What Does It Cost to Sell a House in Bothell, WA? (2026 Seller's Guide)

Selling a home in Bothell is a little different than selling anywhere else in the region — and not just because our city sits in two counties at once. Prices here run well above the Snohomish County average, buyers are laser-focused on the Northshore School District, and the costs of selling add up in ways that surprise people at the closing table.

I'm Mariesa Holm, a real estate agent with Real Broker, and I've helped sellers all over Bothell and the surrounding towns. I wrote a county-wide version of this guide — What Does It Cost to Sell a House in Snohomish County? — but Bothell deserves its own numbers. Here's what to expect in 2026.

What's the Bothell Market Like for Sellers Right Now?

Bothell is still one of the strongest sub-markets in the county, but it has cooled from the frenzy years. As of August 2026, Bothell's overall median sale price was about $975,000 — roughly $1.11 million for single-family houses and about $700,000 for condos and townhomes. Homes were taking a median of around 32 days to sell, with roughly 550 active listings (about 4.9 months of supply), and sellers were getting about 98.5% of their list price on average.

Translation: well-prepped, well-priced homes still sell quickly and close to asking. Overpriced ones sit. The days of listing on Thursday and reviewing ten offers on Monday are mostly behind us, so strategy matters again.

What Are the Main Costs When You Sell in Bothell?

Most Bothell sellers should budget for these buckets:

• Real estate excise tax (REET): the big one — a state + local tax on the sale price, paid by the seller. Details below.

• Agent compensation: negotiable and agreed in writing — more on this below.

• Title insurance and escrow fees: the owner's title policy and your half of escrow; these vary with the sale price, so ask for a quote up front.

• Getting the home market-ready: cleaning, paint, landscaping, staging, and any repairs — a little here often returns a lot.

• Possible buyer concessions: in today's more balanced market, some buyers ask for closing-cost credits or repairs after inspection.

• Loan payoff and prorations: your remaining mortgage balance plus prorated property taxes and utilities through closing day.

How Much Is Excise Tax (REET) When You Sell in Bothell?

Washington's state REET is tiered: 1.10% on the first $525,000 of the sale price, 1.28% on the portion up to $1,525,000, 2.75% up to $3,025,000, and 3.00% above that. On top of the state tax, Bothell adds a local REET of 0.50% — and per the Washington Department of Revenue's rate schedule effective May 1, 2026, that local rate is the same 0.50% whether your Bothell home sits on the King County side or the Snohomish County side.

Here's the math on a $975,000 sale — right at Bothell's recent median. State REET: $5,775 on the first $525,000, plus $5,760 on the remaining $450,000, for $11,535. Local REET: $4,875. Total excise tax: about $16,410 — roughly 1.7% of the sale price, before any other selling costs.

How Much Will I Pay in Agent Compensation?

Compensation is negotiable and has to be agreed to in writing before we go to work — there's no set or standard rate. When we sit down, we'll talk through what my listing services cost, and we'll also make a strategic decision about whether and how much to offer toward the buyer's agent compensation, because that choice can affect how your home competes. I'd rather walk you through real numbers for your specific home than quote a one-size-fits-all percentage here.

Will I Owe Taxes on My Profit?

Many Bothell sellers owe little or nothing in income tax on their gain, but don't guess on this one. Federal law generally lets you exclude up to $250,000 of gain ($500,000 for married couples filing jointly) on a primary residence if you've owned and lived in it for at least two of the last five years — and with Bothell's price growth over the past decade, long-time owners can actually bump into those caps. Washington's capital gains tax, for its part, does not apply to real estate sales. Please talk to a tax professional about your specific situation before you list; I'm happy to point you to good local ones.

Does It Matter Which County My Bothell Home Is In?

For your excise tax bill, no — both sides of Bothell pay the same 0.50% local rate. But the county line still matters when we market your home. Property tax bills differ between King and Snohomish County, buyer search filters often run county by county, and school assignments within the Northshore School District vary by address. When I list a Bothell home, the marketing leans into exactly where it sits and who it serves — that precision is part of what gets you a stronger buyer pool.

What Should I Do Before Listing?

Start with a walk-through, not a remodel. In most Bothell sales, the money-makers are simple: deep cleaning, decluttering, fresh paint where it's tired, landscaping tune-up, and fixing the small stuff buyers trip on during inspections — think leaky faucets and wobbly railings, not new kitchens. I'll tell you honestly which projects will pay you back for your specific home and which ones won't. Then we stage, photograph it properly, and price it to meet the market where it actually is.

How Long Will It Take to Sell My Bothell Home?

Plan on roughly a month to go under contract, then another 30 to 45 days to close if your buyer is financing. Bothell homes took a median of about 32 days to sell as of August 2026 — though sharp, well-priced listings still move much faster, and overpriced ones take longer and often end up selling for less after price cuts. Pricing right the first time is the single biggest lever you control.

Frequently Asked Questions About Selling in Bothell

How much does it cost to sell a $975,000 house in Bothell?

Excise tax alone runs about $16,410 (state tiers plus Bothell's 0.50% local rate). Add agent compensation per your listing agreement, title and escrow fees, prep costs, and any buyer concessions. I'll give you a personalized net sheet before you commit to anything, so you'll know your estimated walk-away number up front.

Do I pay excise tax even if I sell at a loss?

Yes. REET is calculated on the sale price, not your profit — it applies whether you made money on the home or not. That's different from income tax on your gain, which only applies to profit above the federal exclusions.

When is the best time to list a home in Bothell?

Spring is traditionally the busiest season, but the honest answer is: when your home is ready and your life calls for it. Well-prepared homes sell in every season here — Northshore-area demand doesn't take winters off entirely. Preparation and pricing matter more than the month on the calendar.

Should I remodel before selling?

Usually not. Big remodels rarely return their full cost at sale, and they delay your timeline. Targeted, inexpensive improvements — paint, lighting, landscaping, minor repairs — almost always beat major projects. Let's walk your home together before you spend a dollar.

Thinking About Selling Your Bothell Home?

The first step is simple: find out what your home is actually worth in today's market and what you'd walk away with. I'll put together a free, no-pressure market analysis and net sheet for you. Call or text me at 206-930-4072, or reach out through holmrealestate.com — and if you're also curious what your next purchase could look like, my Moving to Bothell guide covers the buying side of this market.