Life at Tracy Hills is full of hidden gems that make our Talk of the Town series shine. Covering everything from local treasures and the hottest spots that have residents discovering gold, up next is Nobu Endu of My Puppy Rocks and The Dog Walker, voted the Best of Tracy for 14 years thanks to excellence in dog training, dog walking and pet services.
Ask anyone who knows him and they’ll tell you that Nobu is on a mission to help Tracy’s four-legged neighbors live a totally paw-some life. Nobu’s philosophy is honey over vinegar, preferring a positive reinforcement dog training, making a pup more likely to want to repeat their behavior. This approach, paired with a pack leader calm, is what has earned Nobu fans and loyal customers all around Tracy.
That’s why Phina, a Tracy Hills High Senior, turned to Nobu for a unique project—helping her train a diabetic service dog for her senior project. She chose to train a dog to support this cause because the illness impacts her family.
“I wanted to do something [new] and that touched me on a personal level, so I got Rey,” said Phina.
With My Puppy Rocks dog training, Nobu can tailor his sessions to a dog’s specific needs, including one uniquely positioned to serve as Rey. Watch as Nobu works to train Rey with Phina on core skills like sitting, staying, and waiting, utilizing the three “D’s”: duration, distraction, and distance.
“Distance is the final test for the dog because the further you move away, things happen in the environment that will make her want to get up,” explains Nobu to Phina, treating us all to a behind-the-scenes glimpse into how everyday heroes are made.
Living at Tracy Hills means neighbors looking out for each other, and that includes man’s best friend. Nobu offers personalized training for your dog’s individual goals, in addition to providing daily walks for your pet-sitting needs.
And a hearty thank-you to Tracy residents Nobu, Phina and Rey, who remind us all that love is paw you need—and yes, maybe a treat or two.
Stay tuned by joining our interest list to learn all about the small businesses that make the scene in Tracy go’round and earn your title as a local. Be sure to Like us on Facebook and follow us on Instagram to be kept in the loop on everything Tracy Hills.
Gaurav and Sowmya were renting a townhome in San Jose when they realized they wanted more room for their son to grow and play. They had always wanted to own a home, and with their son getting older, the three-story townhouse’s lack of dedicated play area just wasn’t working. And their location right off a busy road made them worry for his safety.
Gaurav knew they would have to get creative about finding a compromise to find a home that offered the best of affordability with proximity to the city life that Sowmya had grown accustomed to enjoying. That’s when a friend bought in Tracy, catching their eye, too. The city was making a name for itself.
When their agent set up an appointment at Tracy Hills, Gaurav and Sowmya were charmed by the welcoming community with its wide streets and tree-lined landscaping. The large park at the entrance would be perfect for their little boy to play. And while they were initially there to see a house in Vantage at Tracy Hills, Gaurav was quickly drawn to Larimar by Lennar thanks to his background as an IT professional and the hands-free wifi-connected smart devices included with their purchase. The home’s smart technology spoke perfectly to his overall ethos and interests.
Gaurav and Sowmya were also impressed by the size and price and its location to the ACE train and the greater Bay area. It would be a quick ride to his work in San Ramon, CA. And another short ride to cities like Livermore, where Sowmya loves spending time. For them, Tracy Hills offered the perfect blend of suburb life adjacent to the bustle of the city.
These days, COVID-19 restrictions mean Gaurav spends his days working from home. And he has a room entirely dedicated to his office, thanks to all the extra space. He also loves to garden in the large backyard while his son has plenty of room to play. And while Gaurav and Sowmya don’t fancy themselves trendsetters, three other friends bought in Tracy Hills—2 in Lennar and 1 in Meritage after their move.
The pair is so grateful for their new community in a good neighborhood with pool a clubhouse and plenty of parks and play areas. Their transition from renters to home buyers was complete and could not have been easier. With Tracy Hills, Gaurav and Sowmya feel their futures are bright.
Life at Tracy Hills comes with so much more than you ever imagined—and that includes an unmatched location with local treasures at every turn. With our Talk of the Town series, we’re bringing you the hot spots that have residents buzzing—and up next is Scarlata Farms Cellar.
Matt Scarlata grew up riding a tractor at nine years old; farming is in his blood. His desire to perfect the food he brings to the table was the spark that ignited the idea of Scarlata Farms Cellar, the business he now owns with his wife, Kim, the brand visionary. Their business began to flourish with their extra virgin olive oil handcrafted with olives harvested from their very own groves. Looking to cultivate their business as perfectly as their crops, the next step was to move into specialty products to bring the best that Tracy has to offer to its residents’ dinner tables.
