Buying a home
Data from November 2026
Buying a home in Washington
A typical home in Washington is worth $564,600 (Average 2020–2024). The FHA limit for one unit is $541,287–$1,063,750 depending on the county. Here is the minimum down payment each loan type asks at that price, every county’s limit, and the state’s assistance programs.
Key numbers in Washington
- Typical home
- $564,600
- median value, Average 2020–2024
- 70% more than the U.S.
- FHA limit
- $541,287–$1,063,750
- one unit, by county
- In 14 of the 39 counties, the limit is above the national floor ($541,287).
- Conforming limit
- $832,750
- up to $1,063,750 in high-cost areas
- Above this amount, the loan is a “jumbo” loan.
- Minimum FHA down payment
- $19,761
- 3.5% of a $564,600 home
- VA and USDA ask for no down payment if you qualify.
Down payment
How much each loan asks up front
For a $564,600 home, the typical value in Washington. The minimum down payment is each program’s rule. The monthly figure is an example of principal and interest over 30 years at the 7.18% average rate (November 5, 2026): no taxes, insurance or mortgage insurance.
Your price, rate and down payment will differ: run the calculator with your numbers. Closing costs are extra.
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FHA Program rule
Minimum down3.5%
In dollars$19,761
Per month$3,691
With a credit score of 580 or more. Carries mortgage insurance (MIP) up front and every month.
HUD Handbook 4000.1 (Update 18), II.A.2.a.iv — Minimum Required Investment · In effect since September 14, 2016
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Conventional Program rule
Minimum down3%
In dollars$16,938
Per month$3,710
3% is the lowest standard option. With less than 20% down you pay private mortgage insurance (PMI) until you have more equity.
Fannie Mae Selling Guide B5-6-01 — HomeReady Mortgage Loan and Borrower Eligibility · In effect since January 1, 2024
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VA Program rule
Minimum down0%
In dollars$0
Per month$3,825
For veterans, service members and some spouses. No down payment as long as the price is not above the appraisal; charges a one-time funding fee.
VA: Purchase loan — benefits · In effect since January 1, 2020
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USDA Program rule
Minimum down0%
In dollars$0
Per month$3,825
Only homes in eligible rural areas and households within USDA’s income limit. Finances the full price.
7 CFR §3555.103 — Maximum loan amount (Guaranteed Rural Housing Program) · In effect since December 9, 2013
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ITIN loans follow no federal rule: each lender sets its own down payment and rate, and usually asks for more. 15% is an example.
Loan limits
FHA and conforming limit in every county
FHA sets the limit by area: 14 of the 39 counties in Washington are high-cost and sit above the national floor ($541,287). The conforming limit is the most Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac will buy; above it, the loan is a “jumbo”.
| King County | $1,063,750 | $1,063,750 | $859,900 | High-cost |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Snohomish County | $1,063,750 | $1,063,750 | $696,000 | High-cost |
| Pierce County | $1,063,750 | $1,063,750 | $526,600 | High-cost |
| Skamania County | $701,500 | $832,750 | $529,500 | High-cost |
| Clark County | $701,500 | $832,750 | $522,900 | High-cost |
| San Juan County | $680,800 | $832,750 | $799,200 | High-cost |
| Island County | $671,600 | $832,750 | $593,300 | High-cost |
| Whatcom County | $664,700 | $832,750 | $585,800 | High-cost |
| Skagit County | $621,000 | $832,750 | $545,100 | High-cost |
