WASHINGTON HOMES INC
ARS, 1997-10-29
OPERATIVE BUILDERS
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                         W A S H I N G T O N   H O M E S

                       -----------------------------------

                       1 9 9 7   A N N U A L   R E P O R T


                                [PHOTO OMITTED]



<PAGE>

Washington Homes designs, builds, and markets

single-family detached homes and townhomes.

It is a leading provider of moderately-priced,

quality homes with 62 communities in five states.

Washington Homes is comprised of eight home-

building divisions: four in Maryland, Virginia, and

Pennsylvania, and four under the Westminster

Homes name in North Carolina and Tennessee.



The Company reached two significant bench-

marks in fiscal 1997--Westminster Homes cele-

brated its 30th anniversary and in June of 1997

Washington Homes delivered its 20,000th home.


[MAP OMITTED WITH STATES LISTED BELOW]

MARYLAND

PENNSYLVANIA

VIRGINIA

NORTH CAROLINA

TENNESSEE

<PAGE>

Washington Homes, Inc. Selected Financial Data
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Years Ended July 31, In Thousands, Except Per Share Amounts and Number of Homes

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Statement of Operations                          1997        1996        1995        1994        1993  
- -----------------------                        --------------------------------------------------------
<S>                                            <C>         <C>         <C>         <C>         <C>     
Total revenues                                 $217,459    $175,025    $183,485    $143,240    $134,125
Gross profit                                     37,551      33,829      36,428      29,761      29,626
Earnings before interest and taxes*              10,782      11,240      13,520      10,006      14,722
Total interest and finance expense                5,836       4,771       4,921       2,874       3,219
Net earnings from operations*                     2,878       3,747       5,045       4,426       7,006
Earnings per common share*                         0.36        0.47        0.64        0.56        1.23
Dividends per common share                           --          --        0.05        0.20        0.05
                                               
Selected Operating Data
- -----------------------
Number of homes delivered                         1,315       1,087       1,167         991         960
Number of net new orders                          1,305       1,127       1,124       1,024       1,009
Number of homes in backlog at end of period         591         601         561         604         571

Balance Sheet Data
- ------------------
Cash                                           $ 10,313    $ 15,384    $ 15,111    $ 20,076    $ 22,882
Residential inventories                         111,520     125,033     119,652     118,379      69,162
Total assets                                    142,842     170,227     164,063     166,025     116,226
Notes and loans payable                          65,569      74,282      72,608      76,832      29,280
Shareholders' equity                           $ 54,480    $ 67,769    $ 64,022    $ 59,374    $ 56,536
</TABLE>                                       


                            Earnings Before
Total Revenues              Interest and Taxes*           Shareholders' Equity
- ----------------------      ------------------------      ----------------------
In Millions of Dollars      In Millions at Dollars        In Millions of Dollars


                             [THREE GRAPHS OMITTED]


*    Presented  on a  pro-forma  basis to  exclude  the $19.1  million  pre-tax,
     non-cash  charge for impairment of long-lived  assets recorded in the third
     quarter of fiscal 1997. For further  discussion of the non-cash charge, see
     "Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of
     Operations" and  the  accompanying  consolidated  financial  statements and
     notes thereto.

                                                                               1

<PAGE>

L E T T E R   T O   S H A R E H O L D E R S
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Dear Fellow Shareholders:

Fiscal 1997 was a year in which Washington  Homes positioned  itself to maximize
its long-term  potential.  I am pleased to report,  the Company  achieved record
levels of revenues, deliveries, and net new orders. Total revenues increased 24%
to $217.5 million,  deliveries  increased 21% to 1,315 homes, and net new orders
increased 16% to 1,305 orders in the year. The gross margin, however,  decreased
from  20.0%  to  17.9%  due to our  previously  announced  Washington  inventory
turnover strategy, initial closings in the expansion cities, and reduced margins
in our existing  North  Carolina  markets.  Gross margins in the fourth  quarter
increased  to 18.1%  compared  with  17.9%  and  16.8% in the  second  and third
quarters, which would indicate that margins are stabilizing going forward.

Results by Market
- -----------------
Deliveries in the Washington  market  increased 14% while net new orders were up
10%  over  fiscal  1996.  With more  than  25,000  new home  starts  last  year,
Washington  remains the fourth largest  market in the United States.  We look to
take  advantage of more than 50,000 new jobs created in the past twelve  months,
primarily  in the  technology  sector of northern  Virginia,  by  expanding  our
presence in the northern Virginia market.

Deliveries and net new orders in our existing North Carolina  markets of Raleigh
and  Greensboro  decreased  7%,  year-over-year.  The declines  were a result of
delays in development, which strained an already tight labor market. In the past
several months, we have reallocated management resources from other areas of the
Company to expand our subcontractor  base, as well as introduce new suppliers to
the market.

Expansion Markets
- -----------------
Despite  achieving  our  anticipated  delivery  volume  in  our three  expansion
markets,  we sustained an operating loss due to costs associated with opening an
additional  six  communities  and  introductory   pricing   needed  to  generate
momentum.  Going forward,  we expect that increased volume and better margins in
these cities will positively affect our 1998 results.

Significant Events
- ------------------
As previously reported,  our successful inventory turnover strategy,  adopted in
the summer of 1996,  resulted in lower gross margin levels. The adoption of FASB
121, coupled with lower margins,  forced the Company to re-evaluate the carrying
value  of its land  inventory.  As a  result,  we took a $9  million  after-tax,
non-cash  charge to  inventory.  The  Company  also  re-evaluated  the  goodwill
established  with the 1988  acquisition of Washington  Homes,  and  consequently
reduced the goodwill from $16 million to $6 million.

In the third quarter, the Company reached an agreement with the Internal Revenue
Service on all previously announced, outstanding tax issues. As as result of the
settlement,  the Company recorded an extraordinary loss of $390,000 or $0.05 per
share.

Inventory Turnover
- ------------------
We were  successful  in reducing our overall  inventory  levels during the year,
albeit at

2

<PAGE>

lower margins. Our inventory of land, both finished and unfinished,  was reduced
by $19 million  during  fiscal 1997.  The  reduction  consisted,  in part, of $7
million from land sales and $9 million in inventory adjustments.  The benefit of
reduced land inventory allowed the Company to reduce its debt by $9 million.  In
the  future,  we  look  to  allocate  capital  for  inventory  among  our  eight
homebuilding operations based on the highest level of returns.

Capital Availability
- --------------------
At year-end,  the Company signed a new $70 million  credit  agreement with First
Union National Bank replacing $49 million of credit lines with several  lenders.
This new  facility  lowered our cost of funds and  reduced the costs  associated
with  administering  the  facility.  It  provides a  significant  portion of the
financial  capacity needed to meet our strategic growth objectives over the next
few years.  This  facility is in addition to the  Company's  $43 million  Senior
Notes, which were issued in April 1994 with principal  curtailments beginning in
October 1998.

