Our research team analyzed 2025 housing transaction data, title company reports, and internal sales insights to create a clear, line-by-line breakdown of what Washington homeowners typically pay when selling their homes.
The four categories that home sale costs fall under in Washington include:
- Agent Commissions
Fees paid to real estate agents who represent both the buyer and the seller. Agent commissions reduce your take-home profit, and they can be one of the largest expenses. - Closing Costs
Closing costs cover the legal and administrative side of the transaction, such as title services, escrow, and government transfer fees. Closing costs are required to complete the sale. - Repairs & Preparation
This includes getting your home ready for the market and painting, landscaping, staging, or fixing issues that come up during inspection. - Holding Costs
Holding costs are the ongoing bills you keep paying while your home is on the market: mortgage, utilities, insurance, and property taxes.
Traditional Sale Cost Breakdown (Washington – 2025)
| Cost Item | Typical Amount | Explanation |
|---|---|---|
| Agent Commissions | 5–6% of the sale price | Paid to listing + buyer agents; the largest single cost for sellers. |
| Closing Costs | 1–3% of the sale price | Escrow, title, recording fees, transfer/excise taxes. |
| Repairs & Preparation | $10,000–$30,000+ | Inspection fixes, paint, flooring, staging, landscaping. |
| Holding Costs | ~$3,000–$6,000 (per ~3 months) | Mortgage, property taxes, insurance, and utilities while listed. |
| Misc Fees & HOA | 0.5–1% of the sale price | HOA dues, admin, prorations; varies by city/county. |
| Total Seller Costs (Traditional) | ~10–12% of the sale price | ≈ $60,000–$72,000 on a $600,000 home |
*Based on Washington’s 2025 median home value of $600,000. Actual costs vary depending on the property, location, and market conditions.
Cash Sale Cost Breakdown (Washington – 2025)
| Cost Item | Typical Amount | Explanation |
|---|---|---|
| Agent Commissions | $0 | Direct purchase—no 5–6% agent fee. |
| Closing Costs | ~0.5% of the sale price | Title, escrow, and admin; often covered/negotiated by buyer. |
| Repairs & Preparation | $0 | Home sold “as-is”; no inspection fixes or staging. |
| Holding Costs | ~0.2% of the sale price | Fast close (7–21 days) limits mortgage/tax/utility spend. |
| Misc Fees & Taxes | ~0.3% of the sale price | Transfer/recording + small admin; varies by county. |
| Total Seller Costs (Cash Sale) | ~1.0% of the sale price | ≈ $6,000 on a $600,000 home |
*Based on Washington’s 2025 median home value of $600,000. Actual costs vary depending on the property, location, and market conditions.
Washington Home Sales Cost Comparison 2025
When selling traditionally in Washington, homeowners often spend between $60,000–$72,000 on commissions, closing costs, repairs, and holding expenses for a $600,000 home. These costs pile up because the process takes longer and requires agent fees, prep work, and time on the market. By contrast, a cash sale usually costs only around $6,000 total, since there are no agent commissions, no repair requirements, and a fast closing that minimizes ongoing expenses. The difference is clear: while a traditional sale may deliver a slightly higher sale price, the actual net proceeds are often closer once you factor in the costs saved with a cash buyer.
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