Washington Closing Costs for Buyers: How Much You'll Pay
In Washington, transfer taxes come to about $10,524 on a $644,300 home, and an owner's title policy runs about $2,024 plus $809 for the lender's policy. Figures below come from Washington statutes, the state's revenue and insurance regulators and filed title rate cards, read on September 11, 2026.
Transfer tax in Washington
| Jurisdiction | Rate | |
|---|---|---|
| Washington (state) | Real Estate Excise Tax (REET) is graduated on the state portion: 1.10% on the first $525,000 of selling price, 1.28% on the portion from $525,000.01 to $1,525,000, 2.75% from $1,525,000.01 to $3,025,000, and 3.00% above $3,025,000. | source |
| King County (all cities, including Seattle) local REET | 0.50% local REET added to the graduated state rate | source |
More on Washington (state)
Real Estate Excise Tax (REET) is graduated on the state portion: 1.10% on the first $525,000 of selling price, 1.28% on the portion from $525,000.01 to $1,525,000, 2.75% from $1,525,000.01 to $3,025,000, and 3.00% above $3,025,000 (thresholds are CPI-adjusted every four years; next adjustment 1/1/2027 raises them to $551,000/$1,551,000/$3,051,000). A separate local REET applies on top of the state rate.
More on King County (all cities, including Seattle) local REET
0.50% local REET added to the graduated state rate (location code 1726 for Seattle, 1700 for unincorporated King County)
Not applicable in Washington beyond REET; there is no separate deed/mortgage recordation tax as in some other states, though county auditors add several flat per-document recording surcharges (see recording_fees and other_buyer_costs).
Who pays: Seller, by Department of Revenue's own description of the tax ('usually, the seller pays this tax, but if they don't, the buyer is responsible', the tax becomes a lien on the property if unpaid, so DOR ultimately looks to the property/either party). Source
Worked example: On a $644,300 home in Seattle/King County: state REET = 1.10% x $525,000 ($5,775) + 1.28% x $119,300 ($1,527) = $7,302. Local REET = 0.50% x $644,300 = $3,222. Total REET = about $10,524, customarily paid by the seller at closing.
How much is title insurance in Washington?
On a $644,300 home in Washington, an owner's title policy costs about $2,024 and the lender's policy about $809 when both are issued together (the simultaneous-issue discount). The buyer pays the lender's policy; who pays the owner's policy is a matter of local custom and contract. Washington is a filed-competitive state: each title insurer files its own rates, so premiums differ by company and it pays to get two quotes. Premiums computed from First American Title Fee Calculator (filed rates), King County (Seattle), Washington, read September 11, 2026.
Owner's policy on the full $644,300 price and the lender's policy on an 80% loan ($515,440), quoted together so the simultaneous-issue rate applies; First American filed rates for King County (Seattle).
Washington-specific buyer costs on a $644,300 home
These are the line items set by Washington law or filed rates. Lender fees, appraisal, escrow and prepaid taxes and insurance come on top and depend on your loan.
| Owner's title policy | $2,024 |
|---|---|
| Lender's title policy | $809 |
| Deed recording | $110 |
| Mortgage recording | $110 |
| State-set items, total | $3,053 |
Do you need a closing attorney in Washington?
Not required. Washington is a non-attorney, escrow-based closing state: real estate closings are customarily conducted by licensed escrow agents/companies under Title 18.44 RCW (Escrow Agent Registration Act) rather than attorneys, and no statute requires an attorney to conduct or supervise a residential closing. Source
Recording fees
Recording the deed costs $110 and the mortgage $110 at the King County Recorder's Office (statutory fees set state-wide by RCW 36.18.010 and RCW 36.22.185; King County is Washington's largest county). Fee schedule
Other Washington specifics
- Covenant Homeownership Program assessment. A flat $100 assessment is added to nearly every recorded real property document statewide (deeds, deeds of trust) since January 1, 2024, funding down-payment assistance for descendants of historically excluded homebuyers. Source
- State library surcharges. Recording instruments also carries a $3 state library operations surcharge and a $2 state library-archives building surcharge on top of the base recording fee. Source
How much are closing costs in Washington?
