Burlington Multifamily Buyer
Sell Your Commercial Property In Burlington, VT
Skyline Capital Investments buys commercial apartment buildings of 5+ units in Burlington and across Chittenden County — listed or off-market, stabilized or value-add. Get clear feedback on your deal, typically within 48 hours.
- Clear feedback on your deal, typically within 48 hours
- 5 to 100+ units, stabilized or distressed, listed or off-market
- Owners, agents, and brokers welcome — every conversation is confidential
We buy:Tired landlordsEstate & trust sales1031 exchangesDeferred maintenanceHigh vacancyPartnership splits
Where We Look: South Burlington · Winooski · Essex · Colchester — Chittenden County, VT
Why Burlington
Why We Buy Multifamily In Burlington
Burlington, VT is the deepest renter market in Vermont. The Census Bureau's 2020-2024 American Community Survey puts renters in 58.5% of Burlington's 17,504 occupied homes. Burlington's median gross rent in that release was $1,649 per month, on a median household income of $71,109.
Owners who want to sell commercial property in Burlington, VT should price three local facts first. Burlington's rental vacancy rate was 2.2% in the 2020-2024 American Community Survey. Burlington's median housing unit was built in 1957, and 71.9% of units predate 1980. The city taxes non-homestead property at $2.4255 per $100 of appraised value for fiscal year 2027.
Demand behind Burlington rent rolls starts at the University of Vermont, which reports 13,861 degree students. University of Vermont Medical Center adds 499 beds on Colchester Avenue. Chittenden County's renter share is 36.1%, far below Burlington's. We buy 5+ unit buildings in South Burlington, Winooski, Essex and Colchester too, listed or not.
University of Vermont
The University of Vermont reports 13,861 degree students on a 459-acre main campus in Burlington, and holds the Carnegie R1 top-tier research classification.A 499-bed academic hospital
University of Vermont Medical Center in Burlington runs 499 beds and Vermont's only Level I Trauma Center, serving about 150,000 residents of Chittenden and Grand Isle counties.Rental vacancy near 2%
Burlington's rental vacancy rate was 2.2% in the 2020-2024 American Community Survey, against 1.3% in Chittenden County and 3.0% across Vermont.Our Buy Box
What We Buy In Burlington
Asset Type
Multifamily, 5+ Units
Apartment buildings and income-producing residential.
Size
5 – 100+ Units
Sweet spot: 15–25 units.
Condition
Stabilized To Distressed
Value-add, mismanaged, and high-vacancy properties welcome.
Deal Types
Listed Or Off-Market
Direct-to-owner, pocket listings, portfolios.
Local Market Data
Burlington Apartment Market
Figures gathered October 2026 from public market data.
Who rents in Burlington, VT
Burlington, VT counts 10,237 renter households, 58.5% of its 17,504 occupied homes, in the Census Bureau's 2020-2024 American Community Survey. Chittenden County's figure is 36.1% and Vermont's is 26.8% in the same release. Burlington therefore carries 39.7% of all Chittenden County renter households.
Burlington's population was 44,675 in the 2020-2024 American Community Survey, against 169,758 in Chittenden County. The University of Vermont reports 13,861 degree students on a 459-acre main campus in the city. University of Vermont Medical Center, at 111 Colchester Avenue, runs 499 beds and Vermont's only Level I Trauma Center.
University of Vermont Health reports more than 14,000 staff across its system, including 1,900 physicians and advanced practice providers. Burton Snowboards names Burlington as its global headquarters and the site of its research and development hub.
Rents and affordability in Burlington
Burlington's median gross rent was $1,649 per month in the 2020-2024 American Community Survey. Chittenden County came in at $1,646 and Vermont at $1,234 in the same release. Burlington's median household income was $71,109, against $96,759 countywide and $81,203 statewide.
Rent takes 30% or more of income for 55.6% of Burlington renters, per the 2020-2024 American Community Survey. It takes 50% or more for 31.2% of them. Both shares rest on the 9,886 Burlington renter households with a reported rent-to-income ratio.
