6 beds 5 baths 3,542 sqft on 175 acres

Some properties feel like a postcard. This one feels like a whole Vermont calendar.

Picture a white farmhouse built in 1903, sitting above open hay fields, fenced pastures, brooks, an old apple orchard, and miles of trails through the forest. Behind it all, Dorset Mountain rises across the valley.

That is what this 175-acre property in Danby, Vermont offers. It has been a dairy farm, an alpaca farm, and now a horse property. It also has a rental apartment, a whole-house generator, a Danby marble fireplace, and a local slate roof.

Let’s go through it piece by piece.

The Basics at a Glance

The farmhouse has six bedrooms, five bathrooms, and 3,542 square feet. It was built in 1903 and has been beautifully refreshed, according to the listing.

The property covers 175 acres along a quiet dirt road in Danby, Vermont.

The listing details shared here did not include an asking price or exact address, so check the current listing for those.

Property Overview

• Location: Danby, Vermont
• Bedrooms: 6
• Bathrooms: 5
• Living area: 3,542 square feet
• Lot size: 175 acres
• Year built: 1903
• Setting: Quiet dirt road with Dorset Mountain views
• Land: Open fields, forest, pasture, hay fields, trails
• Farm history: Former dairy farm and alpaca farm, now a horse property
• Fencing: Extensive five-strand livestock fencing
• Water features: Multiple year-round and seasonal brooks
• Orchard: Historic apple orchard
• Recreation: Miles of trails, nearby VAST snowmobile access
• Fireplace: Danby marble
• Roof: Local slate, well maintained
• Outdoor living: Expansive deck facing the mountain views
• Income: Separate apartment with a tenant
• Generator: Cummins Onan propane whole-house generator
• Taxes: Land enrolled in Vermont Current Use with a 10-year forestry plan

The Dorset Mountain Views

The listing opens with the views, and they set the tone for everything else.

Dorset Mountain rises in Vermont’s Taconic Range. From the farmhouse, the mountain frames the landscape of fields and forest below. Every season changes the scene, from green summer hills to blazing fall foliage to snowy winter ridges.

Views like this are the reason many people move to Vermont in the first place.

The 175 Acres

One hundred seventy-five acres is a remarkable amount of land.

The property includes open fields, forest, pasture, and hay fields. That mix gives you room to farm, ride, hike, hunt, and simply enjoy wide open space.

With this much land, a buyer has endless possibilities. Walk the property, look at how the fields and forest are laid out, and ask for a survey so you know the exact boundaries.

A Quiet Dirt Road

The property sits along a quiet dirt road.

In Vermont, dirt roads are part of the charm. They usually mean less traffic and more peace. They also come with mud season in spring, so ask how the road holds up and how it is maintained by the town.

The 1903 Farmhouse

The farmhouse was built in 1903 and has been beautifully refreshed.

The listing says it combines classic Vermont character with modern comfort. Original details give it charm and history, while updates make it comfortable for today.

Six bedrooms and five bathrooms are generous for any home, and especially for a farmhouse of this age. That gives plenty of room for family, guests, and home offices.

The Danby Marble Fireplace

The farmhouse features a Danby marble fireplace.

That is a special local detail. Danby is home to one of the largest underground marble quarries in the world, and Danby marble has been used in famous buildings across the United States.

Having a fireplace made from marble quarried in the same town gives this house a real sense of place. Ask whether it is wood-burning and when the chimney was last inspected.

The Local Slate Roof

The house has a beautifully maintained local slate roof.

Slate roofs are among the longest-lasting roofs available. Well cared for, they can last a century or more. Vermont has a long history of slate quarrying, so a local slate roof fits the house perfectly.

Slate needs specialized repair work, so ask who has maintained it and when it was last inspected.

The Expansive Deck

An expansive deck is positioned to take in the mountain views and peaceful surroundings.

This is where summer evenings happen. Morning coffee, dinners with friends, and quiet sunsets over Dorset Mountain. Check the condition of the boards, rails, and supports during inspection.

A Long Farming History

The property has a long agricultural history.

It operated as a dairy farm, then an alpaca farm, and is now used as a horse property. That history means the land has been worked, fenced, and cared for over many years.

It also means there may be existing barns and outbuildings. The listing does not describe them in detail, so ask what structures are on the property and their condition.

A Horse Property

For equestrians, this property has a lot to offer.

Extensive five-strand livestock fencing, hay fields, pasture, and miles of trails make it ideal for horses. You could grow your own hay, turn horses out in fenced pastures, and ride straight from the barn onto your own trails.

Ask about the barn, stalls, water sources in the pastures, and the condition of the fencing.

Hay Fields and Pasture

The hay fields and substantial usable acreage add real value.

Hay fields can feed your own animals or be leased to local farmers. Pasture can support horses, cattle, sheep, goats, or alpacas again.

Ask whether the fields are currently leased or hayed by someone else.

Farming and Homesteading

The listing mentions farming and homesteading as great uses for the land.

With open fields, pasture, an orchard, and water, the property has the basics for raising animals, growing food, and living closer to the land.

