CORNERSTONE REALTY INCOME TRUST INC
8-K, 1997-09-11
REAL ESTATE INVESTMENT TRUSTS
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                       SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
                             WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549



                                    FORM 8-K

                                 CURRENT REPORT

         Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities
Exchange Act of 1934

Date of Report: August 28, 1997



                      CORNERSTONE REALTY INCOME TRUST, INC.
             (Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)


  VIRGINIA                  0-23954                54-1589139
(State of                  (Commission            (IRS Employer
incorporation)              File Number)       Identification No.)


         306 EAST MAIN STREET
         RICHMOND, VIRGINIA                            23219
         (Address of principal                      (Zip Code)
          executive offices)



               Registrant's telephone number, including area code:
                                 (804) 643-1761


<PAGE>



                      CORNERSTONE REALTY INCOME TRUST, INC.

                                    FORM 8-K

                                      Index



Item 2.  Acquisition or Disposition of Assets

Item 7.  Financial Statements, Pro Forma Financial
         Information and Exhibits

         a.       Independent Auditors' Report
                    (Italian Village Apartments)*

                  Historical Statement of Income and
                    Direct Operating Expenses
                    (Italian Village Apartments)*


                  Note to Historical Statement of
                    Income and Direct Operating
                    Expenses (Italian Village Apartments)*

         b.       Independent Auditors' Report
                    (Villa Marina Apartments)*

                  Historical Statement of Income and
                    Direct Operating Expenses
                    (Villa Marina Apartments)*

                  Note to Historical Statement of
                    Income and Direct Operating
                    Expenses (Villa Marina Apartments)*

         c.       Pro Forma Statement of Operations for
                    the Six Months ended June 30, 1997
                    (unaudited)*

                  Pro Forma Balance Sheet as of
                    June 30, 1997 (unaudited)*

                  Pro Forma Statement of Operations
                    for the Year ended December 31, 1996
                    (unaudited)*




                                       -2-




- ----------
* To be filed by amendment.

<PAGE>

         d.       Exhibits

                      4.1        Line of Credit Agreement dated as of August 28,
                                 1997 by and among the Company as  Borrower  and
                                 First  Union  National  Bank as  Agent  for the
                                 Lenders

                      4.2        $30,000,000 Note made payable by the Company to
                                 the order of First Union National Bank

                      10.1       Purchase Contract for Italian Village and Villa
                                 Marina Apartments

                      23.1       Consent of Independent Auditors*

                      23.2       Consent of Independent Auditors*


                                       -3-




- ----------
* To be filed by amendment.

<PAGE>



Item 2.  Acquisition or Disposition of Assets

                   ITALIAN VILLAGE AND VILLA MARINA APARTMENTS
                            Charlotte, North Carolina


         On  August  28,  1997,  Cornerstone  Realty  Income  Trust,  Inc.  (the
"Company")  purchased the Italian Village Apartments ("Italian Village") and the
Villa Marina Apartments  ("Villa  Marina"),  comprising a total of 204 apartment
units located at 6060 Landmark Drive, Charlotte, North Carolina. Italian Village
and  Villa  Marina  are  sometimes  referred  to  herein   collectively  as  the
"Property".  The Company has renamed the Property the "Heatherwood  Apartments,"
and plans to operate the Property as an integrated  apartment community with the
Heatherwood  Apartments  (formerly  the Sterling  Chase  Apartments),  which are
located  adjacent to the  Property  and which were  purchased  by the Company in
September 1996.

         The single Seller  (Italian  Investment  Company,  a  partnership)  was
unaffiliated  with the Company and its  Affiliates.  The  purchase  price was an
aggregate of $7,425,000.  At closing, the Company paid the entire purchase price
with borrowed funds under its unsecured line of credit with First Union National
Bank.  Title to the  Property  was  conveyed to the Company by limited  warranty
deed.

         LOCATION.  The following  information is based in part upon information
provided by the Charlotte Chamber of Commerce.

         Based in part upon its fast rate of growth and a  diversified  economy,
Charlotte  has in recent  years  come to  national  attention  as an  attractive
location for business and residential growth. According to the August 1995, Site
Selection magazine,  Charlotte's  corporate  popularity ranked second nationally
only to Dallas  during the period  between 1990 and 1994,  being the site of 474
significant new and expanded facilities.

         Charlotte  has  developed  into a  major  financial,  distribution  and
transportation  center,  with a  metropolitan  population of  approximately  1.3
million and a population of approximately  5.6 million within a 100-mile radius.
Charlotte's growth is also attributable to its favorable  year-round  climate, a
moderate cost of living,  excellent  quality of life,  educated work force,  pro
business  political climate,  extensive  transportation  network,  and strategic
geographic location.


                                       -4-




<PAGE>



         According to the  Charlotte  Chamber of Commerce,  during the first six
months of 1995,  approximately  530 firms  announced new or expanded  businesses
which will provide  approximately 6,200 new jobs in the area.  Charlotte is home
to major  offices  of more  than 225 of the  Fortune  500  industrial  firms and
approximately 300 of the Fortune 500 service firms.

         Charlotte is the leading financial center of the Southeast,  serving as
corporate   headquarters  to  NationsBank  and  First  Union,   with  assets  of
approximately  $170  billion  and $124  billion,  respectively.  The  growth  of
Charlotte's  banking and financial  communities has had a positive effect on the
growth  of its  supporting  industries,  such as  insurance,  accounting,  legal
services, and real estate.  Another recent aspect of Charlotte's  development is
as the location of professional  basketball and football franchises known as the
Charlotte Hornets and the Carolina Panthers, respectively.

         The city of Charlotte is located near the border of North  Carolina and
South Carolina within  Mecklenburg  County. It is located at the intersection of
Interstates 77 and 85, the major north/south and east/west  thoroughfares in the
region, which provide convenient access to all other regional areas.

         Italian  Village  and Villa  Marina are  located in a  well-established
portion of the expanding Charlotte market. The surrounding neighborhood includes
both retail and  residential  development  and the  Property  enjoys  convenient
access to all major areas of the city.  As noted above,  the  Property  shares a
common property line with the Heatherwood  Apartments acquired by the Company in
1996 (under the name  Sterling  Chase),  and the Company  intends to operate all
three  properties as an  integrated  apartment  community.  The  properties  are
adjacent to Providence  Square Shopping  Center,  which features a Harris Teeter
and  Eckerdt  Drug Store,  and are readily  accessible  from  Interstate  85 and
Interstate  77.  The  Property  is  located  approximately  four  miles from the
SouthPark  Mall area and  approximately  seven miles from the Charlotte  central
business district via Providence Road.

