[wanashunkaha]

arctichomesteader,
I'm not dead set on VT. I've been through different areas and they appealed to me. I can't explain the reason why, it just feels like "home". I have researched parts of Maine as well, mainly north of Lincoln and Houlton, up as far as Fort Kent. It's just that VT was my preference. I know land prices are much cheaper in northern Maine. I'd be packin' and headin' for Alaska in a heartbeat if it weren't for my wife! LOL!
mustmove,
I've been trying to work with RE agents. They don't seem very interested. I'm sure it's because I'm not interested in the 250-500 thousand dollar ski lodge. I emailed one asking them to represent us as a buyer's broker..no response. I contacted another about one of his listings. He tried to deter me by saying you need a 4wd, snowmobile and the pier posts were leaning. I told him that didn't scare me as I already have a high 4wd, was working on getting a snowmobile and was in the home improvement business... No response.... I contacted another agent about another plot. They asked me a bunch of questions about my interests and if I would be interested in other properties if the first one didn't pan out (not their listing). I said sure, but asked them to refrain from sending me info about listings outside my parameters. They sent me no info about the one in which I was interested and immediately sent me info about a property that was their listing and twice the price I set!
arctichomesteader,
I sincerely appreciate you're taking the time to look up and refer the laws, but at the risk of sounding like a total idiot...Can someone put them in laymen's terms for me?

[wanashunkaha]

Originally Posted by quickdraw

Where do you live? Why specifically Vermont?

Quickdraw,
I currently live in CT. I'm not dead set on VT, it was just my first choice. The more I learn however, the more I think that choice will be changing!

[vter]

Is it possible to come up and visit and have a realtor take you out to see what kind of property you can find? That will show the realtor that you are serious and maybe they'd be willing to invest some time for you.
I hope you find what you are looking for!

[arctichomesteader]

Can someone put them in laymen's terms for me?

It means you need a permit from the state, and it has to meet their standards. A traditional outhouse won't pass the standards. If a home with an outhouse (or other non-conforming system) was built before the cut off dates it's grandfathered in. A "primitive camp" is exempt but you can't live there full time if you try that route. Some of the expensive composting toilet units may (may have to argue with the permit people because they don't like non-conventional systems, plain and simple, and I've heard a lot of poor reviews for these toilets) be okay but you're still looking at a lot of time and money on this, which is why the septic permits are such a big deal and selling point.

What's your wife against Alaska for?

[arctichomesteader]

Originally Posted by vter

Is it possible to come up and visit and have a realtor take you out to see what kind of property you can find? That will show the realtor that you are serious and maybe they'd be willing to invest some time for you.
I hope you find what you are looking for!

Good advice. They aren't going to spend much time on someone just sending emails or phone calls from another state. Lots of people do that and never go through with anything.

[mustmove]

I'm guessing with low dollar properties you'll need to go to the listing agent to see it. RE agents probably aren't willing to do the work and then split a small sum of money. They are going to be unmotivated anyway with all the camp stuff. You'll probably have to show up and insist on seeing what you want. Hell some of the RE folks don't want to drive their personal vehicles up the driveways you are looking for...

[quickdraw]

Are you tied to the east coast because of family? If not, there are places in the midwest that could possibly offer the lifestyle you are looking for and a lot cheaper. I just returned from Wisconsin and it hit me that this is where I'll eventually end up. I'm tied to the Northeast because my elderly mother needs me to be here, but when I'm no longer needed, I'll head to the midwest because Vermont is just so expensive. Minnesota and Wisconsin are great options.

Fortunately I've lived in Wisconsin and love it there, but Vermont will always be my favorite place. Now that I've decided I'll eventually be leaving I'm really enjoying it here. It will break my heart to leave, but I'll be going to another great place.

If you have your mind set on Vermont great, go for it. But if you are just looking for a certain lifestyle it can be had for much less to the south (if you can take the weather) or in the midwest.

[Sherylcatmom]

Originally Posted by quickdraw

I'm tied to the Northeast because my elderly mother needs me to be here, but when I'm no longer needed, I'll head to the midwest because Vermont is just so expensive. Minnesota and Wisconsin are great options.

I agree. If we weren't devoted to Vermont, I believe we'd be taking a serious look at parts of both MN & WI. My husband and I liked what we saw and learned of those states.

[Joe_Ryder]

Did you consider simply moving to a quieter neighborhood or a smaller town? Adjusting to living out in the boonies isn't as easy as you might imagine. Try before you buy, as it were.

[tkln]

We had looked into Wisconsin for awhile, but I got scared off by the tornadoes. I don't know if it happens throughout the state, but we were looking within 45 minutes of Madison, and it just seemed that there was frequent tornado activity around. That right there killed it for me! That's one thing I don't want to ever have to deal with.