Property tax, transfer tax and closing costs in Washington

Washington: State real estate excise tax graduated at 1.1% up to $525,000, 1.28% to $1,525,000, 2.75% to $3,025,000 and 3% above (thresholds for 2023 through 2026), plus a local tax, usually 0.5% and higher in some counties. Seller pays by statute. Annual revaluation of all property, with physical inspection at least every six years.

Reviewed October 15, 2026. Every line links its statute or official source.

What Washington sets

Transfer tax: State real estate excise tax graduated at 1.1% up to $525,000, 1.28% to $1,525,000, 2.75% to $3,025,000 and 3% above (thresholds for 2023 through 2026), plus a local tax, usually 0.5% and higher in some counties. Source: dor.wa.gov
Who customarily pays: Seller pays by statute. Source: dor.wa.gov
Local transfer taxes: Cities and counties levy a local real estate excise tax, usually 0.5% and higher in some counties (San Juan County levies a conservation area tax on top). The Department of Revenue lists every local rate. Source: dor.wa.gov
Reassessment cycle: Annual revaluation of all property, with physical inspection at least every six years. Source: dor.wa.gov
Homestead and other exemptions: No general homestead exemption. Exemption and deferral programs for senior citizens and people with disabilities, income limited. Source: dor.wa.gov
Owner’s title policy: Seller customarily pays for the owner’s title policy. Source: insurance.wa.gov
How closings run: Escrow closings are customary. Source: dfi.wa.gov
Survey: Not stated. No official source confirmed this yet.
Other closing customs: Not stated. No official source confirmed this yet.

Washington transfer tax on a $565,000 sale

State real estate excise taxseller pays$6,287$525,000 × 1.1% = $5,775, then $40,000 × 1.28% = $512, total $6,287
Local real estate excise tax (usual rate)seller pays$2,825$565,000 × 0.5% = $2,825

seller pays: $9,112
Total transfer tax: $9,112

Statutory transfer taxes on a $565,000 sale, as of the reviewed date. Who pays is custom and contract outside the statute’s primary liability. Local taxes described above are not in this figure unless listed as a line. Recording fees, title and attorney charges are separate.

Open the Washington transfer tax calculator, with a link to share and an embed for your site.

Typical property tax in Washington

Median real-estate tax paid: $4,556 a year
Per month: $380
Median owner-occupied home value: $564,600
Effective rate they imply: 0.81%

Census American Community Survey five-year file, 2020-2024, tables B25103 and B25077, owner-occupied homes. The median bill rose 37% against the 2015-2019 file. An estimate for a typical home, not yours. Your bill depends on the parcel, its exemptions and the next reassessment.

For agents

Your buyers ask what closing costs in Washington and who pays. This page answers from the statute, with the date it was checked. Send it, or embed the calculator on your own site.

Ike lets a licensed real estate agent originate the mortgage on the deals they already close. Expected compensation is about 100 basis points per eligible funded loan once licensed and sponsored. Ike is preparing licenses state by state.

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One email when Washington rates, exemptions or transfer taxes change, and when the next reassessment lands.

Sources

Ike Mortgage LLC. NMLS ID pending. For licensing information, go to: www.nmlsconsumeraccess.org. Nothing on this page is a loan payment, rate, term or down payment, and nothing here is a Loan Estimate.