         DESCRIPTION OF THE PROPERTY. Italian Village was built in 1970 and 1971
and consists of 156 garden- and townhouse-style apartments on approximately 22.5
acres of land.  Italian Village offers eight unit types.  The unit mix and rents
currently being charged to new tenants are as follows.


                                       -5-




<PAGE>




                                              APPROXIMATE
                                               INTERIOR                 MONTHLY
QUANTITY            TYPE                    SQUARE FOOTAGE              RENTAL

   20          One bedroom, one bath              728                    $510
   7           One bedroom, one bath              950                     500
               (large)
   7           Two bedrooms, one                1,000                     550
               bath
   15          Two bedrooms, two                1,060                     610
               baths
   18          Two bedrooms, one and            1,116                     610
               one half baths
               (townhouse)
   20          Three bedrooms, two              1,235                     710
               baths
   52          Three bedrooms, two              1,578                     710
               and one half baths
               (townhouse)
   17          Four bedrooms, two               1,992                     870
               and one half baths
               (townhouse)


         Villa  Marina  was  built  in  1980.   Villa  Marina   consists  of  48
garden-style  apartments on approximately  four acres. It offers two unit types.
The unit types and rents currently being charged new tenants are as follows.


                                            APPROXIMATE
                                             INTERIOR                   MONTHLY
QUANTITY                TYPE              SQUARE FOOTAGE                RENTAL

   36          One bedroom, one bath            700                      $510
   12          Two bedrooms, two              1,000                       610
               baths


         The units at the Property provide for a combined total of approximately
242,000 square feet of net rentable area. The

                                       -6-




<PAGE>



Property  features  two outdoor  swimming  pools,  a tennis  court and a laundry
facility.  There  are also two  lakes  and a  playground  on the  Property.  The
Property has a clubhouse with a kitchen,  fireplace and leasing office. There is
ample paved parking for tenants.

         The  Company  believes  that  the  Property  has  generally  been  well
maintained  and is in good  condition.  However,  the Company  believes that the
Property is in need of a "face-lift." The Property has a desirable location but,
in the opinion of management,  must be repositioned in the marketplace following
significant  capital  improvements.  Management of the Company believes that the
completion of the capital  improvements and repositioning of the Property in the
market will permit  substantial  increases  in rents.  The Company has  budgeted
approximately  $1,750,000 in  renovations  to the  Property,  which will include
residing,  roof  replacement,  replacing and  repainting  trim and fascia board,
repaving  of the  parking  areas,  extensive  interior  upgrades  and  clubhouse
renovations.

         Leases at the  Property  are for terms of one year or less.  Generally,
rental  rates for the past five  years at the  Property  have  increased.  As an
example,  a two bedroom,  one and one-half bath (1,116 square feet) apartment at
Italian  Village rented for $455 in 1992,  $460 in 1993,  $495 in 1994,  $520 in
1995, and $545 in 1996. The average  effective  annual rental per square foot at
Italian Village for 1992, 1993, 1994,  1995, and 1996 was $4.53,  $4.58,  $4.93,
$5.18,  and  $5.43  respectively.  A one  bedroom,  one bath (700  square  feet)
apartment at Villa Marina rented for $400 in 1992,  $405 in 1993,  $415 in 1994,
$425 in 1995, and $435 in 1996. The average  effective  annual rental per square
foot at Villa Marina for 1992,  1993,  1994,  1995,  and 1996 was $6.50,  $6.58,
$6.75, $6.91, and $7.07, respectively.

         The 18 two- and  three-story  buildings at Italian Village are concrete
masonry and wood-frame  construction on concrete slabs. The exteriors are stucco
on  concrete  masonry or painted  wood  siding and the roofs  consist of plywood
sheathing  and three tab  shingles.  The three  three-story  buildings  at Villa
Marina are wood-frame with painted  masonite  siding.  The roofs at Villa Marina
consist of plywood sheathing and three tab shingles.

         All apartment units have wall-to-wall carpeting in the living areas and
vinyl floors in the kitchen and bath. Each apartment unit has a cable television
hook-up and an individually  controlled  heating and air conditioning unit. Each
kitchen  is  equipped  with a  refrigerator/freezer,  electric  range  and oven,
dishwasher  and garbage  disposal.  Selected  units at Italian  Village  feature
vaulted ceilings, skylights, wet bars and large

                                       -7-




<PAGE>



balconies or decks.  Selected units at Villa Marina include fireplaces and large
balconies.  The owner of the Property  supplies  cold water,  sewer  service and
trash  removal.  The tenants are  responsible  for  electricity,  which includes
heating, air conditioning, hot water, cooking and lights.

         There are at least five  apartment  properties in the area that compete
with the Property.  As noted above, in 1996, the Company  purchased the Sterling
Chase  Apartments,  located  adjacent to Italian  Village and Villa Marina.  The
Company  intends to operate  all three  apartment  properties  as an  integrated
apartment community known as Heatherwood. The other properties that will compete
with  Heatherwood  offer similar  amenities  and  generally  have rents that are
comparable to those of the Property.  Based on a recent  telephone  survey,  the
Company  estimates  that  occupancy  in nearby  competing  projects now averages
approximately 93%.

         According to information provided by the seller,  physical occupancy at
Italian  Village and Villa Marina  averaged  approximately  93% in 1992,  94% in
1993,  94% in 1994,  94% in 1995,  and 96% in 1996.  On  August  20,  1997,  the
Property was 93% occupied.  The tenants of the Property are a mix of blue-collar
and white-collar workers, students and retired persons. Of the tenants for which
financial  information  was  available,  the tenants were  approximately  evenly
divided among the following four income levels:  below $20,000;  between $20,000
and $30,000;  between $30,000 and $40,000; and in excess of $40,000.  Management
of the Company  believes that the resident profile is somewhat below that of the
general market area.

         The following tables set forth 1996 real estate tax information for the
Property.


                                       -8-




<PAGE>




ITALIAN VILLAGE


            ASSET               VALUE              TAX              TAX
                                                  RATE
Land                         $1,074,760.00      $1.2550         $13,488.24
Buildings                     3,560,490.00       1.2550          44,684.15
Other features                   44,980.00       1.2550             564.50
                                 ---------                          ------
   Total                     $4,680,230.00                      $58,736.89
                             =============                      ==========
        Solid Waste Fee:                                         $5,148.00
        TOTAL TAX:                                              $63,884.89
                                                                ==========



VILLA MARINA


            ASSET               VALUE              TAX              TAX
                                                  RATE
Land                           $337,680.00      $1.2550          $4,237.88
Buildings                       978,320.00       1.2550          12,277.92
Other features                   56,570.00       1.2550             709.95
                                 ---------                          ------
   Total                     $1,372,570.00                      $17,225.75
                             =============                      ==========
        Solid Waste Fee:                                         $1,617.00
        TOTAL TAX:                                              $18,842.75
                                                                ==========


         The  Company  believes  that the  Property  is and will  continue to be
adequately covered by property and liability insurance.

