Better Off Home Buyers says Washington wholesaling law improved market behavior

Better Off Home Buyers says Washington’s wholesaling law has been overwhelmingly positive 10 months after taking effect, arguing it has pushed out bad actors without hurting its own business. The Portland company says the law is giving homeowners more protection when they deal with off-market buyers.

Why it matters: - Washington’s wholesaling law is meant to protect unrepresented homeowners from pressure tactics in off-market home sales. - Better Off Home Buyers says the rules have improved seller protections without reducing legitimate activity. - The company argues the law is forcing weaker buyers and high-pressure operators out of the market.

What happened: - Better Off Home Buyers, a Portland-based home-buying company, said Washington’s wholesaling law, SHB 1081, has had an overwhelmingly positive effect 10 months after implementation. - SHB 1081 was signed into law in April 2025 and took effect Jan. 1, 2026. - Rep. Brandy Donaghy, D-Mill Creek, introduced the bill. - Reps. April Connors, Cindy Ryu, Jamila Taylor, Mary Fosse, Shelley Kloba and Kristine Reeves co-sponsored it.

The details: - The law gives sellers the right to receive a buyer-funded appraisal from a licensed appraiser. - The law allows sellers to cancel a purchase agreement without penalty under specific conditions. - Buyers must formally notify sellers about those appraisal rights. - Buyers who fail to provide the required disclosures can face liability under Washington’s Consumer Protection law, RCW 19.86. - That liability can include treble damages and potential forfeiture of the property. - Scott Dalinger, owner of Better Off Home Buyers, said Washington is a core market for the company. - Dalinger said Dylan Hallett, the company’s head buyer, is from Washington and the team regularly works in and visits the state’s communities. - Dalinger said the company supports efforts to protect homeowners from predatory buyers and ensure fair value for property. - Dalinger said sellers now have more time to evaluate offers and can cancel without consequence if they felt pressured. - Dalinger said Better Off Home Buyers has not seen contract cancellations hurt its business. - Dalinger said the company’s upfront, fair negotiating approach reduces second-guessing by sellers. - The company said the buyer-funded appraisal requirement can cost unreliable buyers about $700 to $900 per failed deal. - Better Off Home Buyers said that cost filters out undercapitalized buyers and buyers who plan to renegotiate later. - Dalinger said the change resembles what happened in Oregon after HB 4058 took effect last year.

Between the lines: - The company is framing the law as a market cleanup, not a business threat. - That position suggests stronger disclosure and appraisal rules may reward better-capitalized buyers and penalize speculative operators. - Dalinger’s comments also point to a broader push in the region to rein in off-market deal structures that can trap sellers. - The company’s criticism of extended inspection periods shows concern is shifting beyond wholesaling and toward contract terms that can tie up homes for months. - Dalinger said the pre-law off-market business was like the “Wild West,” with some operators tying up homes they could not close on and cancelling at the last minute. - Dalinger said Oregon’s HB 4058 pushed out out-of-state buyers, sight-unseen offers and solo operators using online-guru courses to start buying properties without financing. - Better Off Home Buyers said Washington is following the same trajectory 10 months after SHB 1081 took effect.

What’s next: - Better Off Home Buyers wants Washington lawmakers to consider more safeguards for homeowners. - The company wants to end extended inspection periods that can last three to six months. - The company says those periods can block homeowners from moving forward unless they accept steep price reductions. - Better Off Home Buyers directs readers to more information about seller protections and direct cash offers.