Strategic Alliances
- -------------------
We have entered into  strategic  alliances  with many of our vendors,  including
General Electric,  Progress Lighting,  Timberlake Cabinets, and Jacuzzi. Most of
these alliances  involve  comprehensive  agreements  under which the vendors not
only supply and deliver their products, but also install them in each house. Our
agreements provide for quality assurance,  on-time delivery, ease in scheduling,
solid warranties, rebates, and reductions in cost for Washington Homes. Our size
gives us national  purchasing power with the benefit of


                                [PHOTO OMITTED]

                            Geaton A. DeCesaris, Sr.
                             Chairman of the Board


                                [PHOTO OMITTED]

                            Geaton A. DeCesaris, Jr.
                                 President and
                            Chief Executive Officer

                                                                               3

<PAGE>

R E L A T I O N S H I P S
- ---------------------------------------------
Our agreements provide for quality assurance,
on-time delivery, ease in scheduling, solid
warranties, rebates, and reductions in cost.
- ---------------------------------------------


volume  discounts and local  distribution.  This program is well underway in our
Washington market and in process in North Carolina and our expansion cities.

This fall, we are designing a new,  value-engineered product line that will help
reduce  construction  costs  and  increase  margins,  allowing  us  to  be  more
competitive,  while passing  savings on to our  customers.  We are including our
major  suppliers in the process in order to benefit from their product  specific
expertise.

Ancillary Businesses
- --------------------
As  expected,  all of  our  ancillary  businesses  contributed  to  our  overall
profitability in fiscal 1997. Our  mortgage  subsidiary,  Homebuyer's  Mortgage,
closed  45% of our  loans in  Washington  and 35% in North  Carolina.  Our title
company,  New  Homebuyer's  Title,  closed  98% of our  homes  in  Maryland  and
Virginia, an increase of 150 closings over the prior year period. Although not a
separate profit center,  the Design  Showcase  continued to provide our Maryland
customers with a comfortable, warm environment to select their options away from
the buzz of activity in our sales   centers.  This  high-traffic  retail  center
provides greater  visibility and attracts a wider audience,  outside the typical
real  estate  environment.  All these  services  provide a  "one-stop  shopping"
experience for our customers, further

                                 [PHOTO OMITTED]

4

<PAGE>

[PHOTO OMITTED]

                    Strengthening  strategic alliances has been a major focus of
                    fiscal  year  1997.  Our size gives us  national  purchasing
                    power.  Expanding  the use of  panelization  throughout  the
                    Company is an example of how  Washington  Homes is  reducing
                    the  building-cycle  time and  incorporating its cost saving
                    technology Company-wide.


                                                                               5

<PAGE>

M A N A G E M E N T
- --------------------------------------------
Our corporate and divisional management team
members average more than fifteen years
of industry experience, including ten years
with Washington Homes.
- --------------------------------------------


                                 [PHOTO OMITTED]


distinguishing Washington Homes from other homebuilders.

Experienced Management
- ----------------------
As the Company  continued  to expand  outside  our core  Washington  market,  we
recognized the need to further  strengthen our management team. In July,  Thomas
J. Pellerito joined us in the newly created  position of President--Homebuilding
Operations  and as  Chief  Operating  Officer.  Tom  came to us with  more  than
eighteen  years'  experience  in  the  homebuilding   industry  and  has  headed
homebuilding  operations that have delivered over 12,000 new homes, primarily in
the  Washington,  D.C.  market.  In August,  we hired Robert  Hutson to head our
Raleigh division and to eventually oversee all of our homebuilding operations at
Westminster  Homes.  Robert came to us after  heading a  Florida  division  that
delivered over 800 homes annually for a national builder.  Tom and Robert joined
our corporate and  divisional  management  team whose members  average more than
fifteen years of industry experience, including ten years with Washington Homes.
In  addition  to  working  with Tom,  I expect  to spend  more time in our North
Carolina operations and will be concentrating on increasing the profitability of
our ancillary  businesses and other  activities  that will maximize  shareholder
value.

6

<PAGE>

                    In  conjunction  with its  expansion  into new markets,  the
                    Company has added management  talent,  which  strengthens an
                    already experienced team.  Executive  management is involved
                    in key  divisional  strategic  decisions,  such  as  capital
                    allocation and land acquisition.


                                [PHOTO OMITTED]

                                                                               7

<PAGE>

G R O W T H
- ---------------------------------------------
Our goal is to become one of the nation's top
twenty-five homebuilders.
- ---------------------------------------------

                                          [PHOTO OMITTED]

                    Washington Homes' Mission Statement:  "We are people working
                    as a team proudly committed to building  affordable homes of
                    quality and value, while serving our community and achieving
                    a superior performance for our investors."

Looking Ahead
- -------------
With our 1996  expansion  markets  now fully  operational,  we believe we are on
track to meet our  objective  to  become  one of the  nation's  top  twenty-five
homebuilders.  Our gross margins  stabilized in the fourth quarter and we expect
gross margins to remain relatively stable throughout the year. We are focused on
increasing efficiencies and growing our existing markets.  Additionally,  we are
reviewing opportunities in several markets that fit into our long-term plan, and
if the right situation presents itself, we would consider a new market entry.

In  summation,  our  short-  and  mid-term  objectives  are  to  centralize  the
purchasing   process,  increase  the  profitability  of  the  expansion  cities,
value-engineer  our  product  line,   increase   absorptions,   and  reduce  the
building-cycle  time.  We  hope to look  back  on  1997  as a year in  which  we
strengthened our core to achieve these objectives.

In  closing,  I  would  like  to  thank  all  of  our  employees,  shareholders,
suppliers,  and vendors for their  unwavering  support and belief in  Washington
Homes.  We look  forward  to all of you being a part of our  success in 1998 and
beyond.





/s/ Geaton A. DeCesaris, Jr.

Geaton A. DeCesaris, Jr.
President and Chief Executive Officer

8

<PAGE>

                                         MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF
                                   FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
                                   ---------------------------------------------

Results of Operations
- ---------------------
The  following  tables  present  certain  information  regarding  the  Company's
operations for the last three fiscal years (dollars in thousands):

                                  1997                1996                1995
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Revenues:
  Homebuilding                  $206,576            $167,821            $176,609
  Land                             7,958               5,145               5,398
  Other                            2,925               2,059               1,478
                                ------------------------------------------------
    Total                       $217,459            $175,025            $183,485
                                ------------------------------------------------
Homes delivered                    1,315               1,087               1,167
Net new orders                     1,305               1,127               1,124
Homes in backlog at end                                          
  of period                          591                 601                 561
Sales value of backlog          $ 96,343            $ 97,625            $ 91,062
                                ------------------------------------------------

Annual Operating Cycle
- ----------------------
The  homebuilding  industry in general,  and the operations of the Company,  are
seasonal in nature.  The number of new sales  contracts  signed  escalates  from
January through April,  compared to the balance of the year.  Deliveries peak in
the fiscal quarter ended July 31, as a substantial  portion of homes  contracted
during the fiscal  quarter  ended  April 30 are  delivered.  Delivery  volume is
relatively  constant  during the remainder of the year. As a result of increased
deliveries and reduced selling, general and administrative costs as a percent of
revenues, net earnings are substantially greater in the fourth quarter, compared
to the prior three quarters.

The following table contains quarterly  operating  information for the Company's
last two fiscal years and illustrates  the annual  operating cycle (in thousands
except per share amounts and number of homes):

                                           Three Months Ended
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                         October 31,    January 31,      April 30,      July 31,
                             1996           1997            1997          1997
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Number of homes
  delivered                    281            298             258            478
Net new orders                 327            312             438            228
Total revenues             $46,662        $48,681        $ 42,801        $79,316
Gross profit from
  homebuilding             $ 8,067        $ 8,308        $  6,966        $13,536
Net earnings (loss)*       $   931        $   655        $(16,834)       $ 1,960
Net earnings (loss)
  per share, based
  on 7,942,763
  shares*                  $  0.12        $  0.08        $  (2.12)       $  0.25
                           -----------------------------------------------------

*    The quarter ended April 30, 1997 includes an after-tax,  non-cash charge of
     $15.8 million for the write-down of goodwill and certain land inventory and
     an extraordinary loss of $390,000 from an IRS settlement.

- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                         October 31,    January 31,      April 30,      July 31,
                             1995           1996            1996          1996
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Number of homes
  delivered                    246            219            245             377
Net new orders                 251            218            410             248
Total revenues             $37,827        $34,882        $39,404         $62,911
Gross profit from
  homebuilding             $ 7,550        $ 6,981        $ 7,278         $11,737
Net earnings               $   710        $   385        $   614         $ 2,037
Net earnings per
  share, based on
  7,942,763 shares         $   .09        $   .05        $   .08         $   .26
                           -----------------------------------------------------

<PAGE>

Product Mix
- -----------
Since the  spring of 1994,  the  Company  has  expanded  into  markets  in North
Carolina and Tennessee. This expansion is in part responsible for a shift in the
Company's  product mix to more detached homes.  The following table sets forth a
breakdown of the Company's  deliveries by housing type in each of the last three
fiscal years:

                           1997             1996             1995
- -----------------------------------------------------------------
Detached                    890              668              602
Attached                    425              419              565
                          ---------------------------------------
  Total                   1,315            1,087            1,167
                          ---------------------------------------

Geographic Concentration
- ------------------------
During the last three  fiscal  years the  Company has built  moderately  priced,
quality homes in the metropolitan areas of Washington,  DC-Baltimore,  Maryland,
Raleigh and Greensboro, North Carolina and Pittsburgh,  Pennsylvania.  In fiscal
1996,  the Company  commenced  operations in the  Charlotte,  North Carolina and
Nashville,  Tennessee  markets.  The  following  tables  describe the  Company's
operations in each of its markets during the last three fiscal years:

                              1997             1996             1995
- --------------------------------------------------------------------
Net New Orders
Washington-Baltimore           730              664              750
North Carolina                 454              409              354
Pittsburgh                      55               33               20
Nashville                       66               21               --
                             ---------------------------------------
  Total Net New Orders       1,305            1,127            1,124
                             ---------------------------------------

                              1997             1996             1995
- --------------------------------------------------------------------
Homes Delivered
Washington-Baltimore           775              677              857
North Carolina                 420              382              287
Pittsburgh                      53               24               23
Nashville                       67                4               --
                             ---------------------------------------
  Total Deliveries           1,315            1,087            1,167
                             ---------------------------------------

                                                                               9

<PAGE>

MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF
FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
- ---------------------------------------------

                              1997             1996             1995
- --------------------------------------------------------------------
Backlog of Sold Homes
Washington-Baltimore           366              411              424
North Carolina                 185              151              124
Pittsburgh                      24               22               13
Nashville                       16               17               --
                             ---------------------------------------
  Total Backlog                591              601              561
                             ---------------------------------------

                              1997             1996             1995
- --------------------------------------------------------------------
Active Communities
Washington-Baltimore            30               33               44
North Carolina                  23               18               13
Pittsburgh                       5                3                1
Nashville                        4                5               --
                             ---------------------------------------
  Total Active Communities      62               59               58
                             ---------------------------------------

Year Ended July 31, 1997 Compared to Year Ended July 31, 1996
- -------------------------------------------------------------
Total  revenues  increased by 24.3% to $217.5 million in Fiscal 1997 from $175.0
million in Fiscal 1996, as the number of homes  delivered  increased by 21.0% to
1,315 units from 1,087  units.  The average  sales price of homes  delivered  in
Fiscal 1997  increased to $157,100  from  $154,400.  Deliveries  in the existing
North  Carolina  markets  declined by 5.3%, but were offset by growth in the new
markets  (Charlotte,   Nashville,  Pittsburgh)  and  a  14.5%  increase  in  the
Washington market.

The gross profit margin as a percentage of  homebuilding  revenues  decreased to
17.9% in fiscal  1997  from  20.0%  largely  due to the  competitive  Washington
market, the Company's strategy to increase inventory turnover,  lower margins on
initial  closings in our expansion  cities,  and reduced margins in our existing
North Carolina markets.

Total selling,  general, and administrative  expenses increased to $29.1 million
in fiscal  1997 from $23.9  million in the prior year due to  increased  volume,
expanded number of division operations, and the growth of the Company's mortgage
subsidiary.   However,  selling,  general,  and  administrative  expenses  as  a
percentage of homebuilding revenues decreased to 14.1% in fiscal 1997 from 14.2%
in fiscal 1996.

Interest and  financing  expenses  increased to $5.8 million in fiscal 1997 from
$4.8  million but  remained  constant at 2.8% as a  percentage  of  homebuilding
revenues.

Gross  profit from land sales  increased  in 1997 to $673,000  from  $282,000 in
fiscal 1996.

In fiscal 1997, the Company  reported  earnings from operations  before non-cash
charges and extraordinary items of $2.9 million, or $0.36 per share, as compared
to $3.7 million,  or $0.47 per share,  in fiscal 1996.  During fiscal 1997,  the
Company  recorded  an  after-tax,  non-cash  charge  of  $15.8  million  for the
write-down of goodwill and certain land inventory in suburban  Maryland,  and an
extraordinary loss of $390,000 from an IRS settlement.  As a result, the Company
reported a net loss of $13.3 million or $1.67 per share for the year.

Year Ended July 31, 1996 Compared to Year Ended July 31, 1995
- -------------------------------------------------------------
Total  revenues  decreased by 4.6% to $175.0  million in fiscal 1996 from $183.5
million in fiscal  1995 as the number of homes  delivered  decreased  by 6.9% to
1,087 units from 1,167.  The fiscal 1996  decrease  was  partially  offset by an
increase  in the  average  sales  price  of homes  delivered  to  $154,400  from
$151,300.  Deliveries in the Washington  market  declined by 21.0%,  offset by a
33.1% increase in North Carolina.

The gross profit margin as a percentage of  homebuilding  revenues  increased to
20.0% in fiscal 1996 from 19.8%  largely due to higher  deliveries  in the North
Carolina markets where higher margins were achieved.

Total selling,  general and administrative  expenses were relatively constant at
$23.9  million in fiscal 1996 as  compared  to $23.5  million in the prior year.
Selling,  general and  administrative  expenses as a percentage of  homebuilding
revenues increased to 14.2% in fiscal 1996 from 13.3% in fiscal 1995 as a result
of lower delivery volume.

10

<PAGE>

Interest and  financing  expenses  were  relatively  constant at $4.8 million in
fiscal 1996 compared to $4.9 million in the prior year.

Gross profit from land sales were lower in 1996 at $282,000 from $1.5 million in
fiscal 1995.

Net  earnings  decreased by 26% to $3.7 million in fiscal 1996 from $5.0 million
in fiscal 1995 due to the decreased  number of home deliveries and lower profits
from land sales.

Capital Resources and Liquidity
- -------------------------------
Funding for the Company's  residential building and land development  activities
is provided principally by cash flows from homebuilding operations and borrowing
from banks and other financial institutions.  The Company's capital needs depend
upon its sales volume, asset turnover, land purchases and inventory levels.

