Earth Day Celebration This Friday - Madras Community Garden

When you live somewhere like Central Oregon, it's easy to appreciate the earth - we are surrounded by its beauty each and every day. For all of us in Madras, Oregon, there's a special way to celebrate this year - a new community garden!

Earth Day is this Friday and you are invited to help plant the new Madras Community Garden, which is located at 11th and B streets. The planting event will be held from 3-5 pm, and there will be some donated plants from Madras Garden Depot. Great Earth is providing snacks for the volunteers...so come by and get a little dirt under your fingernails!

Do you know why a community garden is so good for the community? There's a reason why they are sprouting up all around the country. Here's just a few statistics:

• Community gardens have been shown to actually increase property values in the immediate vicinity where they are located.
• Studies have shown that community gardeners and their children eat healthier, more nutrient rich diets than do non-gardening families
• Community gardens allow families and individuals without land of their own the opportunity to produce food. Oftentimes gardeners take advantage of the experiential knowledge of elders to produce a significant amount of food for the household.
• Urban agriculture is 3-5 times more productive per acre than traditional large-scale farming.
• Community gardens can serve as an outdoor classroom where youth can learn valuable skills, like those involving practical math, communication, responsibility and cooperation. They also provide the opportunity to learn about the importance of community, stewardship and environmental responsibility.

There are so many more reasons to support Madras, Oregon by helping out with this new project! At Yarrow in Madras, we are proud to be part of this wonderful community!

Civil War Game Bumps Christmas Light Parade in Madras, Oregon

We Oregonians get a little bit fired up during Civil War weekend when the Oregon Ducks play the OSU Beavers. So fired up in fact, that the Jefferson County/Madras Chamber of Commerce decided to move Madras, Oregon's annual Christmas Lights Parade and Tree Lighting to another date!

The event time has been changed to 6 p.m., Saturday, Dec. 11, and the parade's theme this year is "Christmas of the Century."

After the parade, kids are invited to go to U.S. Bank for a visit and photos with Santa. Indian frybread and hot cocoa will be available for purchase at the Christmas Lights Parade event.

Flurry of Construction at Yarrow! Come See Us Taking Shape

With several homes under construction in Yarrow, our master-planned neighborhood is taking shape. The home that is furthest along in the construction process will be completed early next year, and be available for sale. This 3 bedroom/2 bath home is being built by the Bean Foundation, a local charitable organization, and proceeds will eventually be used to serve projects for the youth and young families located in Jefferson County.

Two additional custom homes are slated to start construction this month, and are being built by owners for their primary residences. With new homes, new residents and new energy, the vision of Yarrow is being realized and we are so excited! As George Neilson, president of the Bean Foundation said, "It appears the market may be strengthening...the time is ripe to restart the new housing market." We invite you to come visit Yarrow and see what's going up! Contact Kathy Duman for a tour!

Madras Lowers SDC Fees to Attract Business

According to a recent article in the Bulletin, the city of Madras has dropped some city infrastructure fees by 20 percent to attract new business. The Madras City Council decided to cut system development charges (SDCs) to entice developers to consider Madras for their next project. SDCs are fees which developers pay to help offset the effects of growth, and pay for street and sewer improvements.

From the article:
"For a developer building a single-family residence in Madras, the SDCs before the reduction could tack on about $13,000 to the project. Now, that number will be closer to about $10,445. The amount a developer pays can vary depending on the project but the money goes toward transportation, park, wastewater and stormwater SDCs. The city then uses these funds to help fund capital improvement projects or pay off existing debt."

The city is hoping that this reduction sends a message that Madras is more business friendly than some other places. If SDCs get too high they represent a barrier to growth and progress.

More Demand for Larger Yarrow Homesites in Madras, OR

Earlier this year we announced that we were combining 15 homesites into 7,
while drastically reducing prices. This program met with tremendous
enthusiasm and we only have one of those homesites left. To keep up with
the overwhelming demand, we are taking eight more lots and combining
them into four homesites.

Two times the size, half the price.

These new homesites will offer striking views to Mt. Jefferson. Demand for
these reconfigured sites has been strong. Do not miss your opportunity, call
Yarrow Realty today at 877.545.5248.

Directions to Yarrow: Go to the second traffic light and turn East onto B
Street. Travel East for approximately one mile and turn right on City
View Drive. Turn onto  arrow Avenue at the roundabout.

Incredible Financing Opportunities Available at Yarrow!

For a limited time, Sage Builders, LLC has reduced the price of this incredible home from $349,900 to just $314,900. This offer price is only through April 30, 2009. To make this offer even more attractive, For a limited time, Homestreet Bank is offering 3.875%/4.48% APR on a fixed conventional loan* for this Sage Builders Home. *Details on this super low interest rate.

Sun Forest, another of our award winning Neighborhood Builders, has also announced a price reduction. Sun Forest's Incredible homes at Yarrow now start at just $199,999. You won't find better values in Central Oregon than these incredible homes.

More Land for Lower Prices - Central Oregon Real Estate Value!

Yarrow is now offering the best real estate values in Central Oregon. We have made plans to create much larger homesites, which have been relisted for sale at reduced prices. We have also reduced prices on other homesites, with prices starting at less than $20,000.

“Our clients have been giving us consistent feedback that they wanted larger homesites,” said Kathy Duman, broker with Yarrow Realty. “In order to better serve them, we have gone back to the drawing board and dramatically increased many of our lot sizes in Phase One of Yarrow. We are confident that this is the best value available in Central Oregon right now.”

The increase will result in homesites that are more than double the previous lot size, with new sizes ranging from approximately 12,800 to 29,000 square feet. These expanded lots are now priced from $27,300 to $61,900. One homesite in Phase One, which is not part of the expansion plan, is priced at $19,900 (certain home building requirements apply).

We are also offering a unique building incentive so you can get an additional 10% back on your purchase. If you receive a certificate of occupancy for your new home within 24 months of purchase, utilize a Yarrow neighborhood builder (Sage Builders, Sun Forest Construction or SunWest Builders) and use JELD-WEN windows and doors, Yarrow will refund 10% of the total homesite price.

Call us today 866 674 4651 or email kathyd@yarrowliving.com