Kim is here to share her expert tips on plating delicious meats, cheeses and Scarlata Farms Cellar’s specialty products for a palate-pleasing charcuterie display with an informative video.
The first rule of thumb that Kim shares is to start building your charcuterie board with the meats and cheeses since these elements take up the most space. The salamis, prosciutto and Italian meats that Scarlata Farms Cellar carries comes from their own Italian distributor and can’t be found anywhere else in Tracy—and those are what Kim is starting her tasteful creation with.
Next, this charcuterie enthusiast moves on to the rule of three. When it comes to meats and cheeses, you want to have at least three options for your grazers. First adding a hard cheese, San Joaquin Gold by Fiscalini Farmstead sourced from Modesto, Kim shares a pro tip to place a knife next to it for cutting while snacking since this kind of cheese will crumble. She then goes on to include a semi-soft and soft cheese option for a variety of textures and flavors.
Once the stars of the show have been placed, next is to move on to the sides and fill-in-the-blank elements like dried fruits and nuts. Kim recommends offering savory alternatives to crackers like pickled vegetables and olives, all of which she sells at her shop. She goes on to add a champagne and garlic mustard and BW Bees, Inc. honey handcrafted by a Tracy police officer and his wife. No matter the items you’re using, the secret is to put what pairs well together to eliminate guessing around the board.
Whether you’re a charcuterie connoisseur or a beginning board builder, Scarlata Farms Cellar is your go-to place with all the meats, cheeses and specialty products you need and a shop owner excited to share her knowledge about the perfect pairings.
Stay tuned by joining our interest list to learn all about the small businesses that make the scene in Tracy go ’round and earn your title as a local. Be sure to Like us on Facebook and follow us on Instagram to be kept in the loop on everything Tracy Hills.
Rowena and Sam were renting for seven years in Tracy when their landlord approached them to ask if they were interested in buying their rental home. Interest rates were hitting an all-time low. The place they were renting was good enough. All they had to say was “Yes!”
But good enough wasn’t enough for Rowena and Sam with their three rescue dogs, who they knew deserved nothing but the best. If they were going to buy, Rowena and Sam knew that it would have to be a place they could put down roots and call their forever home.
So the two decided to meet up with a realtor and shop around for a resale home. Each potential place they saw came with its share of home-improvement projects for things to be just right, and they quickly decided to ditch the HGTV experience and opt for a new-construction purchase instead. That way, they could get exactly the home they always envisioned along with the complete package they wanted straight out of the gate.
That’s when Tracy Hills came into focus. Rowena’s father, a real estate broker, reminded them of a neighborhood development they had explored a year ago when it was only a dirt plot. He advised the young couple that now is the time to buy in that community. The two set off to Tracy Hills to see for themselves and realized in an instant that this fatherly advice was spot-on. Tracy Hills was no longer a dirt plot. It had it all. Everything they wanted and more.
Easy access to trails and parks from any of the neighborhoods for their rescue pups. Single-story ranch-style home offerings at Vantage with open floor plans and entertaining space for the humans needing to be rescued from renting. And the ability to pick personalized fixtures and designer features to come included in your home on move-in day. All of this was offered within proximity of Sam’s work in Pleasanton and Rowena’s job for the local school district. The choice was clear and easy, and the team at Meritage Homes made their buying experience even simpler.
Rowena and Sam started the process in May of 2020 and moved into their brand new home in October of 2020. They are still reveling in the joys of buying new construction, from sensor lights and solar panels to allergy-reducing insulation. They’re confident that their forever home is equipped for them to lay down roots, for their dogs to run and play amongst the greenery and for their family to grow.
Sound like the new home experience you’re looking for? Explore all of the neighborhoods and even take a virtual tour here. To learn more, visit the Welcome Center that’s open daily by appointment only from 10am to 6pm and Wednesday from 1pm to 6pm. Please call (209) 650-6504 to make your appointment.
Stay in the know by joining our interest list and be sure to Like us on Facebook and follow us on Instagram to be kept in the loop.
When you move to Tracy Hills, you get so much more, and that includes the local scene. With our Talk of the Town Series, we’re bringing you the hot spots that have residents buzzing—the not-so-hidden gems around every corner. And we’re starting with Tracy’s Nursery and Gardens.
