ATLANTA – Talley Street Lofts is now an FHA approved community in addition to offering no property taxes until 2010 and $8,000 federal tax credit to first-time homebuyers. Only 18 homes remain in this community located in historic downtown Decatur. Talley Street Lofts, an intimate community of just 90 lofts, combines unique architecture with brick, stucco and appealing corrugated metal exteriors, offers the convenience of big city living in a village atmosphere and is affordably priced from the mid $100,000s to the low $200,000s.

There is no better time to buy and Talley Street Lofts is the perfect place for first-time home buyers. Not many condominium or townhome communities are FHA approved. In order to obtain approval the community must be 51 percent sold.

“FHA loans offer several benefits to first-time homebuyers,” said Shawna Jackson, loan officer at Flagstar Bank. “Only a small down payment is required, just 3 percent of the sales price, and that down payment can come from an acceptable gift source, including non-occupying co-borrowers to assist with purchase. Very little credit history is required. There are no income limits and the guidelines are more flexible with FHA loans. And finally the up front and monthly mortgage insurance is reasonably priced.”

The one- and two-bedroom floorplans at Talley Street Lofts range in size from 700 to 1,200 square feet. Choose from the Sycamore, Highland and Oakhurst Floorplans. To balance the feel of the homes, traditional loft features and updated amenities have been incorporated in to the open floorplans. Features include hardwood floors, granite kitchen countertops, stainless steel appliances including a side-by-side refrigerator, 10-foot ceilings, floor to ceiling windows, brushed chrome hardware throughout, covered balconies and bike racks. In addition, all homes come standard with a full size washer and dryer. Allowing homeowners to stay connected, high speed WiFi Internet is available in all units as well as all common areas.

Unlike many other loft communities, Talley Street Lofts offers a wide array of amenities for homeowners to enjoy, including a swimming pool, fountain, sun deck, fitness center, conference room and clubroom. The community is also gated. In addition to the great amenities, Talley Street Lofts offers grand views of Midtown Atlanta, which homeowners can enjoy from their covered balconies, and the lush landscaping throughout lends to the feel of Talley Street Lofts. In addition to the superb amenities at the community, Talley Street Lofts offers quick access to PATH bike trail all the way to Stone Mountain.

Talley Street Lofts reflects the neighborhood ambience of comfort and convenience in historic Downtown Decatur with shopping, dining, biking, Decatur East Station and MARTA all within walking distance. Tree-lined streets and outdoor dining tables add small-town charm to the area. Decatur is perfect for young families, empty nesters and young urbanities looking for an alternative to the big city. The city is also centrally located to the exciting nightlife of downtown Atlanta, while family entertainment is only minutes away at Decatur Square.

Exclusive sales and marketing is being handled by Morris and Raper.

Interested homebuyers may call 404-373-6463 or visit www.talleystreet.com for more information.

As a condominium owner, HOA (homeowners association) dues are a fact of life, and if you assume that these fees go, at least in part, to cover the insurance premiums on the complex, you’re correct, but the master insurance policy on your condo isn’t quite the same as a basic homeowners policy.

Master Policies:

Most condo complexes are covered by master insurance policies which cover the structure of each building down to the thickness of the interior paint on any walls, and all common areas. If the condominiums are located in a flood zone, the master policy usually includes the required flood insurance, as well. In addition the master policy includes liability coverage on the officers of the HOA.

What this means to a you as a condo owner is that if your building catches on fire, the HOA insurance will rebuild the structure, but in most cases your belongings, including wallpaper or anything else other than paint on the walls, are not covered.

Owners Policies

How do you protect your belongings then? You’ll need a special condo owners policy. In some ways, such a policy is more like renters insurance than homeowners insurance, because it covers primarily the contents of your home, but such policies also include some liability coverage, in case of accidental injury to guests in your home. There’s a morbid joke in real estate circles, that if anyone is going to trip and fall while visiting you, they should make sure to land outside your front door, so that the master policy covers their injuries, rather than your own.

While insurance on the contents of your condominium is not required for financing, it’s still a good idea, especially if you own jewelry, electronics, art, or antiques.

When You Purchase a Condo

When you purchase a condominium, your lender will generally require some kind of HOA worksheet that specifies the number of units that are rented or owner occupied, explains the insurance coverage, and states whether or not there have been any claims. It is this sheet that is provided to the lender, along with a copy of the master policy declaration page, to prove to your lender that you have the required coverage. In some cases, the seller pays for this form to be completed, in other cases, it is the buyer’s responsibility, but it’s never terribly expensive.