         Material  Factors  Considered in Assessing  the  Property.  The factors
considered  by the  Company  to be  relevant  in  evaluating  the  Property  for
acquisition by the Company included the following:

         1.  The Company believes that the Charlotte, North Carolina
area will experience continued strong economic development and
steady population increase, and that such development and

                                       -9-




<PAGE>



increase will support stable  occupancy rates and reasonable  increases in rents
at the Property.

         2.  Based  upon an  engineering  report  and its own  inspections,  the
Company believes that the Property is in generally sound condition. In addition,
the Company  believes  that the  completion of its planned  significant  capital
improvements  will  reposition  the  Property  in  its  marketplace  and  permit
significant increases in rental rates to prevailing market levels.

         3.  The Property is conveniently located and proximate to
major employers and shopping.

         4. The Company is very familiar with the Charlotte  rental market.  The
Company already owns other apartment  complexes in the Charlotte area, which may
provide  certain  economies  and  efficiency in operation.  In  particular,  the
Company already owns an apartment community located immediately  adjacent to the
Property.  The Company  believes that the knowledge it has obtained  through the
prior  operation  of  the  adjacent  property  will  provide  advantages  in the
operation  of the new Property  and that the  operation of all of the  apartment
properties as an integrated  community will offer  operational,  advertising and
marketing advantages.

         The Company is not aware of any material  adverse  factors  relating to
the  Property  not set forth in this  report  that  would  cause  the  financial
information contained in this report not to be necessarily  indicative of future
operating results.




                                      -10-




<PAGE>




                                   ITEM 7.a.*




- ----------
* To be filed by amendment.  It is  impracticable to include herein the required
financial statements for Italian Village. The required financial statements will
be filed as an  amendment  to this report as soon as  possible,  but in no event
more than 60 days after the date of filing of this report.




                                      -11-




<PAGE>







                                   ITEM 7.b.*




- ----------
* To be filed by amendment.  It is  impracticable to include herein the required
financial statements for Villa Marina. The required financial statements will be
filed as an amendment  to this report as soon as possible,  but in no event more
than 60 days after the date of filing of this report.




                                      -12-




<PAGE>







                                   ITEM 7.c.*




- ----------
* To be filed by amendment.  It is  impracticable to include herein the required
pro forma financial  information.  The required pro forma financial  information
will be filed as an  amendment  to this  report as soon as  possible,  but in no
event more than 60 days after the date of filing of this report.

                                      -13-




<PAGE>





                                   SIGNATURES
                                   ----------


Pursuant  to the  requirements  of the  Securities  Exchange  Act of  1934,  the
registrant  has duly  caused  this  report  to be  signed  on its  behalf by the
undersigned hereunto duly authorized.


                                           Cornerstone Realty Income Trust, Inc.


Date: August 11, 1997                             By:/s/ Stanley J. Olander, Jr.
                                                     ---------------------------
                                                       Stanley J. Olander, Jr.,
                                                       Chief Financial Officer
                                                       of Cornerstone Realty
                                                       Income Trust, Inc.

                                      -14-




<PAGE>



                                  EXHIBIT INDEX

                         Cornerstone Realty Income Trust
                         Form 8-K dated August 28, 1997


EXHIBIT NUMBER      EXHIBIT                                          
- --------------      -------                                          


         4.1        Line of Credit Agreement dated as of August
                    28, 1997 by and among the Company as
                    Borrower and First Union National Bank as
                    Agent for the Lenders

         4.2        $30,000,000 Note made payable by the
                    Company to the order of First Union
                    National Bank


         10.1       Purchase Contract for
                    Italian Village and Villa Marina Apartments


         23.1       Consent of Independent Auditors*

         23.2       Consent of Independent Auditors*


- ----------
* To be filed by amendment.



                                      -15-









                                                                     Exhibit 4.1







================================================================================

                                 LINE OF CREDIT
                                    AGREEMENT

                           DATED AS OF AUGUST 28, 1997

                                  BY AND AMONG


                      CORNERSTONE REALTY INCOME TRUST, INC.

                                  AS BORROWER,


                                       AND

                            FIRST UNION NATIONAL BANK
                            AS AGENT FOR THE LENDERS





================================================================================




<PAGE>



                                TABLE OF CONTENTS


ARTICLE I                DEFINITIONS.........................................  1
         SECTION 1.1     Definitions.........................................  1
         SECTION 1.2     Miscellaneous.......................................  3

ARTICLE II                     CREDIT FACILITY...............................  3
         SECTION 2.1     Loans...............................................  3
         SECTION 2.2     Interest............................................  3
         SECTION 2.3     Requests for Advances...............................  3
         SECTION 2.4     Payment of Principal................................  4
         SECTION 2.5     Notes...............................................  4
         SECTION 2.6     Use of Proceeds.....................................  4
         SECTION 2.7     Default Rate........................................  4
         SECTION 2.8     Maximum Rate........................................  4
         SECTION 2.9     Date for Payments...................................  4
         SECTION 2.10    Changed Circumstances...............................  5
         SECTION 2.11    Indemnity as to Eurodollar Loans....................  6
         SECTION 2.12    Capital Adequacy....................................  7
         SECTION 2.13    Taxes...............................................  7

ARTICLE III                    CLOSING; CONDITIONS OF CLOSING................  9
         SECTION 3.1.    Closing.............................................  9
         SECTION 3.2.    Conditions to Closing and Initial Loans.............  9
         SECTION 3.3.    Conditions to All Loans.............................  9

ARTICLE IV                     REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES OF THE
                               BORROWER...................................... 10
         SECTION 4.1.    Representations and Warranties...................... 10
         SECTION 4.2.    Survival of Representations and Warranties, Etc..... 10

ARTICLE V                FINANCIAL INFORMATION AND NOTICES................... 10

ARTICLE VI                     COVENANTS..................................... 11

ARTICLE VII              DEFAULT AND REMEDIES................................ 11
         SECTION 7.1     Events of Default................................... 11
         SECTION 7.2     Remedies............................................ 11

ARTICLE VIII             MISCELLANEOUS....................................... 12
         SECTION 8.1     Notices............................................. 12
         SECTION 8.2     Expenses; Indemnity................................. 12



                                        i

<PAGE>



         SECTION 8.3     Set-off............................................. 12
         SECTION 8.4     Governing Law....................................... 13
         SECTION 8.5     Arbitration......................................... 13
         SECTION 8.5     Successors and Assigns.  ........................... 14
         SECTION 8.6     Performance of Duties............................... 14
         SECTION 8.7     All Powers Coupled with Interest.................... 14
         SECTION 8.8     Survival of Indemnities............................. 14
         SECTION 8.9     Titles and Captions................................. 14
         SECTION 8.10    Severability of Provisions.......................... 14
         SECTION 8.11    Counterparts........................................ 14
         SECTION 8.12    Term of Agreement................................... 15




EXHIBITS

Exhibit A - Form of Note
Exhibit B - Credit Agreement



                                       ii

<PAGE>



         LINE OF CREDIT AGREEMENT,  dated as of the 28th day of August, 1997, by
and among CORNERSTONE REALTY INCOME TRUST,  INC., a corporation  organized under
the laws of Virginia ("Cornerstone" or the "Borrower"), and FIRST UNION NATIONAL
BANK (formerly known as First Union National Bank of Virginia,  "First Union" or
the "Agent"), as Agent for the Lenders.

