One of the most common questions Emiley and Zech hear from Spokane buyers and sellers is who pays what at closing. The short answer: both sides pay, but sellers pay significantly more. Here is the exact breakdown for Spokane County in 2026.
Washington Is a Shared-Cost State
In Washington state, both buyers and sellers pay closing costs, but the split is not equal. Buyers typically pay 2 to 5 percent of the purchase price. Sellers typically pay 6 to 10 percent of the sale price, according to Bankrate and Carlson and Co Real Estate Spokane (June 2025).
On a $400,000 home in Spokane, that means:
- Buyers pay approximately $8,000 to $20,000
- Sellers pay approximately $24,000 to $40,000
What Buyers Pay at Closing in Spokane
- Loan origination fee: 0.5 to 1 percent of the loan amount
- Appraisal fee: $400 to $600 for conventional loans
- Home inspection: $325 to $425
- Lender's title insurance: protects the lender, paid by the buyer
- Half of escrow fees: $900 to $2,000 total split equally, per Spokane County Title data
- Recording fees: approximately $303.50 per document in Washington state as of 2024
- Prepaid costs: property taxes, homeowner's insurance, and prepaid interest
What Sellers Pay at Closing in Spokane
- Real estate commission: 5 to 6 percent of the sale price, the largest single cost for sellers
- Washington Real Estate Excise Tax (REET): a graduated rate starting at 1.1 percent for homes under $525,000. Spokane County adds an additional 0.5 percent on top of the state rate.
- Owner's title insurance: 0.5 to 1 percent of the sale price, paid by the seller to protect the buyer
- Half of escrow fees: $900 to $2,000 total split equally
- Prorated property taxes: seller pays for the portion of the year they owned the home
- Seller concessions: some Spokane sellers have paid $15,000 or more toward buyer closing costs to secure a sale, according to HighestOffer.com (May 2026)
A Real Spokane Example
A seller lists a home near the Kendall Yards neighborhood for $425,000. At closing, they pay approximately $21,250 to $25,500 in agent commission, approximately $4,675 in REET at the combined state and Spokane County rate, approximately $2,125 in owner's title insurance, and $900 to $1,000 in their share of escrow fees. Total seller costs before mortgage payoff are approximately $29,000 to $34,000.
The buyer purchasing the same home pays approximately $8,500 to $21,250 in combined lender, title, inspection, and prepaid costs.
What Is Negotiable in Spokane
- Seller concessions toward buyer closing costs are negotiable and commonly used in Spokane's current balanced market
- Escrow fee splits are negotiable between buyer and seller at the time of offer
- Commission rates are negotiable and should be discussed with your agent upfront
Emiley and Zech Help Spokane Buyers and Sellers Plan Closing Costs Early
Understanding closing costs before you make an offer or list a home in Spokane changes what you budget and what you negotiate. Emiley and Zech at Rios and Co Real Estate walk every client through a detailed closing cost estimate specific to their property and price range.
Reach out to Rios and Co Real Estate for a free consultation.
