Olson Homes, Southern California’s leading developer of in-town living, announces that it has received “The Eliant,” for ‘Best Overall Home Purchase and Ownership Experience’ (multi-divisional builder segment). As Eliant states, “This firm has developed an unusually loyal following by consumers interested in an ‘above-and-beyond’ home buying experience.” The prestigious award is given as part of the 2012 Eliant Homebuyers’ Choice Awards, resulting from more than 68,000 surveys administered in partnership with staffing powerhouse Real Estate Temps to all recent homeowners from over 170 major homebuilders across the US and Canada in 2011.

“We are so proud to have received the award for Best Overall Customer Experience from Eliant,” said Scott Laurie, President of Olson Homes.

The Olson Company also was ranked #1 by homebuyers for the ‘Purchase Experience’ and ‘Construction Experience’ in the Large Builder segment, and received second place awards for ‘Overall First-Year Quality,’ ‘Design Selection Experience’ and the ‘Customer Service Experience.’ “We are so proud to have received the award for Best Overall Customer Experience from Eliant,” said Scott Laurie, President of Olson Homes. “The Eliant Awards are the strongest indication of homebuilder success, indicating that we are providing strong customer service in so many areas. We are looking forward to doubling our efforts in 2012 as we continue to grow new home communities in Southern California.”

The Olson Company’s numerous successful urban living communities across Southern California over the last 24 years reflect its commitment to creating “livability” for today’s homebuyer. As part of Olson’s unique approach to creating these communities, The Company provides ongoing tailored services to support the needs of its homeowners, including financial education and the exclusive Homeowner Champion Program. The Olson Company has garnered several prestigious Eliant Awards for homeowner satisfaction, including its 2012 win for Best Overall Customer Experience.

For further information on the survey methodology and a complete list of winning home builders, visit www.eliant.com.

Seal Beach, CA. – January 26, 2012 – Olson Homes, Southern California’s leading developer of in-town living, announces recently released affordable flats in its new, stylish Citrus Walk community, located in Covina’s quaint downtown area. Demand is anticipated to be high for these flats, one of few affordable options currently available in Southern California.

Olson is offering 8 of its 12 single level flats as moderate-income affordable housing units. With prices starting at $240,400, these flats are $70,000 and $80,000 below market rate for comparable homes of this size and spec level, and monthly payments will be comparable to rent in the area.

“As redevelopment agencies go through re-structuring and have limited access to funds, affordable housing will become increasingly rare,” said Scott Laurie, President of Olson Homes. “Olson Homes is proud to build communities that fill cities’ needs and help make dreams come true. These flats are an incredible opportunity for moderate income families that are renting now, looking for their next step.”

Positioned over the new Olson retail storefronts in Covina’s revitalized downtown, the 8 affordable flats offer up to 1,311 square feet, 2-3 bedrooms and offer single level living above a 2-car garage. The flats, built to exceed LEED green living standards, feature energy efficient amenities including Energy Star appliances; water efficient and lead-free faucets; highly water efficient toilets; auto shut-off motion sensors in all baths, space saving tankless water heaters, and built-in recycle bins, among many other features.

The Olson Company’s numerous successful urban living developments across Southern California over the last 22 years reflect its commitment to today’s homebuyer. The Olson Company has garnered prestigious Eliant Awards for homeowner satisfaction, including a recent overall win for Mosaic Walk, which was in first place from almost 900 nationwide home communities. The Olson Company believes in “livability,” and implements a thoughtful and detail-oriented approach from concept through execution. As part of their unique approach to creating these communities, The Olson Company understands all that goes into buying a new home and provides ongoing tailored services to support the needs of its homeowners, including financial education and the exclusive Homeowner Champion Program.

For more information on the City of Covina’s affordable housing program, and how to apply and join the interest list, please visit CitrusWalk.com. To qualify, families need to have incomes in the moderate-income range, as determined by the California Department of Housing and Community Development (HCD).

About The Olson Company
Established in 1988, The Olson Company and the Olson Homes brand are nationally recognized for creating unique in-town neighborhoods in urban communities throughout California. Headquartered in Seal Beach, California, The Olson Company has successfully partnered with governmental agencies and private landowners to create innovative housing solutions designed to fulfill the lifestyle needs of today’s buyer.

SEAL BEACH, CA. – The Olson Company, the leading developer of in-town urban living, announces plans for two new residential communities in the Los Angeles area. Closing on two plots in the areas of Westchester and El Segundo for the planned communities of “Gateway Walk” and “Pacific Walk“, Olson plans to complete construction by 2012.

