Who Pays Closing Costs in Washington?

Direct answer

WA DOR confirms the seller usually pays REET; if the seller doesn't pay, the buyer becomes liable, and unpaid REET can become a lien. The calculator models buyer-side loan-related fields and seller-side REET, brokerage compensation, and payoff fields. All other modeled allocations depend on the purchase and sale contract and official closing documents.

REET Liability in Washington

WA DOR confirms the seller usually pays REET on most WA real-property sales. State tiers run 1.10% up to $525,000, 1.28% from $525,000.01-$1,525,000, 2.75% from $1,525,000.01-$3,025,000, and 3.00% above, plus local REET and a $5 technology fee. If the seller doesn't pay, the buyer becomes liable, and unpaid REET can become a lien.

What the Buyer-Side Calculator Models

The buyer-side tool includes fields for price, down payment, rate, prepaid interest, property tax/insurance reserves, lender fees, appraisal, services, lender's title, escrow, recording, and credits — modeled fields only, not a customary-payment claim; allocation is contract-set. Zillow's national calculator benchmarks buyer costs at 2%-5% of price, a national reference, not a WA quote.

What the Seller-Side Calculator Models

The seller-side tool includes fields for sale price, local REET (editable), brokerage compensation, owner's title, escrow, recording, concessions, and loan payoff. These are fields the calculator models, not a claim about customary WA payment responsibility beyond REET. Zillow's calculator cites seller costs up to 8%-10% nationally, excluding price — a national benchmark, not a WA figure.

Seller Credits and Concessions

Seller credits and concessions are contract inputs set within the purchase and sale agreement. CFPB confirms credits factor into cash to close: down payment + closing costs - deposit - seller credits - other adjustments. The purchase and sale contract, not the calculator, sets the exact amount.

Lender Credits and the Loan Estimate/Closing Disclosure

CFPB notes lender credits offset upfront closing costs but may mean a higher interest rate. Loan costs and shoppable services appear on the Loan Estimate; compare that against the Closing Disclosure, generally received at least three business days before mortgage closing, before treating any figure as final.

Title, Escrow, and Recording Fields in the Calculator

The buyer-side model lists lender's title and escrow; the seller-side model lists owner's title and escrow. This describes calculator fields only — it is not a claim about which party customarily pays title, escrow, or recording in Washington. Actual allocation is set by the purchase and sale contract and confirmed on official closing documents.

King County Recording Fees

King County recording fees are set by state law. A Deed of Trust recording is $304.50 plus $1 per additional page. Most other documents run $303.50 plus $1 per additional page. Which specific documents fall under "most other" isn't specified here — confirm the applicable fee with escrow or the recorder's office.

What Actually Controls Final Closing Costs

Contract terms and official lender, title, escrow, and county documents control final figures for every field the calculator models beyond REET. Any planning tool or estimate, including REET and recording figures referenced here, is for planning only and never a substitute for a quote. Confirm every line item against your own transaction's contract and settlement documents.