To prepare for a smooth seller closing, deliver your seller disclosure statement on time, request a written payoff statement from your mortgage servicer, know that Washington places the real estate excise tax on the seller, request the resale certificate if your home is in a condo or HOA, and confirm any wire instructions by phone using a number you already trust. This article covers the steps that Washington and federal rules address, so each one comes with a source. Your agent and your escrow officer can tell you what else your particular closing needs, and a Washington real estate attorney can answer legal questions about your sale.
Quick Reference: Seller Closing Prep
Task | What the rule says |
|---|---|
Seller disclosure statement | Deliver within five business days after mutual acceptance, unless otherwise agreed |
Payoff statement | Request in writing from your mortgage servicer, who must respond within seven business days in most cases |
Real estate excise tax | The tax is the obligation of the seller |
Condo or HOA resale certificate | The owner requests it, and the association has 10 days to provide it |
Wire instructions | Confirm them using a phone number you trust, never from an email |
1. Have You Delivered the Seller Disclosure Statement?
Washington requires the seller to deliver a completed seller disclosure statement to the buyer, within five business days after mutual acceptance of the contract unless the parties agree otherwise. Under RCW 64.06.020, the buyer then has three business days from the day the seller or the seller's agent delivers the statement to rescind, by delivering a separately signed written statement of rescission. The parties can agree otherwise in writing, and delivery is excused if the buyer has expressly waived the right to receive the statement or the transfer is exempt. Your agent can help you complete it, and you should answer each question as accurately as you can.
2. Have You Requested Your Payoff Statement?
If you have a mortgage, ask your servicer for a payoff statement in writing. Under the federal rule at 12 CFR 1026.36(c)(3), a creditor, assignee, or servicer must send an accurate payoff statement within a reasonable time, and in no case more than seven business days, after receiving a written request from the consumer or a person acting on the consumer's behalf. The deadline is different in a few situations. If the loan is in bankruptcy or foreclosure, is a reverse mortgage or shared appreciation mortgage, or if a natural disaster is involved, the statement must be provided within a reasonable time. Ask your escrow officer whether they will request the payoff statement for you and when they need it.
3. Do You Know Who Owes the Real Estate Excise Tax?
In Washington, the real estate excise tax is the obligation of the seller. RCW 82.45.080 states that the tax levied under chapter 82.45 is the obligation of the seller. We are not stating a rate or an amount here, since those depend on the sale price and the rules in effect when you close. Ask your escrow officer to show you the excise tax line on your closing statement, and ask a Washington real estate attorney or tax professional if you have questions about how it applies to your sale.
4. Is Your Home in a Condo or HOA Community?
If it is, the resale certificate is part of your prep. Under RCW 64.34.425, the unit owner must give the purchaser a resale certificate signed by an officer or authorized agent of the association, and the association must provide it within 10 days after the owner requests it. RCW 64.90.640 sets the same 10 day period for newer communities. The buyer can cancel for a limited time after receiving it: until five days after the certificate is provided or until conveyance, whichever occurs first, under the Condominium Act, or within five business days after first receiving it under chapter 64.90. Our article on what is different about closing a condo or HOA property covers these steps in more detail.
5. Have You Confirmed Wire Instructions the Safe Way?
Never follow wire instructions you receive in an email, and confirm them by phone first. The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau advises confirming instructions with your trusted representatives before wiring money and using a phone number you agreed on in advance, not a number from an email. If you think you sent money to a scammer, the CFPB advises calling your bank or wire transfer company immediately and asking for a wire recall.
6. What Should You Ask Your Agent and Escrow Officer?
Ask what you need to sign, what you need to bring, and how your proceeds will be delivered. We cannot list every document a closing involves, because that depends on your sale, your loan, and your escrow company. Ask these questions early:
- Which documents do I need to sign, and when?
- What do I need to bring to the signing?
- How will my sale proceeds be delivered?
- Which payoff, tax, and association amounts will appear on my closing statement?
- Is there anything still outstanding that could delay closing?
What Does This Mean for Spokane Sellers?
If you are preparing to sell in Spokane, the earlier you start the steps above, the more time you have to resolve anything unexpected. Emiley and Zech can walk through your closing timeline with you and explain what each step means, with no pressure.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the seller disclosure statement a warranty? No. RCW 64.06.020 says the statement is for disclosure only, is not part of any written agreement between buyer and seller, and shall not be construed as a warranty of any kind by the seller or any licensee. The form is the seller's disclosure and not a disclosure by a real estate agent. Ask your attorney how the statement interacts with your purchase and sale agreement.
How should I fill out the seller disclosure form? The form's instructions tell the seller to complete every item, write "NA" where a question does not apply, explain each "yes" answer to an asterisked item on attached sheets that reference the line numbers, and date and sign each page and attachment. The statute describes the statement as reflecting the seller's actual knowledge at the time the seller completes it. Your agent can review the form with you before you sign.
Does the real estate excise tax stay attached to the property until it is paid? Under RCW 82.45.070, the tax, along with any interest or penalties, is a specific lien on the real property sold, and the lien attaches from the time of sale until the tax is paid. That section does not say when the tax is due, so ask your escrow officer how and when it will be paid in your closing.
Does a home that has never been lived in need the whole disclosure form? Not entirely. RCW 64.06.020 exempts new construction that has never been occupied from completing the structural and systems and fixtures items on the form. The other items still apply, and your agent can confirm what your sale needs.
About the Authors
Emiley and Zech are real estate agents at Rios and Co Real Estate in Spokane, Washington. They help home sellers get ready to list, negotiate, and close, and they explain each step in plain words before anyone signs.
Rules were reviewed on October 19, 2026. This article is for general informational purposes and does not constitute legal, tax, or financial advice. Deadlines, exemptions, and requirements can differ by transaction, and the terms of your signed purchase and sale agreement control. For guidance specific to your sale, consult a licensed Washington real estate attorney, a tax professional, and your escrow officer.
