I SPEAK:
After moving to Portland in 1998 with nothing but a small truck and a few personal possessions, Mel put herself through school and graduated with a double-major in Communications and Spanish from Portland State University. She has volunteered hundreds of hours with organizations such as Portland Habitat for Humanity's Women Build program and the Portland Metropolitan Association of Realtors® (PMAR), teaching her valuable tools while giving back. Mel has a strong background in financing, construction, building systems and home renovations. Since becoming a Realtor® in 2006, Mel has also served in leadership roles and on various committees at the local Realtor® association (PMAR), as well as at the state level with the Oregon Realtors®. A Diamond-Platinum Member of the Masters Circle for several years running, she is a seasoned pro. Mel was honored to be the 2020 recipient of the "Realtor® of the Year" award for the Portland Metropolitan Association of Realtors® (PMAR). Other passions include travel, food + cooking, yoga, practicing Spanish and the great outdoors.
Risks And Rewards Of Selling Your Home Without A Realtor
From the perspective of a home buyer, the position of a real estate agent can seem unjustified in its existence. Why in the world would you pay someone 6% commission on the total sale price of your home, just so that they can set up a couple signs in the yard and do some paperwork? On the face of it, it seems utterly preposterous; why not just sell your home without a ...
The Do’s And Don’ts Of The Real Estate Code Of Ethics
In the real estate business, it’s no secret that flexible morals have had a presence in the field since the very beginning. Whether it’s real estate agents that conceal vital information to make the deal go through or real estate developers cutting corners on multi-million dollar housing projects, this business has a reputation for being less-than-reputable. ...
How A Good Bio Can Kickstart Your Real Estate Career
As a real estate agent, it’s no secret that marketing is the key to good sales numbers. You’re not just selling real estate; you’re selling yourself. How you are perceived as a professional is the most important, most crucial and most notable aspect of your job. Regardless which region you live in, what type of real estate you sell or what you do in ...
Real Estate Niche: Green Homes
Life in the 21st century is coming with some very welcome changes. Nowadays, it’s becoming more approachable to have a lifestyle that allows you to live more harmoniously with your environment. We're heading towards a much broader path towards sustainability. People are looking into what a sustainable lifestyle would ask of them, and what changes they would have ...
How Your Appearance Affects Your Sales
As a real estate professional, you’ve probably heard one person or another talk about “dressing for success” while they show you their new watch or tailored suit. This expression is used broadly in a lot of different ways, but in the world of real estate it actually holds a lot more meaning than you might imagine. A crucial aspect of working as a ...