Tracy Amador, owner of Tracy’s Nursery and Gardens, is in the business of making the world greener and brighter every day. Her landscaping and gardening career began with her work in the nursery department at a local lumber yard, where she discovered that plants were her true passion. When her boss announced he was closing his business and retiring, Tracy knew she wasn’t done playing in the dirt and decided to open her own business. Now after five years owning Tracy’s Nursery and Gardens, she still loves what she does, and her business has quickly become one of the town’s cherished treasures.
From homegrown herbs to blossoming outdoor creations, Tracy and Gloria are here to give you the best planter tips and let you in on some gardening secrets for at-home plant care with an informative video.
Starting with Gloria, a volunteer at Tracy’s Nursery and Gardens, you get to follow along as this herb lover creates a planter box garden of her favorite greenery to cook with—from rosemary to chives. As a fresh herb enthusiast, one of her top tips is to put your most frequently used herb in a decorative pot with proper drainage and keep it on your kitchen counter. It’s easy to maintain and just as convenient as a spice rack to just pull what you need for your next culinary creation.
Next up is Tracy, who’s excited to share one of her favorite plant combinations for the up-and-coming trend of enlivening your home with decorative container planters. With purple-spotted Hardenbergia vines, evergreen Melianthus shrubs and cheerful orange Gerbera flowers, Tracy shows off the perfect way to pot these plants for a full-looking arrangement and shares some tips for year-round care.
Whether you’re a seasoned member of the green thumbs club or an aspiring plant parent, Tracy’s Nursery and Gardens is your go-to place for all your greenery needs with a gorgeous plant selection and knowledgeable volunteers. Bring some vibrance to your Tracy Hills home or teach your kids how to grow their own herbs. It’s a great way to feel at one with nature and enjoy the fruits of your labor.
Tracy Hills isn’t just the right choice—it’s the smart choice with every home at this innovative community offering top-tier efficiency and modern technology for ultimate connectivity and convenience.
The homes at Tracy Hills are built to take living to the next level, such as the designs built with Everything’s Included® features by Lennar at Amber, Pearl, Larimar, Opal and Topaz. And when we say everything, we mean everything. These inspired residences come with all the most desired new home features at no extra cost.
With the Everything’s Included® package, every room has the right features to create an efficient and state-of-the-art experience. For an added layer of security—and to check if your most recent Amazon haul has been delivered—the Ring® Video Doorbell Pro is easily accessible from your phone so you can see who’s at your front door. And there are so many other built-in elements to enjoy, such as the Honeywell® smart thermostat and Schlage Encode™ smart lock plus guaranteed Wi-Fi with no dead spots and a future-forward network designed for tomorrow’s innovations.
Life at Tracy Hills means there’s room for more everything, which means there’s room to create your perfect work-from-home environment. And with SheaConnect™ at Elan by Shea Homes, you’ll have all the right tools included in your home. Premier eero routers ensure a fast and consistent Wi-Fi experience with a cutting-edge mesh network. That means no dropped calls, frozen video conferences or delayed downloads. What’s more, you can make your home office just the way you like it with an Amazon Echo, Honeywell® smart thermostat and iDevices® smart light switches. Your home is designed to meet your needs without interrupting your workflow.
Your home can be working for you, even when you’re out and about. Vantage by Meritage Homes is setting the standard for innovation with the Life. Built. Better.® initiative. These incredible homes are designed with top-of-the-line elements for maximum convenience.
Forgetting your keys is a thing of the past. With a smart deadbolt on your front door, it only takes a touch to lock or unlock with ease. Out on your morning run and it’s warmer than you thought? Your home can be ready to greet you with a nice, cool environment with an advanced thermostat that you can adjust remotely with your phone.
When you live at Tracy Hills, you know you’re living the smarter life with modern home technologies, future-forward innovations and a seamless work-from-home experience. Contact each neighborhood’s sales office to learn more about the included offerings available.
Explore all of the neighborhoods and even take a virtual tour here. To learn more, visit the Welcome Center that’s open daily by appointment only from 10am to 5pm and Wednesday from 1pm to 5pm. Please call (209) 650-6504 to set up your appointment.
Stay in the know by joining our interest list and be sure to Like us on Facebook and follow us on Instagram to be kept in the loop
From long-time renter to brand new homeowner, Paul decided that it was finally time to buy a home after four years of apartment living and rising rents.