A two-bedroom in the Burlington area carries a $2,165 monthly fair market rent under HUD's FY2027 schedule. Burlington falls inside the Burlington-South Burlington, VT MSA fair market rent area. Franklin and Grand Isle counties share that same schedule.
| Bedrooms | Monthly HUD FY2027 fair market rent, Burlington-South Burlington, VT MSA |
|---|---|
| Studio or efficiency | $1,550 |
| One bedroom | $1,719 |
| Two bedroom | $2,165 |
| Three bedroom | $2,733 |
| Four bedroom | $2,845 |
That FY2027 two-bedroom standard runs $516 above Burlington's all-unit median gross rent. Voucher-backed tenancies price well against market leases in Burlington for that reason.
Burlington's apartment stock and building age
Buildings of five or more units hold 6,006 Burlington homes, 33.2% of the city's 18,079 housing units, in the 2020-2024 American Community Survey. Chittenden County's share is 21.4% and Vermont's is 10.9%.
Burlington's 5-to-9-unit buildings hold 2,272 units, and its 10-to-19-unit buildings hold 1,366. The 20-to-49-unit tier holds 1,127 Burlington units, and the 50-plus tier holds 1,241. A further 4,619 Burlington units sit in 2-to-4-unit properties.
Burlington's median housing unit was built in 1957, against 1981 in Chittenden County and 1976 in Vermont. Units built before 1980 make up 71.9% of Burlington's stock. Only 1,349 Burlington units, or 7.5% of the total, were built in 2010 or later.
Burlington's rental vacancy rate was 2.2% in the 2020-2024 American Community Survey, against 1.3% in Chittenden County. The City of Burlington reports that tenants pay heating costs in 85% of its rental units. A 1957 median build year puts insulation, air sealing, roofs and boilers into the reserve line buyers price first when owners sell commercial real estate in Burlington, VT.
Property taxes on Burlington apartment buildings
Burlington taxed non-homestead property, the class that covers apartment buildings, at a combined $2.4255 per $100 of appraised value for fiscal year 2027. The City's breakdown is $0.9097 municipal, $1.5154 non-homestead education and $0.0004 local agreement, for July 1, 2026 through June 30, 2027.
Vermont listers appraise property at its fair market value on April 1 each year, under 32 V.S.A. § 4041. The Department of Taxes then equalizes education taxes with a common level of appraisal drawn from arm's-length sales. Burlington's FY2027 common level of appraisal was 76.25%, against a statewide adjustment of 70.33%. Those two factors cut the $1.643 statewide non-homestead base rate to $1.5154 in Burlington.
On $2 million of appraised value, Burlington's FY2027 rate implies about $48,510 a year. The education share of that bill is $30,308. Vermont also imposes a property transfer tax under 32 V.S.A. § 9602, at 1.25% of the value transferred, or $25,000 on a $2 million building.
Anyone preparing to sell commercial property in Burlington, VT should pull the current appraised value from the Burlington Assessor's Office. That office lists about 11,000 taxable and exempt parcels worth roughly $5.9 billion.
Landlord rules in Burlington and Vermont
Vermont regulates the timing of a rent increase rather than its size. Under 9 V.S.A. § 4455(b), an increase takes effect on the first day of the rental period following at least 60 days' actual notice. Burlington's charter, at 24 App. V.S.A. ch. 3, § 48(65), lets the City Council require 90 days' notice instead.
Vermont sets no dollar cap on a residential security deposit under 9 V.S.A. § 4461. The deposit and an itemized statement are due back within 14 days of the tenant vacating. The deposit itself transfers to the new landlord when the seller's interest in the unit ends.
Nonpayment of rent carries a 14-day termination notice under 9 V.S.A. § 4467(a). Absent a written agreement, a no-cause termination runs at least 60 days for a tenancy of two years or less. Longer tenancies require at least 90 days.
Burlington voters approved a just-cause eviction charter amendment on March 2, 2021. The General Assembly passed H.708 in 2022 to approve it, but the Governor's veto was sustained on May 12, 2022. Burlington also requires every long-term rental unit to be registered and inspected before a tenant moves in, at $110 per unit each April 1.
Selling commercial property in Burlington: what owners should price
Two Burlington ordinances reach the closing table. The Time of Sale Energy Efficiency Ordinance applies to apartments where tenants pay heating costs directly. It caps required work at the lesser of 3% of the sale price or $1,300 per rental unit. Burlington's Weatherization Ordinance, at BCO 18-132, caps initial work at $2,500 per unit above a 50,000 BTU threshold.
