Melanie Serrato's (reagentmel) Blog

    Finally Finished!!! Norco spec home is complete and in escrow.   A picture paints a thousand words, so here are the before and after photos of our Norco, CA spec home: BEFORE AFTER             We purchased a 770 square foot 1930's home with foundation problems, tore it down, and built in it's...

Cathy McAlister in Sacramento has written a great post, illustrating why many renters should consider buying a new home.  Prices and interest rates have combined to make buying more appealing, and you just may find that you pay LESS to own your own home, with your monthly payment locked in instea...

Norco New Construction Home Almost Complete! Lots has happened since my last post about our new home in Norco, CA.  The drywall is up, taping and mud complete, baseboards and crown molding installed, and walls and trim are painted.  Floor tile has been laid, grout is going in as I write, and the ...

Thinking of Buying a Short Sale Property in Riverside, CA?  Get Some Expert Assistance! I'm working with a client right now that has very specific parameters for their investment home purchase in Riverside, CA.  We've met for a buyer consultation, evaluated several opportunities on paper to see ...

Hi All!  I just posted some photos of our Norco Spec Home on FaceBook.  Thought I'd share the link for anyone interested in watching the progress.  Will be adding some more photos today with the windows in place. We passed inspection for shear walls and panels yesterday, now have the go ahead for...

After weeks of waiting for plans to be completed and reviewed by the City, construction has finally begun on our latest "Spec Home" in Norco, CA - Horsetown USA.   Norco is known for being a small rural town, surrounded by modern cities and freeways but separate from the rest of the world.  Thoug...

To a Very Special Guy... My father already has all of the things he needs, and all of the things he wants that I could afford.  So, every year I struggle with what to get him for his birthday.  I've never been very good with snail mail (thank goodness for the digital age!), so the birthday cards...

I decided to take part in the September Localism 30 day challenge in order to get myself "back" in the habit of daily blogging. Apparently, I need a challenge in order to post regularly - I participated in the May Challenge (the only other time I blogged daily - hence the quotation marks around "...

Mission Lakes Country Club, Desert Hot Springs California - Affordable Desert Golf Course Living Mission Lakes Country Club is a semi-private golf club located in Desert Hot Springs, CA.  One of many popular desert vacation cities, Desert Hot Springs tends to be more affordable than some others, ...

The Serafina Condominium community is an upscale, gated complex consisting of 311 units. Built by William Lyons Homes from 2006 to 2009, there are floorplans ranging from 1,211 sq ft up to 2,075 sq ft (the 1,884 sq ft model is my personal favorite). Many of the condos were built with upgraded fe...