The short version
Encanterra is the resort end of San Tan Valley. It is a gated Shea Homes community built around the La Casa club — close to 60,000 square feet of dining, pools, spa, fitness and event space — a second smaller club called The Algarve, and a private Tom Lehman-designed golf course. Part of the community is open to all ages and part is Trilogy, the 55-plus section. Everyone uses the same clubs.
This is not the least expensive way to live in San Tan Valley, and the community does not pretend otherwise. The question here is not price per square foot. It is whether you will actually use what the dues pay for.
Quick facts
| Location | Combs Road east of Ironwood/Gantzel, San Tan Valley / Queen Creek postal area 85140 |
|---|---|
| Developer | Shea Homes. All-ages Encanterra plus Trilogy at Encanterra (55-plus) |
| Clubs | La Casa (about 60,000 sq ft) and The Algarve (about 8,000 sq ft) |
| Golf | Private 18-hole Tom Lehman championship course. Membership is separate from home ownership — confirm current initiation and dues with the club |
| Amenities | Multiple pools including indoor and adults-only options, Alvea Spa, four dining venues including Bistro 1528, athletic club, tennis, pickleball (8 courts at The Algarve), bocce, amphitheater, demonstration kitchen and artisan studio |
| Homes | Single-level and some two-story plans roughly 1,300–3,500+ square feet depending on collection and section, new construction still active plus resales |
| Gate | Gated community. Confirm current guard/gate arrangements with the association |
The two decisions inside Encanterra
First, section. The 55-plus Trilogy section and the all-ages section share clubs and golf, but the street you live on, the association rules, and who can occupy the home differ. Shea has at times sold new homes in the 55-plus section to buyers younger than 55 under builder policy. That policy belongs to the builder and the association and it changes. Do not rely on a blog post about it, including this one. We confirm it in writing for the specific home and section you are looking at.
Second, club economics. There is a mandatory social membership structure and an optional golf membership. Get both schedules of costs before you compare an Encanterra resale to a new build, because incentives, membership transfers, and what is included are not the same on both sides of that comparison.
Homes
Shea builds to a higher finish level than most of the valley, with open plans, larger kitchens, and owners' suites designed for main-level living. Resales range from smaller lock-and-leave plans to golf course homes with casitas and pools. Because the community opened in the late 2000s, the earliest resales are at the age where roofs, AC systems, and pool equipment need a real inspection budget.
Current prices: Prices here move with the market, so this page does not post a number that will be out of date next month. Call or text 480-810-9255 and I will send you what has actually closed in Encanterra in the last 90 days.
Who Encanterra Fits
Good fit
Buyers who want a private club life — golf, spa, dining, clubs and classes — without driving to Scottsdale to get it; 55-plus buyers who want a newer home and a large clubhouse; all-ages buyers who want a gated community with that same amenity base.
Look elsewhere if
Club dues on top of an HOA do not fit the monthly budget you want to carry; you want no HOA or a rural lot; or you will not use the amenities. Paying for La Casa and never walking into it is the most common way buyers overspend in San Tan Valley.
Common Questions About Encanterra
Is Encanterra only 55-plus?
No. There is an all-ages section and a 55-plus Trilogy section inside the same gate. Confirm which section any specific home is in.
Is the golf course public?
No. It is a private club course for members and their guests. Membership costs are separate from buying the home.
Should I talk to an agent before visiting the sales office?
Yes. If new construction is part of your search, your right to your own representation is protected by registering correctly on the first visit. Call before you go, not after.