Welcome to Vermont. WTF is a Roof Rake?

Nobody moves to Vermont expecting gravel to become a personality trait.

And yet...here we are.

When people dream about moving to Vermont, they picture mountain views, cozy farmhouses, maple trees, and maybe a dog running dramatically through a field.

They don't picture comparing heating oil prices over morning coffee.

Or getting strangely excited that their favorite electrician actually called them back.

Or learning that a roof rake has absolutely nothing to do with gardening.

Every place has its quirks. Vermont just happens to have a few that don't usually make it into the relocation brochures.

None of these are reasons not to move here.

In fact, I think they're part of what makes living here so rewarding.

But if you're buying a home in Vermont, I'd rather you hear about them now than six months after closing.

The Roof Rake

Let's start with the obvious.

If you've never lived somewhere that gets real snow, you may not know what a roof rake is.

Congratulations.

I didn't either.

It's exactly what it sounds like: a long-handled tool designed to pull snow off the edge of your roof after heavy storms.

Not every home needs one.

Not every storm requires it.

But when you do need it, you'll suddenly discover why every hardware store in Vermont seems to have an entire aisle dedicated to winter.

Vermont Translation: It's not weird. It's just Tuesday in February.

Heating Your House Is a Hobby

In some parts of the country, you set the thermostat and move on with your life.

In Vermont?

Heating your house becomes a surprisingly interesting topic.

You'll hear conversations about propane, heating oil, heat pumps, pellet stoves, wood boilers, mini-splits, and whether someone "still has enough wood put up for winter."

Many homes have more than one heat source, and that's actually a good thing. Fuel prices change. Power occasionally goes out. Backup plans are part of life here.

One of the first questions I ask when showing a home isn't just "How is it heated?"

It's "What have the owners actually spent each year?"

That's the number that matters.

The Gravel Situation

Nobody warned me about the gravel.

If your driveway is paved, congratulations.

If it's gravel, you'll eventually become far more knowledgeable about grading than you ever intended.

Spring has a way of rearranging things.

Snowplows steal a little gravel every winter.

Heavy rains carve out little rivers where there definitely weren't rivers before.

It's not a crisis.

It's just...maintenance.

Like mowing the lawn or cleaning the gutters.

Only crunchier.

Snow Tires: Buy Them. Love Them.

Can you technically survive a Vermont winter without snow tires?

Probably.

Would I recommend it?

Not even a little.

Good snow tires don't just help you stop.

They help you relax.

There's something incredibly comforting about driving on a snowy morning knowing your car is actually equipped for it.

You'll wonder why you waited.

Trees Are Gorgeous. Trees Also Have Opinions.

One of my favorite things about Vermont is that so many homes are surrounded by mature trees.

One of the occasionally expensive things about Vermont is that so many homes are surrounded by mature trees.

Trees need trimming.

Dead limbs need removing.

Storms have impeccable timing.

If you own wooded property, tree work isn't a matter of if.

It's a matter of when.

Wells and Septic: They're Not Scary, I Promise.

If you've always lived with city water and sewer, private wells and septic systems can sound intimidating.

They're really not.

They're simply different.

Like everything else in a Vermont home, they're happiest when someone gives them a little attention once in a while.

Pump the septic on schedule.

Test the water when appropriate.

Fix little issues before they become big ones.

That's about it.

The Hidden Expense Isn't Money. It's Time.

This one surprises almost every relocation buyer I work with.

Vermont has fantastic contractors.

Really.

The challenge is that everyone else wants them too.

Need a plumber?

An electrician?

A chimney specialist?

A mason?

You'll absolutely find someone.

You just might not find them next Tuesday.

In a smaller state, the best contractors stay busy.

If you're planning renovations—or even routine maintenance—give yourself more time than you think you'll need.

It's one of the biggest adjustments for people moving from larger metropolitan areas where there always seems to be another company just down the road.

Sandy's Advice: The day you buy your house is the day you should start asking your neighbors who they recommend. Good contractor recommendations are practically Vermont currency.

You'll Eventually Own Things You Never Imagined

A roof rake.

Ice melt.

A really good snow shovel.

Possibly a generator.

Maybe a chainsaw.

Definitely more boots than you thought any one person needed.

You don't buy these things because Vermont is difficult.

You buy them because Vermont asks you to participate.

There's something satisfying about being prepared here.

And Then There's the Stuff That Gets Better

Here's the part that often gets left out.

My homeowners insurance and car insurance both went down when I moved here from Florida.

I spend dramatically less time sitting in traffic.

My commute is measured in minutes instead of frustration.

Neighbors wave.

People stop if they think you need help.

The air smells different after it rains.

The stars are brighter.

Life slows down in the best possible way.

So yes, you'll probably budget for heating oil.

You might need your driveway graded.

You'll eventually learn what a roof rake does.

But you'll also gain something that's much harder to put a price on.

For me, Vermont hasn't just been a different place to own a home.

It's been a better place to build a life.

And honestly?

I'd buy the roof rake all over again.