When you buy an Olson home, life changes for the better
You join a vibrant community of neighbors that care. You take back the hours you spend behind the wheel or commuting to work. You get to experience the daily perks of an urban lifestyle where walking is the norm, restaurants, parks, and retail experiences are your new backyard, and everything you love is just minutes away.
How we
walk the walk
Our commitment goes beyond the promise of a new home
Each Olson community starts with a simple question. How can we give homeowners the best quality of life possible? The answer starts with where we build. Committed to seeing the potential of the urban landscape, we re-entitle, rezone, and develop underutilized parcels, building energy-efficient homes that are close to jobs, key transportation links, and numerous recreational and entertainment options. Since most of our communities are in mature neighborhoods, they require minimal infrastructure, helping to keep construction costs low, taxes reasonable, and home prices attainable. Each Olson community name includes the word “walk” because our vision is for homeowners to be able to exit their front door and walk to shopping, restaurants, cafes, and schools, engaging with their neighbors and becoming part of the fabric of their cities. If you’ve been wondering, “Which new home builder near me offers a safe, walkable neighborhood with a variety of retail and restaurants nearby?” You’re already in the right place!
Community Partnerships
Since 1988, our mission has been to work hand-in-hand with cities to solve the critical shortage of urban housing by promoting and investing in responsible development that improves quality of life for everyone. We approach development by listening and seeking to understand the social, cultural and aesthetic qualities of the neighborhoods in which we build. We work in collaboration with community stakeholders, city staff and officials to deliver creative solutions for neighbors and future residents. Our communities lower environmental impacts by relying on existing infrastructure, reducing or eliminating commute times and encouraging walkability to support local businesses, amenities and resources. Our success would not be possible without the partnerships we’ve enjoyed with over 100 California cities and neighborhoods.
CITY PARTNERS
Alhambra • Anaheim • County of Alameda • Arcadia • Azusa • Baldwin Park • Benicia • Brea • Buellton • Buena Park • Burbank • Camarillo • Carlsbad • Carson • Cerritos • Chula Vista • Claremont • Compton • Concord • Costa Mesa • Covina • Cypress • Downey • East Palo Alto • Emeryville • El Monte • El Segundo • Fairfield • Fountain Valley Fullerton • Garden Grove • Gardena • Glendale • Glendora • Hayward • Huntington Beach • Irwindale • La Habra • La Mesa • La Mirada • La Palma • La Verne • Lakewood Lomita • Long Beach • Los Alamitos • Los Angeles • County of Los Angeles • Montebello • Monterey Park • National City • Newport Beach • Oakland • Orange • Oxnard • Pacifica • Pasadena • Paramount • Placentia • Pleasant Hill • Pittsburg • Pomona • Port Hueneme • Rancho Mirage • Richmond • Riverside • Rosemead • San Diego San Dimas • San Gabriel • San Jose • San Juan Capistrano • San Lorenzo • San Marcos • Santa Ana • Santa Clarita • Santa Fe Springs • Simi Valley • Temple City • Torrance • Tustin • Upland • Ventura • Vista • Walnut • Watsonville • West Covina • Westminster • Whittier • Yorba Linda
NEIGHBORHOOD PARTNERS
Corona del Mar • Hacienda Heights • Highland Park • Jefferson Park • La Puente • Leimert Park • Mayflower Village • Playa Vista • San Pedro • Santa Luz • Sylmar • Valencia • Valinda • Van Nuys • Walnut Park • West Carson • Westchester • Willowbrook
SCHOOL DISTRICTS
Centralia School District (La Palma) • El Monte Union High School District • Fountain Valley School District • Pacifica School District • Santa Ana Unified School District • Ventura Unified School District
UNIVERSITIES
California State Polytechnic University, Pomona • Pepperdine University • University of California, Santa Barbara
WATER DISTRICTS
Golden State Water District • Rancho Dominguez Water District • Suburban Water Company
TRANSIT AUTHORITIES
Alameda Contra Costa Transit District • Bay Area Rapid Transit System • MetroLink • Metropolitan Transportation Authorit
No one knows us better
than our homeowners
Verified by the survey experts at Eliant, our homeowner reviews and ratings speak for themselves.
Our mantle is pretty full, but we’ll always make room for excellence.
Recognized for delivering extraordinary customer experiences, high-quality design and community collaboration. Below is a small representation of awards recognizing our efforts to improve neighborhoods and communities.
2023
Best Overall Home Purchase and Ownership Experience (Single Division)
Best Purchase Experience (Large Volume Builders)
Best First-Year Quality (Large Volume Builders)
Best First-Year Customer Service Experience (Large Volume Builders)
Best Customer Communication
Design Experience (Large Volume Builder)
Sales Representative of the Year
Customer Service Representative of the Year
Construction Representative of the Year
2022
Best Overall Home Purchase and Ownership Experience (Single Division)
Best Purchase Experience (Large Volume Builders
Best First-Year Quality (Large Volume Builders)
Best First-Year Customer Service Experience (Large Volume Builders)
Sales Representative of the Year Customer Service Representative of the Year
2021
Best Overall Home Purchase and Ownership Experience (Single Division)
Best First-Year Quality (Medium Volume Builders)
Best First-Year Customer Service Experience (Medium Volume Builders)
Best Customer Communication
Customer Service Representative of the Year
EXECUTIVE TEAM
Steve has more than 30 years of homebuilding experience developing in excess of 11,000 urban infill homes. He directs the overall business strategy for the Company which provides housing solutions for California’s cities and agencies. A pioneer in affordable housing, he was named America’s Builder of the Year in 2000 and has been honored by State, City, and Transit Agencies for the contributions made to affordable housing in California. In addition, The Olson Company has won the coveted Eliant Award for Best Builder in North America in 2015, 2016, 2017, and placed second in 2018.
