Buying a Home in Washington: Prices, Programs, and What You Need to Know
Washington Home Buyer Key Takeaways:
Here's what you need to know to get started if you’re looking at buying in the Evergreen State:
Average Home Prices in Washington
The average home sale price for a single-family home in Washington was $564,198 in 2024.
- Average home sale price in Seattle was $925,000.
- Average home sale price in Spokane was $360,000.
- Average home sale price in Tacoma was $475,000.
Average Home Size in Washington
The average size for a single-family home in Washington is 1,927 square feet.
- Average home size in Seattle is 1,933 square feet.
- Average home size in Spokane is 2,320 square feet.
- Average home size in Tacoma is 1,542 square feet.
Washington State Taxes
- Washington doesn’t have a state income tax. This means you won’t have to pay taxes on income earned in or from Washington state, so you can pocket more money from each paycheck!
- The average property tax rate is about 0.78% of a property's assessed value in Washington in 2024. Property taxes are capped at 1% of a home's value and vary by county and municipality. This cap does not include special local taxes approved by voters.
Find out how much house you can afford in Washington
Recommended
Monthly Payment:
$750.00
Affordable Home Prices With Your Recommended Payment
$107,844.08 house with $9,804.01 down. (10%)
$117,648.09 house with $19,608.02 down. (20%)
$127,452.10 house with $29,412.02 down. (30%)
These examples use the loan term provided and assume a fixed-rate mortgage with an interest rate of 6%.
Down Payment Assistance Programs in Washington
Washington Down Payment Assistance Program with Essex
- Down payment and closing cost assistance
- Minimum FICO® 600
- Up to 3.5% or 5% of the sales price or appraised value (lesser of)
- No first-time home buyer requirement
- FHA loans only
Washington Covenant Homeownership Program
- First-time home buyer requirement
- Your parents or grandparents lived in Washington State before 1968
- 0% interest rate, payment deferred
- Up to 20% down (not to exceed $150,000)
- Black, Latino, Native American, Alaska Native, Native Hawaiian or other Pacific Islander, Korean, or Asian Indian residents to Washington State
Churchill Mortgage is an approved lender for these down payment assistance programs. Contact us today to see if you qualify!
Frequently Asked Questions
Check our FAQ for responses to our most popular questions from Washington Home Buyers.
Typically, home buyers will pay anywhere between 2% and 5% of the loan amount in closing fees.
For example, if your home costs $250,000, you could pay anywhere between $5,000 and $12,500 in closing costs.
You will receive your closing costs from your Home Loan Specialist in a Loan Estimate that you will receive after you apply for your home loan and in the Closing Disclosure document that is provided before your official closing day.
It's important to pick a home loan option that fits your needs.
- Conventional loans are the most common mortgage option in the state of Washington.
- FHA loans are a popular choice for first-time home buyers.
- VA loans are available for active-duty service members, veterans, and eligible surviving spouses.
At Churchill Mortgage, we provide these loan programs as well as more niche programs. Reach out today to see what loan option works best for your situation.
Churchill Mortgage's experienced Home Loan Specialists work closing with a network of trusted, local real estate agents across the state of Washington. Just ask for a referral and we'll provide you with a professional who is committed to finding the right home for you.
Washington's high schools achieved national standings in 2024:
- Redmond, WA: Tesla STEM High School ranked #1 in Washington and #3 nationally for public schools.
- Bellevue, WA: International School ranked #2 in Washington and #65 nationally. Additionally, Interlake Senior High School holds the #3 spot in the state and #181 nationally, and Newport Senior High School ranked #4 in Washington and #246 nationally for public schools.
- Seattle, WA: Among private institutions, Lakeside School earned top rankings.
School districts in Washington recognized for specific strengths:
- Mercer Island: Best Academics & Sports
- Camas: Best Administration & Best Food
- Chewelah: Best Extracurriculars
- Aberdeen: Best Facilities
- Snohomish: Safest
- Tacoma: Most Diverse
Reviews from Washington Home Buyers
"We just bought our first home here in Washington, and honestly, we were nervous going in—but our lender made it feel so simple and stress-free. They answered every question with patience and made us feel totally taken care of. So grateful!"
Spokane, WA
"From the first call to the final closing day, the team was incredible. Buying a home in Washington could’ve been overwhelming, but they walked us through everything with so much care. Truly felt like they were in our corner the whole way."
Tacoma, WA
"We just moved into our new place in Washington, and I can’t thank our mortgage team enough. They were kind, fast, and genuinely cared about helping us get the best deal. It felt more like working with a friend than a lender."
Seattle, WA
4.9 / 5
Top Rated Mortgage Lender
Over 100,000+ reviews from Homeowners!
Washington Branch Locations
Kennewick, WA
8109 W Grandridge Blvd, Suite 120, Kennewick, WA
Renton, WA
1285 Storm King Way SW Ocean Shores, Washington 98569
Kennewick, WA
8109 W Grandridge Blvd Suite 120 Kennewick, Washington 99336
Churchill Loan Officers in Washington
Conforming and high balance allowed. Cooperative housing not eligible. Not all applicants will qualify. Not a commitment to lend. Other restriction or limitations to any program may apply.
This calculator is being provided for educational purposes only. The provided values for interest rates are examples only and do not reflect Churchill Mortgage Product terms & offers. The results are estimates that are based on information you provided and may not reflect Churchill Mortgage Product terms. The information cannot be used by Churchill Mortgage to determine a customer's eligibility for a specific product or service. All financial calculators are provided by a third-party and are not controlled by or under the control of Churchill Mortgage. Churchill Mortgage is not responsible for the content, results, or the accuracy of information.
These calculations are hypothetical examples designed to for illustration purposes only. Consult a Home Loan Specialist for more specific information regarding payments, terms, etc.
Sources:
https://www.attomdata.com/data/us-real-estate/wa/
As a responsible lender, Churchill Mortgage is committed to the principles outlined in federal and state lending laws ensuring all potential borrowers have access to the same information, services, and opportunities throughout the home loan process.