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.
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
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.
Washington guides
- Closing costs in Washington: what buyers and sellers pay
- Washington real estate excise tax (REET): rates and Seattle
- How Washington property tax works, with a Seattle example
- Seller disclosure requirements in Washington
- Do you need a real estate attorney to close in Washington?
- Foreclosure process in Washington
- Home prices in Washington and Seattle: median value and trend
- First-time home buyer programs in Washington: WSHFC, Seattle
- How to verify a real estate license in Washington
- Community property and buying a home in Washington (state-specific topic)
- Natural hazards and home insurance in Washington (state-specific topic)
- Buying a rental property in Washington: tenant rules (state-specific topic)