At July 31, 1997, the Company had cash and cash equivalents of $10.3 million, of
which  $118,000 was  restricted  to  collateralize  deposits  and  escrows.  The
remaining $10.2 million was available to the Company.

In April 1994, the Company issued  $43,000,000  principal amount of Senior Notes
due October 2000.  Two series of Senior Notes were issued:  $30.0 million with a
fixed rate of 8.61% per annum and $13.0  million  with a floating  rate of LIBOR
plus  2.4%.  The  notes  are  to be  repaid  in  three  equal  annual  principal
installments commencing in October 1998.

In July 1997, the Company  obtained a new $70 million  revolving credit facility
replacing two credit facilities totaling $49 million.  The new facility provides
funding for land acquisition and home  construction,  letters of credit, and the
initial  principal  payment on the Senior Notes. At July 31, 1997, $19.5 million
was outstanding. Borrowings under the facility bear interest at LIBOR plus 1.55%
or 1.75%,  depending  on the type of  collateral  and are secured by the related
inventory.

In addition to the Senior Notes and revolving credit  facility,  the Company has
loans  with  various  lenders  providing  $5.2  million  for  land  acquisition,
development  and home  construction.  These  loans bear  interest at fixed rates
ranging  from 8% to 10% or variable  rates  ranging  from prime to prime plus 1%
with maturities ranging from the date of lot recordation through December 1999.

At July 31, 1997, in the aggregate,  the Company had $103.2 million in borrowing
availability  of which $34.4  million was  available.  During  fiscal 1997,  the
Company's average interest rate was 8.2%.

The Company  participates  in two joint ventures  formed to develop  residential
land into finished building lots for sale to the Company and other  homebuilders
utilizing  non-recourse  acquisition and development  loans. In one of the joint
ventures,  in April 1995, the Company contributed land with a book value of $9.6
million and the Company has received cash proceeds to date of $7.4 million which
was used to reduce outstanding amounts under revolving credit facilities.

The  Company  believes  that it will be  able  to fund  its  activities  for the
foreseeable  future through a combination of operating cash flow,  existing cash
balances  and existing  facilities.  Except for  ordinary  expenditures  for the
construction  of homes and acquisition and development of land, the Company does
not have any material commitments for capital expenditures at the present time.

Safe Harbor Statement
- ---------------------
Certain   statements  in  the  Company's  Form  10-K,   this  Annual  Report  to
Shareholders,  as well as  statements  made by the  Company  in  periodic  press
releases,  oral  statements  made by the  Company's  officials  to analysts  and
shareholders  in the course of  presentations  about the Company and  conference
calls  following  the  quarterly   earnings   releases,   may  be  construed  as
"Forward-Looking  Statements"  as defined in the Private  Securities  Litigation
Reform Act of 1995 (the "Reform  Act").  Such  statements  may involve  unstated
risks,  uncertainties  and other factors that may cause actual results to differ
materially.  Such risks,  uncertainties  and other factors include,  but are not
limited to,  changes in general  economic  condition;  fluctuations  in interest
rates;  increases  in  costs of  materials,  supplies  and  labor;  and  general
competitive conditions.

                                                                              11

<PAGE>

C O N S O L I D A T E D   B A L A N C E   S H E E T S
- -----------------------------------------------------

                                                                   July 31,
                                                             -------------------
(Dollars in thousands)                                         1997       1996
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Assets
  Cash and cash equivalents                                  $ 10,313   $ 15,384
  Residential inventories                                     111,520    125,033
  Excess of cost over net assets acquired, net                  6,216     16,553
  Investment in joint ventures                                  3,058      2,751
  Other                                                        11,735     10,506
                                                             -------------------
Total Assets                                                 $142,842   $170,227
                                                             -------------------

Liabilities and Shareholders' Equity
Liabilities
  Notes and loans payable                                    $ 65,569   $ 74,282
  Trade accounts payable                                       16,231     17,572
  Income taxes payable                                            137        408
  Deferred income taxes                                         1,919      5,233
  Other                                                         4,506      4,963
                                                             -------------------
    Total liabilities                                          88,362    102,458
                                                             -------------------
Commitments and contingent liabilities
Shareholders' equity:
  Common stock $.01 par value; 15,000,000 shares authorized;
    7,015,025 and 7,000,000 shares issued and outstanding          70         70
  Non-voting common stock, 1,100,000 shares authorized;
    927,738 and 942,763 shares issued and outstanding               9          9
  Additional paid-in capital                                   35,147     35,147
  Retained earnings                                            19,254     32,543
                                                             -------------------
    Total shareholders' equity                                 54,480     67,769
                                                             -------------------
Total Liabilities and Shareholders' Equity                   $142,842   $170,227
                                                             -------------------

See Accompanying Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.

12

<PAGE>

       C O N S O L I D A T E D   S T A T E M E N T S   O F   O P E R A T I O N S
       -------------------------------------------------------------------------

                                                      Year Ended July 31,
                                              ----------------------------------
(In thousands except per share amounts)         1997         1996         1995
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Revenues:
  Homebuilding                                $206,576     $167,821     $176,609
  Land sales                                     7,958        5,145        5,398
  Other income                                   2,925        2,059        1,478
                                              ----------------------------------
    Total revenues                             217,459      175,025      183,485
                                              ----------------------------------
Expenses:
  Cost of sales--homebuilding                  169,698      134,274      141,656
  Cost of sales--land sales                      7,285        4,863        3,923
  Cost of sales--impairment loss                 9,200           --           --
  Selling, general, and administrative          29,078       23,885       23,475
  Interest expense                               5,059        3,975        4,185
  Financing fees                                   777          796          736
  Write-down in carrying value of goodwill       9,981           --           --
  Amortization and depreciation                    616          763          912
                                              ----------------------------------
    Total expenses                             231,694      168,556      174,887
                                              ----------------------------------
Earnings (Loss) Before Income Taxes            (14,235)       6,469        8,598
  Income tax expense (benefit)                  (1,336)       2,722        3,553
                                              ----------------------------------
Earnings (Loss) Before Extraordinary Item      (12,899)       3,747        5,045
  Extraordinary loss--IRS settlement              (390)          --           --
                                              ----------------------------------
Net Earnings (Loss)                           $(13,289)    $  3,747     $  5,045
                                              ----------------------------------
Earnings (Loss) Per Common Share Before
  Extraordinary Item                          $  (1.62)    $   0.47     $   0.64
                                              ----------------------------------
Earnings (Loss) Per Common Share              $  (1.67)    $   0.47     $   0.64
                                              ----------------------------------

                                   C O N S O L I D A T E D   S T A T E M E N T S
                                   O F   S H A R E H O L D E R S '   E Q U I T Y
                                   ---------------------------------------------

Years Ended July 31, 1997, 1996 and 1995 (in thousands)
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                             Common Stock      Additional   Total      Total
                       ------------------------  Paid-in  Retained Shareholders'
                       Shares Voting Non-voting  Capital  Earnings    Equity
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Balance, August 1, 1994 7,943   $70      $9      $35,147  $ 24,148   $ 59,374
  Dividends                --    --      --           --      (397)      (397)
  Net earnings             --    --      --           --     5,045      5,045
                       ---------------------------------------------------------
Balance, July 31, 1995  7,943    70       9       35,147    28,796     64,022
  Net earnings             --    --      --           --     3,747      3,747
                       ---------------------------------------------------------
Balance, July 31, 1996  7,943    70       9       35,147    32,543     67,769
  Net earnings (loss)      --    --      --           --   (13,289)   (13,289)
                       ---------------------------------------------------------
Balance, July 31, 1997  7,943   $70      $9      $35,147  $ 19,254   $ 54,480
                       ---------------------------------------------------------

See Accompanying Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.

