Vermont homeowners know the feeling well: the warm air of spring serves as a reminder of the coming burden of lawn and insect management, or the house projects that have been waiting to be started all winter. We want to remind our homeowners to slow down before signing up for services or products that seem too good to be true, or make you feel pressured to say ‘yes.’
Door-to-door sales pitches become more common in the warmer weather, and they can make it easy to overlook key contract details, hidden fees, or long‑term obligations. While sales representatives may tell you that “everyone in the neighborhood is signing up,” homeowners are reminded that they are never required to make an immediate decision on the doorstep.
Consumer protection laws in Vermont offer important safeguards for home solicitation sales. Residents can always ask a salesperson to leave their property, request written information to compare prices, or schedule a follow‑up consultation later. In addition, door‑to‑door sales contracts are covered by a three‑day rescission period, giving homeowners a protected window to cancel a contract if they realize the offer isn’t right for them. For those seeking trusted service providers to hire, a vetted list is available through our homeowner resources page.
CHT also wants to raise awareness about a new predatory financial product marketed under names such as Home Equity Investments, Home Equity Contracts, or even as Shared Equity. These agreements promise quick access to cash upfront in exchange for a portion of a homeowner’s equity, and they come with significant risks.
These financial products often advertise “no monthly payments,” but they typically include a large balloon payment—with interest—after a set time period. Often these companies require you to sign a lot of paperwork, and that paperwork can include permissions that allow them to sell your home to collect their payment.
These products are not affiliated with CHT in any way, and they can jeopardize homeowners’ long‑term housing stability. Homeowners interested in accessing their home equity should contact CHT first to explore safe, transparent lending options. Additional guidance is available on our website under How to Refinance, and questions can be directed to Allison Roark at [email protected].
Keep your money safe this spring by slowing down and asking questions before you sign up for any offers that seem too good to be true. Reach out if you have questions – we love to hear from our homeowners!