Miles of Trails

Miles of trails wind through the land.

Trails make it easy to explore the property on foot, horseback, or ski. They also open up the forest for wildlife watching and hunting.

Nearby VAST Access

The listing mentions nearby VAST access.

VAST stands for the Vermont Association of Snow Travelers, which maintains thousands of miles of snowmobile trails across the state. Nearby access means winter riding is close at hand.

The Historic Apple Orchard

A historic apple orchard adds a classic Vermont touch.

Picture picking apples in the fall, making cider, and baking pies. Old orchards can often be brought back to good production with careful pruning.

Year-Round and Seasonal Brooks

Multiple year-round and seasonal brooks run through the property.

Brooks add beauty, sound, and wildlife. They also provide water for animals. Ask whether any areas near the brooks are in a flood zone.

The Rental Apartment

A separate apartment with a tenant provides rental income.

That is a major plus. The income can help with taxes, upkeep, or mortgage costs. Ask about the current lease terms, rent amount, and whether the tenant plans to stay.

Guest Quarters or Multigenerational Living

The apartment can also serve other purposes.

It could become private guest quarters for visiting family and friends. Or it could provide a home for parents, adult children, or a farm manager, with separate space but still part of the property.

That kind of flexibility is hard to find and adds long-term value.

The Whole-House Generator

A large Cummins Onan propane whole-house generator adds convenience and security.

Rural Vermont can lose power during winter storms. A whole-house generator keeps the lights on, the heat running, the water pumping, and the animals cared for.

Ask about its age, size, and service history, and whether the propane tank is owned or leased.

Vermont Current Use

The land is enrolled in Vermont Current Use with a 10-year forestry plan.

Vermont’s Current Use program taxes enrolled land based on its agricultural or forestry use instead of its full market value. That can significantly lower property taxes on large acreage.

The forestry plan guides how the woods are managed. Buyers usually need to continue following the plan to keep the tax benefit. Leaving the program early or developing enrolled land can trigger a land use change tax.

Ask for a copy of the forestry plan and talk with a Vermont attorney or forester about the rules.

Heating and Utilities

The listing mentions propane for the generator but does not describe the main heating system.

Ask what heats the farmhouse and the apartment, how old the systems are, and what typical winter heating costs look like. Also ask about the well, septic, and internet service.

The Danby Location

Danby is a small town in southern Vermont, known for its marble quarry and quiet country character.

Nearby towns like Dorset and Manchester offer shops, restaurants, and cultural events. Ski areas such as Bromley and Stratton are within driving distance, making the area a four-season destination.

Who Could Live Here

The listing describes many buyer types, and the property truly fits them all.

Horse owners. Farmers and homesteaders. Families wanting land and space. Buyers who want rental income. Multigenerational households. And anyone who wants a private Vermont retreat with mountain views.

Possible Projects

• Restoring and expanding the apple orchard
• Building or updating barns for horses and livestock
• Creating riding arenas or paddocks
• Growing a market garden or small farm business
• Expanding trails for hiking and skiing
• Updating the rental apartment
• Making maple syrup from the forest, if the trees allow
• Hosting farm stays or events, where permitted

Financing Options to Consider

Conventional loans are common for high-value rural properties. Lenders may treat large acreage and rental units differently, so work with one familiar with farms.

Jumbo loans may be needed depending on the final price.

Farm credit lenders specialize in agricultural properties and may offer good terms for working farms.

USDA farm loans may be available to qualified buyers who plan to farm.

Rental income from the apartment may help some buyers qualify, depending on the lender.

Insurance Considerations

Farm properties often need special insurance.

Ask about farm or hobby farm policies that cover the house, apartment, barns, fencing, animals, and liability. Coverage for horses and visitors is especially important. Insurers may also ask about the slate roof and fireplace.

Due Diligence Questions to Ask

• What is the asking price and exact address?
• What barns and outbuildings are on the property?
• What heats the farmhouse and apartment?
• What are the lease terms for the apartment tenant?
• What does the Current Use forestry plan require?
• What is the land use change tax if land is removed from Current Use?
• Are the hay fields leased to anyone?
• What is the condition of the fencing?
• When was the slate roof last inspected?
• Are there wells and septic systems for both the house and apartment?
• What internet service is available?
• What are the annual property taxes?

Inspection Is Essential

A property of this size and age needs a thorough inspection.

Inspect the farmhouse, apartment, roof, chimney, generator, well, septic, and any barns. Walk the fences and fields. Hire a forester to review the forestry plan and an attorney to review the Current Use enrollment and lease.

Final Thoughts

This Danby property brings together everything that makes Vermont special.

A 1903 farmhouse with a Danby marble fireplace and local slate roof. Dorset Mountain views. One hundred seventy-five acres of fields, forest, pasture, and trails. Brooks, an old apple orchard, horse fencing, and hay fields. A rental apartment for income or family. And tax benefits through Current Use.

Land, views, history, and flexibility, all in one place. Properties like this are rare.

View the full listing on Zillow: 175-acre Vermont farm in Danby, VT

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