By Tony Walton, Principal Broker, New England Landmark Realty. Updated October 2026.

Quick Answer

If your Vermont house sits empty for part of the winter, three things matter most: keep the heat on (the American Red Cross says no lower than 55 degrees), make sure someone local checks the house on a schedule, and know what your insurance policy requires while you are away. Most policies expect you to keep the home heated or shut the water off, and a burst pipe in an empty house can be denied if you didn't. The checklist below takes about an hour to work through before you leave.

Key Takeaways

Two-Sentence Summary

A Vermont second home can go weeks between visits in January, and the costly winter problems (frozen pipes, ice dams, a furnace that quits) all get worse the longer nobody notices. A short checklist, a local person with a key, and a low-temperature alert cover most of the risk.

If You Only Remember 3 Things

  1. Heat on, set no lower than 55 degrees, the same day and night.
  2. Someone local checks the house on a schedule, and after every big storm or cold snap.
  3. Read your policy's vacancy and freeze language before you leave, not after a claim.

Quick Facts

  • Thermostat when away: no lower than 55 degrees (American Red Cross)
  • Insurance: policies generally require a minimum temperature or the water shut off in a vacant home (Alabama Department of Insurance consumer guidance)
  • Vermont second homes: about 51,000 seasonal homes, 15% of the state's housing, the second-highest share in the country (Vermont Housing Needs Assessment, ACS 2018-2022)
  • Selling from out of state: Vermont requires the buyer to withhold 2.5% of the price from a nonresident seller unless a certificate applies (32 V.S.A. section 5847)

Before You Leave: Heat and Water

  • Thermostat: set it to 55 degrees or higher and leave it there day and night.
  • Fuel: if you heat with oil or propane, get on automatic delivery and confirm the driveway and tank will be plowed and reachable.
  • Service: if the furnace or boiler hasn't been serviced this year, book it now, before the busy season.
  • Outdoor water: disconnect and drain hoses, and close the inside valves that feed outdoor spigots.
  • Exposed pipes: insulate pipes in unheated basements, crawl spaces and garages. Open sink cabinet doors on outside walls so warm air reaches the plumbing.
  • Main water shutoff: know where it is, and make sure the person who checks the house knows too. Ask your insurance agent whether shutting the water off (or draining the system) is required or recommended for your house.

Someone Local, and an Alert

  • A house check: a neighbor, caretaker or property manager with a key, a schedule, and your phone number. Ask them to look after every major storm and every deep cold snap, not just on the calendar.
  • A low-temperature alert: a smart thermostat or a simple Wi-Fi temperature and water-leak sensor will text you if the house drops below a set temperature or water hits the floor. It is the cheapest early warning you can buy.
  • Power: rural Vermont loses power in storms. If you have a generator, have it serviced and test it. If you don't, the alert above matters even more.

Roof, Snow and Access

  • Plowing: confirm your plow contract covers the driveway, the path to the door, and access to the fuel fill.
  • Roof: heavy snow and ice dams are a Vermont winter fact. Ask your house checker to watch for icicles along the eaves and water stains on ceilings, and line up someone who can clear the roof safely if needed.
  • Vents: make sure snow can't bury dryer, furnace or direct-vent heater exhaust outlets.

Paperwork to Check

  • Insurance: read the vacancy and freeze sections, or call your agent and ask, "What do I have to do to be covered for a burst pipe while I'm away?" Write down the answer.
  • Renting it out: if you rent the home short-term, make sure your registration and your insurance match how you use the house. Stowe owners can start with our Stowe short-term rental guide.
  • Contacts: leave a list at the house and with your checker: plumber, heating company, fuel dealer, plow, electrician, insurance agent.

Thinking About Selling Instead?

Many owners take stock of a second home at exactly this time of year, after a summer of visits and before another winter of upkeep. If you are wondering what it would bring, start with a real number, not a guess.

What Is Your Vermont Second Home Worth?

In Stowe, 57 single-family homes sold from January 1 to September 27, 2026, at a median of $1,285,000. Homes priced right from the start sold within 30 days at a median of 100% of their original list price; homes that sat 100 days or more closed at 79.7%. Your house has its own number, and I will work it out myself from this year's sales. No obligation, no pressure.

Get My Home's Value

Prefer to talk? Call or text Tony Walton at 802-233-4107.

Frequently Asked Questions

What temperature should I leave my Vermont house at when I'm away?

No lower than 55 degrees, kept the same day and night, per the American Red Cross. Check your insurance policy too, since some set their own minimum.

Does homeowners insurance cover frozen pipes in an empty house?

It depends on the policy. Policies generally require you to keep the home heated or shut off the water while it is vacant, and damage may not be covered if you didn't. Ask your agent what yours requires.

How often should someone check my house in winter?

Agree on a regular schedule with your caretaker, plus a visit after every major storm or deep cold snap. A low-temperature and leak alert fills the gaps between visits.

I live out of state. Is anything different if I sell my Vermont home?

Yes, one thing to know early: Vermont requires the buyer to withhold 2.5% of the price from a nonresident seller and send it to the Department of Taxes, unless a certificate from the Commissioner applies. Talk with your attorney or CPA well before closing.

Is fall a good time to find out what my second home is worth?

It is a good time to get a number, because you can decide over the winter with real figures in hand. We will give you a value based on this year's sales, with no obligation.

What to Do Next

Call our office at 802-253-4711, or reach Tony Walton directly at 802-233-4107.

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This checklist is general information, not insurance, legal or tax advice. Ask your insurance agent, attorney or CPA about your situation.

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