Home-buying guides
Everything a first-time buyer in Washington needs to understand — explained in plain language, with Washington-specific details. No jargon, no sales pitch, completely free.
The pillar guideHow to buy a home in King County, WA — the complete guide
Every step in order — budget, offer review dates, Form 17, inspections, escrow — with 15 deep-dive guides linked along the way.
Start readingFirst-Time Home Buyer 101
A clear, step-by-step roadmap from 'thinking about it' to getting your keys in Washington.
Mortgages & Loan Types Explained
Fixed vs. ARM with real math, FHA vs. conventional, points, buydowns, and a lender-comparison playbook.
Washington Down Payment Assistance & First-Time Buyer Programs
WSHFC's Home Advantage and House Key programs, gift funds, 3%-down loans, and how DPA affects your offer.
Closing Costs & What to Expect
The 2%–5% beyond your down payment — line by line, with WA specifics and how to get them covered.
Homeowners Insurance Basics
What a policy covers, replacement cost vs. ACV, and the earthquake/flood coverage Puget Sound buyers need.
Home Maintenance for New Owners
A season-by-season upkeep plan tuned for wet Puget Sound homes — protect your biggest investment.
King County Property Taxes, Explained for Buyers
How King County assesses homes, what you'll actually pay by city, due dates, the 1% levy-growth limit, and the exemptions that can lower your bill.
Washington's Real Estate Excise Tax (REET): What Buyers Should Know
Washington's graduated transfer tax explained — the tiered rates, who customarily pays it, and how it quietly shapes pricing and your future sale.
Form 17: Washington's Seller Disclosure, Line by Line
What the Form 17 seller disclosure must reveal, your 3-day rescission right, the exemptions, and the red flags experienced agents scan for first.
Escrow, Title & Closing in Washington: The Full Timeline
Washington closes through escrow, not attorneys. The 30–45 day timeline, who pays which title policy, signing vs. recording day, and wire-fraud safety.
Making an Offer in King County: Review Dates, Escalations & Winning
How Seattle-area offers actually work — NWMLS forms, offer review dates, pre-inspections, escalation addenda, and which contingencies to keep.
Home Inspections in King County: Sewer Scopes, Oil Tanks & PNW Red Flags
What a Seattle-area inspection covers, why the sewer scope is non-negotiable, oil tanks, moisture, knob-and-tube — and how to negotiate what you find.
Earnest Money in Washington: How Much, Who Holds It, How You Get It Back
Typical earnest-money amounts in King County, the 5% liquidated-damages cap, exactly when you can recover it, and how disputes get resolved.
Buying a Condo in Seattle: Resale Certificates, HOAs & Loan Traps
The condo-specific layer: resale certificate review rights, reserves and special assessments, owner-occupancy and warrantability, and older-building pitfalls.
Buying New Construction in King County: Builder Contracts & Real Costs
How buying from a builder differs — non-standard contracts, deposits, inspections you should still do, preferred-lender math, and the year-two tax jump.
Mortgage Pre-Approval in Washington, Step by Step
Exactly how pre-approval works for Washington buyers: pre-qualification vs. pre-approval, the document checklist, credit score basics, timelines, and how to shop lenders without hurting your credit.
This information is for education only — it is not financial, legal, or tax advice. Loan rates, program rules, and limits change; always verify current details with a licensed lender, your agent, and official sources before making decisions.