                              STATEMENT OF PURPOSE
                              --------------------

         The  Borrower  has  requested,  and the Lenders  have agreed to extend,
certain Loans to the Borrower on the terms and conditions of this Agreement.

         NOW, THEREFORE,  for good and valuable  consideration,  the receipt and
sufficiency of which are hereby acknowledged by the parties hereto, such parties
hereby agree as follows:

                                    ARTICLE I

                                   DEFINITIONS
                                   -----------

         SECTION 1.1 Definitions.  Capitalized terms used herein and not defined
herein  shall have the meanings  assigned  thereto in the Credit  Agreement.  In
addition,  the  following  terms  when  used in this  Agreement  shall  have the
meanings assigned to them below:

         "Agreement" means this Line of Credit Agreement, as amended,  restated,
or otherwise modified.

         "Aggregate  Commitment"  means the  aggregate  amount  of the  Lenders'
Commitments  hereunder.  On the Closing Date, the Aggregate  Commitment shall be
Thirty Million Dollars ($30,000,000).

         "Borrower" means Cornerstone Realty Income Trust, Inc., in its capacity
as borrower hereunder.

         "Closing Date" means the date of this Agreement.

         "Commitment"  means, as to any Lender, the obligation of such Lender to
make Loans to the Borrower hereunder in an aggregate principal or face amount at
any time  outstanding  not to exceed the amount set forth opposite such Lender's
name on Schedule 1 hereto, as the same may be reduced or modified at any time or
from time to time pursuant to the terms hereof.

         "Commitment  Percentage" means, as to any Lender at any time, the ratio
of (a) the  amount  of the  Commitment  of  such  Lender  to (b)  the  Aggregate
Commitment of all of the Lenders.



<PAGE>



         "Credit  Agreement" means the Credit Agreement dated as of February 14,
1997,  by and among  Cornerstone  Realty Income  Trust,  Inc., as Borrower,  the
lenders  referred to therein,  and First Union National Bank (formerly  known as
First Union National Bank of Virginia), as Agent for the lenders.

         "Credit  Facility"  means the credit facility  established  pursuant to
Article II hereof.

         "Default"  means any of the events  specified in Section 7.1 which with
the  passage  of time,  the  giving  of notice  or any  other  condition,  would
constitute an Event of Default.

         "Event of Default"  means any of the events  specified  in Section 7.1;
provided,  that any  requirement for passage of time,  giving of notice,  or any
other condition, has been satisfied.

         "Interest Payment Date" means the first Business Day following the last
day of each applicable Interest Period and on the Termination Date.

         "Interest  Period"  means,  as to any  loan,  a period  of one  month's
duration,  commencing, in each case, on the first day of each calendar month and
ending on the last day of such month; provided,  however, (a) no Interest Period
shall extend beyond the Termination Date, and (b) when a loan is funded on a day
which is not the first day of a calendar month the Interest  Period for purposes
for calculation of accrued interest shall begin on the date of funding,  but for
purposes of calculation of the London  Interbank  Offered Rate for such Interest
Period shall be the first day of such calendar month.

         "Loan" means any loan made to the Borrower pursuant to Section 2.1, and
all such Loans collectively as the context requires.

         "Loan Documents" means,  collectively,  this Agreement,  the Notes, and
each other  document,  instrument  and  agreement  executed and delivered by the
Borrower in connection  with this  Agreement or otherwise  referred to herein or
contemplated hereby, all as may be amended,  restated or otherwise modified from
time to time.

         "Notes" means each  separate  Note made by the Borrower  payable to the
order of each Lender,  substantially in the form of Exhibit A hereto, evidencing
the  Credit  Facility,   and  any  amendments  and  modifications  thereto,  any
substitutes therefor, and any replacements, restatements, renewals or extensions
thereof, in whole or in part.

         "Obligations"  means,  in  each  case,  whether  now  in  existence  or
hereafter  arising:  (a) the  principal of and interest on  (including  interest
accruing after the filing of any  bankruptcy or similar  petition) the Loans and
(b) all  other  fees  and  commissions  (including  attorneys'  fees),  charges,
indebtedness,   loans,  liabilities,   financial  accommodations,   obligations,
covenants and duties owing by the Borrower to the Lenders of every kind,  nature
and description,  direct or indirect,  absolute or contingent,  due or to become
due, contractual or tortious, liquidated or





                                        2

<PAGE>



unliquidated,  and whether or not evidenced by any note,  and whether or not for
the payment of money,  but only to the extent  owing under or in respect of this
Agreement, the Notes or any of the other Loan Documents.

         "Termination Date" means November 12, 1997.

         SECTION 1.2 Miscellaneous.

         (a) General.  Unless otherwise specified, a reference in this Agreement
to a particular section, subsection,  Schedule or Exhibit is a reference to that
section,  subsection,  schedule or Exhibit of this Agreement.  Wherever from the
context it appears  appropriate,  each term  stated in either  the  singular  or
plural  shall  include the  singular  and  plural,  and  pronouns  stated in the
masculine,  feminine or neuter gender shall include the masculine,  the feminine
and the  neuter.  The words  "hereof",  "herein"  and  "hereunder"  and words of
similar  import when used in this  Agreement  shall refer to this Agreement as a
whole and not to any particular provision of this Agreement.

         (b) Credit Agreement. The terms and conditions of the Credit Agreement,
a copy of which is attached hereto as Exhibit B, are hereby  incorporated herein
by this  reference to the extent not in conflict  with the terms  hereof,  as if
fully set forth herein and such terms and conditions shall continue irrespective
of any termination thereof.

                                   ARTICLE II

                                 CREDIT FACILITY
                                 ---------------

         SECTION  2.1  Loans.  Subject  to the  terms  and  conditions  of  this
Agreement,  the Lenders  agree to make Loans to the  Borrower  from time to time
from the Closing Date through the Termination  Date as requested by the Borrower
in  accordance  with the terms of  Section  2.3;  provided,  that the  aggregate
principal  amount of all  outstanding  Loans (after  giving effect to any amount
requested) shall not exceed the Aggregate Commitment.

