2026 Housing Market Trends with Zillow's Amanda Pendleton

In this episode of The Real Wealth Show, host Kathy Fetke welcomes Zillow's home trends expert Amanda Pendleton to break down the current state of the 2026 housing market. Pendleton highlights a nationally balanced market with regional disparities: buyers hold the upper hand in Sunbelt and Southern metros due to increased inventory and new construction, while sellers maintain leverage in constrained coastal areas like the Northeast and Southern California. Despite rising mortgage rates and economic uncertainty, early signs point to a rebounding spring market, with March showing a surge in newly pending listings and buyer traffic on Zillow. Pendleton emphasizes that today’s market favors strategic sellers—those who time their entry, present turnkey homes, and leverage tools like Zillow Preview to test demand before listing. She also underscores the importance of strong online presentation, including high-quality photos, 3D tours, and showcasing unique features, while cautioning against outdated finishes and overly neutral decor in favor of bold, intentional design choices like dark grays, navy blues, and terracotta accents. For investors, the rental market is flat, meaning slower rent appreciation and less competition, but also requiring more self-funding and hands-on effort to achieve returns. Key takeaways include the strategic advantage of listing in late May, the growing premium for move-in-ready homes (which sell 3.2% above expected prices), and the value of using Zillow Preview to gauge market response before going live. Sellers are advised to highlight unique features and avoid over-depersonalizing homes, as intentional personal touches now enhance appeal. For investors, the era of rapid appreciation is over, making due diligence and operational efficiency more critical than ever. Pendleton’s insights reveal a market where intelligence, timing, and presentation outweigh passive listing strategies.