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How to buy a home in Washington

Quick answer

To buy a home in Washington, most buyers use an FHA, conventional, VA or USDA loan, often combined with Washington State Housing Finance Commission (WSHFC) down payment assistance. With a typical home around $519,800, a 3.5% FHA down payment is about $18,193 and the estimated monthly payment is roughly $4,186 at a 7.18% rate.

By Purchase Mortgage Loan Editorial Team Checked against official sources per our editorial standardsLast updated

Washington is a higher-priced market, so buyers often lean on low-down-payment programs and state assistance to bridge the gap between savings and the cash needed to close. Because Washington has a smaller population, local lenders and the state housing agency play an outsized role — it pays to compare a few loan officers. A household earning around $162,000 a year could comfortably afford a typical Washington home under the 31% housing guideline.

What does a home cost in Washington?

ItemWashington estimate
Typical home value$519,800
3% down (conventional)$15,594
3.5% down (FHA)$18,193
20% down$103,960
Est. monthly payment (FHA, 3.5% down)$4,186
Household income to afford (31%)$162,000

Rate assumption: 7.18% (Freddie Mac PMMS 30-year fixed average, week of November 5, 2026). Change it in the payment calculator.

What first-time home buyer programs does Washington offer?

Washington State Housing Finance Commission (WSHFC) is Washington's housing finance agency. Its programs are offered through approved lenders and usually require homebuyer education plus income and purchase-price limits.

  • Home Advantage DPA: Deferred down payment assistance paired with a Home Advantage first mortgage.
  • Opportunity DPA: A 1% deferred loan for lower-income first-time buyers.

Check current terms at Washington State Housing Finance Commission (WSHFC). Many Washington cities and counties also run their own down payment assistance.

What are the Washington loan limits for 2026?

Washington has 39 counties; 3 are high-cost areas. Here are the official 2026 one-unit limits for its most populous counties (FHFA and HUD):

CountyConformingFHA
King County$1,063,750$1,063,750
Pierce County$1,063,750$1,063,750
Snohomish County$1,063,750$1,063,750
Spokane County$832,750$541,287
Clark County$832,750$701,500
Thurston County$832,750$586,500
Kitsap County$832,750$616,400
Yakima County$832,750$541,287
Whatcom County$832,750$664,700
Benton County$832,750$541,287
Skagit County$832,750$621,000
Cowlitz County$832,750$541,287

See all Washington county loan limits → VA loans have no limit for borrowers with full entitlement.

How much house can I afford in Washington?

Use Washington's own property tax rate and insurance average: $60k, $80k, $100k, $150k salaries, or see FHA requirements in Washington.

How do property taxes affect buying in Washington?

Homeowners in Washington pay a median of $4,361 a year in property taxes — an effective rate of about 0.84% of the median home value, close to the national average (Census ACS). Actual rates vary by county and municipality.

Which loan types are popular in Washington?

  • Conventional Loan — Not government-backed; as little as 3% down for first-time buyers, PMI removable at 20% equity.
  • FHA Loan — Government-insured; 3.5% down with a 580 credit score and flexible debt-to-income rules.
  • VA Loan — For eligible veterans, service members and surviving spouses: 0% down and no monthly mortgage insurance.
  • USDA Loan — 0% down for moderate-income buyers in eligible rural and suburban areas.
  • Jumbo Loan — For loan amounts above the conforming limit; usually 10–20% down and 700+ credit.
  • First-Time Home Buyer Loans — Low-down-payment loans plus state assistance programs designed for first-time buyers.

Buying a home in Washington cities

King County

Seattle — $912,100Bellevue — $1,203,100Kent — $537,500Renton — $631,400Federal Way — $499,600Kirkland — $1,022,500Auburn — $510,400Redmond — $1,091,700Sammamish — $1,240,300Shoreline — $759,400Burien — $609,300Bothell — $871,300Issaquah — $934,100Des Moines — $539,800SeaTac — $483,200Maple Valley — $672,000Mercer Island — $1,884,200Kenmore — $869,800Union Hill-Novelty Hill — $1,174,100Cottage Lake — $1,164,000Tukwila — $462,800Covington — $590,100Fairwood — $658,000Bryn Mawr-Skyway — $622,000White Center — $591,500Lakeland North — $501,600Snoqualmie — $919,300Woodinville — $1,032,900Lake Forest Park — $928,700Newcastle — $1,128,200Lakeland South — $530,900Enumclaw — $498,700East Renton Highlands — $709,300Lake Morton-Berrydale — $661,400Vashon — $717,700

Browse every city page →

Washington home buying FAQs

On a typical Washington home of about $519,800, a 3.5% FHA down payment is roughly $18,193 and a 3% conventional down payment about $15,594, plus closing costs of 2%–5% of the loan.

Yes. Washington State Housing Finance Commission (WSHFC) offers programs including Home Advantage DPA, Opportunity DPA. Income, price and credit limits apply.

The 2026 baseline conforming limit for a one-unit home is $832,750 in most Washington counties; designated high-cost counties can be higher.

FHA limits are set by county. For 2026 they start at $541,287 for one-unit homes in lower-cost areas and rise in higher-cost counties.

Sources

Data last updated October 23, 2026.

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Figures on this page are estimates for educational purposes only and are not a loan offer or commitment to lend. Rates, loan limits, fees and assistance programs change frequently and vary by lender, location and borrower profile. Confirm current terms with a licensed loan officer.