Rachel Melby
When I moved to El Cerrito in 2015, I craved connection—so I started an Instagram account, The Little Hill, to document local gems and build community. It worked: the account grew to a loyal five-figure following and made me feel truly at home. During the pandemic, followers from urban areas reached out—many assuming I was a Realtor who could help them move. I wasn’t... yet. But I’d always loved real estate. I studied quietly, passed my exam in 2022, and within weeks of announcing it, I had clients. I closed my first deal soon after—and I was hooked. Since then, I’ve been honored as a California Association of Realtors Rising Star and won LaSalle Mortgage’s 2025 Community Ambassador Award. Today, I help clients navigate one of life’s biggest milestones with care, strategy, and heart. Outside of real estate, I support local events, public art, and youth sports, and love exploring the trails with my husband and two kids.