3 tips from Zillow’s CEO that can help your home sell faster - and for more money

Listen to this article with a free account00:0000:00FORSUBSCRIBERSGet more newsLiveonShareAdd NBC News to GoogleMay 15, 2026, 9:15 AM EDT / Source: TODAYBy Gina Vivinetto

Homeowners looking to sell in today’s housing market may have a tough job ahead of them.

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As if sky-high real estates prices and low inventory aren’t making selling a home tricky enough, mortgage rates doubling in the last five years is making the housing market even more difficult to navigate.

As challenging as this year’s spring housing market looks right now, sellers can expect sales to go “a little bit better” than they did in 2025, Jeremy Wacksman, CEO of online real estate marketplace Zillow, said May 15 on TODAY.

“The reason the affordability picture is getting better is as income growth outpaces home price growth, that narrows how unaffordable things are for people,” Wacksman told NBC News Chief Business Correspondent Christine Romans.

“The longer that happens, the more the market will slowly get back into balance,” he added.

Zillow’s team pays attention to what buyers are looking for in today’s market, Wacksman said. He shared the followings tips to make homes more marketable today.

Highlight The Home’s Character

Anyone hoping to sell a house today should highlight the home’s character or “unique features,” including exposed beams or large fireplaces, Wacksman said.

Exposed beams can add 0.3% to a home’s price while a fireplace can add 0.8%, per Zillow.

Get Your Home in ‘Turnkey Condition’

Because of rising real estate prices, buyers don’t want to pay extra for renovations or repairs.

Homes in turnkey condition — new or renovated homes that are move-in ready — are “really in demand” right now, Wacksman said.

“Homes that are move-in ready are selling for 2, 3% more,” he added.

Provide Plenty of Info in Your Listing

Wacksman recommended sellers pack their listing full of useful information about the home they’re selling.

“If you’re a seller, and you give that information to a buyer, that’s going to attract them to your listing,” he said. “They’re going to spend more time with your listing, and that actually helps your house sell faster.”