Rachel Melby
"The Little Hill" started as a fan account.
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” 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.
Rachel Sheftel
Born and raised in Southern California, I moved to the Bay Area to attend UC Berkeley, and like so many who come here for school, I never left. I fell hard for the East Bay—its neighborhoods, its people, and its layered charm. Over the years, I’ve lived all over Berkeley and now call Albany home.
I was probably the only kid you’ve ever met who waited eagerly for the Sunday newspaper just to read the Homes section. I went on to get my degree in Cognitive Science, dabbled in product management, and worked in casting in film and television—quietly convincing myself I couldn’t really be a Realtor, but real estate was always in the back of my mind. In 2021, I finally got my license, and I’m so glad I did.
This job hits every note for me: forming meaningful relationships with incredible clients (many of whom I now call friends), flexing my design eye when prepping homes for market, and harnessing the type-A personality that drove my teachers crazy but keeps my clients’ transactions running like clockwork. There’s truly never a dull moment.
I met Rachel Melby as a fellow Realtor and immediately recognized her as a kindred spirit. We admired each other’s work from afar, crossed paths professionally, and became fast friends. When she joined Red Oak (where I already hung my license), it was the perfect opportunity to join forces.
Working together has made the job more fun, more focused, and more fulfilling. Our strengths complement each other in all the best ways. We both love our community, love our clients, and love the privilege of helping people find their place here.
When I’m not helping clients, you can usually find me at the wheel making pottery at the Berkeley Potters’ Studio, sipping an oat milk latte at Hal’s Office on Solano, walking in the Berkeley Hills, or trying new restaurants with my husband.