                                                                              13

<PAGE>

C O N S O L I D A T E D   S T A T E M E N T S   O F   C A S H   F L O W S
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------

                                                       Year Ended July 31,
                                                 ------------------------------
(In thousands)                                      1997       1996      1995
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Cash Flows From Operating Activities:
  Net earnings (loss)                            $(13,289)  $   3,747  $  5,045
  Adjustments to reconcile net earnings (loss)
    to net cash provided by (used in) operating
    activities:
    Amortization and depreciation                     616         763       912
    Deferred income taxes                          (3,314)         22    (1,374)
    Write-down of goodwill                          9,981          --        --
    Impairment loss                                 9,200          --        --
  Changes in assets and liabilities:
    Residential inventories                         4,313      (5,382)  (10,838)
    Other assets                                   (1,421)       (535)     (447)
    Trade accounts payable                         (1,341)        638       301
    Income taxes payable                             (271)       (298)     (639)
    Other liabilities                                (457)        381      (674)
                                                 ------------------------------
      Net cash provided by (used in) operating
        activities                                  4,017        (664)   (7,714)
Cash Flows From Investing Activities:
  Purchases of property and equipment, net
    of disposals                                      (68)       (262)      (40)
  Proceeds from (investment in) joint venture        (307)       (475)    7,410
                                                 ------------------------------
      Net cash provided by (used in) investing
        activities                                   (375)       (737)    7,370
Cash Flows From Financing Activities:
  Proceeds from notes and loans payable           120,442     103,917    81,469
  Repayments of notes and loans payable          (129,155)   (102,243)  (85,693)
  Dividends paid                                       --          --      (397)
                                                 ------------------------------
      Net cash provided by (used in) financing
        activities                                 (8,713)      1,674    (4,621)
                                                 ------------------------------
Net Increase (Decrease) In Cash And Cash
  Equivalents                                      (5,071)        273    (4,965)
Cash And Cash Equivalents, Beginning Of Year       15,384      15,111    20,076
                                                 ------------------------------
Cash And Cash Equivalents, End Of Year           $ 10,313   $  15,384  $ 15,111
                                                 ------------------------------

See Accompanying Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.

14

<PAGE>

 N O T E S  T O  C O N S O L I D A T E D  F I N A N C I A L  S T A T E M E N T S
        Y E A R S  E N D E D  J U L Y  3 1 ,  1 9 9 7 ,  1 9 9 6  A N D  1 9 9 5
 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------

1. Summary of Significant Accounting Policies
- ---------------------------------------------
Organization.  The  Company  is  principally  engaged  in  the  business  of the
construction and sale of moderately priced,  quality  residential housing in the
states of Maryland,  North  Carolina,  Virginia,  Pennsylvania,  and  Tennessee.
Generally,  construction  is not commenced  until the Company has entered into a
sales contract with a customer.  Homes are built on land that has been developed
by the Company or others.

Basis  of  Presentation.  The  consolidated  financial  statements  include  the
accounts  of  Washington   Homes,   Inc.  and  its   wholly-owned   subsidiaries
(collectively,   the  "Company").  All  significant  intercompany  balances  and
transactions have been eliminated in consolidation.  The Company's investment in
joint ventures is accounted for using the equity method.

Use of Estimates.  The  preparation of financial  statements in conformity  with
generally accepted  accounting  principles requires management to make estimates
and assumptions that affect the amounts reported in the financial statements and
accompanying notes. Actual results could differ from those estimates.

Cash and Cash  Equivalents.  For purposes of the  statements of cash flows,  the
Company  considers  its cash,  including  temporary  investments  with  original
maturities  of three months or less, to be cash  equivalents.  Included in these
amounts at July 31, 1997 and 1996 were $118,000 and $600,000, respectively, that
are restricted to collateralize certain obligations of the Company.

Excess of Cost Over Net  Assets  Acquired,  Net.  Excess of cost over net assets
acquired (goodwill)  represents the excess of purchase price over the fair value
of assets acquired less any write down to fair value and is being amortized over
a 40-year period.  The Company annually reviews its goodwill  recoverability  by
assessing  historical  profitability and expectations as to future nondiscounted
cash flows and net  income.  Based upon its most  recent  analysis of the market
potential associated with the goodwill, the Company wrote down to fair value the
carrying value of goodwill by $10.0 million during fiscal 1997.

Warranties.  The  Company  records an accrual at the date of closing  for future
warranty costs based upon the relationship of historical  homebuilding  revenues
to actual warranty costs.

Income  Taxes.  The Company  accounts  for income taxes in  accordance  with the
provisions of Statement of Financial  Accounting  Standards No. 109, "Accounting
for Income Taxes." Deferred income taxes are provided for temporary  differences
in the  recognition  of  certain  income  and  expenses  for  financial  and tax
reporting purposes.

Revenue  Recognition.  Homebuilding  revenues and land sales are recorded at the
date of closing with the purchaser.

Earnings Per Common  Share.  Earnings per common share are based on the weighted
average  number of common shares  outstanding  during each period.  The weighted
average number of common and common equivalent shares  outstanding was 7,943,000
for the years ended July 31, 1997, 1996 and 1995.  Common stock  equivalents for
stock options have not been included because the effect would be antidilutive.

Statement of Financial  Accounting  Standards No. 128, Earnings Per Share ("SFAS
No.  128") was issued in February  1997 by the  Financial  Accounting  Standards
Board.  SFAS No. 128 is effective for periods ending after December 15, 1997 and
early  adoption  is not  permitted.  SFAS No. 128 will  require  the  Company to
compute  and  present  basic and  diluted  earnings  per share.  Had the Company
computed net earnings per share in accordance  with SFAS No. 128, both basic and
diluted  earnings  per  share  would  have been the same as  earnings  per share
presented in the Company's consolidated statements of operations.

Recent Accounting Pronouncements. Effective for fiscal 1997, the Company adopted
SFAS No. 123,  "Accounting for Stock-Based  Compensation,"  and, as permitted by
this standard, will continue to apply the recognition and measurement principles
of  Accounting  Principles  Board  Opinion  No.  25 to its stock  options.  This
statement requires footnote disclosure of the pro forma impact on net income and
earnings per share of the  compensation  cost that would have been recognized if
the fair value of all  stock-based  awards was  recorded  in the  statements  of
operations (see Note 5).

In June 1997, the Financial  Accounting  Standards  Board (FASB) issued SFAS No.
131,  "Disclosures about Segments of an Enterprise and Related  Information." As
specified by this statement,  the Company will apply this statement beginning in
fiscal 1999 and reclassify its financial statements for earlier periods provided
for comparative purposes.

SFAS 131  establishes  standards  for the way that public  business  enterprises
report information about operating  segments in annual financial  statements and
requires that those  enterprises  report  selected  information  about operating
segments  in  interim  financial   reports  issued  to  shareholders.   It  also
establishes  standards  for related  disclosures  about  products and  services,
geographic areas, and major customers.  This statement supersedes FASB Statement
No. 14, "Financial Reporting for Segments of a Business Enterprise," but retains
the requirement to report information about major customers.

