According to a recent report by ClosingCorp the average sale price of a home in Washington was $485,177.

According to a recent report by ClosingCorp the average closing cost of a home in Washington was $11,513.23.

If you are an title company, escrow company, abstracting company, or a real estate attorney, you can get a branded title insurance calculator with multiple outputs available including a seller net sheet, buyer finance calculator, buyer cash calculator, and a refinance calculator.

Access to this net sheet calculator can be provided to your real estate agents or marketing representatives, and shared with your buyers and sellers to help you close more real estate deals faster.

Every state has different regulations regarding how title insurance rates are set in that state. States like Florida and Texas are known as promulgated rate states because their fees are standarized across the state. However, in most states the rates are what is known as filed rates. Every state has different regulations regarding how title insurance rates are set in that state. States like Florida and Texas are known as promulgated rate states because their fees are standarized across the state. However, in most states the rates are what is known as filed rates. Like the majority of states, Washington’s title insurance rates are filed and subject to sales tax. But in filed rate states, the actual rates will differ between underwriters.

In addition to the rates themselves, each state also has different laws regarding who can actually handle real estate closings. For example, some states are mostly title companies, others are title and escrow, and yet others are attorney-only states or even a mix of the above.

Real estate transactions in the state of Washington are handled a title company or independent escrow company that must employ limited practice officer to conduct closing or an attorney with a real estate license.

Many states have what is called a deed transfer tax if you buy or sell a home. This deed transfer tax is usually calculated based on a formula determined by your state and the fair market value of the home. The tax goes directly to the state to help support the state, county, and city operations.

In Washington there is a deed transfer tax called Real Estate Excise Tax.

No, there is no mortgage tax in Washington. Whenever you get a mortgage for a home loan several state governments often require what is called a mortgage tax or mortgage recording tax. Currently there are only 7 states that charge mortgage recording taxes. These states are: Washington, Florida, Kansas, Minnesota, New York, Oklahoma and Washington.

An Owner’s Title Insurance Policy is simply the insurance purchased when you buy or sell a home to protect you if an issue is found with the property’s history. In real estate, liens often follow the property and not necessarily the person who previously owned the property at that time. Title insurance is simply buys you piece of mind on what is typically your largest investment.

In the sale of any real estate, someone has to pay for this insurance. This differs in different states and even sometimes between counties.

For instance, in Washington, the Owner’s Title Insurance Policy is paid by the seller.

The Lender’s Title Insurance Policy is similar to the Owner’s Title Policy except that it protects the lender or the bank from any issues with a property instead of the property owner. A good rule of thumb is that a Lender’s Title Insurance Policy is required anytime there will be a loan attached to a property. Whereas in an “all cash” real estate transaction, there would be no need for a lender’s policy as there is no loan to insure. This is also known as a Loan Policy.

In Washington, the Lender’s Title Insurance Policy is typically paid for by the Buyer.

Most title, escrow, and abstracting companies and real estate attorneys charge what is called a Title Search & Exam Fee. This fee simply pays for the time and effort for someone to validate the true owner of the property. Sometimes this is negotiable and yet other times it is simply included in the title premium for that state or underwriter.

In Washington the Title Search and Exam is included in the premium.

When buying a property, it is often required to what is called a Survey. This cost is passed through to the buyer or seller in what is called a Survey Fee.

When closing on a piece of real estate in Washington the Survey Fee is paid by the buyer, although sometimes it is negotiable.

Closing fees are one of fees a title company, title and escrow company, abstracting company, or a real estate law firm charges to actually conduct your real estate closing. These can vary from company to company.

In Washington, the closing fees can be paid by either the seller or buyer, therefore they are negotiable.

Most states and counties have what is called a Recording Fee as part of the closing costs in a real estate transaction that the local government charges when a property transfers ownership. Recording fees will differ between states and counties and depending on how complex a transaction is. For instance, you might expect to pay more if there are more documents you are required to file verses less documents.

In Washington the buyer pays to record deed and mortgage; Seller pays to record documents to remove encumbrances.