% + 0.22% surcharge on the full amount.
On a $400,000 home, the state-level transfer tax works out to roughly $2,000 , before any county or city add-ons. County recording fees are charged per page of the document and run around $15 for the deed.
For title insurance, Vermont title-insurance rates are filed with the state and broadly similar between companies, though you can sometimes shop. Vermont does not require an attorney at closing — a title or escrow company typically handles settlement, though you can hire an attorney if you want one. Lenders here typically charge $1,400–$3,200 in origination and processing fees, and 2 months of property-tax escrow is commonly collected at closing.
Statute: 32 V.S.A. § 9602 (property transfer tax); § 9602a (Clean Water Surcharge). Official source ↗
Vermont closing cost calculator
Pre-set to Vermont. Adjust your price, down payment and loan type.
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Frequently asked questions
How much are closing costs in Vermont?
In Vermont, buyer closing costs typically run about 2%–5% of the purchase price. The state-specific pieces are the transfer tax (0.5%, customarily buyer-paid), county recording fees (charged per page of the document, around $15), and title insurance. Vermont does not require an attorney at closing. Use the calculator above for your price.
What is the transfer tax in Vermont?
Vermont's real-estate transfer tax is 0.5% and is customarily buyer-paid. Vermont's property transfer tax is paid by the buyer (PTT-172). For a principal residence: 0.5% on the first $200,000 of the sale price, and 1.25% on the amount above $200,000. A Clean Water Surcharge of 0.22% applies to the amount above $200,000. For non-principal-residence sales, the rate is 1.25% + 0.22% surcharge on the full amount.
Who pays closing costs in Vermont?
Both buyer and seller pay different items. The transfer tax in Vermont is customarily buyer-paid. Buyers generally cover lender fees, the appraisal, lender's title insurance and prepaids; sellers generally cover the agent commission and, in most states, the bulk of the transfer tax. Everything is negotiable in the contract.
Do I need an attorney to close in Vermont?
No. Vermont does not require an attorney at closing; a title or escrow company typically handles settlement. You may still choose to hire one.
Closest transfer-tax comparisons
Algorithmic neighbors by verified transfer-tax rate, not a static related-links block.
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