EL CERRITO, CA REAL ESTATE

Community-first real estate.

An award-winning, real estate team in El Cerrito and the East Bay, championing families and local businesses.

Real estate with heart and hustle. 

Buying or selling a home isn’t just a transaction — it’s a turning point. We’re here to make that moment feel human, informed, and a little less overwhelming. With sharp insights and genuine care, we help clients step into the next chapter of their lives feeling grounded and confident.

Meet The Rachels

We’re Rachel Melby and Rachel Sheftel — two local agents with complementary strengths and a shared commitment to putting people and community first.

Rachel M. brings a background in marketing, viral brand building, and relationship management to every listing and negotiation. Rachel S. offers buyers a calm, detail-savvy presence to ensure every transaction is buttoned up and no stone is left unturned. Together, we make a team that sees the big picture and the little things.

Our goal? Help you make smart, confident real estate decisions while feeling truly supported along the way.

Why we do this work
We believe real estate should be rooted in care, not just contracts. Our clients deserve to feel informed, respected, and heard — not rushed, confused, or sold to. That’s why we built a business that’s transparent, thoughtful, and community-minded.

We’re not just agents — we’re neighbors, hikers, volunteers, and enthusiastic local connectors. We live here, we love it here, and we want that feeling to ripple out to every client we serve.

Our Commitment

We give back.
We invest a portion of every commission into local causes, from the El Cerrito Library Foundation to Rich City Rides. When you work with us, you’re not just building your future — you’re strengthening this community.

We work smart.
With backgrounds in tech, design, and marketing, we bring strategy, storytelling, and serious hustle to every deal. That means polished listings, sharp negotiations, and creative solutions tailored to each client.

We stay human.
No pushy sales vibes here — just two agents who take pride in keeping things real, responsive, and refreshingly jargon-free.

want to sell?

For Sellers

We’ll position your home to shine. From pricing strategy and prep to beautiful marketing and expert negotiation, we know how to tell your home’s story — and get results.

want to buy?

For Buyers

We’re East Bay locals with deep neighborhood knowledge and a no-nonsense approach. Whether you're a first-time buyer or a seasoned mover, we’ll guide you every step of the way, with clear info and zero pressure.

El Cerrito is an extraordinary place.

Here are some of the organizations Little Hill Real Estate has recently donated to, from RichCity Rides to the El Cerrito Library Foundation.

Here’s what people are saying…

  • "Rachel is a dream to work with. Not only is she knowledgeable, organized, and efficient, but she goes above and beyond to make sure you're not just buying a house, but a home - it just doesn't stop at the transaction for Rachel. She knows the community and will meet your neighbors to make sure you're settling into your new home."

    Jennifer Leung

  • "Each day Rachel continues to impress us and we recommend her to everyone we know. Rachel not only helped us purchase a home, but she is also selling our current home for us. Thank you Rachel, for all of your research, knowledge and your kickass marketing skills. We can’t imagine going through this process with anyone else."

    Brett Tom

  • "Our experience with Rachel was nothing short of exceptional. As first-time homebuyers, she handled our numerous questions with ease and patience. The clear communication was the highlight throughout the process. We recommend Rachel to anyone in search of a home and would turn to her again in the future."

    Jim Verducci

  • "Rachel is smart, transparent, honest, generous with her time, proactive, friendly, and a good communicator. We trusted her completely to advocate for our best interests. Thanks to her quick thinking and swift work we were able to secure our dream home in our current neighborhood with a smooth closing. We couldn’t be happier!"

    Danielle Jerdee

  • "Rachel is one of a kind. Professional, genuine, and efficient. She's got what it takes, but also does not over-market herself with fancy resumes (though she's got an impressive one). What you'll get when you work with her is a highly tailored experience where she truly puts your needs first. Rachel should be your first choice."

    Justin Hu

  • "Rachel pointed out things about homes that we never would have noticed, saving us from making some big mistakes. She utilized her data background to know just the amounts something could and should sell for. When it came to bid time, she was fully prepared and totally relentless. We're glad we met Rachel, who is as great a person and she is an agent."

    Steve anacker

  • "Rachel is without hyperbole the best around. She’s well resourced, attentive, calm, and empathetic. From the beginning, Rachel demonstrated a deep understanding of the local real estate market. She provided insights into pricing, staging, and marketing strategies that ultimately resulted in a quick and successful sale of our condo."

    Mika rosen

  • "Rachel is well-connected to the community, and this includes her knowledge of other local realtors, with whom she has great professional relationships. This was a likely contributor to our success in finding a home. Her service doesn't end with closing; she continues to share her resources to help us with minor home repairs."

    Scott Corley

  • "Looking for a specialist in the El Cerrito area? A community driven sharp shooting great person that has an edge? Rachel is your person. She helped us through the ups and downs, indecisiveness, random texts and thoughts you go through in the process. She guided us, gave honest feedback and worked with us at a personal and professional level."

    Jon Amalo

  • "When selling my grandmother’s house, Rachel presented many options, and also held space for the emotional component attached to the home. Not once did she make us feel as though our questions were insignificant. She kept us informed of every next step, and maintained a level of organization that frankly, was scarily impressive!"

    Charlotte Foster

  • "Rachel lives and breathes El Cerrito. Her deep local roots, incredible eye for design, and marketing expertise made our sale feel effortless. She brought in the perfect team, elevated our home beautifully, and sold it faster—and for more—than we ever expected. Professional, personal, and just plain delightful, Rachel is the real deal."

    Adam butler

  • "Rachel helped us land our mid-century dream home in El Cerrito. Her local expertise, strategic insight, and calm, clear communication gave us a true edge in a competitive market. Beyond that, she’s just a joy to work with—warm, grounded, and fully in our corner from day one. We truly couldn’t have done it without her."

    Joost Van Hout

Say hello.

Got questions? Curious about the market? Want to talk things through over coffee? We're here — no pressure, just people-first support.