Relocating from Washington: The Financial Burden of Two Homes
Washington State's diverse economy — anchored by major employers in technology, aerospace, healthcare, and government — means many residents face job relocations within or outside the state each year. When your employer transfers you or you accept a position in a new city, the timeline is often urgent: most relocation deadlines range from 30 to 90 days, leaving little margin for the traditional home sale process. The Puget Sound region's average days on market of 30–60 days may seem reasonable, but this figure represents only the time from listing to accepted offer — it does not include the 2–4 weeks of preparation, staging, and photography before listing, nor the 30–45 day escrow period after mutual acceptance. In total, a traditional home sale in Washington typically requires 3–5 months from decision to close, a timeline that frequently conflicts with relocation deadlines1.
The financial consequences of failing to sell before relocating are significant. Carrying two homes simultaneously means paying two mortgages, two property tax bills, two insurance premiums, and two sets of utility and maintenance costs. For a typical Washington homeowner, these carrying costs total $2,000–$4,000 per month for the vacated property alone. If the home takes 3–6 months to sell through the traditional process, you could spend $6,000–$24,000 in carrying costs before the sale closes — and this figure does not include the real estate commission of 5–6% of the sale price, which on a $500,000 home adds another $25,000–$30,000. The combined cost of carrying expenses and commission can easily total $30,000–$55,000, significantly eroding your net proceeds from the sale2.
A cash sale to FIGA Properties eliminates this financial exposure. We close in as little as 7 days, meaning you can sell your Washington home before you relocate and avoid the carrying costs, stress, and uncertainty of managing a property sale remotely. Many employers offer relocation assistance, but these packages often require you to sell through traditional channels and may not cover the full carrying costs during the sale period3. A direct cash sale puts money in your hands quickly, giving you the financial flexibility to secure housing in your new location without the drag of an unsold property and its ongoing obligations.
