Who pays what in Washington
Washington sellers pay the graduated REET excise tax; buyers pay title/escrow (often split), lender fees, and prepaids.
Closing costs by county in Washington
Rates and medians vary widely inside Washington. County-level breakdowns: King County (Seattle) — 0.88% effective property tax, median $860,000; Pierce County (Tacoma) — 1.10% effective property tax, median $560,000; Snohomish County (Everett) — 0.95% effective property tax, median $720,000.
Seller pays the excise — but it's baked into price
WA's Real Estate Excise Tax runs 1.1%–3% on the seller, which is why list prices quietly absorb it. Buyers still face Seattle-area title/escrow on higher prices, and the state's 2025 budget raised top-bracket REET — expect sellers of $3M+ homes to negotiate harder on price rather than concessions.
Negotiation levers in Washington
Three moves that actually work: (1) get Loan Estimates from 3 lenders — origination and points vary by thousands; (2) ask for seller concessions (3% conventional under 10% down, 6% above, 6% FHA) credited at closing; (3) close at month-end to shrink prepaid interest from ~30 days to ~2. In Washington, transfer-tax custom is negotiable too — everything is a contract term.
FAQ
How much are closing costs in Washington?
Budget 2–4% of the purchase price for buyer closing costs in Washington, plus your down payment. On the $620,000 median Washington home that's roughly $15,500–$24,800. WA REET (1.1% base, graduated to 3% above $3M) is seller-paid.
Does the buyer pay transfer tax in Washington?
No — Washington transfer taxes are seller-customary (or don't exist). WA REET (1.1% base, graduated to 3% above $3M) is seller-paid.
Can I roll closing costs into the loan in Washington?
Not directly, but you can trade a slightly higher rate for a lender credit that covers costs, or negotiate seller concessions. The break-even on a lender credit is typically 3–5 years — only worth it if you'll sell or refinance before then.
How much should I save to buy a house in Washington?
Down payment + closing costs + 2–3 months of reserves. On the Washington median $620,000 home with 10% down, that's roughly $80,600 before reserves — the calculator above gives your exact stack.
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