Buying a home in Washington
Property taxes, transfer taxes, home values and first-time buyer help in Washington.
For home buyers in Washington: the taxes and typical costs of buying, with official sources.
How we estimated
Graduated state REET: 1.1% up to $525,000, 1.28% to $1,525,000, 2.75% to $3,025,000, 3% above (RCW 82.45.060; thresholds rise to $551,000/$1,551,000/$3,051,000 on Jan 1, 2027). Local REET is added on top (usually 0.25%-0.5%). Usually paid by the seller. Sources: WA Dept. of Revenue: REET. Checked 2026-10-15.At Washington's effective rate of 0.81%, a typical $587,533 home would owe about $4,759/year ($397/month) in property taxes. Actual bills depend on your county, city and exemptions. Run your numbers.
Washington State Housing Finance Commission
Your state housing finance agency offers down payment assistance and low-rate mortgages for eligible buyers. Visit Washington State Housing Finance Commission →
Next steps
Sources: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-year (B25103, B25077); Zillow Home Value Index; TallyClose closing-cost dataset (CC BY 4.0), which cites each state statute; NCSHA HFA directory. Last updated 2026-11-01.
Common questions
What is the property tax rate in Washington?
The effective property tax rate in Washington is 0.81%: the median tax of $4,556 divided by the median home value of $564,600 (U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024).
What is a typical home value in Washington?
$587,533 in September 2026, according to the Zillow Home Value Index.
Who offers first-time homebuyer help in Washington?
Washington State Housing Finance Commission, the state housing finance agency, offers down payment assistance and lower-rate loans for eligible buyers.
Updated . Official sources: U.S. Census Bureau ACS, Zillow Research ZHVI.
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