A more recent California resident, Paul moved to Modesto from Tennessee in 2016. Becoming a homeowner wasn’t a goal for him, but rising rents certainly made it one. He began to do a casual home search around Mountain House, Tracy and Modesto. Paul wanted to find a home he loved close to his friends.
One day while driving along the 580 freeway, the beauty of Tracy Hills had him doing a double take. Proximity to the freeway was the first thing that crossed his mind. While exploring the community, he came upon Vantage by Meritage Homes, where he found Residence 2. The size, price, quality construction and smart technology checked off all his perfect-home boxes.
Now Paul is basking in the convenience at Tracy Hills, where The Market onsite takes care of all his grab-and-go needs and close proximity to the freeway means a simple commute to work and the best of the Bay Area. Plus, his home is big enough for out-of-town visitors to comfortably stay, but its also easy enough for him to maintain.
Looking for a love story like Paul’s? Explore all of the neighborhoods and even take a virtual tour here. To learn more, visit the Welcome Center that’s open daily by appointment only from 10am to 5pm and Wednesday from 1pm to 5pm. Please call (209) 650-6504 to make your appointment.
Life finds perfect balance at Tracy Hills, a community designed to inspire your wellness journey with flex rooms turned home gyms, locally sourced grocery options, inviting outdoor spaces and more.
The homes at Tracy Hills come with more room—but they also come with more flexibility. With expansive lofts, optional flex spaces and Next Gen® suites available, you’re bound to find the perfect spot at home to set up your stationary bike or personal yoga studio for moving your body, getting into a natural flow and finding your zen.
Your wellness journey wouldn’t be complete without the right nutrients to feed your body. With so many locally sourced, farm-fresh grocery options nearby, it’s never been easier to bring healthy to the table—from fresh-picked fruits and veggies at Arya Farm Produce to handcrafted artisanal goods and more at Scarlata Farms Cellar and the San Joaquin Certified Farmers’ Market.
There’s nothing quite like the open air to refresh your senses and bring peace of mind. And at Tracy Hills, “the great outdoors” is practically our middle name. With trails and parks to explore throughout the community plus nearby natural destinations like the Brushy Peak Regional Preserve and Del Valle Regional Park, there’s always a fun way to take things outside and just focus on being.
When you live at Tracy Hills, you know you’re in a place that puts your wellbeing first with inspired spaces and nearby places that are good for the mind, body and soul.
Explore all of the neighborhoods and even take a virtual tour here. To learn more, visit the Welcome Center that’s open daily by appointment only from 10am to 5pm and Wednesday from 1pm to 5pm. Please call (209) 650-6504 to make your appointment.
Looking for a smile today? The Tracy Hills community was bright and alive with holiday spirit this season for the annual home-decorating contest. Check out some of the dazzling and inspired designs!
From colorful creations to festive candy lands, our residents really went for the community-turned-winter-wonderland vibe this year. The community may have shone bright with twinkling lights, but the creativity of our Tracy Hills family shone brighter. Thank you to all who participated and helped spread holiday cheer this season!
Stay in the know on all things Tracy Hills by joining our interest list. Plus, be sure to Like us on Facebook and follow us on Instagram to be kept in the loop.
It’s a new year and the perfect time to shop for a new home. We’re excited to announce that sales will be starting soon at Elan by Shea Homes.
The newest neighborhood at Tracy Hills, Elan, will feature one- and two-story residences with some of the largest lots available in our master-planned community to date. Residents will enjoy 2,851 to 4,026 square feet of living space with up to five bedrooms, five-and-one-half bathrooms and three-car garages.
Get pre-qualified now so you have the opportunity to be one of the first to buy!
For those looking for thoughtful amenities, flexibility and spacious floor plan options, the homes at Elan will offer home office or multi-generational spaces so homeowners will have more room to work remotely or for additional family members to live. Every home at Elan will also come with SheaConnect™, a suite of standard smart home features that elevates both the convenience and efficiency of each residence.
Located just minutes from Tracy’s dynamic downtown, Tracy Hills offers resort-style living and panoramic hillside views while boasting numerous parks and outdoor recreation areas as well as walking, hiking and biking trails. Community amenities include The Resident’s Club, a lap and lounge pool, an outdoor gathering area with an open lawn and adjacent game area and The Market, a grab-and-go convenience store.
