About Rachel Melby

When I moved to El Cerrito in 2015, I was craving connection and knew there had to be hidden gems tucked into this little hillside town. At the time, I was working as a marketer and media manager at Google, so I did what I knew best — I started an Instagram account to build community and find my people.

Eventually, it worked.

After years of documenting my new hometown, The Little Hill had grown a loyal, five-figure following and helped me feel more rooted than ever. Then, something unexpected happened: during the pandemic, people from more urban areas began following the account, curious about the slower, sunnier lifestyle El Cerrito seemed to offer — and many of them assumed I was a REALTOR® who could help them buy a home.

Until that point, I’d never seriously considered real estate — although I’d be lying if I said I hadn’t daydreamed about it. I was a devoted open house goer, a real estate enthusiast with friends in the industry, and a self-proclaimed armchair expert. But me, an agent? No way.

…Or maybe?

I quietly started studying for the licensing exam and passed in the spring of 2022. My original plan was to keep my tech job and maybe help a few friends buy homes on the side. But when I casually told my community I’d “done a thing,” the response was immediate and overwhelming. Within weeks, I had clients — and I closed my first deal not long after.

And wow, was I hooked. The thrill of the hunt, the strategic pricing, the deep dives into data — but most of all, the chance to help people I care about through one of life’s biggest moments. Nothing else compared. I’ve never looked back.

Since then, I’ve been honored to receive “Best of El Cerrito” multiple years in a row and the California Association of REALTORS® “Rising Star” designation — awarded to just 10 agents across the state each year. I was also proud to be nominated multiple years in a row for the LaSalle Mortgage “Community Ambassador Award,” which I won in 2025.

These days, when I’m not helping people buy or sell homes, you’ll find me hosting citywide events, supporting public art projects and youth sports, or hiking the hillside trails with my husband and two kids.