If you absolutely cannot afford to insure the contents of your condo, you will still be able to close your loan, and the building you live in will be covered, but a condominium owners policy is the best choice you can make, and in most cases you can get the same kind of auto/home discounts that you would for a policy on a single family home.

ATLANTA – (November 2008) – Coldwell Banker New Homes Division – which is comprised of The Condo Store and Builder Developer Services – recently closed the third quarter of 2008 with the addition of a new marketing director of and five new sales associates, five new resale associates, and three new communities to its residential real estate roster. The company’s New Homes Division also recently added a new Web site to list its bank-owned properties.

Recent hires in the New Homes Division for onsite communities include:

• Wesley Forest-a licensed coordinator at the Grinnell Loft Style Condominiums in Atlanta, Ga.
• Donna Mills-a sales associate at Town Square at Biltmore Park in Asheville, N.C.
• Dianne Richardson-a sales associate at High Gates on Robinson and Browns Park (both in historic Marietta, Ga.)
• Robert Sherrill-a licensed coordinator at Town Square at Biltmore Park, Asheville, N.C.
• Janet Westbrook-a sales associate at Madison and the Preserve at Fieldstone (both in Cumming, Ga.)

In addition, Coldwell Banker would like to welcome back Amber Cooley. She has re-joined the company reprising her role as a marketing director with the New Homes Division.

Coldwell Banker The Condo Store also welcomes five new resale associates, including:

• Madeleine Aluri
• Hillary Boyett
• David Daum
• Tanika Ford
• Cheryl Roberts

“Our new hires are vital to the continued growth of Coldwell Banker,” said Brad Horner, president of Colwell Banker New Homes Division. “Despite the economic downturn, Coldwell Banker continues to thrive due to our team’s ability to relate to individual homeowners and anticipate their needs, as well as provide the necessary resources to help them navigate the current market.”

Coldwell Banker New Homes Division’s new communities include The Villas at Seven Dwarfs Lane, a townhome community located in the Osceola County area near Orlando, Fla.; Madison Park, a collection of single-family homes located in Gwinnett County in Atlanta, Ga.; and The Overlook, an assortment of city townhomes located in Druid Hills in Atlanta, Ga.

The New Homes Division also recently launched a dedicated Web site – www.CBBankOwned.com – that allows homebuyers to search through the company’s 700-plus new construction, bank-owned townhome, condo and single-family home listings as well as homesites, most of which are priced a fraction of the appraised cost.

“Coldwell Banker New Homes Division’s new Web site that features REO properties helps to streamline the process – making a bank-owned purchase feel more like the traditional homebuying process,” said Bob Romano , executive vice president of Coldwell Banker Builder Developer Services. “Going the bank-owned route may seem like a daunting process to some buyers, but newly constructed bank-owned homes, in particular, are a financially-smart choice for many, as they allow buyers the opportunity to purchase homes that might not otherwise be available to them.”

About Coldwell Banker New Homes Division

Coldwell Banker New Homes Division (www.coldwellbankerbds.com, www.condostore.com), a leading residential real estate brokerage company is a specialty division that serves as a comprehensive, strategic advisor to new home developers. Comprised of two integral departments – Builder Developer Services, which focuses on single-family homes, and The Condo Store, which focuses on multifamily dwellings including condominiums, townhomes, and lofts – the New Homes Division assists with conceptualizing the product, provides input on design, develops the most effective marketing plan and provides expert onsite sales teams and support staff. Based in Atlanta with a regional office in Orlando, Florida, Coldwell Banker New Homes Division has successfully marketed over 750 new construction and conversion developments including luxury highrises, single family developments and garden style homes. Coldwell Banker New Homes Division is a part of Coldwell Banker Residential Brokerage, a company of NRT LLC, the nation’s largest residential real estate brokerage company.

ATLANTA (July 23, 2008) – Villa Sonoma, a resort-style property known for its winning combination of upscale affordability, impeccable amenities and ideal location, has obtained FHA-loan approved status. The community was recently approved for all mortgages obtained with help from the Federal Housing Authority, and since approval has seen 75 percent of units sold financed with a FHA mortgage.

