Cost to Sell a House in Puyallup
The fixed cost of selling a Puyallup home is real estate excise tax, which totals about 1.6% of the sale price on a typical home. On top of that come brokerage fees, title insurance, escrow, prorated property taxes, and whatever you spend getting ready.
Sellers tend to focus on the sale price. The number that matters is what lands in your account after closing. Some costs are fixed by law, some are negotiable, and one of them changes on January 1, 2027.
The one cost set by law: excise tax
Washington charges a real estate excise tax when property sells. It has a state part and a local part.
State rate, from the Department of Revenue. It is graduated, so each slice of the price is taxed at its own rate.
| Portion of the sale price | State rate |
|---|---|
| Up to $525,000 | 1.1% |
| $525,000.01 to $1,525,000 | 1.28% |
| $1,525,000.01 to $3,025,000 | 2.75% |
| Above $3,025,000 | 3.0% |
Local rate. Pierce County's excise tax rate sheet lists 0.50% for Puyallup and for unincorporated Pierce County. It applies to the whole price.
What that looks like in dollars
Total excise tax by sale price, Puyallup
$450,000 sale: $7,200
$565,000 sale: $9,112
$700,000 sale: $11,515
$900,000 sale: $15,075
Calculated from Washington's graduated state rates plus Pierce County's 0.50% local rate, 2026.
Here is the math on a $565,000 sale:
| Piece | Calculation | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| State, first $525,000 | $525,000 at 1.1% | $5,775 |
| State, next $40,000 | $40,000 at 1.28% | $512 |
| Local | $565,000 at 0.50% | $2,825 |
| Total | $9,112 |
That is about 1.6% of the price.
The thresholds change in 2027
The Department of Revenue says the price thresholds adjust every four years. Starting January 1, 2027, the first tier rises from $525,000 to $551,000, and the higher tiers each rise by $26,000 as well. The rates stay the same.
For most Puyallup sellers the effect is small. On a $565,000 sale, the state portion drops by about $47. It matters more for homes priced well above the first threshold.
The negotiable costs
Brokerage compensation. Fees are negotiable and set in your listing agreement. There is no standard rate. Whether you offer anything toward the buyer's broker is your decision too, and it is negotiated separately.
Title insurance. In Washington the seller customarily pays for the owner's title policy that protects the buyer. The premium is based on the sale price.
Escrow fee. The escrow company that handles the closing charges a fee, commonly split between buyer and seller.
Buyer credits. Money you agree to pay toward the buyer's closing costs or repairs.
The other line items
| Cost | What it is |
|---|---|
| Mortgage payoff | Your remaining balance plus interest to the payoff date |
| Prorated property taxes | Your share of the year's taxes up to closing |
| Recording and reconveyance fees | County charges to clear your loan from the title |
| HOA fees | Transfer fee and resale certificate, where there is an association |
| Utility final bills | Water, sewer, and any liens |
| Septic requirements | Inspection and pumping, for homes on septic |
What you spend before the sign goes up
These do not appear on the closing statement, and they are real.
- Repairs from a pre-listing inspection
- Cleaning, including windows and carpets
- Paint and landscaping
- Professional photos and staging
- Roof and gutter cleaning
- Storage and moving
A few thousand dollars spent well here usually comes back in price and speed. I cover where to put it in my post on repairs before selling.
Capital gains
If the home has been your main residence for at least two of the past five years, the IRS lets you exclude up to $250,000 of gain, or $500,000 if you are married and file jointly. Many sellers owe no federal tax on the sale of their main home. If your gain is larger, or the home was a rental for part of that time, talk to a tax professional before you list.
How I figure the net for a seller
I start with a comparative market analysis to arrive at a price range. Then I build a net sheet that subtracts every line above from the expected price. We update it the day before going live, when the numbers are freshest, and use it to lock the list price.
You should see that sheet before you sign anything, and again with every offer. An offer that is $8,000 higher with a $12,000 credit to the buyer is the lower offer.
Ways to keep more
- Price it right the first time. A price cut costs more than any fee on this page.
- Fix inspection items early. A $600 repair you choose beats a $4,000 credit a buyer demands.
- Compare offers by net, not price.
- Know your payoff. Order it from your lender early so there are no surprises.
- Watch the calendar. Closing just after a property tax due date changes the proration.
Frequently asked questions
How much does it cost to sell a house in Puyallup?
Excise tax totals about 1.6% of the price on a typical home. Brokerage fees, title insurance, escrow, prorated taxes, and preparation costs are added to that and vary by sale.
How much is the excise tax when I sell in Puyallup?
On a $565,000 sale it is $9,112: $6,287 in state tax and $2,825 in local tax at Pierce County's 0.50% rate.
Who pays closing costs in Washington, the buyer or the seller?
Both. Sellers customarily pay excise tax, their brokerage fees, and the owner's title policy. Escrow is commonly split. Much of it is negotiable in the purchase agreement.
Do I pay capital gains tax when I sell my house?
Often not. If it was your main home for two of the past five years, you can exclude up to $250,000 of gain, or $500,000 for a married couple filing jointly.
Related reading
- What Is My House Worth in Puyallup, WA?
- What Repairs Should I Make Before Selling My House?
- How Long Does It Take to Sell a House in Puyallup?
- Best Real Estate Agent in Puyallup: How to Choose
Want to see your own net number? Reach out.
I will put together a net sheet for your home that shows every line, with nothing rounded in my favor. Call, text, or email me.
Austin Robertson
Real Estate Broker, Robertson & Co.
253.225.2395 | austin@robertsonand.co
For people building something worth keeping.
Equal Housing Opportunity. Austin Robertson, License # 21036843, Austin Robertson and Allena Robertson Real Estate Brokers, regulated by the Washington State Department of Licensing (DOL). This article is general information only. It is not legal, tax, insurance, lending, or construction advice, and it is not an appraisal of any property. Costs, rates, and rules change. Confirm the details with the sources linked above before you act.
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