[arel]

One thing I've noticed in Vermont is that lots of properties have steep drops on them or at the end of them, sometimes almost as steep as cliffs. One could not climb down without falling. Sometimes the drop is so steep you would probably need rappelling equipment to to descend. I see this even in Brattleboro, where the hills and mountains are not as high as they are further north.

I have never read or heard of anyone falling off their property, but I would be surprised if it didn't happen on occasion. I'm actually more concerned about guests falling off, as they would be less familiar with the yard.

One property that I really like has a drop like this at the end of the back yard. It is not fenced. It scares me.

If I buy this property, I will want to put a fence up before the steep drop. Not chain link (ugly), but, if I can afford it, wrought on or something decorative that will not mar the view. Maybe an attractive wood fence. I don't know. I may not even buy the property, because of this and some other problems. And I may not buy at all at first. I may heed the advice to "rent first".

What do people do with such drops? Put up a fence? Put up warning signs? Verbally warn visitors? Pay HUGE insurance premiums because of potential liability? Pray a lot? Take it in stride as part of living in Vermont?

I appreciate gravity, but not all the time.

Vermonters, please advise this soon-to-be ex-flatlander!

Thanks.

[vter]

Honestly? This is Vermont. It's hilly here. You'll be hard pressed to find a completely level lot. It's something that people here just deal with. I wouldnt buy the property if its going to worry you that much. Don't settle until you find what you are looking for.

[arctichomesteader]

That abundance of hills is why Vermonters are not flatlanders.

Seriously, how rocky is it? You could terrace it out some if you wanted, or build a fence and some steps going down it if you wanted. Me, I'd just leave it.

[arel]

Maybe I could just install a firehouse pole.

But seriously, what about liability issues? Guests visit and sometimes people walk around in the dark.

Is the danger of such a drop reflected in your insurance?

Are there things you are legally obligated to do to protect people? Are there things you need to do to minimize liabiity?

[Lilybeans]

Originally Posted by arel

Maybe I could just install a firehouse pole.

But seriously, what about liability issues? Guests visit and sometimes people walk around in the dark.

Is the danger of such a drop reflected in your insurance?

Are there things you are logally obligated to do to protect people? Are there things you need to do to minimize liabiity?

One thing different about Vermont than NY and other similar socialist states--and I mean this in the best possible way-not every accident is someone else's fault. You need to change your mindset.

There are lots of drop offs. If you are worried, put up a fence. It won't affect insurance, unless you have rental apartments-then you have to put up a fence.

[quickdraw]

I probably shouldn't say this. Four years ago when I moved to Vermont I rented an apartment in Bristol. The yard next to us had a back yard with a steep drop, Maybe a 50 foot yard. One day after a bad storm, and this was Vermont's third rainiest summer ever, he had a 25 yard with a steep drop.
Half his yard just collapsed.

[arctichomesteader]

Originally Posted by quickdraw

I probably shouldn't say this. Four years ago when I moved to Vermont I rented an apartment in Bristol. The yard next to us had a back yard with a steep drop, Maybe a 50 foot yard. One day after a bad storm, and this was Vermont's third rainiest summer ever, he had a 25 yard with a steep drop.
Half his yard just collapsed.

If people would plant trees and such (densely, like a forest) to hold the soil instead of having wall to wall lawns those problems would be reduced.

[arel]

Originally Posted by quickdraw

I probably shouldn't say this. Four years ago when I moved to Vermont I rented an apartment in Bristol. The yard next to us had a back yard with a steep drop, Maybe a 50 foot yard. One day after a bad storm, and this was Vermont's third rainiest summer ever, he had a 25 yard with a steep drop.
Half his yard just collapsed.

This is a good reason to avoid such a property. The property I was looking at had a disclosure about erosion, although the nature and extent of the erosion were not described. The problem was reportedly fixed, although I have no idea how one fixes such a problem.

I've been up to High Point, a place in the hills of Brattleboro where they are selling plots of land. I saw hillsides partially collapsed after a rainy period. I wonder about the effects of such a collapse on a hillside house.

The house I liked is so cool looking from the outside, but it is on a hillside. I believe there are trees sticking out of the drop, but it is a huge drop nonetheless.

Oh well. I think I ought to rent first. Then I can buy when I know the area better and can make a more informed choice. Or I can leave the area altogether and go back to Rhode Island, where I have friends, or rather, one friend and her social circle. Or go back to NYC. Well, probably not.

[Asta]

To be honest, trying to find a property in Brattleboro that is not on a hill is like trying to find a property in the Sahara that doesn't have sand. (Ok, maybe not quite that bad, but you get my drift! ) Renting first and getting to know the town before you buy sounds wise. Good luck!!

[tkln]

Our condo is built into the side of a hill/mountain...we are on the main level...we have a nice size deck, and then there is about five feet of grassy area, and then WOOSH - pretty much a straight drop right into a creek about 150 feet below. We made part of the grassy area a garden, but we walk back there quite a bit and so does the maintenance guy who mows the lawn all around the complex.



I think renting first is a good idea...it gives you the time to learn all the different neighborhoods and also to do research on what you like and what you are not comfortable with. I will say though, most of the homes I've seen in VT have sloping lots...some less dramatic than others, but it's more common than not.