| Kitsap County | $616,400 | $832,750 | $555,100 | High-cost |
| Chelan County | $586,500 | $832,750 | $490,100 | High-cost |
| Thurston County | $586,500 | $832,750 | $480,300 | High-cost |
| Douglas County | $586,500 | $832,750 | $432,500 | High-cost |
| Whitman County | $579,600 | $832,750 | $359,600 | High-cost |
| Jefferson County | $541,287 | $832,750 | $535,000 | National floor |
| Kittitas County | $541,287 | $832,750 | $497,400 | National floor |
| Klickitat County | $541,287 | $832,750 | $425,300 | National floor |
| Clallam County | $541,287 | $832,750 | $421,800 | National floor |
| Mason County | $541,287 | $832,750 | $411,800 | National floor |
| Spokane County | $541,287 | $832,750 | $410,700 | National floor |
| Walla Walla County | $541,287 | $832,750 | $408,900 | National floor |
| Benton County | $541,287 | $832,750 | $407,800 | National floor |
| Cowlitz County | $541,287 | $832,750 | $397,500 | National floor |
| Wahkiakum County | $541,287 | $832,750 | $396,800 | National floor |
| Lewis County | $541,287 | $832,750 | $385,800 | National floor |
| Franklin County | $541,287 | $832,750 | $379,300 | National floor |
| Pend Oreille County | $541,287 | $832,750 | $367,900 | National floor |
| Stevens County | $541,287 | $832,750 | $350,600 | National floor |
| Pacific County | $541,287 | $832,750 | $334,800 | National floor |
| Asotin County | $541,287 | $832,750 | $325,600 | National floor |
| Grays Harbor County | $541,287 | $832,750 | $314,000 | National floor |
| Yakima County | $541,287 | $832,750 | $310,100 | National floor |
| Okanogan County | $541,287 | $832,750 | $299,800 | National floor |
| Grant County | $541,287 | $832,750 | $299,500 | National floor |
| Lincoln County | $541,287 | $832,750 | $292,800 | National floor |
| Ferry County | $541,287 | $832,750 | $283,400 | National floor |
| Adams County | $541,287 | $832,750 | $273,300 | National floor |
| Columbia County | $541,287 | $832,750 | $271,200 | National floor |
| Garfield County | $541,287 | $832,750 | $239,200 | National floor |
- King $1,063,750$1,063,750
- Snohomish $1,063,750$1,063,750
- Pierce $1,063,750$1,063,750
- Skamania $701,500$832,750
- Clark $701,500$832,750
- San Juan $680,800$832,750
- Island $671,600$832,750
- Whatcom $664,700$832,750
- Skagit $621,000$832,750
- Kitsap $616,400$832,750
- Chelan $586,500$832,750
- Thurston $586,500$832,750
- Douglas $586,500$832,750
- Whitman $579,600$832,750
- Jefferson $541,287$832,750
- Kittitas $541,287$832,750
- Klickitat $541,287$832,750
- Clallam $541,287$832,750
- Mason $541,287$832,750
- Spokane $541,287$832,750
- Walla Walla $541,287$832,750
- Benton $541,287$832,750
- Cowlitz $541,287$832,750
- Wahkiakum $541,287$832,750
- Lewis $541,287$832,750
- Franklin $541,287$832,750
- Pend Oreille $541,287$832,750
- Stevens $541,287$832,750
- Pacific $541,287$832,750
- Asotin $541,287$832,750
- Grays Harbor $541,287$832,750
- Yakima $541,287$832,750
- Okanogan $541,287$832,750
- Grant $541,287$832,750
- Lincoln $541,287$832,750
- Ferry $541,287$832,750
- Adams $541,287$832,750
- Columbia $541,287$832,750
- Garfield $541,287$832,750
One unit. For 2- to 4-unit homes, each county page has the full table. Source: FHA mortgage limits (HUD) Data from 2026 data FHA mortgage limits (HUD) (external site)
Down payment help
Washington programs for buyers
4 verified programs that put money toward the down payment or closing costs, or give a tax credit. With the source wording and the date we checked it.
Some help is a grant you never repay; other help is a second loan that is forgiven over the years or repaid when you sell. Each program’s tag says which kind it is.