         SECTION  2.2  Interest.  Subject to Section  2.7,  the Loans shall bear
interest on the unpaid  principal  balance  outstanding from time to time at the
LIBOR Rate plus  1.60%.  Interest  shall be payable in arrears on each  Interest
Payment  Date.  If an  Interest  Payment  Date  falls  on a date  which is not a
Business  Day,  such  Interest  Payment  Date  shall  be  deemed  to be the next
succeeding  Business  Day,  except that where the next  succeeding  Business Day
falls in the next succeeding calendar month, then on the next preceding Business
Day.  Interest  shall be paid pursuant to the terms of Section 3.2 of the Credit
Agreement  and shall be calculated on the basis of a year of 360 days and actual
days elapsed.

         SECTION  2.3  Requests  for  Advances;  Disbursements.  Loans  shall be
requested  and  advanced  pursuant  to the terms and  conditions  of the  Credit
Agreement. Each Loan will



                                        3

<PAGE>



be advanced in the minimum  principal  amount of $500,000 or a whole multiple of
$25,000 in excess thereof or the remaining  amount of the Aggregate  Commitment,
if less.

         SECTION 2.4 Payment of Principal. Principal shall be paid in the manner
provided  in  Sections  3.2 and 3.3 of the  Credit  Agreement  (except  that the
reference in Section 3.2 of the Credit  Agreement to "Richmond,  Virginia" shall
be deemed to refer to "Charlotte,  North Carolina") without setoff, deduction or
counterclaim;  provided,  that all such amounts  paid shall be applied  first to
late charges outstanding under this Agreement, second to any fees due hereunder,
third to interest  outstanding  hereunder,  fourth to the principal  outstanding
under the Loans as determined by the Agent,  and finally,  to sums due under the
Credit Agreement  pursuant to the terms and conditions of the Credit  Agreement.
Unless sooner paid pursuant to the  provisions  hereof or the  provisions of the
Credit Agreement, the principal of the Loans shall be paid in full together with
accrued interest thereon on the Termination Date.

         SECTION  2.5  Notes.  The  Lenders'  Loans  and the  obligation  of the
Borrower to repay such Loans shall be  evidenced by separate  Notes  executed by
the Borrower  payable to the order of each Lender  representing  the  Borrower's
obligation to pay the  Commitment or, if less,  the aggregate  unpaid  principal
amount of all Loans made by each Lender to the Borrower hereunder, plus interest
and all other fees,  charges and other  amounts due thereon.  Each Note shall be
dated the date  hereof and shall bear  interest on the unpaid  principal  amount
thereof at the applicable interest rate per annum specified in Section 2.2.

         SECTION  2.6  Use of Proceeds.  The Borrower shall use the proceeds of 
the Loans for the acquisition of new Projects.

         SECTION  2.7  Default  Rate.   Upon  the   occurrence  and  during  the
continuance of an Event of Default, all outstanding Loans shall bear interest at
a rate per  annum  two  percent  (2%) in  excess  of the rate  then  applicable.
Interest  shall  continue  to accrue on the Notes after the filing by or against
the Borrower of any petition  seeking any relief in  bankruptcy or under any act
or law  pertaining to insolvency or debtor  relief,  whether  state,  federal or
foreign.

         SECTION 2.8 Maximum Rate. In no contingency or event  whatsoever  shall
the  aggregate  of all  amounts  deemed  interest  hereunder  or under the Notes
charged or collected  pursuant to the terms of this Agreement or pursuant to the
Notes exceed the highest rate  permissible  under any Requirement of Law which a
court of competent jurisdiction shall, in a final determination, deem applicable
hereto.  In the event that such a court determines that the Lenders have charged
or received  interest  hereunder in excess of the highest  applicable  rate, the
rate in effect  hereunder  shall  automatically  be reduced to the maximum  rate
permitted by  Requirement  of Law and the Lenders shall  promptly  refund to the
Borrower  any interest  received by the Lenders in excess of the maximum  lawful
rate or shall apply such excess to the principal balance of the Obligations.  It
is the intent hereof that the Borrower not pay nor contract to pay, and that the
Lenders not receive nor  contract  to  receive,  directly or  indirectly  in any
manner whatsoever,  interest in excess of that which may be paid by the Borrower
under Requirement of Law.





                                        4

<PAGE>




         SECTION  2.9 Date for  Payments.  Except as  provided in Section 2.2 of
this  Agreement  with  respect to  interest,  whenever  any  payment  hereunder,
including, without limitation, payment of principal or interest, shall be due on
a day  which  is not a  Business  Day,  the date for  payment  thereof  shall be
extended to the next Business Day and interest  shall  continue to accrue on any
principal amount for which the payment date is so extended.

                                   ARTICLE III

                         CLOSING; CONDITIONS OF CLOSING

         SECTION 3.1.  Closing.  The closing  shall take place at the offices of
Kennedy Covington Lobdell & Hickman, L.L.P., 100 North Tryon Street,  Charlotte,
North  Carolina at 10:00 a.m. on August 28,  1997,  or on such other date as the
parties hereto shall mutually agree.

         SECTION 3.2. Conditions to Closing and Initial Loans. The obligation of
the Lenders to close this Agreement and to extend the initial Loan is subject to
the  satisfaction of each of the conditions set forth in Sections  4.1(b),  (d),
(g), (h), (i) and (j) and 4.2 of the Credit Agreement.

         SECTION 3.3.  Conditions to All Loans. The obligations of the Lender to
extend any Loan is  subject  to the  satisfaction  of the  following  conditions
precedent on the relevant borrowing date:

                  (a)  Continuation  of  Representations  and  Warranties.   The
representations and warranties contained in Article IV shall be true and correct
in all material  respects on and as of such  borrowing date with the same effect
as if made on and as of such date except to the extent that such representations
and  warranties  expressly  relate  to an  earlier  date  (in  which  case  such
representations  and warranties shall have been true and correct in all material
respects on and as of such earlier date).

                  (b)  No Existing Default. No Default or Event of Default shall
have occurred and be continuing  hereunder on the borrowing date with respect to
such Loan or after giving effect to the Loans to be made on such date.

                                   ARTICLE IV

                 REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES OF THE BORROWER

         SECTION 4.1.  Representations  and Warranties.  To induce the Lender to
enter  into  this  Agreement  and to  extend  the  Loans,  the  Borrower  hereby
represents  and  warrants to the Lender that each and every  representation  and
warranty of the Borrower set forth in Section 5 of the Credit Agreement is true,
correct and complete in all material respects.






