There were 759 new construction* single-family home sales last year in Thurston County according the Northwest Multiple Listing Service’s 2017 Statistical Review and Highlights report.
It is remarkable that 97 of those new homes, about 1 out of 8 homes that closed in Olympia, Lacey and Tumwater, WA and the surrounding area, were built by one builder, Rob Rice. And, that doesn’t include the 21 Rob Rice homes sold in neighboring Pierce County!

Rob Rice just introduced this new floorplan at the gorgeous golf course community of Campus Estates.
While the housing market was brisk last year and many buyers had a hard time finding the quality home and community they were looking for, Rob Rice Homes delivered. Steilacoom Ridge – one of the newest Rob Rice Homes communities with nine floorplans that include several highly-desired ramblers and downstairs master plans – was the top selling community for the local builder with 35 homes sold.
There was significant demand also in all of Rob’s other communities currently offering new homes: Black Lake Palisades in Tumwater; Kensington, Campus Peak and the golf course community of Campus Estates in Lacey; Chestnut Village in Olympia and, Villages at South Hill in Puyallup.

Rob Rice homes have standard features that include designer backsplash, granite or quartz counters and hardwood flooring.
“We are proud of the beauty, attention to detail and features that satisfy the many buyers out searching today. While we are trying to keep up with the demand for our homes, we have paced our home construction so that we do not forfeit the quality that people have come to expect,” says Rob Rice. “I am constantly asked to build more, but I just can’t add more sub-contractors that I don’t have a long-standing relationship with. To me, trust is very important and I have a solid group of people who help ensure the high-level of quality that I demand is met.”

Rob Rice, pictured here with his wife Helena, will not forfeit quality construction because of the huge demand for his homes.
The experienced builder listens to what homebuyers want and is constantly introducing new floor plans. The streetscapes in his communities are lovely with varied exterior elevations, architectural details, expansive landscaping and lots of open space.
After a long search, one family recently purchased a Rob Rice Home and expressed a deep gratitude to their Realtor for the quality of their new home and the customer service they received at the Lacey community:
“We looked at dozens of homes and immediately fell in love with Steilacoom Ridge. The craftsmanship of Rob’s homes surpasses all the other developments in the area. Your knowledge about the builder and homes is incredible. From day one, you were friendly, quick, informative and helpful. We will be referring our family and friends to you. Many thanks to you for taking care of us!”
A homeowner that purchased their home last year put it this way:
We visited once or twice every week while our Rob Rice home was being built. The people who were working on it had much more pride in their workmanship, not just ‘get it done’ and ‘it’s good enough’. You can really tell that they have been with him a while and hold to his standards. You can just tell it.”
“We made our choice because of the quality of the home and the amount of attention to detail we found. We walked in and we knew it was our home in a couple of hours.”
And, another recent homebuyer described her Rob Rice Home and Community as a “piece of heaven”:
“I can tell you without question, that I feel happier and more welcomed in this neighborhood…Everyone that comes into my home is stunned by the amount of storage, the attention to detail. They walk round and say it just feels like home. It is beautiful and well done, but it is also homey. I am the happiest I have been.”
While market forecasters say the demand for homes will remain at a fever pitch again in 2018, homebuyers can be confident that this builder-voted Best of South Sound for 4 years in a row and nominated again this year-will be providing amazing choices for anyone who dreams of a superior-built home.
For more than 30 years, Rob’s passion for excellence has created lovely new homes and outstanding communities throughout the South Puget Sound. Having built over 3000 homes in 43 communities, each are easily identified by the expansive landscaping, innovative architectural details and stunning home design. His homes offer luxurious standard features and unparalleled quality construction.
It is no wonder that today’s many homebuyers are ending their search when they find their ideal Rob Rice Home.
*The 2017 Annual NWMLS Statistical Review and Highlights’ new construction sales data only include NWMLS member-involved transactions.
Rob Rice is Thurston County’s largest local home builder and has been voted the Best of South Sound for the last four years and was voted Best of Show in the 2017 OMB Tour of Homes. He has built nearly 3000 homes in 43 different new home communities over more than 30 years. He and his wife Helena live in Olympia with their two sons, Alex and Carson. Rob is a graduate of Washington State University with degrees in construction management and architecture.