See all 4 programs-
Home Advantage Downpayment Assistance
Verified November 5, 2026
Washington state commission 0% second mortgage for 3%, 4% or 5% of the first mortgage, with no monthly payments; you do not need to be a first-time buyer
- Deferred
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Covenant Homeownership Program
Verified November 5, 2026
Washington state commission loan with no monthly payments of up to 20% of the price (maximum $150,000) plus closing costs, for first-time buyers whose family lived in Washington before 1968 and belonged to a group affected by housing discrimination, including Hispanic people
- Deferred
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House Key Opportunity DPA
Verified November 5, 2026
Washington state commission loan of up to $15,000 at 1% simple interest, with no monthly payments, for the down payment and closing costs of first-time buyers with the House Key Opportunity mortgage
- Deferred
What the state publishes
Washington rules that change the math
Exemptions that lower property tax and taxes paid when the deed is recorded, summarized from the official page each one cites.
Property tax in WashingtonExemptions and caps
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Exemption for people 61 and older or with disabilities
If you are 61 or older (or retired because of a disability, or a veteran with a qualifying rating), live in the home as your primary residence and your household's combined disposable income is at or below your county's Income Threshold 3, you can ask the county assessor for a tax reduction. The reduction depends on your income, the home's value and local levy rates.
RCW 84.36.379–84.36.389 · Washington State Department of Revenue · Verified October 23, 2026
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Property tax deferral for people 60 and older or with disabilities
If you are at least 60 by December 31 of the year you apply, or retired from work because of a disability, this deferral program covers property taxes and special assessments for current and delinquent years. The deferred amount accrues 5 percent simple interest and is repaid when the home is sold, the applicant dies, or the home is no longer the primary residence. Your combined disposable income must be within your county's limit and you need enough equity in the home.
Washington State Department of Revenue · Verified October 31, 2026
When the sale is recorded
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Graduated state real estate excise tax (REET)
The state portion is charged in tiers of the selling price: 1.10 percent up to $525,000; 1.28 percent from $525,000.01 to $1,525,000; 2.75 percent from $1,525,000.01 to $3,025,000; and 3 percent above that. The local REET of each city or county is added. The Department of Revenue announces new thresholds effective January 1, 2027.
RCW 82.45.060 · Washington State Department of Revenue · Verified October 23, 2026
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Who pays the real estate excise tax (REET)
All sales of real property in Washington are subject to REET unless an exemption applies. Usually the seller pays, but if they don't, the buyer is responsible, and unpaid tax can become a lien on the property. It is due to the treasurer of the county where the property is located on the date of sale.
Washington State Department of Revenue · Verified October 31, 2026
Your next steps
Where to go next in Washington
What you can do today, free and without giving personal information. Go in order: your numbers first, then the help.
- Run the numbers with your figures
The Washington calculator already has the typical value, the average rate and the state’s property tax.
- Check whether you qualify for help
Each program says what it gives, who qualifies and when we checked it.
- Talk to a counselor for free
15 HUD-approved agencies help you prepare to buy; 9 say they serve in Spanish.
- Follow the steps to buy a home
From the budget to the keys, in order.
Frequently asked questions
How much down payment do I need for a typical home in Washington?
For a $564,600 home (typical value, Average 2020–2024), the FHA minimum (3.5%) is $19,761 and the conventional minimum (3%) is $16,938. VA and USDA ask no down payment if you qualify. State programs can cover part of it.
Are there high-cost counties in Washington?
Yes. In 2026 data, 14 of the 39 counties in Washington have an FHA limit above the national floor ($541,287); the highest is King County ($1,063,750).
What is the conforming loan limit in Washington?
In 2026 data, the conforming limit for one unit runs from $832,750 to $1,063,750 depending on the county in Washington: the most Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac will buy. Above it, the loan is a “jumbo” and each lender sets its own terms.
What would the monthly payment be on a typical home in Washington?
With $564,600, the FHA minimum down payment ($19,761) and the 7.18% average rate (November 5, 2026), principal and interest over 30 years comes to about $3,691 a month. Tax, insurance and mortgage insurance are missing: the calculator adds them.
What down payment help is there in Washington?
We have verified 4 state programs in Washington that put money toward the down payment or closing costs, or give a tax credit. Each shows the source wording, who qualifies and the date we checked it.