Steve has more than 30 years of homebuilding experience developing in excess of 11,000 urban infill homes. He directs the overall business strategy for the Company which provides housing solutions for California’s cities and agencies. A pioneer in affordable housing, he was named America’s Builder of the Year in 2000 and has been honored by State, City, and Transit Agencies for the contributions made to affordable housing in California. In addition, The Olson Company has won the coveted Eliant Award for Best Builder in North America in 2016, 2017, 2018, 2020 and coming back and wining the coveted award again in 2021.
Steve is a past Chairman of the Aquarium of the Pacific and currently serves on the Board. In addition he is a member of the Pepperdine University Board, a member of the Founders Cabinet of the Pepperdine School of Public Policy, an immediate past member of the University of Redlands Board of Trustees, a board member of Flowline Inc, and ONX Winery. He received the Distinguished Alumnus Award from Pepperdine University and an honorary Doctorate of Laws from Pepperdine for contributions made to California Housing. He also was one of the founding members of the Los Angeles Housing Commission advising the County on matters of affordable housing policy and transit housing.
Prior to founding The Olson Company, Steve was President of Signet Scientific Company, an international technology company, and a Vice President of Dean Witter and Company specializing in real estate finance.
Scott joined The Olson Company in 2007 and oversees the organization’s administrative and operating groups including strategic planning, acquisition, development, finance, construction, legal, and human resources. Under his leadership Olson won the coveted Eliant Homebuyers’ Choice Award for Best Overall Home Purchase and Ownership Experience in North America in 2015, 2016, and 2017.
Scott joined The Olson Company in 2007 and oversees the organization’s administrative and operating groups including strategic planning, acquisition, development, finance, construction, legal, and human resources. Under his leadership Olson won the coveted Eliant Homebuyers’ Choice Award for Best Overall Home Purchase and Ownership Experience in North America in 2016, 2017, 2018, 2020 and 2021.
Previously with KB Home where he held the position of Inland Valley President, Scott held various corporate and division-level executive positions in his nine years at the company.
In the homebuilding industry since 1996, Scott is currently a member of the Executive Committee for the USC Lusk Center for Real Estate, as well as a member of the USC Sol Price School of Public Policy and the Urban Land Institute Residential Neighborhood Council. He has previously served on the Executive Board of the Building Industry Association of Southern California, Baldy View Chapter, and has been involved in various other real estate organizations.
A native of Southern California and a resident of Los Angeles, Scott earned a Bachelor of Science degree from the University of Southern California in Urban Planning and Development.
Joining The Olson Company in 2003, Bill is responsible for the operating division with oversight of planning, development, construction, marketing, sales, finance, and homeowner satisfaction of Olson communities. The Olson Company has been recognized multiple times as North America’s top performing homebuilder for purchase experience, customer service, construction and quality as measured by Eliant Homebuyer Survey’s, and the recipient of the prestigious Eliant Choice Awards.
Joining The Olson Company in 2003, Bill is responsible for the operating division with oversight of planning, development, construction, marketing, sales, finance, and homeowner satisfaction of Olson communities. The Olson Company has been recognized multiple times as North America’s top performing homebuilder for purchase experience, customer service, construction and quality as measured by Eliant Homebuyer Survey’s, and the recipient of the prestigious Eliant Choice Awards.
Previously at The Walt Disney Company, Bill directed sales and marketing for Disney’s West Coast Division, including Disneyland Park and Resort. A member of the initial executive team for Disney Sports Enterprises in 1993, he also oversaw sales and marketing for the inaugural Mighty Ducks Hockey Team (NHL) as well as the Arrowhead Pond of Anaheim’s Premium Club program. When Disney acquired the Anaheim Angels Baseball Club (MLB) in 1997, Bill was responsible for the sales and marketing of the franchise and Angels Stadium Ballpark. Beginning his career with Disney in 1989, Bill was a recipient of the Advertising Age Magazine “Marketing 100” Award for global marketing.
He began his professional career managing sales and marketing for domestic and international passenger carriers, including Long Beach-based Jet America, spending a total of 10 years in the airline industry.
Bill is a native and resident of Long Beach, attending California State University, Long Beach. His civic contributions include serving on several boards and foundations, including the Southern California Special Olympics.
Todd is responsible for managing all proposed developments, from acquisitions and city relations through entitlements and permitting. He has more than 20 years’ experience in real estate, exclusively with The Olson Company.
Todd is responsible for managing all proposed developments, from acquisitions and city relations through entitlements and permitting. He has more than 20 years’ experience in real estate, exclusively with The Olson Company.
Recognized as a leader in providing affordable housing and mixed-use developments in urban areas throughout the State of California, Todd sits on the former California Redevelopment Association’s Housing Committee, which was charged with the development and review of the state’s housing policies.
Before joining The Olson Company, Todd worked in the technology industry providing integrated networking solutions to private businesses and universities throughout the United States.
A resident of Long Beach, he received a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration and Entrepreneurship from the University of Southern California.
In town, in depth
Read more about the Olson story in our latest edition of In Town Living. The magazine includes an extensive Q & A with our Founder Steve Olson in which he discusses California’s housing crisis and his roadmap for improving affordable housing in the state.