Olson Homes plans to create a 14 unit single family detached residential community in Westchester, with homes between 1,800 and 1,821 sq. ft., featuring 3 bedrooms with additional loft space, 2.5 baths, and 2 car garages. The new El Segundo community will consist of 12 attached townhomes, ranging in size from 1,597 to 1,622 sq. ft., with 3 bedrooms, 2.5 baths, and 2 car side-by-side or tandem garages.

Expected to be completed in 2012, both new home communities will offer desirable commutes to the nearby employment centers in the South Bay – including Los Angeles, Hawthorn, Manhattan Beach, and Marina Del Rey, as well as close proximity to the nearby beaches, and many retail, dining and entertainment options. With simultaneous construction, potential home owners interested in the South Bay will have the choice of townhome or single family detached living.

The homes, built to exceed LEED green living standards, will include energy efficient amenities including Energy Star appliances; water efficient and lead-free faucets; highly water efficient toilets; auto shut-off motion sensors in all baths, space saving tank-less water heaters, and built-in recycle bins, among many other features.

“Olson Homes looks forward to building competitively priced homes in the Westchester and El Segundo communities, our fourth and fifth communities in the South Bay area,” said Steve Olson, Chairman/CEO of The Olson Company. “The new communities will create jobs and fill a need for affordable housing in the area, as well as further underscore our commitment to building in ‘walkable’ areas.”

The Olson Company’s numerous successful urban living developments across Southern California over the last 22 years reflect its commitment to the homebuyer as top priority. With its notable homeowner satisfaction, The Olson Company has garnered prestigious Eliant Awards in six categories in 2010, including a number one ranking for the “Design Selection” experience, and second for delivering an incredible experience during the Purchase, Construction, and Customer Service phases, and ranked second for “Overall Quality” and “Sales from Referrals.” The Olson Company believes in “livability,” and implements a thoughtful and detail-oriented approach from concept through execution. As part of their unique approach to providing these communities, The Olson Company understands all that goes into buying a new home and provides tailored services to support the needs of homebuyers, such as financial education and continued support services.

To learn more about Olson Homes please visit www.OlsonHomes.com.

About The Olson Company
Established in 1988, The Olson Company and the Olson Homes brand are nationally recognized for creating unique in-town neighborhoods in urban communities throughout California. Headquartered in Seal Beach, California, The Olson Company has successfully partnered with governmental agencies and private landowners to create innovative housing solutions designed to fulfill the lifestyle needs of today’s buyer. The company works diligently with community and neighborhood groups to build a high level of awareness and broad-range community consensus around its neighborhoods. The Olson Company was awarded the prestigious “Builder of the Year” award by Professional Builder Magazine and the National Association of Home Builders.

Seal Beach, CA. – December 15, 2011 – Olson Homes, Southern California’s leading developer of in-town living, has created an innovative online home design studio, making design decisions “simple and fun” for today’s homeowner and homebuyer.

The Olson Style Studio, powered by Studio Chateau, offers the homebuyer immediate and easy access to pick and choose the features and options for structure, design, and other elements that are available for their new home once escrow is closed. The Studio provides an important step in envisioning and planning what the new home will look like; a user can view community information, look through a detailed catalogue of available options, and create a wish list of amenities.

Each of Olson Homes’ community sites is carefully selected for the availability of amenities and proximity to entertainment and culture. Now, Olson homeowners and homebuyers can view all of the restaurants, landmarks, and offerings in their community, complete with comprehensive descriptions.

In addition, each community has an interactive floor plan and offers a tour of the model homes, as well as an “i-postcard” feature that enables a user to send their new home or home they are wishing for directly to a friend, letting them know about the community they have just visited or are moving into. All features are easily accessible through the Olson Homes homepage, as well as the individual community sites, which also offer local news and events to continue to connect Olson homebuyers with their local communities.

“Customer satisfaction is a cornerstone value to Olson Homes, and through these online experiences we endeavor to provide our homebuyers and potential homebuyers with the easiest and most comprehensive way for them to choose the features in their house, helping to ensure it truly is their dream home,” said Steve Olson, Chairman/CEO of The Olson Company.

