OUR CORE VALUES

The Vermont Association of Realtors® and its more than 1,900 members are committed to preserving the dream of property ownership. These are our core values.

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PROPERTY TAXES

The Vermont Association of Realtors® believes that sound fiscal policy is necessary to maintain a strong business climate and enhance future economic growth in Vermont. A consistent and predictable fiscal policy should be part of the plan and vision when budget decisions are made. State budgets should reflect the need for investment in areas that will create jobs and increase the tax base. High tax rates discourage business investment in Vermont and make homeownership more difficult.

As municipalities re-assess their Property Taxes, the Vermont Association of Realtors® asks that reassessments be available so residential property tax rates do not become unaffordable.

PROPERTY TRANSFER TAX

Currently, approximately 50 percent of the Property Transfer Tax is earmarked for Vermont’s General Fund. VAR members believe that a significant portion of these funds should be allocated to housing-related matters such as:
  • Helping current homeowners invest in energy efficient improvements to their existing home.
  • Increasing the income threshold for prospective homebuyers to include the moderate-income Vermonters (the “missing middle”) in both the down payment assistance and the closing cost assistance programs.

VAR opposes further increases in the Property Transfer Tax. Increases will disproportionately affect commercial real estate which has already struggled through the pandemic. 

It also sends the wrong message to people from out of state who are considering a move here. At nearly every closing table the Property Transfer Tax is referred to as the “Welcome to Vermont Tax.” 

CLOUD TAX

VAR opposes leveraging more taxes. The cloud tax would add unnecessary financial burden and complexity to businesses in Vermont. This would be inappropriate especially as the state sees an unprecedented influx of money from the federal government.

TAX ON SERVICES

The Vermont Association of Realtors® opposes tax on services. Such a tax would further increase the housing affordability crisis. The real estate transaction is already taxed; to tax a realtor’s services would be confusing to the public and appear as double taxation.

EDUCATION

VAR encourages the Office of Professional Regulation to accept Commercial Real Estate Education (CCIM) to fulfill continuing education requirements.

GOVERNMENT REGULATIOINS & OPERATIONS

Ethics