EXHIBIT 99

                                 PRESS RELEASE


Stratford  American  Corporation  (OTC Bulletin Board:  STFA.OB) today announced
that  Scottsdale  Thompson  Peak,  LLC, a  subsidiary  that  Stratford  American
Corporation  owns 80% of the membership  interests in, sold the property located
at 20225 North Scottsdale Road,  Scottsdale,  Arizona. The total sales price for
the property was  $31,400,000.  Following  the payment of the expenses and other
costs associated with the transaction, Stratford American expects to receive net
proceeds of approximately $5,970,000 in cash from the sale.

This press release  contains  forward-looking  statements that involve known and
unknown risks and  uncertainties.  Forward-looking  statements are identified by
words or phrases such as "expects"  and other similar  expressions.  Although we
believe the assumptions  upon which these  forward-looking  statements are based
are reasonable,  any of these assumptions could prove to be inaccurate,  and the
forward-looking statements based on these assumptions could be incorrect.