Although we ask that you pre-qualify to reserve a home, prospective buyers are not required to use Shea Mortgage as their lender and may select any lending institution of their choosing for the purpose of securing mortgage financing. Buyers are not limited to Shea Mortgage and are free to decline any incentives tied to the use of Shea Mortgage. Brokers must accompany prospects on their first visit to register to qualify. Shea Mortgage CA DRE license #01197403. Sales by Shea Homes Marketing Company CA DRE license #01378646. Construction by Shea Homes Limited Partnership CSLB license #855368. © 2021 Shea Homes, Inc. All rights reserved. The information in this email is provided for general informational purposes only to generate interest in the overall Tracy Hills community and is not an offer of real estate for sale, nor solicitation of an offer to buy, to residents of any state or province in which registration and other legal requirements have not been fulfilled. Plans, products, amenities, depictions of homes and amenities and community/neighborhood information are provided by the respective neighborhood builders in the Tracy Hills community and are subject to change. For specific information on a particular neighborhood, home pricing, home floor plans and amenities offered in a certain neighborhood and the overall community, please contact the neighborhood builder for the neighborhood you are interested in. Floor plans, maps and renderings are artist’s conceptions based on preliminary information and are not to scale and subject to change. Homes shown may not reflect available homesites. Pricing effective date of publication and subject to change. Square footages are approximate. All plans and amenities are subject to change at any time. Trademarks are property of their respective owners. IC Broker Management, Inc. CA DRE license #02126004. © 2021 Tracy Hills. All rights reserved. 1/21.
With delicious scents of pumpkin, spice and everything nice dancing through the air, there’s no place like the kitchen for the holidays.
At Tracy Hills, state-of-the-art kitchens add a dash of magic to every dish with stunning features, premier appliances and enough room to give the kids a twirl once the cookies are in the oven. These culinary spaces are waiting to bring your favorite holiday recipes to life.
When you have a gourmet kitchen like the ones at Pearl by Lennar, you’ll always be looking forward to putting on your apron. The sleek stainless steel appliances, stunning quartz or granite countertops and more Everything’s Included® features call to your inner chef, while the large central island makes for the perfect place to do meal prep and set out appetizers. For variety, color and a little sweetness, put together a big fruit platter and recruit the kids to transform it into a fun, holiday-inspired shape—whether it be a turkey for Thanksgiving or a snowman for the winter season. And this caramel cream cheese spread is the best complement for dipping apples, pears and more!
When it comes to holiday feasts, mac and cheese should be the guest of honor at every table. May sound cheesy—but it’s true! So it’s time to break out your grandma’s rendition of this favorite comfort classic. Don’t have a recipe from generation’s past? There’s so much creamy goodness in this collection of mac and cheese recipes that you’ll have trouble choosing just one. Whipping up a newfound dish is easy in the culinary kitchens at Vente by Shea Homes. With the Amazon Echo Show as an included feature with SheaConnect™, you can search, follow along and even play your favorite cooking song with just the sound of your voice. Alexa, play “Making Pies”!
And now it’s time for the inevitable annual debate: apple or pumpkin? Pie is the go-to dessert for holiday feasts, but the flavor rarely gets a unanimous vote. What if we said you could have both and then some? Try out the all-in-one trend with this four-flavor sheet pan pie. When you’ve got a dessert that will please everyone’s taste buds, you might as well be serving up little slices of happiness. The premier ENERGY STAR® certified appliances in the gourmet kitchens at Vantage by Meritage Homes ensure that every special treat is baked to perfection. Plus, having a kitchen that seamlessly flows into the great room with an open-concept layout means the only thing between you and seconds is a craving.
No matter what you’re cooking up, the homes at Tracy Hills have the right culinary spaces to keep your heart happy this holiday season.
Explore all of the villages and even take a virtual tour here. To learn more, visit the Welcome Center that’s open by appointment Thursday through Sunday from 10am to 5pm and Wednesday from 1pm to 5pm. Please call (209) 650-6504 to set up your appointment.
This year’s new reality has changed many people’s perfect idea of home, which has a lot of San Francisco residents packing their bags and saying goodbye to the small spaces and cramped quarters.
Once big-city folk have tried Tracy Hills on for size, there’s no going back. It’s one of those suburban havens with the kind of extra room, amenities and outdoor spaces that families can’t get enough of. Sound too good to be true? Then take it from our homeowners. A recent article by San Jose Mercury News put one of our very own Tracy Hills families in the spotlight. Their recent move from San Francisco brought them more space, work-from-home ease and a realized lifelong dream of becoming homeowners. You can read their story here.
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