The Style Studio features include:

The Olson Company’s numerous successful urban living developments across Southern California over the last 22 years reflect its commitment to today’s homebuyer. The Olson Company has garnered prestigious Eliant Awards for homeowner satisfaction, including a recent overall win for Mosaic Walk, which was in first place from almost 900 nationwide home communities. The Olson Company believes in “livability,” and implements a thoughtful and detail-oriented approach from concept through execution. As part of their unique approach to creating these communities, The Olson Company understands all that goes into buying a new home and provides ongoing tailored services to support the needs of its homeowners, including financial education and the exclusive Homeowner Champion Program.

There are still homes available in Olson Homes’ newest community in Covina, Citrus Walk. The Citrus Walk sales center is located at 158 Italia Street Covina, CA 91723. To learn more about Citrus Walk, the Olson Company online tools, and how you can own new now, please visit CitrusWalk.com.

About The Olson Company
Established in 1988, The Olson Company and the Olson Homes brand are nationally recognized for creating unique in-town neighborhoods in urban communities throughout California. Headquartered in Seal Beach, California, The Olson Company has successfully partnered with governmental agencies and private landowners to create innovative housing solutions designed to fulfill the lifestyle needs of today’s buyer.

Derived from a monthly survey that NAHB conducts, the NAHB/Wells Fargo Housing Market Index gauges builder perceptions of current single-family home sales and sales expectations for the next six months as “good,” “fair” or “poor.”

Olson Homes has experienced a positive uptick over the last month as well: the highly popular and recently award-winning community Mosaic Walk (Garden Grove) has closed or is in escrow on all but 5 homes in the community; Rio Walk (Montebello) has 3 unsold units, Willow Walk (Compton) is 100% sold out, and Heritage Walk (Fullerton) is entirely sold out as well.

There are still homes available in Olson Homes’ newest community, Citrus Walk, and Olson Homes will be opening 8 new communities in 2012.

Citrus Walk is The Olson Company’s fifth new urban living residential development in the Covina area. The Citrus Walk community offers 37 townhomes and 8,000 square feet of new retail space along downtown Covina’s Citrus Avenue, with 12 flats over the new retail storefronts. The townhomes, each with approximately 1,610 square feet and three stories, have 3 bedrooms, 2 baths and 1-2 powder rooms, and 2-car garages.

The homes, built to exceed LEED green living standards, feature energy efficient amenities including Energy Star appliances; water efficient and lead-free faucets; highly water efficient toilets; auto shut-off motion sensors in all baths, space saving tank-less water heaters, and built-in recycle bins, among many other features.

The Olson Company’s numerous successful urban living developments across Southern California over the last 22 years reflect its commitment to making the homebuyer top priority. The Olson Company has garnered prestigious Eliant Awards for homeowner satisfaction, including a recent overall win for Mosaic Walk, which was in first place from almost 900 nationwide home communities. The Olson Company believes in “livability,” and implements a thoughtful and detail-oriented approach from concept through execution. As part of their unique approach to creating these communities, The Olson Company understands all that goes into buying a new home and provides ongoing tailored services to support the needs of its homeowners, including financial education and the exclusive Homeowner Champion Program.

The Citrus Walk sales center is located at 158 Italia Street, Covina, CA 91723. To learn more about Citrus Walk and how you can go take advantage of this opportunity to own new now, please visit CitrusWalk.com.

About The Olson Company
Established in 1988, The Olson Company and the Olson Homes brand are nationally recognized for creating unique in-town neighborhoods in urban communities throughout California. Headquartered in Seal Beach, California, The Olson Company has successfully partnered with governmental agencies and private landowners to create innovative housing solutions designed to fulfill the lifestyle needs of today’s buyer.

This holiday season has people flocking to stores on Black Friday–Here are 10 Reasons why shoppers should buy a new home for the holidays instead

Black Friday is upon us! While merchants are busy gearing up for a record Black Friday filled with sales, Olson Homes wants to spell out 10 reasons why shoppers should buy a new home instead. So here are our 10 reasons why it’s good to buy a home and skip the big box Black Friday sales.

1. Home shoppers have waited long enough. Good deals are available for the asking.
In case home shoppers may have missed this, this is the best buyer’s market we have seen on over 30 years. If home shoppers are waiting for the bottom, they may have already missed it! No one will ever catch the bottom mostly because no one knows where that is. The truth is it doesn’t really matter so much in the long haul.

2. Mortgages are cheap. Very cheap.
Home shoppers can get a 30-year loan for around 4.3%. In some cases home shoppers may find special buy down rates that get down to 3.75% What’s not to like about low interest rates? These are the lowest rates on record. As recently as two years ago they were about 6.3%. That drop slashes your monthly repayment by a fifth. If inflation picks up, home shoppers won’t see these mortgage rates again in their lifetime. And if we get deflation, and rates fall further, homeowners can always refinance.

