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Summer fun swiming the lakes

Just relaxing in the back yard has been a favorite activity of wine getaway guests

Commitment from homeowners has been the driving force for project stability

Holes 1 & 2 Zillah Lakes Golf Course

The Ahtanum (Model Home)

October 2011
IN THIS ISSUE:
Survive and Prosper
Wine Country Lifestyle
Wine Getaway
Zillah Lakes Project Stability Achieved
Progress Report on Amenities

‘Lifestyle’ Purchase Options, Homeowners, Low Prices, & Stable Housing Market Revive Home and Lot Sales in Zillah Lakes

Zillah Lakes Survives!... and Thrives!!!

Against the picture of a depressed national housing market, a flurry of recent sales/building activity at Zillah Lakes has been remarkable: a gratifying reward for the years of keeping faith, incremental improvement, and just “hanging on” by the Zillah Lakes team. Here’s a progress report:

• All available homes are sold or occupied by lease/owners;
• 4 new homes/townhomes will be started for purchasers by the end of this month;
• 3 lot reservations with new homes being designed now
• 5 lots purchased by existing homeowners, another 3 are sold for construction this winter.
• And we are pleased to have 12 additional lot reservations for current and future lots...

The upshot? Zillah Lakes now has only 15 lots remaining for sale in Phase I (3 peninsula, 1 water, 2 large corners, four townhomes, and five golf course). Of course, Phase IA is in planning, but in the current financing climate, there are no guarantees as to the timing of that phase. (An argument that “no-fault” lot reservation might be something for you to consider this fall while there are still lots to pick from. Call 509-728-0099 or log on to zillahlakes.com for an appointment or more info) Below are, we think, some reasons for our growing success:

Tasting the Wine-Country Lifestyle - Your Way!

Zillah Lakes is, quite simply, the best location in Wine County... and will be for the foreseeable future. Only 15 minutes from the cultural hub of the largest city in the region (Yakima) and with literally hundreds of world-class wineries for touring within a 45 minute drive, it is the perfect jumping off point for a wine-country lifestyle of food, wine, recreation, culture, and rural retreat. By providing a taste of that lifestyle, from a weekend getaway to “no-fault” lot reservations, to leases, to vacation homes and custom homes for purchase, Zillah Lakes has taken advantage of its status as sun-filled haven for ‘rain coasters’, local retirees & downsizers, young families, and casual vacationers, with an offering for every commitment level and economic strata.

A Wine Weekend Getaway Opens the Door to... More

Our burgeoning hospitality function — the first option of the wine-country lifestyle — has been wildly successful and has provided new energy in our community. Homeowners are re-charged about the fantastic lifestyle at Zillah Lakes, seeing through virgin eyes, the lakes, the sunny relaxation, the use of our trail system and golf course and of course the plentiful food and wine options. And it has validated with real numbers our plans for our Lodge/Restaurant, and boutique hotel that is currently in planning as the centerpiece of the community. As an added bonus, many who came this summer — surprised by the rich lifestyle options of the area — have made plans for a lot reservation and vacation home purchase in the near future.

Meeting The Challenge of Our Era: Project Stability Achieved!

While large planned community projects around the nation have failed or are in foreclosure, Zillah Lakes survives and thrives. Through an era of shrinking sales and impossible budgets, we have made constant incremental improvements in the community. In are era of bank instability, our owner/investors have purchased the bank’s loan in Zillah Lakes, ensuring long-term rock-solid viability. In a national housing market of roller coaster values, Yakima remains optimal (ranked #1 to #5) on the national list of communities that retain high values for new homes and land, making purchase in the area one of the more reliable investments you can make. We are meeting each challenge of a challenging era — keeping faith with our homeowners and our vision! And it’s fair to say that our homeowners are the biggest part of that stability: with community socials, volunteer dock-building, beautification, & tree-planting, our homeowners have rolled up their sleeves and pitched in to MAKE the project succeed!

Amenities: Beautiful Lakes, a Golf Course and a Lot More

It started with the collapse of the mortgage industry and home financing back in 2008. Suddenly, Zillah Lakes was faced with all the challenges of an industry in collapse. Our solution: Hold on to a “solid gold” project, continue to make improvements to Zillah Lakes over time, keep faith with the vision. Since then, we have:
Entry monument sign & vineyard • 1.7 mi Nature/walking Trail, expanded this year to over 3 miles • Sheriff substation built in town center • 3 golf greens and fairways, with five holes playable next spring • Trees and plantings to shape golf course, culverts & watercourses cleared • Tree farm & alfalfa on east end of property • Boat/swimming dock, portages on our fish-laden lakes • Roundabout planting & beautification • Live/work townhomes in town center with Rattlesnake Hills Wine Association as prime tenant • HOA formed & active
Other items on the horizon NEXT YEAR through innovative strategies: Hotel/Lodge/Clocktower on Central Plaza (financing in place) • Lakes connected & cleared for recreation/aesthetics/water quality • Swimming & tennis in mini-park • Playground for children • Original Barn renovated • 1 - 4 new golf holes • and more...

Model Homes/ Tours Daily
Spring though fall, our homes are open for viewing every day of the week, starting at 11:00 AM and ending at 5:00 PM. Please come out and see our progress: new home starts, 5 new townhomes to be started before Thanksgiving, continued progress on the Golf Course, building our casita plan this summer, wine country getaways.
LOTS of progress! Of course we are available for tours ANYTIME, but please call our onsite representatives: Doug at 206-391-4653 or Pat at 509-728-0099. …Your Zillah Lakes Sales Team!

The BEST Location in Wine Country: Our Website: www.zillahlakes.com
So many things to do in Yakima! Yakima Valley Visitors and Convention Bureau: www.visityakima.com
Business Opportunities Abound! Greater Yakima Chamber of Commerce: www.yakima.org
A Major WineTour Just Across the Street: The Rattlesnake Hills Wine Trail: www.rattlesnakehills.com
Culture & Art 15 minutes away: The Seasons Performance Hall: www.theseasonsyakima.com

Family Friendly, no-alcohol Casino Ten Minutes away:http://www.yakamalegends.com/

SCHEDULE AN APPOINTMENT NOW! Or call Doug Lakman at 206-391-4653