For Rob Rice Homes, the appeal of a newly-built home is more than the scent of fresh paint, the lush look of new carpet and the gleam of stylish fixtures.
The local builder understands that a new home is a fresh start for people, a new community of friends, a place to put down roots. The roof over one’s head and the location of its foundation are key components of a household’s quality of life. And, investing in a home is a way many people build significant personal wealth.
Rob Rice Homes considers all of that when planning its communities and building new homes in and around Olympia, WA. Rob Rice demands building excellence that results in the long-lasting value of his homes and neighborhoods. It is clearly why he has been voted the Best of South Sound annually for the last several years in a 
row. It is also why many people are repeat Rob Rice Homes customers, and it explains the huge surge in demand for his homes.
“We bought our home built by Rob Rice 16 years ago, the first home we had ever purchased,” a former local homeowner recently told Helena Rice, co-owner of Rob Rice Homes. “We sold it this year for well over our asking price. It had six offers in less than a week.”
The homeowner further explained that with the help of a wise realtor who understood the home’s exceptional value, location and unique floor plan, the home sold for more than double the price paid by its original buyers.
“A home is typically a wonderful investment, but our home’s value was so much more than the effect of the market,” the homeowner remarked. “Our neighborhood grew lovelier every year, with maturing landscaping, a beautiful streetscape and homes that did not show the wear of the nearly 20 years since they were built. We remodeled a bit to refresh the interior, but the remodelers remarked at how well-built the home was, right down to the framing. We never doubted the quality of our purchase…not once.”
She added that she doesn’t doubt that the new owners feel the same way. They have already experienced a significant appreciation in their investment in just the few months since they bought the home.
Green Neighborhoods
A Rob Rice Homes community begins with the design and plan for the neighborhood to ensure its beauty and enjoyment.
While environmental regulations require a certain amount of green space and stormwater treatments in a development, Rob Rice and his long-time planning partners do more than required to enhance the natural beauty of the neighborhood.
Expansive landscaping is planned along roads, community recreational areas and park-like storm ponds that add points of beauty and escape. Homes often have full fencing in the backyards and professional landscaping in front and back.
Rob’s communities have generous sidewalks that run along tree-lined roads. Small parks in the neighborhoods allow for picnics, a fun play area or a place to meet up with neighbors.
Add to it all the convenient locations of Rob Rice communities near amenities, set in the natural beauty of the Pacific Northwest, and you have the winning choice for many homebuyers.
Comfort of a Well-Built Home
Then, there are the homes. The excitement of owning a new Rob Rice Home is unparalleled for buyers.
They love the beautiful interior design styles, colors and features carefully selected by Helena Rice and her amazing design partners.
The homes are upscale, gorgeous and nearly timeless, reflecting the standards of excellence of the local builder. Sparkling counters, rich hardwood flooring, eye-catching designer backsplash, gracious lighting, all provide a look of pure luxury. And, so many of those special design features aren’t considered upgrades; they often come with the price of the home.
Having sold more than 3500 homes over the more than 30 years he has been building in the South Puget Sound area, Rob Rice has listened to homebuyers. Whether a two-story home plan, a downstairs master plan or a bright and open rambler, Rob will often add a floor plan when he hears about repeated buyer preferences.
“Our floorplan was so perfect in our home, guests were amazed when they walked through our door,” the grateful homeowner shared with Helena. “When we built our new home out of state, we chose a plan that was the closest to it.”
Through longtime relationships with local sub-contractors and vendors, Rob Rice is able to ensure exceptional quality. From the resilience of lovely exterior paint to superior and efficient HVAC systems, Rob knows he is providing the absolute best for a homebuyer’s investment.
Homeowners Are Served
Perhaps the most important thing for a buyer is that their builder provides the customer service and communication they need. That is one of Rob Rice Homes’ primary objectives – serving their buyers and homeowners with care and consideration.
From the team of Realtors who help navigate the buyer’s purchase to each building superintendent’s watchful eye, they all provide the care that is critical to the local builder.
Rob Rice is often seen in his truck checking on his communities long after they have been built and sold. He will serve initially on a community’s Homeowner Association to advise and help them protect the value of their neighborhood.
Rob and Helena Rice enjoy raising their own family in the area and they want to be sure its quality of life is available for others. There is a lot to be said about a local builder who allows his name to be put on the homes he builds. His homes are backed by time-tested skills, quality partners and employees, ethical and caring practices and a long legacy of providing superior homes for those who have made it their dream.
“Rob is highly respected in the South Sound region,” the former Rob Rice homeowner explained. “I was on the city planning commission for five years in Lacey, WA and heard so many good things about him.”
She summed up how much her home meant to her and her husband.
“It was our steady shelter in the ups and downs of life, a constant haven and our place of joy and refuge. The fact that it grew so much in value over the years made it an even more rewarding investment of our hard-earned dollars. The home was so incredibly worth it. We are totally grateful for the years spent in that beautiful, wonderful place we called home.”
Rob Rice is Thurston County’s largest local home builder and has been voted the Best of South Sound for the last seven years. He has built more than 3500 homes in 46 different new home communities over more than 30 years. Rob and Helena Rice live in Olympia, WA with their two sons, Alex and Carson. Rob is a graduate of Washington State University with degrees in construction management and architecture.