Deciding to purchase a house in Washington is a huge financial decision, but with the unique benefits provided by the VA loan, your dream of homeownership just got that much easier.
With the average listing price of a home in Washington landing at $562,936, the VA loan’s signature $0-money-down benefit is a considerable advantage for Washington homebuyers.
VA loans are made by private lenders and guaranteed by the Department of Veterans Affairs. Because private lenders make the loans and not the VA, you need to find a lender licensed in the state you plan to purchase or refinance. For example, if you're purchasing a home in Seattle, WA, you'll need to find a lender licensed in Washington to do the loan.
See also: VA Loan Eligibility Requirements
VA borrowers in Washington should also consider the cost and impact of VA loan limits and property taxes when making their home purchase.
As of January 1, 2020, VA borrowers in Washington with their full VA loan entitlement are not restricted by VA loan limits. This means you can borrow as much as a lender is willing to lend without needing a down payment.
However, veterans without their full VA loan entitlement are still bound to Washington’s VA loan limits.
County | Loan Limit |
---|---|
King | $977,500 |
Pierce | $977,500 |
Snohomish | $977,500 |
All other areas | $726,200 |
Another consideration for VA buyers in Washington is property taxes. For certain VA buyers, there are exemptions.
You may be eligible for a property tax exemption in Washington if you meet one of the following conditions:
If you are required to pay property tax in Washington, the American Community Survey by the U.S. Census Bureau estimates you may pay the following in each county:
County | Property Tax Rate |
---|---|
Adams | 1.07% |
Asotin | 0.97% |
Benton | 1.07% |
Chelan | 0.80% |
Clallam | 0.77% |
Clark | 0.99% |
Columbia | 0.86% |
Cowlitz | 0.91% |
Douglas | 0.86% |
Ferry | 0.64% |
Franklin | 1.15% |
Garfield | 0.98% |
Grant | 0.98% |
Grays Harbor | 0.90% |
Island | 0.70% |
Jefferson | 0.69% |
King | 0.88% |
Kitsap | 0.88% |
Kittitas | 0.69% |
Klickitat | 0.72% |
Lewis | 0.77% |
Lincoln | 0.76% |
Mason | 0.80% |
Okanogan | 0.78% |
Pacific | 0.88% |
Pend Oreille | 0.59% |
Pierce | 1.02% |
San Juan | 0.51% |
Skagit | 0.86% |
Skamania | 0.61% |
Snohomish | 0.89% |
Spokane | 1.01% |
Stevens | 0.71% |
Thurston | 0.96% |
Wahkiakum | 0.66% |
Walla Walla | 0.97% |
Whatcom | 0.74% |
Whitman | 0.94% |
Yakima | 1.00% |
View the graphic below to learn more about how VA loans work in Washington.