Washington
VA Loans in Washington State
The VA Loan is one of the most powerful tools available exclusively for military families and veterans. In Washington State, veterans and active-duty military have been taking advantage of the benefits of the VA Loan in cities such as Seattle, Tacoma, Bellevue, Spokane, and Olympia.
The cost of homes across the United States has been steadily increasing in recent years. With a $0 down payment requirement, no PMI, lower interest rates, and a more relaxed credit score requirement, the VA Loan is making homeownership a reality for more military families and veterans in Washington now than ever before.
Median Sale Price of Homes in Washington State*
|
Seattle |
$771,877 |
|
Tacoma |
$474,000 |
|
Bellevue |
$1,511,000 |
|
Spokane |
$372,500 |
|
Olympia |
$499,950 |
|
Washington Statewide Average |
$591,600 |
|---|
*Data pulled from Redfin (April 2022)
Property Taxes in Washington
In the state of Washington, property taxes are below the national average of 1.07% and are currently set at 0.93%, according to SmartAsset. All property tax statements are due biannually with half due by April 30 and the other half due by October 31. There are a few exemptions including for senior citizens and disabled people.
VA Disability in Washington
Common property tax exemptions are reserved for veterans, disabled veterans, seniors over the age of 65, and more. Since these exemptions can vary by county and state and often have strict qualification standards, not every veteran or homeowner qualifies, but those that do are able to reap the benefits of significant savings.
Disabled veterans in Washington state that have at least an 80% service-connected disability can receive a property tax exemption on their primary residence. Exemption amounts vary based on income and veterans that have less than an 80% service-connected disability score can potentially receive a partial exemption. Since these rates can vary based on location (i.e., exemptions in Seattle may be different from those in Tacoma or Spokane), you’ll want to contact your local municipal tax assessor’s office.
For more information about property tax in the state of Washington, click here.
Insurance Programs in Washington
Natural disasters can happen anytime and are often unexpected or occur suddenly which makes it critical that you and your family are sufficiently covered. The most common natural disasters in Washington state that homeowners are insured against include earthquakes, floods, landslides, volcanos, and wildfires.
Since the topography of Washington state varies drastically from the coast to the mountains, the type of coverage you may want to have in Seattle will be different from Seattle to Spokane. The best way to ensure you’re getting the best coverage for your location; we recommend you consult with a licensed insurance company.
Military Presence in Washington
Washington state is home to seven military bases with the majority of them located near Seattle. Each military base has an average of 2,000 housing units on each base, and there are thousands of veterans living in Washington.
VA Home Loan Volume in 2021 in Washington*
|
Total Loans |
56,699 |
|
Average Loan Amount |
$371,719 |
|
Total Loan Amount (ALL) |
$21,076,082,456 |
|
Total Purchase Loans |
13,849 |
|
Total Purchase Loans % |
24.43% |
|
Total IRRRL Loans |
34,077 |
|
Total IRRRL Loans % |
60.10% |
|
Total Cash-Out Loans |
8,773 |
|
Total Cash-Out Loans % |
15.47% |
*Data pulled from the Department of Veterans Affairs (April 2022)
FAQ’s about VA Loans in Washington
How do I buy a house in Washington state? The best way to get started is to give us a call or fill out this form to get started!
How do I find more information about property taxes and exemptions for veterans in Washington state? Click here to read more details regarding major property tax exemptions in every state.
What are the average interest rates in Washington state? Interest rates for VA Loans are often lower than the national average rates for conventional loans. Click here to learn more about interest rates.