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Answers to common questions about selling your home as-is for cash.
Do you ever lower your offer after it has been accepted?
When we make an offer, we make a REAL offer — what you see is what you get. Unlike some buyers who renegotiate after inspections, FIGA Properties stands by every accepted offer with no last-minute price reductions. We thoroughly evaluate your property upfront so there are no surprises, and our contracts include no inspection contingencies that could be used to lower the price. For Washington homeowners facing foreclosure or other urgent situations, this certainty means you can confidently plan your next steps without fear of a bait-and-switch.
Are there any fees or commissions to work with you?
Absolutely not! When you sell your house to FIGA Properties, there are no fees, no commissions, and no hidden costs whatsoever. In Washington State, a traditional home sale typically costs sellers 5-6% in real estate agent commissions — plus 1-3% in closing costs - that's $25,000 to $45,000 on a $500,000 home. We even cover closing costs so the cash offer you receive is the exact amount you walk away with.
How are you different from a real estate agent?
A real estate agent lists your property on the MLS, waits for a buyer, and charges a commission typically around 5-6% of the sale price — that can mean $30,000 or more lost to commissions on a median-priced King County home. FIGA Properties is a direct cash buyer, not a middleman, so there are zero commissions, zero fees, and zero waiting. We buy your house as-is, meaning no repairs, no staging, and no open houses, and we can close in as little as 7-14 days instead of the 60-90 days a traditional Washington sale often requires. For homeowners dealing with probate, foreclosure, or inherited properties, our approach eliminates the uncertainty and delays that come with listing on the open market.
How do you determine the price to offer on my house?
Our pricing process is transparent and data-driven. We start by analyzing recent comparable sales in your specific Washington neighborhood — for example, median prices vary significantly across the state, from roughly $475K in Pierce County to over $750K in King County. Next, we assess your property's current condition and estimate repair costs, whether that's a roof replacement ($8,000-30,000), foundation work ($5,000-35,000+), or mold remediation ($2,500-10,000) common in Washington's damp climate. We then factor in holding costs and a fair margin to present you with a competitive, no-obligation cash offer within 24-48 hours of viewing your property.
What if I still have a mortgage or loan on my house?
No problem at all — many Washington homeowners we work with still carry a mortgage. During closing, our escrow agent or attorney pays off your remaining loan balance directly from the purchase funds, and the lien is released from your property's title. Whether you have a conventional mortgage, FHA loan, VA loan, or even a home equity line of credit, the payoff process is handled entirely by the title company at no extra cost to you. If you're behind on payments and facing Washington's non-judicial foreclosure process — which can move from Notice of Default to sale in as few as 120 days — selling to us can stop foreclosure and protect your equity before the bank takes action.
How quickly can you close the deal?
We specialize in fast and convenient closings, with the ability to complete the process in as little as 7-14 days. In Washington, our title and escrow companies can expedite title searches and clearing, allowing us to close far faster than the timeline common in traditional sales. However, we're fully flexible — if you need more time to coordinate your move, find new housing, or work through probate (which in Washington can take 4-12 months), we can extend closing up to 120 days or beyond. Whether you're racing against a foreclosure deadline or need extra time to transition, we tailor the closing date to your specific situation.
Do I need to make any repairs or clean my house?
No, you do not! We buy houses in as-is condition, which means you don't need to spend a single dollar or hour on repairs, renovations, or even basic cleaning. In Washington's climate, many homes we purchase need significant work like roof replacements ($8-15K), mold remediation ($2-6K), or foundation repairs ($5-20K+) — and we handle all of that after the sale. You can leave behind anything you don't want to take with you, including old furniture, appliances, or debris, and we'll take care of the cleanup. This saves you the thousands of dollars and weeks of effort that traditional buyers and agents would demand before closing.
What is the Washington State real estate excise tax (REET) and who pays it?
Washington State charges a real estate excise tax (REET) on the sale of real property, and it is the seller's responsibility to pay it at closing. The state rate is 1.28%, but counties and cities add their own portions — for example, King County's combined rate is 1.78% while Pierce County's is 1.78% as well. On a $500,000 sale, that means approximately $8,900 in excise tax. Since January 2023, Washington also uses a graduated REET structure based on the sale price: properties selling for over $1.025M are subject to higher marginal rates. The excise tax is an important cost to factor in when evaluating any home sale in Washington — your escrow officer will calculate the exact amount due at closing.
Will I owe capital gains tax when I sell my house in Washington?
It depends on your situation. If the home has been your primary residence for at least two of the last five years, you may qualify for the federal capital gains exclusion — up to $250,000 for single filers or $500,000 for married filing jointly. For example, if you bought your Pierce County home for $300K and sell it for $475K, the $175K gain would be fully excluded and you'd owe zero federal capital gains tax. Washington State has no capital gains tax on the sale of real estate, so you only need to worry about the federal side. However, if the property is an investment, rental, or inherited home that was never your primary residence, you may owe long-term capital gains tax (0%, 15%, or 20% depending on your income bracket). For inherited properties, the stepped-up basis rule (IRC § 1014) resets the cost basis to the fair market value at the date of the prior owner's death, which often eliminates or drastically reduces the taxable gain. We always recommend consulting a tax professional for your specific situation.
Do I need to hire an attorney to sell my house to you?
No, you are not required to hire an attorney. In Washington State, real estate transactions are typically handled by escrow companies and title companies, not attorneys. When you sell to FIGA Properties, our title and escrow team manages all the legal paperwork, title searches, lien payoffs, and recording of the deed. The entire process is designed to be hands-off for you. However, if your situation involves probate, bankruptcy, or a contested divorce where legal counsel is already involved, we're happy to coordinate directly with your attorney to ensure everything proceeds smoothly. You always have the right to have an attorney review any documents before signing — we just want you to know it's not a requirement.
What happens if my house is already in foreclosure proceedings?
We can still buy your house even if foreclosure has already started. In Washington, the non-judicial foreclosure process under RCW 61.24 takes approximately 120 days from the Notice of Default to the trustee's sale — and we can close in as little as 7 days, which gives us ample time to pay off the lender and stop the auction. Once our purchase funds are used to satisfy the outstanding mortgage balance and any fees, the trustee will dismiss the foreclosure and release the lien on your property. It is critical to act quickly though: once the trustee's sale occurs, Washington law provides no right of redemption, meaning the property is permanently lost. The sooner you contact us after receiving a Notice of Default, the more options you have and the more equity you're likely to preserve.
Can I sell a house that's going through probate in Washington?
Yes, you can sell a house during probate in Washington, and we have extensive experience navigating the process. Under Washington probate law (RCW 11.02), the court-appointed personal representative has the authority to sell estate real estate, though some sales require court confirmation depending on the terms of the will and whether the estate is being formally probated. The probate process in Washington typically takes 4-12 months and includes a mandatory 4-month creditor claim period. Selling to a cash buyer like FIGA Properties can actually simplify probate significantly — instead of waiting months for a traditional buyer, maintaining the property, paying insurance and taxes, and dealing with showings, we can close quickly and provide the court with proof of funds. The sale proceeds then go into the estate for distribution to heirs according to the will or Washington intestacy law.
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