3 Home shoppers will save on taxes. Tax breaks for itemization.
Here is a plus. Home shoppers can deduct the mortgage interest from their income taxes. Try doing that on your standard holiday purchases. With a new home purchase, home shoppers can deduct their real estate taxes. And they’ll get a tax break on capital gains–if any–when they sell. Sure, home shoppers need to do the math. Homeowners only get the income tax break if they itemize their tax deductions, and many people may be better off taking the standard deduction instead. The breaks are more valuable the more people earn, and the bigger their mortgage. But savvy homeowners will find that these tax breaks mean owning costs them less, often a lot less, than renting.

4. This time it’s personal! That new home is a design showcase.
Get in early enough on a new home and home shoppers can have the kitchen and bathrooms they really want. Homeowners can upgrade to their hearts content. They can get the flooring, window treatments, and upgraded appliances they have dreamed about. New home ownership also allows homeowners to add these items to their monthly mortgage payments at a cost that adds only a bit more to their monthly mortgage payments. Black Friday shoppers should try this instead of maxing out their credit cards at 22% interest rates. Consider that fact when in the check out line that this purchase won’t will be paid back for many years to come. Hmmm, maybe buying a new home instead does make more sense?

5. Home shoppers get a better home. Much Better!
Renting a place gives people a place to rest their heads and a space to park their belongings, but generally speaking, if they want the best home in the best neighborhood, most people are better off buying a new home. Plus new homeowners get that great new home smell!

6. It offers some inflation protection.
Black Fridays come and go but studies by Professor Karl “Chip” Case (of Case-Shiller), and others, suggest that over the long-term housing has tended to beat inflation by a couple of percentage points a year. That’s valuable inflation insurance, especially if raising a young family and thinking about the next 30 or 40 years. The rule of thumb is if anyone that plans on living in a place for 5 years or more, they may be better off buying than renting. If someone is planning on moving every few years they may want to re-think that strategy and lock-in home ownership while it is still affordable and within reach.

7. It’s risk capital. That is comfort now, equity later.
No, a home isn’t the stock market and no one should view it as the way to get rich. Thats what got people into the mess we see on the news. But current indicators suggest that the economy may surprise us all and start booming, sooner or later real estate prices will head up again, too. Long after the Black Friday sale items are forgotten in the back of a closet, your new home will have gained equity. One lesson from the last few years is that stocks are incredibly hard for most normal people to own in large quantities–for practical as well as psychological reasons. Equity in a home is another way of linking part of a portfolio to the long-term growth of the economy–if it happens–and still managing to sleep at night.

8. It’s forced savings. Pay yourself first!
Suppose one can rent an apartment for $2,000 month instead of buying one for $2,400 a month, renting may make sense. But will people save that $400 for their future? A lot of people won’t. People have to do the math, but need to remember that part of a mortgage payment that goes to principal repayment isn’t a cost. Homeowners are just paying themselves by building equity. As a forced monthly saving, it’s a good discipline.

9. There is a lot to choose from. 4 New home communities to be exact!
Olson Homes may be biased, but when it comes to home affordability, home shoppers should consider one of our great new Southern California new home communities. From the mid $300s Olson Homes has the best selling Citrus Walk in Covina visit Citruswalk.com, from the high $200s Olson Homes has 2 new home communities; the final phase of Rio Walk in Montebello visit RioWalkHomes.com, and the very last home at Heritage Walk in Paramount visit HeritageWalkParamount.com, and in Garden Grove from the low $300s there is the nearly sold out Mosaic Walk visit MosaicWalk.com. Any of these communities offer great locations and great value for new home shoppers.

10. Sooner or later, the market will clear. Be there when it does.
Demand and supply will meet. The population is forecast to grow by more than 100 million people over the next 40 years. That means maybe 40 million new households looking for homes. Meanwhile, today’s home shoppers will be so happy they bought a new home now, and be able to brag about how smart they were way back when people without vision let this once in a lifetime home ownership opportunity pass them by.

So there it is! 10 great reasons not to shop on Black Friday and buy a new home instead.

61st ANNUAL COVINA CHRISTMAS PARADE

SATURDAY, DECEMBER 3

Parade Begins at 6:30 pm

The City of Covina and the Covina Christmas Parade Committee present the 61st Annual Covina Christmas Parade! Many generations of families living in Covina have annually sat on the sidewalks and watched this wonderful hometown tradition march its way down Badillo Street.

