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Washington · RCWWashington real estate closing laws: a checklist for transaction coordinators

Washington's rules for a home sale come from several titles of the Revised Code of Washington. In the order a transaction meets them: a real estate firm needs a written services agreement to be paid by any party, stating the compensation and consent to sharing it (RCW 18.86.080). Both spouses or registered domestic partners join in buying, selling or encumbering community real property – including the purchase contract (26.16.030). The seller delivers the seller disclosure statement (Form 17) within 5 business days after mutual acceptance unless agreed otherwise, and the buyer has 3 business days to approve it or rescind (64.06.030). In a common interest community, the resale certificate is furnished by the seller before the contract, with the association's 10 days, a $275 fee cap, a $100 update fee and the buyer's 5-business-day cancellation right (64.90.640). At closing, the deed is in writing, signed and acknowledged – a statutory warranty deed promises clear title against all claims (64.04) – and recording protects against a later good-faith buyer who records first (65.08.070). The real estate excise tax uses graduated rates of 1.1%, 1.28%, 2.75% and 3% by price band (82.45.060). For rentals, tenants' deposits move at the same time into the buyer's trust account, and the buyer promptly notifies each tenant (59.18.270).

From agreement to recording

  1. 1. Services agreement (18.86.080)

    Written, with compensation, to be paid by any party.

  2. 2. Spouses (26.16.030)

    Both join in buying, selling or encumbering community real property.

  3. 3. Form 17 (64.06.030)

    Within 5 business days; buyer approves or rescinds within 3.

  4. 4. Resale certificate (64.90.640)

    Before the contract; $275 cap; 5-business-day cancellation.

  5. 5. Deed and recording

    Written, signed, acknowledged (64.04); record first (65.08.070).

Money and rentals

  1. REET (82.45.060)

    Graduated: 1.1%, 1.28%, 2.75%, 3%.

  2. Tenant deposits (59.18.270)

    Move to the buyer's trust account at the same time; tenants notified.

Questions about Washington closings

When must a Washington seller deliver Form 17?

Within 5 business days after mutual acceptance unless the parties agree otherwise; the buyer then has 3 business days to approve or rescind (RCW 64.06.030).

Do both spouses sign a Washington purchase?

For community real property, neither spouse may purchase or contract to purchase without the other joining (RCW 26.16.030(4)).

What is the Washington REET rate?

Graduated by price band: 1.1%, 1.28%, 2.75% and 3% (RCW 82.45.060).

The Washington guides

ClosingCode links key Washington checklist steps to these guides – add a deal and the steps come with owners and due dates.

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Sources: Revised Code of Washington 18.86.080, 26.16.030, 59.18.270, 64.04, 64.06.030, 64.90.640, 65.08.070 and 82.45.060 (app.leg.wa.gov, read for the linked guides).

General information, not legal advice. Each point links to the guide with the details. ClosingCode is software; it is not a law firm or escrow company. This guide is not a substitute for the advice or services of an attorney.