WA · #13 by population

Buying a home in Washington

Costs and rules that are specific to Washington. Main city: Seattle.

In short

Washington taxes property sales through its real estate excise tax, does not require an attorney at closing and requires a seller disclosure form. It allows both court and out-of-court foreclosure and is a community property state.

Calculate for Washington

If you buy

Washington state transfer tax

Real estate excise tax (REET): Sales through Dec 31, 2026: 1.10% up to $525,000, 1.28% from $525,000 to $1,525,000, 2.75% from $1,525,000 to $3,025,000, 3.00% above; farm, agricultural and timber land pay a flat 1.28%. Change the price: the amount is recalculated instantly.

Price$602,200
State transfer tax$6,763.16
Share of the price1.12% of the price
Who paysThe seller

Default price: the Washington median value of owner-occupied homes, $602,200 (Census ACS 2024). Rule: Graduated like an income tax: each rate applies only to the slice of the price inside its bracket. These thresholds apply to sales dated through December 31, 2026; from January 1, 2027 they become $551,000, $1,551,000 and $3,051,000. Farm, agricultural and timber land pay a flat 1.28%. The sale date decides which column applies. Plus a local real estate excise tax of 0.50% of the whole price in Seattle (Washington Department of Revenue, rates effective May 1, 2026). Who pays: The law makes the tax the obligation of the seller (RCW 82.45.080). If the seller does not pay, the buyer is responsible and unpaid tax can become a lien on the property. Not included: other county and city transfer taxes, recording fees, title insurance and lender charges. Washington transfer tax guide · all 50 states.

If you sell

Capital gain and the federal tax on it

Same federal rule in every state: Section 121 of the Internal Revenue Code excludes up to $250,000 of gain on a main home ($500,000 for a married couple filing jointly).

Capital gain$350,000
Section 121 exclusion$250,000 (limit $250,000)
Taxable gain$100,000
Type of gainLong-term (owned over 1 year), 15% chosen
Federal tax on the gain$15,000

Section 121 excludes $250,000; the rest is taxable.

Gain = sale price minus your adjusted basis (purchase price, buying costs and improvements); selling expenses reduce it (IRS Publication 523). Long-term rates for sales in 2026, by taxable income including the gain (IRS Rev. Proc. 2025-32, section 4.03): 0% up to $49,450 single or $98,900 married filing jointly, 15% up to $545,500 single or $613,700 jointly, 20% above. Not included: Washington state income tax on the gain (not computed), the net investment income tax, depreciation recapture on a rental or home office, and the reduced exclusion for an early sale. Agent commissions are negotiated and never set by law. Capital gains on a home sale.

Washington in short

Is there a real estate transfer tax in Washington?

Washington taxes each sale with a graduated state real estate excise tax of 1.1% on the first $525,000, 1.28% up to $1,525,000, 2.75% up to $3,025,000 and 3% above that for sales through December 31, 2026, plus a local tax such as Seattle's 0.5%.

Full Washington guide · Compare all 50 states

How much is the state transfer tax on a $602,200 home in Washington?

On $602,200, the median value of owner-occupied homes in Washington (Census ACS 2024), the state real estate excise tax comes to $6,763.16 (Sales through Dec 31, 2026: 1.10% up to $525,000, 1.28% from $525,000 to $1,525,000, 2.75% from $1,525,000 to $3,025,000, 3.00% above). County and city taxes are not included.

Full Washington guide · Compare all 50 states

What closing costs does Washington law set?

Washington has no official typical closing-cost total. The seller owes the real estate excise tax by law, $16,855 on a $1 million Seattle sale in 2026, and King County charges $303.50 to record a deed and $304.50 for a deed of trust.

Full Washington guide · Compare all 50 states

How is property tax calculated in Washington?

Washington counties value homes at 100% of market value as of January 1 and there is no general homestead exemption. In Seattle the King County Assessor's 2026 rate is $9.90845 per $1,000 of assessed value, or $8,253.74 on the $833,000 median home.

Full Washington guide · Compare all 50 states

What is the deadline to appeal a property tax assessment in Washington?

In Washington, file a petition on a Department of Revenue form with the county Board of Equalization by July 1 or within 30 days after the assessment notice, whichever is later (a county may allow up to 60 days). King County's 2026 calendar lists July 1.

Full Washington guide · Compare all 50 states

Do you need a real estate attorney to close in Washington?

The Washington statutes and court rules read do not require a buyer or seller to hire an attorney to close. Escrow agents need a license from the Department of Financial Institutions unless exempt, such as a bank, a title insurer or agent, or a lawyer (RCW 18.44.021).

Full Washington guide · Compare all 50 states

What must a home seller disclose in Washington?

A Washington seller of a home with one to four units must give the buyer a signed seller disclosure statement within 5 business days after mutual acceptance (RCW 64.06.020, 64.06.030). The buyer then has 3 business days to approve it or rescind.

Full Washington guide · Compare all 50 states

How does foreclosure work in Washington?

A Washington home loan secured by a deed of trust can be foreclosed without a court, by a trustee, and the trustee's sale must be set at least 90 days after the notice of sale is recorded, or 120 days when the pre-notice contact letter was required.

Full Washington guide · Compare all 50 states

What first-time home buyer programs does Washington offer?

In Washington, the Washington State Housing Finance Commission (WSHFC) pairs its home loans with down payment assistance of 3%, 4% or 5% of the loan amount at 0% interest, for households earning up to $215,000, and first-time status is not required.

Full Washington guide · Compare all 50 states

Is Washington a community property state?

Washington is a community property state: property acquired after marriage is community property, and neither spouse may sell or encumber community real estate without the other signing the deed (RCW 26.16.030).

Full Washington guide · Compare all 50 states

Which natural hazards affect home insurance in Washington?

In Washington, Seattle's Office of Emergency Management calls earthquakes the most serious hazard facing Seattle and says the Seattle region ranks first in the country for the number of hazards it faces.

Full Washington guide

How much tax when you sell a home in Washington?

The federal rule is the same in Washington as in every state: if you owned and lived in the home as your main home for at least 2 of the last 5 years, the first $250,000 of gain is excluded, $500,000 for a married couple filing jointly (Section 121, IRS Publication 523). Bought $400,000, sold $750,000: a single owner has $100,000 of taxable gain, $15,000 of federal tax at the 15% long-term rate; a couple filing jointly owes nothing. Washington income tax on the gain is not computed here.

Capital gains on a home sale

Washington guides

Seattle

Buying a home in Seattle, Washington

Professionals in Washington

All states · Federal guides