A Place to Grow, Play and Call Home

Michael and Monica Hernandez had been searching for a new home that would fit their family of five. After years of navigating the growing cost of living in Orange County, they discovered Tilden in Ontario and found a two-story home that is well-suited the way their family lives. Monica remembers the moment she knew they had found the right home, when she stepped through the front door for the first time.

“I remember walking in and going, ‘Wow.’ I thought it was so pretty. I loved the way that the light came in through the windows. I liked how open it was. And I really liked the flow of the floor plan. It felt like it worked for our lifestyle, our family and what we were doing day to day.”

When they started their search, Monica had a simple checklist: a yard, enough space for her busy family, a community pool and parks where the kids could play. At Tilden, they found everything they had been looking for, along with a home that gave their family room to settle into the routines that matter most.

Now, she is greeted each morning by the same sunlight she fell in love with that first day. But it's the everyday moments that have made the house feel like home.

One Loft, Lots of Possibilities

Upstairs, she and the kids settle into the spacious loft, a multipurpose room that serves as both playroom and classroom, since in addition to “Mom,” Monica also holds the title of homeschool teacher.

“The loft is where we spend a lot of time doing school,” she explains, “We have all of our school stuff up there. We have bookcases up there, almost a whole library. The kids love to read. Their basket of pretend-play clothes is up there. The Legos are up there. Everything is there. That's where they spend the most time. And every night before bed, we all read together as a family up there. It's really where we start our day and where we end our day.”

An Extra Room Goes a Long Way

Downstairs, Michael has a space that gives him room to work. After previously sharing their home with Monica’s mother, the Hernandez family knew how valuable it could be to have a slightly larger home with flexible spaces. Now, the fourth bedroom serves as a home office and guest room, giving him a place to work from home while also providing a space for visiting friends and family.

“It's been great to have the bedroom downstairs as a semi-office, and if an in-law or my mom visits, they can stay there as well. It's really a nice hybrid area for both of those things.”

When Michael heads into the office, the CA-60 and I-15 are close by, making his commute easy. Work trips and family vacations are just as convenient, with Ontario International Airport nearby.

Small Details, Big Excitement

And if you ask the Hernandez kids what their favorite part of their new home is, the answer is easy - “Carpet!” Yes, carpet. After living in a home without it, having a soft place to land after jumping and tackling has opened up a whole new world of play.

“The kids were very excited because our last place did not have carpet.” Monica explains. “When we moved in, they spent hours running up and down the stairs, sliding on the carpet, and running in and out of their rooms.”

Other than jumping for joy on the new carpet, the kids are already making a lifetime’s worth of memories. The family celebrated each of their birthdays during their first six months in the home, decorating the kitchen with birthday streamers and balloons. The yard has become the kids’ private hideaway and gives them ample space to stretch their imagination. And when they want to explore beyond their own yard, there’s no need to go far. They ride their bikes and scooters around the neighborhood and cool down at the pool four or five times a week.

More Room for Family Fun

For a family that set out to find a home that checked the right boxes, Tilden has become something more: a place that fits the way they live and gives them more room to enjoy it. From the moment they were greeted by the Tri Pointe Homes team, loving their new home has been one of the easiest things to check off their list.

To learn more about Tilden, contact a New Home Specialist at 949-391-1293 or click here to schedule your tour!