For a buyer, closing costs usually run 2% to 5% of the purchase price. On Washington's median-priced home (about $644,300), that is roughly $12,886 to $32,215, and it is separate from your down payment. The exact figure depends on your lender, your loan, and local taxes.
What closing costs include
Closing costs are a bundle of one-time fees due at settlement: lender or origination fees, an appraisal, title insurance, escrow and settlement fees, recording fees and any Washington transfer tax, plus prepaid property taxes and homeowners insurance.
Why Washington closing costs vary
The single biggest reason closing costs differ from state to state is transfer taxes, which states and sometimes counties and cities charge on the sale. Title insurance customs and whether an attorney is required at settlement also matter.
How a rebate offsets Washington closing costs
Buyer commission rebates are legal in Washington. Because a rebate can be paid as a credit at closing, it can erase a meaningful share of these costs. On a $644,300 home, a 2% rebate is about $12,886, often enough to cover much of the closing bill.
Frequently asked questions
How much is title insurance in Washington?
About $2,024 for an owner's policy on a $644,300 home, plus about $809 for the lender's policy when both are issued together. Rates vary by insurer, so get two quotes.
Who pays closing costs in Washington?
Transfer tax: Seller, by Department of Revenue's own description of the tax ('usually, the seller pays this tax, but if they don't, the buyer is responsible', the tax becomes a lien on the property if unpaid, so DOR ultimately looks to the property/either party). The buyer pays the lender's policy; who pays the owner's policy is a matter of local custom and contract, plus lender fees, appraisal and prepaid taxes and insurance. Sellers often cover part of the buyer's costs through a negotiated concession.
How much is the transfer tax in Washington?
Real Estate Excise Tax (REET) is graduated on the state portion: 1.10% on the first $525,000 of selling price, 1.28% on the portion from $525,000.01 to $1,525,000, 2.75% from $1,525,000.01 to $3,025,000, and 3.00% above $3,025,000 (thresholds are CPI-adjusted every four years; next adjustment 1/1/2027 raises them to $551,000/$1,551,000/$3,051,000). A separate local REET applies on top of the state rate.. On a $644,300 home that is about $10,524, customarily paid by the seller. King County (all cities, including Seattle) local REET add local taxes on top.
Do you need an attorney to close on a house in Washington?
No. Washington is a non-attorney, escrow-based closing state: real estate closings are customarily conducted by licensed escrow agents/companies under Title 18.44 RCW (Escrow Agent Registration Act) rather than attorneys, and no statute requires an attorney to conduct or supervise a residential closing.
How much are closing costs in Washington?
Buyer closing costs in Washington typically run 2% to 5% of the purchase price. On Washington's median-priced home (about $644,300) that is roughly $12,886 to $32,215, on top of your down payment.
What do closing costs include in Washington?
Lender or origination fees, an appraisal, title insurance, escrow and settlement fees, recording fees and any Washington transfer tax, plus prepaid property taxes and homeowners insurance.
Can a buyer rebate offset closing costs in Washington?
Often yes. In Washington, buyer commission rebates are legal, and a rebate can be applied as a credit toward your closing costs at the settlement table.
Sources
- Washington transfer tax statute
- King County (all cities, including Seattle) local REET transfer tax
- First American Title Fee Calculator (filed rates), King County (Seattle), Washington, read September 11, 2026
- Washington closing attorney rule
- King County Recorder's Office (statutory fees set state-wide by RCW 36.18.010 and RCW 36.22.185; King County is Washington's largest county) recording fees
- Covenant Homeownership Program assessment
- RCW 48.29.140, Title insurance premium rate filing requirement
- Consumer Financial Protection Bureau: buyer closing costs are typically 2% to 5% of the purchase price
Washington figures last verified against official sources on September 11, 2026.
Washington title insurance at every purchase price, with a calculator →
Washington transfer tax at every purchase price, who pays and local surcharges →
Read the full buyer closing-costs guide →
Figures are typical 2026 ranges and vary by lender, loan, and location. This is general information, not financial advice; confirm your numbers with your lender and closing agent.
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