                                        5

<PAGE>



         SECTION  4.2.  Survival of  Representations  and  Warranties,  Etc. All
representations   and   warranties   set  forth  in  this  Article  IV  and  all
representations and warranties contained in any certificate,  or any of the Loan
Documents (including but not limited to any such representation or warranty made
in or in connection with any amendment thereto) shall constitute representations
and warranties made under this  Agreement.  All  representations  and warranties
made  under this  Agreement  shall be made or deemed to be made at and as of the
Closing  Date,  shall  survive the  Closing  Date and shall not be waived by the
execution and delivery of this Agreement, any investigation made by or on behalf
of the Agent or any Lender or any borrowing hereunder.

                                    ARTICLE V

                        FINANCIAL INFORMATION AND NOTICES

         Until  all the  Loans  have  been  finally  and  indefeasibly  paid and
satisfied in full and the  Commitment  terminated,  the Borrower will furnish or
cause to be  furnished  to the Agent and the  Lenders  each and every  financial
statement,  certificate or other document or instrument required to be delivered
to the Lenders  pursuant to Section 6.1 of the Credit  Agreement.  The  Borrower
shall deliver to the Agent hereunder all such financial statements, certificates
and other  documents  or  instruments  which are required to be delivered to the
Agent under the Credit Agreement.

                                   ARTICLE VI

                                    COVENANTS

         Until all of the Loans  have been  finally  and  indefeasibly  paid and
satisfied in full and the  Commitment  terminated,  the Borrower  will, and will
cause  each of its  Subsidiaries  to comply  with each and  every  covenant  and
agreement set forth in Sections 6 and 7 of the Credit Agreement.

                                   ARTICLE VII

                              DEFAULT AND REMEDIES

         SECTION 7.1 Events of Default.  Each of the events specified in Section
8.1 of the Credit  Agreement shall  constitute an Event of Default,  and each of
the following shall also constitute an Event of Default:

                  (a) Default in Payment of  Principal  of Loans.  The  Borrower
shall  default in any payment of  principal of any Loan or the Notes when and as
due (whether at  maturity,  by reason of  acceleration  or  otherwise)  and such
default shall continue unremedied for five (5) Business Days.

                  (b) Other Payment Default.  The Borrower shall default in  the
payment  when and as due  (whether at  maturity,  by reason of  acceleration  or
otherwise) of interest on





                                        6

<PAGE>



any Loan or the Notes or the payment of any other  Obligation,  and such default
shall continue unremedied for five (5) Business Days.

                  (c) Misrepresentation.  Any representation or warranty made or
deemed to be made by the Borrower under this Agreement, any Loan Document or any
amendment  hereto or thereto,  shall at any time prove to have been incorrect or
misleading in any material respect when made or deemed made.

                  (d) Default in Performance of Other  Covenants and Conditions.
The Borrower or any  Subsidiary  thereof  shall  default in the  performance  or
observance  of any term,  covenant,  condition  or  agreement  contained in this
Agreement  (other than as  specifically  provided for  otherwise in this Section
7.1) or any other Loan Document and such default shall  continue for a period of
thirty (30) days after written  notice thereof has been given to the Borrower by
the Agent.

                  (e) Cross-Default to Credit  Agreement.  An  Event of  Default
shall have occurred under the Credit Agreement.

         SECTION 7.2 Remedies. The Agent and Lenders hereunder shall continue to
have  available  to them the  remedies  specified  in Section  8.2 of the Credit
Agreement  and may  exercise  such  remedies  in  accordance  with the terms and
conditions of Section 8.2 of the Credit Agreement.


                                  ARTICLE VIII

                                  MISCELLANEOUS

         SECTION 8.1   Notices.

                  Except as otherwise  provided in this  Agreement,  all notices
and  communications  hereunder  shall be made in  accordance  with the terms and
conditions of Section 10.1 of the Credit Agreement.

         SECTION  8.2  Expenses;  Indemnity.  The  Borrower  will  (a)  pay  all
reasonable  out-of-pocket  expenses of the Agent actually incurred in connection
with:  (i) the  preparation,  execution and delivery of this  Agreement and each
other  Loan  Document,  whenever  the same  shall  be  executed  and  delivered,
including  without  limitation  all  out-of-pocket  due  diligence  expenses and
reasonable  fees  and   disbursements  of  counsel  for  the  Agent,   (ii)  the
preparation,  execution and delivery of any waiver,  amendment or consent by the
Agent relating to this Agreement or any other Loan Document,  including  without
limitation  reasonable fees and disbursements of counsel for the Agent and (iii)
the  enforcement of any rights and remedies of the Agent hereunder and under the
Loan Documents,  including consulting with appraisers,  accountants,  engineers,
attorneys and other Persons concerning the nature, scope or value of





                                        7

<PAGE>



any right or remedy of the Agent  hereunder or under any other Loan  Document or
any factual  matters in  connection  therewith,  which  expenses  shall  include
without  limitation the reasonable fees and  disbursements of such Persons,  and
(b)  defend,   indemnify  and  hold   harmless  the  Agent,   and  its  parents,
Subsidiaries,  Affiliates,  employees,  agents, officers and directors, from and
against any losses, penalties, fines, liabilities,  settlements,  damages, costs
and  expenses,  suffered  by any such  Person  in  connection  with  any  claim,
investigation,  litigation or other  proceeding  (whether or not the Lender is a
party thereto) and the prosecution and defense thereof, arising out of or in any
way  connected  with this  Agreement,  any other  Loan  Document  or the  Loans,
including without limitation reasonable attorneys' and consultants' fees, except
to  the  extent  that  any of the  foregoing  directly  result  from  the  gross
negligence or willful misconduct of the party seeking indemnification therefor.

         SECTION 8.3 Set-off. In addition to any rights now or hereafter granted
under  Requirement of Law and not by way of limitation of any such rights,  upon
and  during  the  continuance  of any Event of  Default,  each  Lender is hereby
authorized by the Borrower at any time or from time to time,  without  notice to
the Borrower or to any other  Person,  any such notice  being  hereby  expressly
waived, to set off and to appropriate and to apply any and all deposits (general
or  special,  time or  demand,  including,  but  not  limited  to,  indebtedness
evidenced by  certificates  of deposit,  whether  matured or unmatured)  and any
other  indebtedness at any time held or owing by the Lender to or for the credit
or the  account  of the  Borrower  against  and on  account  of the  obligations
irrespective  of whether or not (a) the Lender  shall have made any demand under
this  Agreement or any of the other Loan  Documents or (b) the Lender shall have
declared  any or all of the  Obligations  to be due and payable as  permitted by
Section 7.2 and although such Obligations  shall be contingent or unmatured.  If
the Lender shall  exercise any of the rights  referred to in this  Section,  the
Lender shall promptly  notify the Borrower;  provided,  that the failure to give
such notice shall not result in any liability to the Lender or in any way affect
the validity of the exercise of such right.

