What Closing Costs Do Home Sellers Pay in Washington?

If you’re thinking about selling your home, one of the first questions on your mind is probably, “How much of the sale price do I actually get to keep?” The answer depends on the closing costs for home sellers in Washington, which can add up quickly when you go the traditional route. Knowing what to expect ahead of time helps you plan, compare your options, and avoid surprises at the closing table.

Here’s a straightforward breakdown of what Washington home sellers typically pay, what those line items mean, and how to keep more of your equity when it’s time to sell.

A Quick Overview of Closing Costs for Home Sellers in Washington

In Washington, most home sellers can expect closing costs to land somewhere between 8 percent and 10 percent of the final sale price when selling the traditional way with a real estate agent. On a $700,000 home, that’s roughly $56,000 to $70,000 in fees, taxes, and commissions before you see any money.

That number surprises a lot of homeowners, so let’s walk through where it actually goes.

Real Estate Agent Commissions

The single largest closing cost for most sellers is the real estate commission. Historically, sellers in Washington have paid a total commission of 5 to 6 percent of the sale price, split between the listing agent and the buyer’s agent.

After recent changes in the industry, buyer and seller commissions are more negotiable than they used to be, but they’re still the biggest line item for most traditional sales. On that same $700,000 home, a 5 percent commission is $35,000 out of your proceeds.

Washington Real Estate Excise Tax (REET)

Washington charges a graduated Real Estate Excise Tax on the sale of residential property, and the seller is responsible for paying it. REET is tiered based on the sale price, and most counties (including King and Snohomish) add a local portion on top of the state rate.

For a typical single-family home in the Seattle metro area, sellers usually pay around 1.6 percent of the sale price in combined state and local excise tax. On a $700,000 home, that’s roughly $11,200. Higher-priced homes move into higher brackets, so the percentage increases as the price goes up.

Because rates and brackets can change, it’s always worth confirming the current numbers with your escrow company before closing.

Title Insurance

In most parts of Washington, the seller pays for the owner’s title insurance policy, which protects the buyer from any ownership claims or title issues that weren’t caught during the title search. Costs vary by home value, but most sellers in the Seattle area pay between $1,000 and $2,500 for this policy.

Escrow and Closing Fees

Washington uses escrow companies (rather than attorneys) to handle closings. The escrow fee is usually split between the buyer and the seller, and your share typically runs a few hundred to about a thousand dollars depending on the sale price and the escrow company you choose.

Recording fees, wire fees, and courier fees may also show up on your settlement statement. Individually, they’re small. Together, they usually add a few hundred dollars.

Prorated Property Taxes and HOA Dues

Washington property taxes are paid twice a year, and sellers are responsible for their share of taxes up to the closing date. If you close before you’ve paid the current installment, your portion is deducted from your proceeds at closing.

If your home is part of an HOA, you’ll also settle any unpaid dues and may owe a transfer fee or resale certificate fee, which can range from $150 to $500.

Mortgage Payoff and Related Fees

If you still have a mortgage, the remaining balance is paid off at closing directly from your proceeds. Some lenders charge a small reconveyance or payoff processing fee. If you have a second mortgage, HELOC, or any other lien on the property, those get paid off too.

Repairs, Credits, and Concessions

This is the category that catches homeowners off guard. In a traditional sale, after inspections, buyers often request repairs or a credit to cover them. Roof repairs, sewer line issues, water damage, or outdated systems can easily turn into $5,000 to $20,000 in negotiated credits, even on a home that looks move-in ready.

If you want to dig deeper into what a direct sale removes from this equation, take a look at how our process works.

Staging, Photography, and Prep Costs

Before you ever reach the closing table, traditional sales often require money up front. Professional photos, staging, landscaping, cleaning, minor repairs, and pre-listing inspections can run $2,000 to $10,000. These aren’t technically “closing costs,” but they come out of your pocket and reduce your net proceeds all the same.

How a Cash Sale Changes the Math

When you sell directly to a cash buyer like Georgia Buys, most of these costs disappear. There are no agent commissions, no repair credits, no staging, no inspection surprises, and we cover standard closing costs. You still pay the Washington excise tax because the state requires it on every sale, but the rest of the line items are off the table.

That often means keeping tens of thousands more of your home’s value, depending on the sale price and condition. If you want a clearer picture of what your home could net, selling your home to Georgia Buys is a no-pressure way to see real numbers.

Questions to Ask Before You Sell

Before you list or accept any offer, ask yourself a few practical questions. What repairs would a buyer likely ask for? How much time do I have before I need to move? Do I want to manage showings and negotiations, or do I want certainty? How much of my equity am I willing to spend to go the traditional route?

For more homeowner questions we hear often, check out our frequently asked questions.

Ready to See What You’d Actually Net?

The best way to understand your real closing costs is to compare side by side: a traditional listing versus a cash offer. We’ll give you a straightforward number, with no pressure and no obligation, so you can make the call that’s right for your situation. When you’re ready, request a free cash offer and we’ll take it from there.