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Fairlee VT Real Estate: Homes near Lake Morey and the Connecticut River

By Tony Walton, Principal Broker, New England Landmark Realty

Quick Answer

Fairlee is a small Orange County town of under 1,000 people on the Connecticut River in Vermont's Upper Valley, best known for Lake Morey. It sits on Interstate 91 and US Route 5, with a bridge across the river to Orford, New Hampshire. Fairlee shares a school district, the Rivendell Interstate School District, with Orford, New Hampshire. Current Fairlee homes for sale appear at the bottom of this page, and our Fairlee market report shows recent sales and prices.

Fairlee at a Glance

• County: Orange
• ZIP code: 05045; some addresses use Bradford (05033)
• Population: 988 (2020 Census)
• Area: about 21 square miles
• Villages: Fairlee village and Ely
• Across the river: Orford, New Hampshire, via the Samuel Morey Memorial Bridge
• Schools: Rivendell Interstate School District: Samuel Morey Elementary School in Fairlee and Rivendell Academy (grades 6-12) in Orford, NH

Living in Fairlee

Lake Morey is the heart of Fairlee. In summer it's for swimming, boating, and paddling; in winter, when conditions allow, it's known for a long plowed skating trail on the ice that the lake claims is the longest in the United States.

Fairlee's best-known resident was the inventor Samuel Morey, known for early steamboat and engine work. The Samuel Morey Memorial Bridge, dedicated in 1938, links Fairlee with Orford across the Connecticut River.

Fairlee village sits along US Route 5 and the river, and Hanover, Lebanon, and the rest of the Upper Valley are reachable by I-91.

Homes in Fairlee

Buyers in Fairlee find lake homes and camps around Lake Morey, village homes, and rural homes in the hills to the west. See what's for sale now in the listings below, and check recent sale prices in the Fairlee market report, which updates as homes sell.

Buying on Lake Morey? Development and clearing within 250 feet of a lake larger than 10 acres may need a state shoreland permit, and many lake camps are seasonal. Ask about year-round use, septic, and water supply. Our Vermont Land Buying Guide and second home guide cover what to check.

Getting Around

• Interstate 91 runs through Fairlee, north to St. Johnsbury and south to White River Junction.
• US Route 5 follows the Connecticut River through the village.
• Vermont Route 244 heads west from Fairlee toward Route 113.
• The Samuel Morey Memorial Bridge crosses to Orford, New Hampshire, and NH Route 10.

Costs to Plan For

Vermont's property transfer tax, paid by the buyer at closing, is 0.5% on the first $200,000 of a primary residence and 1.47% above that; 3.62% for a second home that's suitable for year-round living; and a VHFA-financed primary residence is exempt on the first $250,000. Estimate your payment, transfer tax, and cash to close with our Vermont Home Cost Calculator. Many homes have private wells and septic systems, so plan for water testing and a septic inspection; see our Vermont home inspection guide.

Frequently Asked Questions

What county is Fairlee, VT in?

Orange County, on the Connecticut River in Vermont's Upper Valley.

What is the ZIP code for Fairlee, VT?

05045. Some addresses in town use Bradford (05033).

What schools serve Fairlee?

Fairlee is in the Rivendell Interstate School District with Orford, New Hampshire, and West Fairlee and Vershire, Vermont. Younger students attend Samuel Morey Elementary School in Fairlee, and grades 6-12 attend Rivendell Academy in Orford.

Is Lake Morey in Fairlee?

Yes. Lake Morey is in Fairlee and is known for its winter skating trail, which the lake claims is the longest in the United States.

How do I see recent home prices in Fairlee?

Our Fairlee market report lists recent sales, prices, and days on market, and updates automatically.

What to Do Next

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

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• Vermont Home Buying Guide
• Vermont Second Home Buying Guide
• Nearby towns: Bradford, Corinth, Norwich

Sources

• Fairlee, Vermont (county, population, area, villages, ZIP codes, highways, Lake Morey)
• Rivendell Interstate School District
• Samuel Morey Memorial Bridge
• Vermont DEC, Shoreland Permitting
• Vermont Department of Taxes, Property Transfer Tax