Washington State Mortgage Guides 2026
FHA limits by county, WSHFC down payment assistance programs, USDA rural loans for Eastern Washington, VA resources for JBLM and NAS Whidbey, and a complete closing cost breakdown — all in one place.
Everything You Need for a Washington State Home Purchase
Six in-depth guides covering every aspect of getting a mortgage in Washington State — from loan program selection to what you’ll pay at closing.
Washington Mortgage Guide
Mortgage options, current rates, lender requirements, and home buying strategies across Washington — from Seattle to Spokane.
Read guide →Washington First-Time Home Buyer Guide
WSHFC Home Advantage and House Key Opportunity — down payment assistance programs for Washington State first-time buyers.
Read guide →Washington FHA Loan Requirements
2026 FHA limits for King County ($1,063,750), Pierce, Snohomish, Clark, Thurston, and all other Washington counties.
Read guide →Washington VA Loan Requirements
VA entitlement, 2026 funding fee chart, and resources for JBLM, NAS Whidbey, Naval Station Everett, and Fairchild AFB.
Read guide →Washington USDA Loans
FY2026 USDA income limits, eligible rural areas in Eastern Washington, Olympic Peninsula, and rural Western WA counties.
Read guide →Washington Closing Costs Guide
Real Estate Excise Tax (REET), title insurance, escrow fees, and strategies to reduce what you pay at closing in Washington.
Read guide →Washington Mortgage Snapshot
2026 FHA Loan Limits
- King / Pierce / Snohomish: $1,063,750
- Kitsap County: $616,400
- Clark County (Vancouver): $701,500
- Thurston / Whatcom: $586,500–$664,700
- Spokane / Yakima / All Other: $541,287
Down Payment Assistance
- WSHFC Home Advantage: below-market rate + up to 4% DPA
- House Key Opportunity: deeper income targeting
- MCC: not currently offered by WSHFC for home purchase
- Min credit score: 620 for most WSHFC programs
Property Taxes
- Effective rate ranges 0.55%–1.16% across counties, averaging about 0.78% (2025 Est.)
- King Co. 0.83% · Pierce Co. 0.92% · Snohomish Co. 0.77%
- Washington’s 1% annual levy growth limit caps how fast regular property tax collections can rise
- Details at the Washington Department of Revenue
Closing Cost Estimates
- Typical buyer costs: 2%–4% of purchase price
- REET (Real Estate Excise Tax): graduated 1.1%–3% (seller pays)
- Title + escrow: ~$2,600–$4,300 combined
- No attorney required — escrow companies handle closings
Buying or Refinancing in Washington State?
Washington has no state income tax and strong WSHFC programs for first-time buyers. A licensed Washington mortgage advisor can help you navigate Seattle’s competitive market, Eastern Washington’s affordability, or military communities near JBLM and NAS Whidbey.
- ✓ Compare WSHFC Home Advantage vs. FHA for your situation
- ✓ Understand REET and escrow costs at closing
- ✓ Check VA vs. WSHFC options for military and veterans
- ✓ Estimate total cash needed including escrow reserves
Coming soon · No obligation · Educational first
Washington Advisor Network — Coming Soon
We currently connect buyers with licensed mortgage advisors in Florida and Utah. Washington is on our expansion list. In the meantime, our Washington guides and the official program links above have everything you need to research your purchase.
Join the Washington Waitlist