These mortgages offer more flexible qualifying guidelines for borrowers with reasonable debt-to-income ratios. Advantages of a FHA loan include:

• Smaller down payment requirement at the time of purchase (some as small as 3 percent)
• No minimum credit score requirement
• Ability to use financial gifts toward down payment and closing costs
• No income limits (there are limits, however, as to how much one can borrow)
• Competitive interest rates
• No prepayment penalties

“At Villa Sonoma, we know how tough today’s market can be for prospective homebuyers with mortgage insurers requiring higher credit scores and bigger down payments – especially for first time home buyers,” explains Joe Lopez, Villa Sonoma director of sales. “Knowing how attractive FHA mortgages are becoming to buyers in light of the current economic and real estate climate and the flexible qualifying guidelines they offer, we could not be more excited to provide our buyers with this excellent financing option.”

Villa Sonoma is located within Perimeter Summit, an 83-acre upscale, mixed-use development near the intersection of Ashford-Dunwoody Road and I-285. The community is minutes away from some of the region’s best dining, entertainment and shopping (including Perimeter Mall), as well as a number of growing business centers and office parks.

About Villa Sonoma

Villa Sonoma consists of 321 one-, two- and three-bedroom condominium homes that range from 646 to 1,520 square feet. With homes starting in the $130s, Villa Sonoma offers an affordable flavor of living like no other with luxurious interiors, meticulously manicured grounds and a variety of unique amenities designed for comfort and convenience, including:

• Wi-Fi service in common areas
• Clubhouse
• Resort-style pool with tanning deck
• Pet walk area
• Fitness center
• Private Tanning Room
• Landscaped gardens
• Covered parking
• MARTA & Perimeter area shuttle
• Controlled access
• Media room
• Billiards room

To learn more about this one-of-a-kind community, interested homebuyers may call 404-847-1242, visit the website at www.villasonoma.net, or stop by the sales center. The sales center is open Monday – Friday, 10 a.m. – 6 p.m., Saturday, 10 a.m. – 5 p.m. and Sunday, 12 p.m. – 5 p.m.

ATLANTA (July 17, 2008)—The 12th & Midtown development team has signed leases with four new-to-Atlanta restaurants—Ri Ra Irish Pub, RA Sushi, Piola and Noon|Midtown—slated to open at 1010 Midtown, the first phase of 12th & Midtown, in early 2009.

Located along Crescent Avenue, each of the restaurants will have a dynamic street presence that will entice diners to experience Ireland, Japan, Italy and more. Eateries will include:

Ri Ra Irish Pub

Ri Ra (www.rira.com) is constructed from materials salvaged from famous, old pubs. Each pub is unique. Authentic furnishings and appointments are imported directly from Ireland to create a genuine Irish atmosphere where patrons experience the Real Flavour of Ireland. The name Ri Ra is derived from the phrase “Ri Ra agus Ruaile Buaile,” which translates roughly as “celebration and good fun.”

RA Sushi Bar Restaurant

RA Sushi Bar Restaurant (www.RAsushi.com): The stylishly edgy sushi bar and restaurant currently has 20 locations across the country. An unconventional dining concept, RA blends fresh sushi, hip music and contemporary décor all rolled up into one flavorful experience.

Piola

Piola (www.piola.it): This unique pizzeria from Italy with locations in São Paolo, Buenos Aires, New York and Miami’s South Beach features authentic thin crust, wood-fired brick oven pizza and Italian cuisine that is simple and healthy. Whether socializing after a night on the town or lounging with friends on a lazy summer day, Piola diners will experience true European ambiance in a fabulously hip and fun atmosphere.

Noon|Midtown

Noon|Midtown (www.noonmidtown.com) offers sophisticated sandwiches, soups and salads, as well as pastries and breakfast items, with a focus on locally grown produce and sustainably raised meats. Whether rushed for time or looking for a leisurely meal, guests will enjoy exceptional food in a stylish and comfortable setting, making Noon|Midtown the perfect complement to the Midtown lifestyle.

In addition to these exciting new dining options, Bank of America will also anchor the corner of Peachtree and 12th streets with a well-situated Midtown branch, further adding to the convenient lifestyle at 12th & Midtown.

With the Crescent Avenue frontage of 1010 Midtown now fully leased, the development team is finalizing negotiations on the flagship Peachtree Street tenant spaces. These dramatic two-story spaces are designed to be the cornerstone of Atlanta’s Midtown Mile—the 14-block Peachtree Street corridor between North Avenue and 14th Street with more than 1-million square feet of retail.

“We are working hard to deliver a fresh mix of tenants that are unique to Atlanta,” said Shirley Gouffon, senior vice president for Selig Enterprises. “I’m pleased with the strong interest 12th & Midtown has received from international retailers, and we look forward to announcing additional tenants in the near future.”