         SECTION 8.4 Governing Law. This Agreement,  the Note and the other Loan
Documents,  unless otherwise expressly set forth therein,  shall be governed by,
construed  and  enforced  in  accordance  with the laws of the  Commonwealth  of
Virginia,  without  reference  to the  conflicts  or  choice  of law  principles
thereof.

         SECTION 8.5 Arbitration.

         (a)  General.  Any  controversy  or claim  between or among the parties
hereto  including,  but not limited to, those arising out of or relating to this
Agreement or any related  agreements or  instruments,  including any claim based
upon or arising from an alleged tort, shall be determined by binding arbitration
in  accordance  with the  Federal  Arbitration  Act (or if not  applicable,  the
applicable  state law), the Rules of Practice and Procedure for the  Arbitration
of Commercial  Disputes of Judicial  Arbitration  and Mediation  Services,  Inc.
(J.A.M.S.),  and the  "Special  Rules"  set  forth  below.  In the  event of any
inconsistency, the





                                        8

<PAGE>



Special Rules shall control.  Judgment upon any arbitration award may be entered
in any  court  having  jurisdiction.  Any party to this  Agreement  may bring an
action,  including a summary or expedited  proceeding,  to compel arbitration of
any  controversy  or claim to which this  Agreement  applies in any court having
jurisdiction over such action.

         (b) Special Rules.  The  arbitration  shall be conducted in the city of
the Borrower's  domicile at time of this Agreement's  execution and administered
by J.A.M.S.  who will appoint an  arbitrator;  if J.A.M.S.  is unable or legally
precluded from  administering  the  arbitration,  then the American  Arbitration
Association will serve. All arbitration hearings will be commenced within ninety
(90) days of the demand for  arbitration;  further,  the arbitrator  shall only,
upon a showing of cause, be permitted to extend the commencement of such hearing
for up to an additional sixty (60) days.

         (c)  Reservations of Rights.  Nothing in this Agreement shall be deemed
to  (i)  limit  the  applicability  of  any  otherwise  applicable  statutes  of
limitation  or repose and any waivers  contained  in this  Agreement;  (ii) be a
waiver by the Lenders of the protection  afforded to it by 12 U.S.C.  Section 91
or any  substantially  equivalent  state  law;  or (iii)  limit the right of the
Lenders  to (A) o  exercise  self help  remedies  such as (but not  limited  to)
setoff, (B) foreclose against any real or personal property  collateral,  or (C)
obtain from a court  provisional or ancillary  remedies such as (but not limited
to) injunctive relief or the appointment of a receiver. The Lenders may exercise
such self help rights,  foreclose upon such property, or obtain such provisional
or ancillary  remedies  before,  during or after the pendency of any arbitration
proceeding  brought  pursuant to this  Agreement.  At the Lenders'  option,  any
foreclosure  available under this Agreement or the other Credit Documents may be
accomplished  by the  exercise  of a power of sale or a judicial  sale under the
Credit Documents or by judicial  foreclosure.  Neither the exercise of self help
remedies nor the  institution  or  maintenance  of an action for  foreclosure or
provisional or ancillary  remedies shall constitute a waiver of the right of any
party, including the claimant in any such action, to arbitrate the merits of the
controversy or claim occasioning resort to such remedies.

         SECTION 8.5  Successors and Assigns.  This  Agreement  shall be binding
upon and inure to the benefit of the Borrower and the Lender, all future holders
of any of the Notes,  and their respective  successors and assigns,  except that
the Borrower shall not assign or transfer any of its rights or obligations under
this Agreement without the prior written consent of the Lender.

         SECTION 8.6  Performance of Duties.  The Borrower's  obligations  under
this Agreement and each of the Loan Documents shall be performed by the Borrower
at its sole cost and expense.

         SECTION 8.7 All Powers  Coupled with  Interest.  All powers of attorney
and other authorizations granted to the Lender and any Persons designated by the
Lender  pursuant to any  provisions  of this  Agreement or any of the other Loan
Documents  shall be deemed  coupled with an interest and shall be irrevocable so
long as any of the  Obligations  remain unpaid or  unsatisfied or the Commitment
has not been terminated.






                                       9

<PAGE>



         SECTION 8.8 Survival of Indemnities. Notwithstanding any termination of
this  Agreement,  the  indemnities  to which the  Lender is  entitled  under the
provisions  of this Article VIII and any other  provision of this  Agreement and
the Loan Documents shall continue in full force and effect and shall protect the
Lender against events arising after such termination as well as before.

         SECTION  8.9 Titles and  Captions.  Titles and  captions  of  Articles,
Sections and subsections in this Agreement are for convenience only, and neither
limit nor amplify the provisions of this Agreement.

         SECTION  8.10  Severability  of  Provisions.   Any  provision  of  this
Agreement or any other Loan Document which is prohibited or unenforceable in any
jurisdiction  shall, as to such jurisdiction,  be ineffective only to the extent
of such prohibition or  unenforceability  without  invalidating the remainder of
such  provision or the remaining  provisions  hereof or thereof or affecting the
validity or enforceability of such provision in any other jurisdiction.

         SECTION 8.11 Counterparts. This Agreement may be executed in any number
of counterparts and by different parties hereto in separate  counterparts,  each
of which when so executed shall be deemed to be an original and shall be binding
upon all parties,  their successors and assigns, and all of which taken together
shall constitute one and the same agreement.

         SECTION 8.12 Term of Agreement.  This Agreement  shall remain in effect
from the Closing Date through and including the date upon which all  Obligations
shall have been  indefeasibly  and  irrevocably  paid and  satisfied in full. No
termination  of this  Agreement  shall affect the rights and  obligations of the
parties hereto arising prior to such termination.






                                       10

<PAGE>




         IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have caused this Agreement to be
executed  by their duly  authorized  officers,  all as of the day and year first
written above.

[CORPORATE SEAL]                     CORNERSTONE REALTY INCOME
                                     TRUST, INC.


