How much are closing costs for a home buyer in Washington? Plan on roughly 2-3% of the purchase price on top of your down payment. The calculator below gives you a realistic cash-to-close estimate for the Greater Seattle area.
The down payment gets all the attention, but closing costs are the surprise that catches buyers off guard. They are the lender fees, title and escrow charges, and prepaid items you bring to the table on closing day. Here is a grounded estimate so you can budget the real number, not a guess.
Typical buyer closing costs in Washington (quick reference)
For a Greater Seattle purchase, buyer closing costs usually run about 2–3% of the purchase price, on top of your down payment. On an $850,000 home that is roughly $17,000 to $25,000. Here is how that typically breaks down:
| Cost category | What it covers | Typical range* |
|---|---|---|
| Lender fees | Loan origination, appraisal, credit & processing | $3,000–$6,000 |
| Title & escrow | Lender’s title policy, escrow/closing fee, recording | $2,000–$4,000 |
| Prepaids & reserves | Prepaid interest, first-year homeowner’s insurance, property-tax & insurance reserves | $4,000–$9,000 |
| Optional | Discount points or a rate buydown, if you choose them | Varies |
| Total (typical) | Cash due at closing, beyond your down payment | $17,000–$25,000 (~2–3%) |
*Typical ranges for a Washington purchase; your actual numbers depend on loan type, lender, and closing date. In Washington the buyer customarily pays the lender’s title policy and the seller pays the owner’s policy.
Estimate your cash to close
Washington Buyer Closing Cost Estimator
What is actually in your closing costs
- Lender fees: loan origination, appraisal, credit, and processing.
- Title and escrow: the lender’s title policy, the escrow or closing fee, and recording. In Washington the buyer customarily pays the lender’s title policy while the seller pays the owner’s policy.
- Prepaids and reserves: prepaid interest to the end of the month, the first year of homeowner’s insurance, and a few months of property tax set aside in your escrow account.
How to use it
Enter your purchase price and down payment. The tool splits the estimate into lender fees, title and escrow, and prepaids, then adds your down payment to show the total cash you need at the table. Change the price and down payment to match your scenario — prepaids in particular shift with your closing date, so treat the total as a solid ballpark, not a quote.
Frequently asked questions
How much are buyer closing costs in Washington?
Typically about 2-3% of the purchase price, separate from your down payment. On an $850,000 home that is roughly $17,000 to $25,000, depending on your loan and closing date.
Can I get the seller to pay my closing costs?
Sometimes. In a softer market, sellers may agree to a closing-cost credit as part of the negotiation. It is one of several levers we can pull — worth discussing before you write an offer.
Is this the same as a lender Loan Estimate?
No. This is a planning estimate. Your lender’s Loan Estimate is the binding document with your actual fees. Use this to budget; use the Loan Estimate to close.
Emily Cressey, HomePro Associates — helping Greater Seattle buyers and sellers since 2002. Call or text 206-245-8813 or visit HomeProAssociates.com.