Melanie Serrato's (reagentmel) Blog

Closed Sale!!! Palm Desert, CA Condo Investment Property Recording day is always a good day, and this time, we received our confirmation of recording on our latest investment property early - by 9:30 this morning. Other times we might wait until 2, or even right up until 5 before we know the dea...

It is 11:34 PM on day 10 of the May daily blogging challenge, and I've gotta write something - so you get BUGS!  This morning, I had my business referral meeting, followed by the last part of the Eastvale Chamber of Commerce meeting, which happened to be right around the corner.  It was 11 before...

  As the parent of a recent college graduate, I'm feeling a bit reflective today.  I remember when my daughter was in high school, and we were considering where she might decide to go to college.   Although we lived in several different homes as she grew up, most of Jessica's school years were sp...

Are You a "Fence-Sitter"?  How Higher Interest Rates Could Impact Your Low-Priced Purchase When I started working in real estate in 1995, the average 30-year fixed interest rate was just under 8%.   The next year, we saw a quick drop to about 7%, but then another spike up to 8.5 not too long aft...

Riverside CA Local Restaurant Review - Ancho's Southwest Bar and Grill With my oldest daughter about to graduate college, we got the family together tonight for a little celebration at one of our favorite restaurants - Ancho's Southwest Bar and Grill.  We've been going to Ancho's for years, and ...

When Things Fall into Place I  recently wrote a post about my latest accepted offer, in which I represent the buyers who had searched for their new home 2 years prior to working with me.  You can read the previous post here.  These buyers were about to give up.  Now, I am happy to report, they s...

    Overcoming the Wind ~ NOT! Well, let's face it... there is NO overcoming the wind.  The wind will have it's way regardless of our best efforts to thwart it.  On Saturday, we held my oldest daughter's wedding shower.  The date has been set for months, and I've been working on the plans for th...

Trulia's Rent vs. Buy Index - Buying a Home More Affordable Than Renting in Over 80% of Major US Cities The cost of renting vs. buying is one of the major decision factors in making a home purchase.  While there are other important factors, everyone is going to pay to live SOMEWHERE.  When it is...

I recently wrote about attending a  housewarming for a former client, which was especially nice for me since the property was one of our rehabbed "flip" projects.  I enjoyed seeing how the buyer had settled in and made the house a home.  The homeowner had a great turnout for the housewarming, wit...

C.A.R.’s 2011 Consumer Ad Campaign Launches This Week - HomeHeads... Are You Kidding Me??? I received an email from the California Association of Realtors (C.A.R.) today, proudly announcing the launch of their new 2011 ad campaign, which features the HomeHeads, characters designed to help "promo...