Owners who want to sell commercial property in Burlington, VT should price those caps alongside the 1957 median build year. Skyline Capital Investments buys 5-unit to 100-unit buildings across Burlington, South Burlington, Winooski, Essex and Colchester. If you want to sell multifamily property in Burlington, run the numbers through our cap rate calculator, read Burlington apartment operating costs owners should budget, and tell us about the building on our seller page.
Local Knowledge
What Shapes A Burlington Offer
More about selling in Vermont →Investing in Burlington? See apartment syndications in Burlington →
- Burlington's fiscal 2027 non-homestead rate of $2.4255 per $100 implies about $48,510 on $2 million of appraised value.
- A 1957 median build year, with 71.9% of units built before 1980, puts insulation, roofs and boilers into the reserve line.
- Burlington's time of sale energy ordinance caps required work at 3% of sale price or $1,300 per unit, whichever is less.
- Before you sell commercial real estate in Burlington, VT, check rental registration: it costs $110 per long-term unit, due April 1, with a minimum housing inspection before any move-in.
Seller Guides
Burlington Seller Situations
Learn More
Taxes & Rules For Burlington Property
The Vermont rules that shape any deal in Burlington: what a sale costs in tax, how buildings are taxed, what landlords must follow, and how to defer gains.
Burlington Seller FAQ
How do I sell commercial property in Burlington, VT without listing it?
To sell your apartment building in Burlington off market, begin with a rent roll that dates the last increase on every unit. Vermont requires at least 60 days' actual notice before a rent increase takes effect, under 9 V.S.A. 4455(b), so that record sets the upside. Then pull Burlington's rental registration record and the fiscal 2027 tax bill.
Does Burlington, VT have rent control?
Burlington has no rent control. Vermont's rent statute, 9 V.S.A. 4455(b), governs the notice period rather than the amount, requiring at least 60 days' actual notice before an increase takes effect. Burlington's charter, at 24 App. V.S.A. chapter 3, section 48(65), lets the City Council require 90 days' advance written notice instead.
What are apartment property taxes in Burlington, VT?
Burlington taxes non-homestead property, the class that covers apartment buildings, at $2.4255 per $100 of appraised value for fiscal year 2027. That is $0.9097 municipal, $1.5154 non-homestead education and $0.0004 local agreement. On $2 million of appraised value the annual bill is about $48,510 before credits. Vermont listers set appraised value at fair market value each April 1.
Does Burlington have a just cause eviction ordinance?
No. Burlington voters approved a just-cause eviction charter amendment on March 2, 2021, and the Vermont General Assembly passed H.708 in 2022 to approve it. The Legislature's own bill status page records that the Governor's veto was sustained on May 12, 2022, so the charter power was never granted to the City Council.
What happens to tenant security deposits when I sell commercial real estate in Burlington, VT?
Vermont sets no dollar cap on a residential security deposit. Under 9 V.S.A. 4461(f), the deposit transfers to the new landlord when the seller's interest in the dwelling unit ends, and the new landlord must give the tenant actual notice of the transfer with the new name and address. Deposit ledgers are a standard closing item.
What does Burlington's time of sale energy ordinance require from a seller?
Burlington Electric Department enforces the Time of Sale Energy Efficiency Ordinance when a rental building sells and tenants pay heating costs directly. Required work is capped at the lesser of 3% of the sale price or $1,300 per rental unit, plus a $30 administration fee per building. Once the sale closes, the buyer carries compliance.
Do I need to fix up my Burlington building before selling?
No. We price in deferred maintenance, vacancy, and below-market rents ourselves, so you can sell the property as it stands.
How does a sale to you work in Chittenden County?
Send the address, unit count, and any financials. We give feedback, then a written letter of intent if it fits, followed by diligence and a closing date that works for you.
Can I sell rental property in Burlington with tenants in place?
Yes. We buy apartment buildings with tenants in place and keep existing leases intact. As a commercial real estate buyer focused on 5+ unit properties, we underwrite the current rent roll as it stands.
How fast can I sell my apartment building in Burlington?
Most owners get clear feedback within 48 hours of sending the address, unit count, and a rent roll. Closing is typically set around your timeline, including extra time for a 1031 exchange.
Submit A Deal
Have A Property In Burlington?
Tell us about it. Owners, agents, brokers, and deal finders are all welcome — conversations are confidential.
