Vermont situation guide · Updated November 2026

Wholesaling Storm-Damaged Houses in Vermont

Wholesaling storm-damaged houses in Vermont means contracting to buy a home hurt by wind, ice, falling trees or heavy rain, then assigning the contract to a buyer who will repair it. Around Burlington and Lake Champlain, one bad storm can leave a roof open and an owner unsure what to do next. Offer a fair exit.

Wind, ice and rainRoof and tree damage100% online mentorship

Get the free starter kit Book a free call

Call/Text818-532-0481

Let’s find your starting point

Explore the mentorship.

Request a free fit call to discuss your goals and whether the program is right for you.

The short answer

Can you wholesale a storm-damaged house in Vermont?

Generally yes. We found no Vermont wholesaler-specific statute, but unlicensed brokerage under 26 V.S.A. 2212 is a real risk, and a flood-related storm loss triggers the flood disclosure in 27 V.S.A. 380. Check current text and ask a Vermont attorney before you sign.

Storm damage varies a lot. A downed maple through a roof is different from a basement that filled during heavy rain. The first is a repair job. The second may bring in the flood disclosure, which covers inundation, erosion and landslide. Sort the damage type early, then use our repair cost guide to scope it.

Owners often feel rushed after a storm, with tarps up and adjusters calling. Slow the process down. Put the offer in writing, explain that you may assign the contract, and read our assignment guide and offer guide. A calm, honest approach protects you if the owner later changes their mind.

Storm-Damaged Houses in Vermont at a glance

Wholesaler law	No specific statute located; verify
Brokerage license	26 V.S.A. 2212
Water-related loss	Flood disclosure may apply (27 V.S.A. 380)
Wind or tree damage	No special state disclosure found
Transfer tax	Set by 32 V.S.A. 9602
Who to ask	Vermont licensing office or an attorney

The opportunity

Why storm-damaged houses become deals near Burlington

Winters bring ice and heavy snow, and summers bring severe rain and wind off the lake. Older Burlington homes with aging roofs and big trees take the hit. Some owners are underinsured or have high deductibles, and others simply do not want the repairs. A buyer with a crew sees a discount. Our motivated seller guide covers the first conversation.

High deductibles

A deductible can swallow a small claim and push an owner toward selling.

Old roofs

Roof and chimney damage on older homes can be costly. See the certificate of occupancy guide for local standards.

Absent owners

Owners who live elsewhere may not manage repairs. Read our absentee owner guide.

Get the free starter kit See the mentorship

Lead sources

Where to find storm-damaged leads in Burlington

Drive after the storm. Look for tarps, fallen limbs and fresh plywood. The driving for dollars guide explains how to log them.
Ask tree and roofing crews. They see the worst jobs first and may know owners who are overwhelmed.
Check owner records. Use the owner lookup guide to find mailing addresses.
Follow code complaints. Unsafe structure reports can lead you to stalled houses. See the code violation guide.
Write a short note. Skip the pressure. Our yellow letter guide has simple wording.

Your exit

Who buys storm-damaged houses in Chittenden County

Small contractors, local landlords and rehabbers tend to buy. They care about the roof, the structure and the price. Use the cash buyer guide to meet them, then share photos, a repair scope and the storm facts.

Ask each buyer how they will hold the house, since Vermont’s transfer tax can differ for a principal residence, a rental or other residential property. See our transfer tax guide for the basics.

Book a free call

Step by step

How to start wholesaling storm-damaged houses in Vermont

Visit the owner. Ask what happened, what the adjuster said and what the owner wants.
Inspect safely. Stay out of unsafe rooms and note roof, framing and water damage.
Check title. Use an investor-friendly title company to find liens.
Do the math. Check value in the ARV calculator, then enter your repair scope in the MAO calculator.
Write the contract. Add an inspection contingency and a right to assign.
Disclose in writing. Say plainly that you may assign and earn a fee.
Close cleanly. Close through title or an attorney and confirm any claim proceeds.

Your checklist for wholesaling Storm-Damaged Houses in Vermont

Note whether the loss involved water entering the house.
Photograph the damage with dates.
Confirm who holds claim money.
Add an inspection period.
Run the contract past a local lawyer.

A Vermont example: a wind-damaged Colonial in Burlington

Estimated ARV	$520,000
Repair estimate	$95,000
Buyer ceiling at 75%	$295,000
Contract price	$283,500
Assignment fee	$11,500
Buyer total price	$295,000

Imagine a large oak comes down on a Colonial in Burlington’s New North End and opens the roof and an upper bedroom. The owner has a $10,000 deductible and has moved in with family.

You estimate $520,000 repaired and $95,000 in repairs. A 75% rule gives $295,000 for the buyer, so you sign at $283,500, after reading our ARV guide.

A contractor-investor steps into the contract and pays $11,500. The owner sells without chasing repairs. Read the numbers as a worked example only.

Vermont rules to know

Licensing, disclosure and tax issues for storm deals

Vermont’s broker law, 26 V.S.A. 2212, bars acting as a broker without a license, and 26 V.S.A. 2252(c)(1) lets the Real Estate Commission refer suspected unauthorized practice to the Attorney General or a State’s Attorney. Marketing an interest in someone else’s house for pay can raise questions under 26 V.S.A. 2211(a)(4). We found no wholesaling guidance from the regulator, so ask the Office of Professional Regulation and check current text.

The only seller disclosure statute we found, 27 V.S.A. 380, covers flooding. Wind damage on its own is not covered, but you should still disclose what you know. Property transfer tax is set in 32 V.S.A. 9602. Hire a Vermont attorney if the numbers are large, and read our attorney guide.

Learn it with a mentor

Price storm damage with a coach

Repair scopes can swing a deal by tens of thousands of dollars. Mentorship students share their photos and estimates, and we help them test the math.

See the course See the mentorship

FAQ

Storm-Damaged Houses in Vermont: common questions

Is wholesaling storm-damaged houses in Vermont legal?

Vermont law written specifically for wholesalers did not appear in our research, so assigning a contract on a storm-hit home is generally possible. The broker statute, 26 V.S.A. 2212, still covers paid brokerage. Be open with the seller about assigning, keep your ads factual, and confirm details with the Office of Professional Regulation.

Does Vermont require seller disclosure of storm damage?

Not generally. The only statutory seller disclosure we found, 27 V.S.A. 380, addresses flooding, including inundation, erosion and landslide. Wind, ice and tree damage fall outside it. Disclose what you know anyway, because buyers can bring fraud or misrepresentation claims, and an attorney can tell you how those apply.

What if the storm damage is also a flood?

Then the flood disclosure may apply. The seller would need to give the FEMA flood map or a notice that none exists, say whether the home flooded, and say whether flood insurance is carried or required. The buyer can terminate or sue if those items are missing, so keep records.

How do I price a storm-damaged house in Burlington?

Find the repaired value from nearby sold homes, subtract a contractor’s written repair estimate, and keep what remains for the buyer’s margin and your fee. Roof and structural damage often grows once walls are opened, so add a cushion. A percentage rule is only a first screen, not a final answer.

Should I wait for the insurance claim to settle?

It depends. If you buy before the claim resolves, you need to know who receives the proceeds. Lenders often have rights to claim money. Add time to the contract for payoff figures and claim status, and let an attorney explain what happens to unpaid funds before you commit.