Construction proceeds on schedule with the initial two phases of 12th & Midtown, and homeowners will begin moving into the 1010 Midtown signature tower this fall.

For more information, contact:

1010 Midtown Sales

www.12thandmidtown.com or call 404-815-4622

1010 Midtown Retail Leasing

www.12thandmidtown.com or call Shirley Gouffon at 404-898-9012

1010 Midtown Office Leasing

www.12thandmidtown.com or call Doug Guedry at 404-978-0800

ABOUT 1010 MIDTOWN

1010 Midtown is the first phase of 12th & Midtown, a massive four-block master-planned development located in the heart of Midtown Atlanta. The signature residences at 1010 Midtown will tower 35 floors above a dynamic mix of flagship retail, restaurants and entertainment. Spacious floorplans are designed with expansive window walls that maximize dramatic panoramas of Downtown, Midtown, Piedmont Park and more. The property will also feature a lush “Park in the Sky” with swimming pool, cabanas and manicured gardens. Luxury one-, two- and three-bedroom residences will range from $220,000 to over $1.5 million with move-in fall 2008. More information is available at www.1010midtown.com.

ABOUT 12th & MIDTOWN

Spanning approximately four city blocks, 12th & Midtown will be a more than 3-million-square-foot mixed-use development featuring Class A office towers, luxury hotels, premium residences and flagship retail. With this development, the team (Daniel Corp., Selig Enterprises, MetLife and Canyon-Johnson Urban Funds) becomes the largest single contributor to Atlanta’s Midtown Mile. 12th & Midtown, located at the intersection of Peachtree and 12th streets, will deliver a robust masterplan in the heart of Midtown, featuring more than 1.2 million square feet of Class A office space, more than 600 hotel rooms, more than 1,000 residences and over 200,000 square feet of flagship retail space akin to the much heralded Magnificent Mile in Chicago. More information is available at www.12thandmidtown.com.

ABOUT THE 12th & MIDTOWN DEVELOPMENT TEAM

Daniel Corporation

Founded in 1964, Daniel Corporation (www.danielcorp.com) is an innovative, full-service real estate organization engaged in the development, acquisition, and management of commercial office, multi-family, residential, urban mixed-use and senior living properties. These activities have resulted in a substantial and diverse portfolio. Headquartered in Birmingham, Ala., with regional offices in Atlanta, Ga. and Jacksonville, Fla., Daniel Corp. currently focuses on markets in the Southeast and Mid-Atlantic states. Daniel Corp.’s broad range of real estate expertise and fiduciary tradition enables the company to respond with the flexibility and timeliness demanded by the real estate industry.

Selig Enterprises, Inc.

For nearly a century, Selig Enterprises (www.seligenterprises.com) has maintained a commitment to excellence, dedicated to meeting the needs of its tenants as well as the community. Founded in 1918 by Ben J. Massell, Selig Enterprises’ portfolio includes shopping centers, industrial complexes and office developments throughout the Southeast. The company provides leasing, development, acquisition, space design, construction, legal, property management, parking operation (owns AAA Parking), brokerage and accounting services for more than 250 properties in 37 cities across 5 states. Under the direction of Stephen Selig III, Selig Enterprises is one of the largest privately held real estate companies in the Southeast.

The Canyon-Johnson Urban Funds

The Canyon-Johnson Urban Funds (www.cjuf.com) is a joint venture between Canyon Capital Realty Advisors and Earvin “Magic” Johnson, formed to identify, enhance and capture value through the development and redevelopment of real estate in densely populated, ethnically diverse urban communities. The Funds’ objectives are to seek current income and capital appreciation and, in addition to meeting investment goals, the fund is committed to providing for and fostering economic opportunities for the residents of the urban neighborhoods in which CJUF invests. With nearly $2 billion in committed equity capital, the joint venture is positioned to facilitate more than $8 billion in development and revitalization in major U.S. metropolitan areas.

MetLife

MetLife is a subsidiary of MetLife, Inc. (NYSE: MET), a leading provider of insurance and financial services with operations throughout the United States and the Latin America, Europe and Asia Pacific regions. MetLife, through its Real Estate Investments department, oversees one of the largest real estate investment portfolios in the nation. MetLife has an approximately $45 billion real estate investment portfolio, which is well-diversified and consists primarily of real estate equities, commercial mortgages and agricultural mortgages. MetLife is a global leader in real estate investment and real estate asset management services, with a vast network of regional offices that keep in close contact with the major real estate markets. MetLife’s real estate investment focus includes office, multi-family, industrial and retail properties.