                                                                              15

<PAGE>

N O T E S  T O  C O N S O L I D A T E D  F I N A N C I A L  S T A T E M E N T S
Y E A R S  E N D E D  J U L Y  3 1 ,  1 9 9 7 ,  1 9 9 6  A N D  1 9 9 5
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------

It amends FASB No. 94,  "Consolidation of All  Majority-Owned  Subsidiaries," to
remove  the  special  disclosure  requirements  for  previously   unconsolidated
subsidiaries.

At this point,  the Company has not  determined  the impact of adopting SFAS No.
131.

2. Residential Inventories
- --------------------------

Homes in process are stated at cost  (determined by  accumulating  actual costs,
including  construction,  interest and related overhead costs),  which is not in
excess of market.  Finished  building lots represents the cost,  which is not in
excess of market,  of finished  lots  developed by the Company or acquired  from
other  developers.  Upon  delivery,  the costs of the homes and related lots are
expensed on a specific  identification basis. Land under development consists of
land being  developed  into finished  building lots.  Certain  costs,  including
interest,  are  capitalized  as incurred  during the  development  process.  The
Company's inventory consists of the following:

                                                July 31,
                                       --------------------------
(in thousands)                           1997              1996
- -----------------------------------------------------------------
Homes in process                       $ 41,389          $ 36,168
Finished lots                            40,560            43,304
Land under development                   29,571            45,561
                                       --------------------------
                                       $111,520          $125,033
                                       --------------------------

In the first quarter of fiscal 1997, the Company adopted FASB Statement No. 121,
"Accounting  for the Impairment of Long-Lived Assets and for  Long-Lived  Assets
to be Disposed Of," which, among other things,  requires impairment losses to be
recorded  on  long-lived  assets  that  are  expected  to be  disposed  of  when
indicators of impairment are present and the  undiscounted  cash flows estimated
to be generated by those assets are less than the assets' carrying amount. Based
on a review of  long-lived  assets during the third quarter of fiscal year 1997,
the Company wrote down to fair value,  determined  based on the present value of
expected future cash flows, the carrying value of certain land inventory by $9.2
million.

A significant  portion of the land inventory  write-down was attributable to two
long-term  development  projects  in suburban  Maryland.  The  remainder  of the
writedown  related  to six  close-out  and three  condominium  communities.  The
Company has made a decision to phase out its condominium  operations  which have
had  results  well  below  management's  expectations.

3. Investment In Joint Ventures
- -------------------------------
The Company  participates  in two joint ventures  formed to develop  residential
land into finished building lots for sale to the Company and other  homebuilders
utilizing non-recourse  acquisition and development loans. In forming one of the
joint  ventures  in April  1995,  land  with a book  value of $9.6  million  was
contributed  by the Company for which it received  cash proceeds of $7.4 million
which were used to reduce outstanding  amounts under Revolving Credit Facilities
(see Note 4). The Company's  interest in  the joint ventures  operating  results
has not been significant to date.

4. Notes and Loans Payable
- --------------------------
Notes and loans payable consist of the following:

                                                July 31,
                                       --------------------------
(in thousands)                           1997              1996
- -----------------------------------------------------------------
Senior notes                           $43,000            $43,000
Revolving credit and term facility      19,455             22,852
acquisition, development and
  construction loans                     3,034              8,268
Mortgages and other notes payable           80                162
                                       --------------------------
                                       $65,569            $74,282
                                       --------------------------

Senior Notes. In April 1994, the Company issued $43,000,000  principal amount of
unsecured Senior Notes due October 2000. Two series of Senior Notes were issued:
$30,000,000  with a  fixed  rate of  8.61%  per  annum,  with  interest  payable
semi-annually  beginning in October 1994 and $13,000,000 with a floating rate of
three or  six-month  LIBOR  (5.844% at July 31, 1997) plus 2.4%,  with  interest
payable beginning October 1994 and either quarterly or semi-annually  thereafter
at the option of the Company. Principal repayments are due in three equal annual
installments commencing October 1998.

Revolving  Credit and Term  Facility.  At July 31, 1997, the Company had a $70.0
million  facility to fund land  acquisition  and home  construction,  letters of
credit, and the initial payment of the senior notes.

The facility has a maturity date (which may be extended) of October 30, 1999. At
July 31, 1997, $19.5 million was outstanding. Borrowings under the facility bear
interest at  thirty-day  LIBOR  (5.625% at July 31,  1997) plus either  1.55% or
1.75%,  depending  on the  type of  collateral  and is  secured  by the  related
inventory.

16

<PAGE>

The senior notes and revolving credit agreements require the Company to meet net
worth,  leverage,  and  cash  flow  coverage  tests  and  place  limitations  on
dividends,  the  securing of  additional  loans,  investments,  and finished lot
purchases.   These  provisions  do  not  significantly  restrict  the  Company's
operations.

Acquisition,  Development,  and  Construction  Loans. The Company has loans with
various lenders for  acquisition,  development,  and  construction  amounting to
$3,034,000 and $8,268,000 at July 31, 1997 and 1996,  respectively.  These loans
bear interest at fixed rates  ranging from 8% to 10% or variable  rates of prime
to prime plus 1% and are collateralized by the related inventory.

Mortgages and Other Notes Payable.  Mortgages and other notes payable, amounting
to  approximately  $80,000 and $162,000 at July 31, 1997 and 1996  respectively,
bear interest at rates ranging from 4.9% to 15% and mature in varying periods of
up to 13 years.

Future maturities of various notes and loans payable are as follows:

For the year ending July 31,                    (in thousands)
- --------------------------------------------------------------
1998                                                $ 1,119
1999                                                 14,510
2000                                                 35,607
2001                                                 14,333
                                                    -------
                                                    $65,569
                                                    -------

The carrying  amounts  reported above for  $13,000,000 of the senior notes,  the
revolving  credit  facility  and the  land  acquisition  and  development  loans
approximate  their fair value based upon the indebtedness  having,  for the most
part,  short-term  maturities and variable interest rates. The fair value of the
remaining  $30,000,000 of senior notes is estimated to be $30,115,000 based upon
debt with  interest  rates  currently  available and similar terms and remaining
maturities.

Capitalized Interest. A summary of capitalized interest follows:

                                                  Year Ended July 31,
                                      ------------------------------------------
(In thousands)                         1997              1996              1995
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Interest capitalized                  $1,454            $2,728            $3,167
Interest expense                       5,059             3,975             4,185
Interest incurred                      6,513             6,703             7,352
Interest paid                          6,886             6,643             7,073
Interest in cost of sales              2,108             1,561             1,201
                                      ------------------------------------------

5. Shareholders' Equity
- -----------------------

Common Stock.  The Company has 7,942,763  shares of Common Stock  outstanding at
July 31,  1997,  of which  7,015,025  shares are voting and  927,738  shares are
non-voting.

Stock  Options.  The Company  has  adopted  two plans for the  issuance of stock
options to its employees and members of its Board of Directors, respectively.

