Lake Forest, Illinois (October 2, 2007) — Green Courte Partners, LLC, a private real estate investment firm targeting niche real estate sectors, announced today the closing of its second investment fund, Green Courte Real Estate Partners II, LLC (“GCREP II”). This $262.5 million fund will employ institutional levels of leverage to invest in approximately $800 million of niche real estate, including manufactured housing communities, “Main Street” retail/mixed-use properties and parking assets. GCREP II will continue the strategies of the firm’s initial fund, Green Courte Real Estate Partners, LLC (“GCREP I”), which to date has committed to over $500 million of niche real estate investments.

Green Courte Partners, LLC was founded in 2002 by its Chairman, Randall K. Rowe, who previously had senior roles at several successful real estate investment and operating companies, including: Chairman, Transwestern Investment Company; Chairman, Transwestern Commercial Services; and Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Hometown America. Green Courte’s senior partner team includes: James R. Goldman, Managing Director, Chief Investment Officer; Robert S. Duncan, Managing Director, Retail Investments; Kelly L. Stonebraker, Managing Director, General Counsel; Stephen A. Wheeler, Managing Director, Asset Management; Stephen F. Douglass, Managing Director, Asset Management; Michael A. Tarkington, Managing Director, Chief Financial Officer; and Arthur A. Greenberg, Managing Director, Senior Tax Advisor. Regarding the new fund, Mr. Rowe commented, “We are delighted to have completed the fundraising for GCREP II and are honored that most of the investors in GCREP I have maintained or increased their commitment levels for GCREP II. We look forward to investing the capital consistent with our niche real estate strategies and will work diligently to generate attractive, risk-adjusted returns for our investors.”

About Green Courte Partners, LLC

Green Courte Partners, LLC is a Chicago-based private equity real estate investment firm targeting niche real estate sectors, including manufactured housing communities, “Main Street” retail/mixed-use properties and parking assets in high barrier locations, through transaction structures customized to achieve seller and developer objectives. The firm combines focused investment strategies with a disciplined approach to transaction execution and asset management. Green Courte’s goal is to invest in high quality assets that will generate attractive risk-adjusted returns over a long-term holding period.