Cambridge VT Housing Market: What Buyers Should Know

If you are eyeing a home in Cambridge, you are looking at a small but active market where one new listing can shift the numbers overnight. That can make it hard to read the tea leaves, especially if you are comparing town and county data. You want clarity on prices, timing, and how to craft a winning offer without overpaying. In this guide, you will see the latest local signals, what they mean for you, and a practical plan to buy confidently in Cambridge. Let’s dive in.

Cambridge market snapshot

Cambridge sits in Lamoille County, and includes the villages of Jeffersonville and Cambridge. Town-level data changes fast because there are only a handful of listings at any given time. Recent snapshots show a median listing price around $469,900, roughly 15 active listings, and a median days on market near 71 days. Zillow’s value index for Cambridge puts the typical home value near $369,790. These measures use different methods, so a few higher-priced listings can lift the listing median above a smoothed value index. The key for you is to track multi-month trends and look closely at recent closed sales before you set your budget.

For context, nearby Franklin County shows a county median listing price around $389,000 with a larger pool of listings and a median days on market in the low 80s. County data is steadier, but your experience in Cambridge will depend on the specific property type you target.

What the numbers mean for you

Inventory and price bands

With a dozen or so active listings, Cambridge offers a wide price spread. You will see lower-priced resort or condo options in some cases under the mid-$200s, many village and move-up homes in the $300,000 to $500,000 range, and rural or higher-end homes north of $600,000. Shopping by submarket is smarter than chasing a single town median. Decide early whether you want a village condo or townhouse, a single-family home near village services, or a rural home with acreage, and then track that slice of the market.

Speed and competition

A median days on market around 71 days suggests a balanced pace, not a frenzy. Still, well-prepped, right-priced homes can move quickly, especially in spring and early summer. Regional data show sale-to-list prices near 99 percent in county snapshots, which hints at tight negotiation bands. Expect some multiple-offer situations for turnkey homes and for properties close to recreation.

Submarkets you will shop

Cambridge blends three demand drivers:

• Resort-adjacent condos and chalets near Smugglers’ Notch, which can lean seasonal and attract second-home buyers.
• Village homes that appeal to local move-up buyers and relocators.
• Rural homes and acreage that draw buyers seeking space, privacy, or hobby farming.

Each submarket behaves a bit differently, so your search and offer strategy should match the segment.

Seasonality and timing

Spring and summer

Spring through early summer is the peak listing season, which brings more choices and more active buyers. The statewide snapshot from the Vermont Association of Realtors highlights a spring lift in new listings, so you will likely see fresh inventory from March through June. In this window, be ready to move quickly on well-priced homes and expect tighter negotiation room.

Fall and winter

Late fall into winter usually brings fewer new listings and fewer competing buyers. You may gain leverage on price or repairs, and you may see sellers who are motivated to close before winter deepens. That said, resort-proximate homes can still draw strong interest in winter, so stay flexible.

When to start your prep

If you want to buy in spring, start your mortgage and agent conversations in late winter. If you plan for a winter purchase, use the fall to get pre-approved and line up your inspection team. The goal is to be offer-ready when the right home hits the market.

A buyer playbook for Cambridge

Get prepared early

• Secure a firm lender pre-approval, not just a pre-qualification, and gather proof of funds for your earnest money and any cash components. Guidance on multiple-offer readiness from the National Association of REALTORS emphasizes documented preparation.
• Work with a local buyer’s agent who watches daily changes, knows listing agents, and understands which homes are likely to draw multiple offers. Local insight can surface opportunities before the crowd.

Build a strong offer

• Keep it clean and complete. Strong non-price terms include a reasonable earnest-money deposit, clear financing documentation, and a closing timeline that matches the seller’s plans.
• Consider an escalation clause only with clear caps and guidance. It can help in a tight race but it also reveals your ceiling.
• Be cautious with contingency waivers. You can stay competitive without taking on outsized risk by shortening inspection timelines, allowing limited appraisal gaps, or performing targeted pre-inspections when feasible.

Due diligence for rural homes

• Private wells. Budget for testing. The Vermont Department of Health recommends routine well testing and highlights testing during real estate transactions.
• Septic systems. Many homes use private septic. A licensed inspection and a review of maintenance records are essential, since repairs can be expensive. The EPA outlines why septic assessment matters in real estate transfers in its homeowner guidance.
• Radon and environmental checks. Vermont has areas with elevated radon. Ask your inspector about adding radon, water, and follow-up septic testing. Local providers outline common packages on their inspection services pages.

From offer to keys

Typical financed purchases close in about 30 to 45 days after an accepted offer, depending on your lender, appraisal timing, and title work. Cash purchases can close sooner. For a useful overview of typical steps that drive timing, see this closing timeline explainer.

How a local expert helps

In a small, varied market like Cambridge, you benefit from an agent who lives the local rhythm. You want someone who can tell you why a resort-adjacent condo might trade differently than a village Cape, who knows when private road associations or permits affect value, and who can steer you through well, septic, and radon questions without drama. You also want polished communication and steady negotiation so you stay ahead of deadlines and surprises.

For more than 20 years, Jill has served buyers and sellers across Jeffersonville, Cambridge, Underhill, and nearby towns. You get boutique, responsive guidance backed by the reach of a national brand. Whether you are relocating, moving up, or buying a second home near Smugglers’ Notch, you will have clear data, practical steps, and a calm advocate from first showing to closing. Ready to talk your plan and budget? Connect with Jill Richardson to get started.

FAQs

What is the current median price in Cambridge, VT?

• Recent snapshots show a median listing price around $469,900, with a typical home value index near $369,790; small sample sizes can cause quick shifts month to month.

Is Cambridge in Franklin County or Lamoille County?

• Cambridge is in Lamoille County; broader Franklin County data can offer regional context, but town-level conditions in Cambridge may differ because the market is much smaller.

How competitive is buying a home in Cambridge?

• With a median days on market near 71, the pace is balanced, yet well-prepped homes can see multiple offers in spring and early summer when buyer activity peaks.

What inspections should I plan for a rural Cambridge home?

• Plan for a general home inspection plus well water testing, septic evaluation, and radon testing so you understand safety, maintenance needs, and long-term costs.

How long does it take to close on a home in Cambridge?

• Most financed purchases close in about 30 to 45 days after acceptance, while cash purchases can close faster depending on title work and seller timing.