On September 17, 1992,  the Company  adopted the  Washington  Homes Stock Option
Plan (the  "Employee  Option Plan")  pursuant to which options for up to 500,000
shares of Common Stock can be granted to officers and other key employees of the
Company.  Options granted under the Employee Option Plan can be either incentive
stock   options   ("Incentive   Stock   Options")   or   non-qualified   options
("Non-Qualified  Options")  as  determined  by a  committee  of the  independent
directors of the Board of Directors.  Options  granted under the Employee Option
Plan will have an  exercise  price  not less than fair  market  value at date of
grant.

Options will become exercisable, in part, after 12 months from the date of grant
and will generally remain exercisable for ten years from the date of grant.

<PAGE>

In September, 1996, options for 47,000 shares at $9.00 were exchanged for 47,000
shares at $3.69.

                                                      Number           Option
                                                    of Shares           Price
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Outstanding at July 31, 1994                         157,000               $9.00
  Granted                                            153,500               $5.25
  Canceled                                           133,500         $5.25- 9.00
  Exercised                                               --                  --
                                                     ---------------------------
Outstanding at July 31, 1995                         177,000         $5.25- 9.00
  Granted                                            173,000         $4.75- 5.50
  Canceled                                            18,000         $4.87- 9.00
  Exercised                                               --                  --
                                                     ---------------------------
Outstanding at July 31, 1996                         332,000         $4.75- 9.00
  Granted                                            189,000         $3.69- 5.50
  Canceled                                            89,000         $3.57- 5.50
  Exercised                                               --                  --
                                                     ---------------------------
Outstanding at July 31, 1997                         432,000         $3.69- 5.50
Exercisable at July 31, 1997                          86,250         $4.87- 5.50
                                                     ---------------------------

At July 31, 1997, there were 68,000 shares reserved for future grants.

On September  15, 1994 the Company  adopted the  Washington  Homes  Non-Employee
Directors'  Stock Option Plan  pursuant to which options for up to 30,000 shares
of Common Stock can be granted to directors who are not employees of the Company
or its subsidiaries. Options that are Non-Qualified Options, are not exercisable
for one year and then can be exercised over a three-year period. During the year
ended July 31,  1997,  options for 9,000 shares were granted at $3.69 per share.
During the year ended July 31,  1996  options for 6,000  shares were  granted at
$6.00 per

                                                                              17

<PAGE>

N O T E S  T O  C O N S O L I D A T E D  F I N A N C I A L  S T A T E M E N T S
Y E A R S  E N D E D  J U L Y  3 1 ,  1 9 9 7 ,  1 9 9 6  A N D  1 9 9 5
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------

share and options for 2,000 shares at $3.63 were canceled. During the year ended
July 31, 1995, options for 6,000 shares were granted at $3.63 per share.

The Company adopted Statement of Financial  Accounting  Standards (SFAS) No. 123
"Accounting for Stock-Based Compensation," issued in October 1995. In accordance
with the  provisions  of SFAS No. 123,  the  Company  applies APB Opinion 25 and
related   interpretations   in  accounting  for  its  stock  option  plans  and,
accordingly, does not recognize compensation cost. If the Company had elected to
recognize  compensation  cost based on the fair value of the options  granted at
grant date as  prescribed  by SFAS No. 123,  net income and  earnings  per share
would have been  reduced to the pro forma  amounts  indicated in the table below
(in thousands except per share amounts):

                                                            Year Ended July 31,
                                                         -----------------------
                                                            1997           1996
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Net earnings (loss)--as reported                         $(13,289)        $3,747
Net earnings (loss)--pro forma                            (13,314)         3,717
Earnings (loss) per share--as reported                      (1.67)          0.47
Earnings (loss) per share--pro forma                        (1.68)          0.47
                                                         -----------------------

The fair value of each option  grant is estimated on the date of grant using the
Black-Scholes option-pricing model with the following assumptions:

                                                            Year Ended July 31,
                                                            -------------------
                                                            1997           1996
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Expected dividend yield                                       --             --
Expected stock price volatility                               27%            37%
Risk-free interest rate                                      6.2%           6.8%
Expected life of options                                       9              9
                                                            --------------------

The  weighted  average  fair value of options  granted  during 1997 and 1996 was
$1.96 and $2.92 per option, respectively.

6. Income Taxes
- ---------------

As  discussed  in Note 1, the Company  follows the  provisions  of SFAS 109. The
provision (benefit) for income taxes includes the following:

                                                    Year Ended July 31,
                                          --------------------------------------
(In thousands)                              1997           1996           1995
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Current:
  Federal                                 $ 1,619         $2,210        $ 4,033
  State                                       359            490            894
                                          --------------------------------------
                                            1,978          2,700          4,927
Deferred:
  Federal                                  (2,713)            18         (1,125)
  State                                      (601)             4           (249)
                                          --------------------------------------
                                           (3,314)            22         (1,374)
                                          --------------------------------------
Total Provision (Benefit)                 $(1,336)        $2,722        $ 3,553
                                          --------------------------------------

The  deferred  income tax  components  of the  provision  for income  taxes from
operations consists of the tax effect of the following temporary differences:

                                                    Year Ended July 31,
                                          --------------------------------------
(In thousands)                              1997           1996           1995
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Land basis                                $(3,088)        $(206)        $  (927)
Capitalized interest and points              (682)          124            (671)
Uniform capitalized costs                     877           301            (273)
Investment in joint ventures                 (406)           --             645
Other                                         (15)         (197)           (148)
                                          --------------------------------------
Total Deferred Provision (Benefit)        $(3,314)        $  22         $(1,374)
                                          --------------------------------------

<PAGE>

The  difference  between the effective  tax rate and the expected  statutory tax
rate computed on earnings from  continuing  operations  is  attributable  to the
following:
                                                    Year Ended July 31,
                                          --------------------------------------
                                            1997           1996           1995
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Taxes computed at statutory rate           (34.0)%         34.0%          34.0%
Increases (decreases):
State income taxes                          (1.7)           5.3            5.0
Excess over net assets acquired             24.7            2.7            2.0
Other                                        1.6             .1             .3
                                          --------------------------------------
Effective tax rate                          (9.4)%         42.1%          41.3%
                                          --------------------------------------

The deferred  income tax at July 31, 1997 and 1996  represents the tax effect of
temporary differences as follows:
                                                                 July 31,
                                                          ----------------------
(in thousands)                                              1997          1996
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Land basis                                                 $ (189)       $2,900
Capitalized interest                                        1,782         2,464
Uniform capitalized costs                                     281          (596)
Investment in joint venture                                   239           645
Other                                                        (194)         (180)
                                                          ----------------------
Deferred Income Taxes                                      $1,919        $5,233
                                                          ----------------------

During the years ended July 31, 1997, 1996 and 1995,  income taxes in the amount
of $3,807,000, $2,998,000 and $5,509,000, respectively, were paid.

The Internal Revenue Service has examined the Company's tax return for the years
ended July 31, 1992, 1993, and 1994. The IRS raised issues primarily  related to
the Company's  recapitalization in 1992 and 1993, including a $20.0 million gain
on  debt  forgiveness  which  the  Company  treated  as  non-taxable  under  the
provisions of Section 108 of the Internal Revenue Code.

18

<PAGE>

In March 1997,  the Company  reached a settlement  with the IRS for all items in
question.  As a result, the Company recognized an extraordinary loss of $390,000
which relates to the extraordinary gain on debt forgiveness in fiscal 1992.

