Some women collect shoes. Some collect husbands. I seem to collect houses!

I am the VRBO Queen of Taos with two homes, a downtown apartment and now another house and soon (within the month) a little casita for guests.

I so enjoy buying old adobes, remodeling and reviving and then furnishing them and renting them to visitors. My houses are always booked and I get great reviews.

I am a busy Taos woman. Aside from my vacation rentals, I own a fun, eclectic downtown shop called Red Cat Melissiana. The name is a combination of my red cat Nellie and my name. Melissiana is a made up word and means 'anything I want since it's my shop'. I have unique gifts, flowers and lingerie in a wonderful old adobe building with great history on a street known as 'The Garden Street of Taos' planted of course by me. I am active in my community, on two board of directors and certainly never have a bored moment.

I moved to Taos 8 years ago from the San Francisco Bay area after raising my three children as a successful landscaper. I wanted a small town with lots to do, real mountains and four seasons. I got all this and more. I can't imagine living anywhere else and love sharing my town with my guests.

Melissa Serfling purchased this house in 2013

I've known this home for years. A friend of mine owned it and I often went to garage sales at the house. It had a nice feel to it and I liked the location. It went into foreclosure two years ago and I honestly forgot about it. I had enough else going on. A real estate friend of mine mentioned it to me and we went to see it. I immediately saw the incredible potential as a wonderful vacation rental, but no longer had my 'California money or California mentality'

My mom is 96 and talked about wanting to do something for me while she was still alive to enjoy it. She wrote a check and I had another house.

I bought it in March and it was quite the challenge, but 4 months later I have an amazing showcase vacation rental!

Thanks mom! I've named it 'Casa Madre' for you!!!

This home has a wonderful feeling to it. Ok, part of it is my style and taste I know, but it is inviting and friendly with a spacious, yet cozy feeling.

Floors are wood or mexican tile, there are lots of windows and it has a welcoming feel.

The house is constructed of 'cross ties' which are railroad ties, but not treated with creosote so the walls are thick and it is cool on the warmest days. I splurged on two gas log stoves for that fireplace feel without the firewood chore. All rooms now have heat. It must have been quite chilly in the past, but will now be warm in the winter.

The house has a nice layout and will be comfortable for one to three couples in the three bedrooms.

The neighborhood is great. Nice homes, peaceful and quiet. Birdsong in the day, crickets at night and occasionally the intriguing sound of someone's peacock! (A peacock in Taos? I swear it is...)

There are two homes on the property, but each have their own parking area, are separated by gardens and a fence so everyone maintains a sense of privscy.

The property is completely fenced and I am a dog friendly lady who knows how many folks travel with their pet.

This is a very special home and I am proud to offer it as a vacation rental.