What makes Snohomish County different from the rest of Washington
Seller pays the graduated REET; buyers pay escrow (usually split), title and recording. The county's average effective property-tax rate of 0.95% sets your escrow prepaids: at the $720,000 county median that's roughly $6,840 a year, about $3,420 collected at the closing table.
Watch the escrow split clause
Snohomish custom is a 50/50 escrow-fee split, but purchase-and-sale addenda sometimes push the whole fee to the buyer. On a $720K sale that's a $900–$1,400 swing decided by one checkbox — read the closing-cost section of the PSA before you sign.
Cutting your Everett closing costs
Three moves that work in Snohomish County: (1) collect Loan Estimates from three lenders on the same day — origination, points and lender credits swing by thousands; (2) negotiate seller concessions (3% conventional under 10% down, 6% above, 6% FHA/VA) and take them as a closing credit rather than a price cut; (3) close in the last week of the month to shrink prepaid interest from roughly 30 days to two. Where a transfer or recordation tax is customarily split, that split is a contract term, not a law — ask.
FAQ
How much are closing costs in Snohomish County, Washington?
Plan on roughly $18,000–$32,400 of buyer closing costs at the $720,000 Snohomish County median, on top of your down payment. Seller pays the graduated REET; buyers pay escrow (usually split), title and recording.
Does the buyer pay transfer tax in Snohomish County?
Not customarily. Seller pays the graduated REET; buyers pay escrow (usually split), title and recording. Buyers still pay recording fees, title work and prepaids.
What are property taxes in Snohomish County?
The county's average effective rate is about 0.95% of market value, so a $720,000 home runs roughly $6,840 a year. Individual parcels vary by municipality, school district and special assessments — check the parcel's actual bill, not the county average.
How much cash do I need to buy a house in Everett?
Down payment + closing costs + reserves. At the Snohomish County median with 10% down, that's about $97,200 before reserves. Run your own price and rate above for the exact stack.
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