7. Employee Retirement Plan
- ---------------------------
The Company has a 401(k) Plan which allows eligible employees to defer a portion
of their total compensation subject to limitations of the Internal Revenue Code.
The Company  matches 50% of  participant  contributions,  up to a maximum of the
greater of $1,000 or 1.5% of compensation  for each  participant.  The Company's
total matching  contributions  under the Plan for the years ended July 31, 1997,
1996 and 1995 were approximately $112,900, $67,500 and $50,000, respectively.

8. Related Party Transactions
- -----------------------------
In prior years, the Company engaged in transactions with related parties for the
acquisition  of building  lots.  During the years ended July 31, 1996, and 1995,
the Company paid $2,596,000 and $1,253,000,  respectively, to companies owned by
relatives of the Chairman of the Board to acquire building lots.

The Company leases certain office space from an affiliated entity (see Note 9).

9. Commitments and Contingent Liabilities
- -----------------------------------------
To assure the future  availability  of various  building  lots,  in the ordinary
course of  business  the  Company  enters  into  option  agreements  to purchase
finished building lots.  Deposits of approximately  $2,028,000 at July 31, 1997,
secure the Company's performance under these agreements.

The Company leases its  headquarters  offices and offices for certain  divisions
from an affiliate and certain other facilities from unrelated parties, all under
operating  leases with terms  ending at various  dates from August 1997  through
October 2001.  Future minimum rental  payments  required under  operating  lease
commitments that have initial or remaining  non-cancelable lease terms in excess
of one year subsequent to July 31, 1997, are as follows:

For the year ending July 31,                         (in thousands)
- -------------------------------------------------------------------
1998                                                     $  957
1999                                                        856
2000                                                        756
2001 and thereafter                                         147
                                                         ------
Total future rental payments                             $2,716
                                                         ------

Rental expense under  long-term  leases  amounted to $1,227,000,  $1,072,000 and
$816,000 for the years ended July 31, 1997, 1996 and 1995, respectively.

At July 31,  1997 the  Company  was  contingently  liable  to  banks  and  other
financial  institutions for approximately  $20.6 million for outstanding letters
of credit and surety bonds  relating to building lot  acquisition  contracts and
municipal bonding for land development activities.

The  Company  believes  that  it is not a party  to any  pending  or  threatened
litigation  or  administrative  proceeding  which is expected to have a material
adverse impact on the Company's financial position or results of operations.

                                                                              19

<PAGE>

I N D E P E N D E N T   A U D I T O R S '   R E P O R T
- -------------------------------------------------------

To the Shareholders and Board of Directors
of Washington Homes, Inc.:

We have  audited the  accompanying  consolidated  balance  sheets of  Washington
Homes,  Inc.  and  subsidiaries  as of July 31,  1997  and 1996 and the  related
consolidated statements of operations,  shareholders' equity, and cash flows for
each of the three  years in the period  ended  July 31,  1997.  These  financial
statements   are  the   responsibility   of  the   Company's   management.   Our
responsibility  is to express an opinion on these financial  statements based on
our audits.

We  conducted  our  audits  in  accordance  with  generally   accepted  auditing
standards.  Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain
reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material
misstatements. An audit includes examining, on a test basis, evidence supporting
the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements.  An audit also includes
assessing the  accounting  principles  used and  significant  estimates  made by
management,  as well as evaluating the overall financial statement presentation.
We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.

In our opinion,  such consolidated  financial  statements present fairly, in all
material  respects,  the  financial  position  of  Washington  Homes,  Inc.  and
subsidiaries  as of July 31, 1997 and 1996, and the results of their  operations
and their  cash flows for each of the three  years in the period  ended July 31,
1997 in conformity with generally accepted accounting principles.


/s/ Deloitte & Touche LLP


Washington, D.C.
September 12, 1997

20

<PAGE>

                                       C O R P O R A T E   I N F O R M A T I O N
                                       -----------------------------------------

Annual Meeting
- --------------
November 20, 1997--10 a.m.
Greenbelt Marriott Hotel, Greenbelt, Maryland

Form 10-K
- ---------
A copy of the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K, as filed with the Securities
and Exchange Commission, is available without charge upon written request to:

Investor Relations
Washington Homes, Inc.
1802 Brightseat Road, 6th floor
Landover, Maryland 20785-4238

Corporate Office
- ----------------
1802 Brightseat Road, 6th floor
Landover, Maryland 20785-4238

Transfer Agent & Registrar
- --------------------------
Chase Mellon
Shareholder Services
New York, New York
http://www.cmssonline.com

Auditors
- --------
Deloitte & Touche LLP
Washington, D.C.

Common Price Range
- ------------------
The common stock is traded on the New York Stock Exchange, Symbol "WHI".

Fiscal 1997                High      Low
- ----------------------------------------
1st Quarter                4.13     3.38
2nd Quarter                4.75     3.63
3rd Quarter                5.00     3.88
4th Quarter                4.13     3.63

Fiscal 1996                High      Low
- ----------------------------------------
1st Quarter                5.63     4.25
2nd Quarter                6.38     4.88
3rd Quarter                5.75     4.50
4th Quarter                4.75     3.75

As of  October  16,  1997,  there  were  approximately  212  holders  of  record
representing an estimated 3,250 beneficial owners of the Company's common stock.


<PAGE>
                                     D I R E C T O R S   A N D   O F F I C E R S
                                     -------------------------------------------
Board of Directors
- ------------------
Geaton A. DeCesaris, Sr.+
Chairman of the Board

Geaton A. DeCesaris, Jr.+
President, Chief Executive Officer

Paul Sukalo
Senior Vice President

Thomas Connelly
Chief Financial Officer Western Pacific Housing
El Segundo, California

Richard S. Frary*
Managing Director Tallwood Associates, Inc.
New York, New York

Ronald M. Shapiro*
Counsel to the Firm Shapiro and Olander
Baltimore, Maryland
President, Shapiro, Robinson & Associates

Richard B. Talkin*
Attorney
Columbia, Maryland

Corporate Officers
- ------------------
Geaton A. DeCesaris, Sr.
Chairman of the Board

Geaton A. DeCesaris, Jr.
President, Chief Executive Officer

Thomas J. Pellerito
President--Homebuilding Operations, Chief Operating Officer

Christopher Spendley+
Secretary, Senior Vice President, Chief Financial Officer

Clayton W. Miller
Senior Vice President, Chief Accounting Officer

Paul Sukalo
Senior Vice President Production

Jacqueline A. Lozier
Treasurer

Division and Subsidiary Officers
- --------------------------------
William A. Wilder
Senior Vice President Land Operations

Timothy M. Bates
Vice President Virginia Division

Lawrence Breneman, Jr.
Vice President Pittsburgh Division

Marco A. DeCesaris
Vice President Chesapeake Division

Dorothy Minich
Vice President Patuxent Division

Robert Hutson
Executive Vice President Westminster Homes, Inc.

Paul Carty
Vice President Westminster Homes, Inc.
Charlotte Division

Craig Smith
Vice President Westminster Homes, Inc.
Greensboro Division

Robert Yeatman
Vice President Westminster Homes, Inc.
Nashville Division

Jeffrey Donohue
Senior Vice President Homebuyer's Mortgage, Inc.

+ Executive Committee
* Audit Committee and Compensation Committee

<PAGE>







         Washington
         Homes
         Logo
   Making the American dream affordable.(R)
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
   1802 Brightseat Road
   Landover, MD 20785
   301-772-8900
   http://www.washhomes.com



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