Join us as we celebrate 61 years of Covina Christmas Parade memories!

READ MORE!

Olson Homes announces a community wide Hot Deals Event this weekend at four of its top selling new home communities.

Seal Beach, CA (PRWEB) November 16, 2011 – At Rio Walk in Montebello, homebuyers can take advantage of great savings at Rio Walk’s 48-hour Sale, so popular with homebuyers, the sale has been held over for another weekend. Olson Home’s Rio Walk community is popular with home shoppers looking to be close to their jobs in LA . The Rio Walk Sales Center, located at 947 S. Bluff Road, Montebello, CA 90640, will be open from 10am to 5pm. Visitors can take advantage of incredible deals including up to $20,000 off of new townhomes loaded with modern features and community amenities, located just 8 miles from downtown Los Angeles.

The Hot Deals continue this weekend at Mosaic Walk in Garden Grove where the very last phase has just been released and soon will be sold out. Just announced closeout prices at Mosaic Walk have resulted in huge savings for homebuyers of up to $20,000. Mosaic Walk is located at 12848 Palm Street #4 Garden Grove, CA 92840, and is open from 10am to 5pm.

The savings continue at the newest Olson Homes community, Citrus Walk in Covina. Fresh Deals are abound at this conveniently situated new home community. Live here and park the car. At Citrus Walk homeowners walk everywhere. Visit a walking-close restaurant, café, bakery or even Starbucks. Get fresh produce at the Farmer’s Market right around the corner. Citrus Walk is open from 10am to 5pm and is located at 137 E. Italia Street, Covina, CA 91723.

The Olson Company’s numerous successful urban living developments across Southern California over the last 22 years reflect its commitment to making the homebuyer top priority. The Olson Company believes in “livability,” and implements a thoughtful and detail-oriented approach from concept through execution. As part of their unique approach to creating these communities, The Olson Company understands all that goes into buying a new home and provides ongoing tailored services to support the needs of its homeowners, including financial education and the exclusive Homeowner Champion Program.

About The Olson Company
Established in 1988, The Olson Company and the Olson Homes brand are nationally recognized for creating unique in-town neighborhoods in urban communities throughout California. Headquartered in Seal Beach, California, The Olson Company has successfully partnered with governmental agencies and private landowners to create innovative housing solutions designed to fulfill the lifestyle needs of today’s homebuyer.

The Rio Walk townhomes have up to 1,774 sq. ft. and up to 4 bedrooms, from the high $200s with a 3% broker co-op. The LEED-certified homes offer several green and stylish design features, as well as extensive personalization options, to make your home truly your own.

“The Rio Walk homes are an exciting opportunity to live close to the heart of the new downtown LA at an affordable price,” said Scott Laurie, COO of The Olson Company. “We are excited to offer this weekend sale to assist buyers in realizing their dream of home ownership.”

Rio Walk is conveniently located near Los Angeles hotspots: stimulating nightlife, boutique shopping, entertainment, culture, museums and more. The community features panoramic mountain views and pretty, tree-lined streets with bike trails — just the hometown feel you’ve always dreamed about. Put it altogether and it’s Montebello charm with an L.A. vibe — the ultimate combination for today’s busy lifestyles.

The Olson Company’s numerous successful urban living developments across Southern California over the last 22 years reflect its commitment to making the homebuyer top priority. The Olson Company believes in “livability,” and implements a thoughtful and detail-oriented approach from concept through execution. As part of their unique approach to creating these communities, The Olson Company understands all that goes into buying a new home and provides ongoing tailored services to support the needs of its homeowners, including financial education and the exclusive Homeowner Champion Program. Additional communities now selling include Mosaic Walk (Garden Grove), Heritage Walk (Paramount), Willow Walk (Compton) and Citrus Walk (Covina).

The Rio Walk Sales Center is located at 947 S. Bluff Road, Montebello, CA 90640. For more information about Rio Walk, please visit riowalkhomes.com or call 323-720-9112.

About The Olson Company
Established in 1988, The Olson Company and the Olson Homes brand are nationally recognized for creating unique in-town neighborhoods in urban communities throughout California. Headquartered in Seal Beach, California, The Olson Company has successfully partnered with governmental agencies and private landowners to create innovative housing solutions designed to fulfill the lifestyle needs of today’s buyer.