                                     By: /s/ Glade M. Knight
                                        ----------------------------------------
                                     Name: Glade M. Knight
                                          --------------------------------------
                                     Title:Chief Executive Officer and President
                                           -------------------------------------



                                     FIRST UNION NATIONAL BANK,
                                     as Agent and Lender


                                     By: /s/ Christoper C. Finlay
                                        ----------------------------------------
                                     Name: Christopher C. Finlay
                                          --------------------------------------
                                     Title: Assistant Vice President
                                           -------------------------------------






<PAGE>



                                   SCHEDULE 1
                             LENDERS AND COMMITMENTS


LENDER
PERCENTAGE                                COMMITMENT                 COMMITMENT
- ----------                                ----------                 ----------


First Union National Bank                 $30,000,000                100%
One First Union Center
301 South College Street
Charlotte, North Carolina 28288
Attention:
Telephone:
Telecopy:






<PAGE>



                                    EXHIBIT A

                                      NOTE


$_______________                                               ________ __, 1997

         FOR VALUE RECEIVED,  the undersigned,  CORNERSTONE REALTY INCOME TRUST,
INC., a corporation organized under the laws of Virginia (the "Borrower") hereby
promises to pay to the order of ________________________________ (the "Lender"),
at the  times,  at the place and in the  manner  provided  in the Line of Credit
Agreement    hereinafter   referred   to,   the   principal   sum   of   up   to
__________________________________  Dollars  ($____________),  or, if less,  the
aggregate unpaid principal amount of all Loans disbursed by the Lender under the
Line of Credit Agreement referred to below,  together with interest at the rates
as in effect  from time to time with  respect to each  portion of the  principal
amount  hereof,  determined and payable as provided in Article II of the Line of
Credit Agreement.

         This Note is a Note referred to in, and is entitled to the benefits of,
the Line of Credit  Agreement  dated as of  _____________  __, 1997 (as amended,
restated  or  otherwise  modified,  the  "Line  of  Credit  Agreement")  between
Borrower,  the lenders party thereto and First Union  National Bank as Agent for
the  Lenders.  The  Line of  Credit  Agreement  contains,  among  other  things,
provisions  for the  time,  place  and  manner  of  payment  of this  Note,  the
determination  of the interest rate borne by and fees payable in respect of this
Note,  acceleration  of the payment of this Note upon the  happening  of certain
stated  events  and  the   mandatory   repayment  of  this  Note  under  certain
circumstances.

         The Borrower  agrees to pay on demand all actual  costs of  collection,
including  reasonable  attorneys'  fees, if any part of this Note,  principal or
interest, is collected after maturity with the aid of an attorney.

         Presentment  for  payment,  notice of  dishonor,  protest and notice of
protest are hereby waived.

         THIS NOTE SHALL BE  CONSTRUED  IN  ACCORDANCE  WITH AND GOVERNED BY THE
LAWS OF THE COMMONWEALTH OF VIRGINIA.







<PAGE>



         IN WITNESS  WHEREOF,  the  Borrower has caused this Note to be executed
under  seal by a duly  authorized  officer  as of the day and year  first  above
written.



[CORPORATE SEAL]                           CORNERSTONE REALTY INCOME TRUST, INC.

                                           By:______________________________
                                           Name:____________________________
                                           Title:___________________________





                                        2

<PAGE>



                                    Exhibit B

                                Credit Agreement






<PAGE>



                                CREDIT AGREEMENT

                                      AMONG

                     CORNERSTONE REALTY INCOME TRUST, INC.,

                                   AS BORROWER

                                       AND

                          THE LENDERS IDENTIFIED HEREIN

                                       AND

                      FIRST UNION NATIONAL BANK OF VIRGINIA

                                    AS AGENT


                          DATED AS OF FEBRUARY 14, 1997










<PAGE>



                                CREDIT AGREEMENT



THIS CREDIT AGREEMENT, dated as of February 14, 1997 (this "Credit" Agreement"),
is entered into by and among CORNERSTONE  REALTY INCOME TRUST,  INC., a Virginia
corporation  (the  "Borrower"),  the LENDERS (as  defined  herein),  FIRST UNION
NATIONAL BANK OF VIRGINIA, as Agent for the Lenders.


RECITALS

WHEREAS,  the Borrower  has  requested  that the Lenders  provide a $100 million
credit facility for the purposes hereinafter set forth, and

WHEREAS, the Lenders have agreed to make the requested credit facility available
to the Borrower on the terms and conditions hereinafter set forth.

NOW,  THEREFORE,  IN  CONSIDERATION  of the premises and other good and valuable
consideration,  the receipt and sufficiency of which is hereby acknowledged, the
parties hereto agree as follows:


SECTION 1

DEFINITIONS AND ACCOUNTING TERMS

1.1  Definitions.  As used herein,  the following  terms shall have the meanings
herein specified  unless the context  otherwise  requires.  Defined terms herein
shall include in the singular number the plural and in the plural the singular:

"Adjusted  Eurodollar  Rate"  means  the  Eurodollar  Rate  plus the  Applicable
Percentage.

"Adjusted  NOI" means,  with  respect to the  applicable  time period the amount
equal to (a) the sum of all  revenues and income  received by the Borrower  with
respect  to the  relevant  Property  or  Properties  minus  (b)  the  sum of all
reasonable and customary  expenses  incurred by the Borrower in the operation of
such Property or Properties,  including,  but not limited to, utility  expenses,
property taxes,  insurance  premiums,  management fees and Capital  Expenditures
(but excluding interest depreciation, amortization and income taxes).

"Affiliate" means a Person: (a) which directly or indirectly through one or more
intermediaries  controls or is controlled by, or is under common control of, the
Borrower;  or (b) which beneficially owns or holds five percent (5 %) or more of
any class of the voting stock of the





                                        2

<PAGE>



Borrower;  or (c) of which five  percent (5%) or more of the voting stock (or in
the case of a Person  which is not a  corporation,  five percent (5%) or more of
the equity interest) is beneficially owned or held by the Borrower.

"Agency Services Address" means First Union National Bank of Virginia,  901 East
Cary  Street,  Richmond  Virginia  23219,  Attention:  Chris B.  Troutman,  Vice
President or such other address as may be identified by written  notice from the
Agent to the Borrower.

"Agent" means First Union  National Bank of Virginia (or any successor  thereto)
or any successor Agent appointed pursuant to Section 9.9.

"Applicable Percentage" means one and 60/100 percent (1.60%).

"Authorized  Officer"  means  the  President,  Chief  Executive  Officer,  Chief
Operating Officer,  Chief Financial Officer,  Secretary or Chairman of the Board
of the Borrower.

"Bankruptcy  Code" means the  Bankruptcy  Code in Title 11 of the United  States
Code, as amended, modified, succeeded or replaced from time to time.

"Borrower" means Cornerstone Realty Income Trust, Inc., a Virginia corporation.

"Business  Day" means any day other than a Saturday or Sunday or a legal holiday
in Richmond,  Virginia, or a day on which banking institutions are authorized by
law or other governmental action to close; provided;  however, if the applicable
day relates to the determination of the Eurodollar Rate, such day must also be a
day upon which banks are open for the transaction of business in London, England
and  dealings in U.S.  dollar  deposits  are carried on in the London  interbank
market.

"Capital  Expenditures" means all expenditures required for the leasing of space
within Properties owned and previously  leased by the Borrower,  including upfit
expenses and leasing  commissions,  together  with  expenses for  renovation  or
improvement of existing  properties that are classified as capital  expenditures
under GAAP. Leasing and tenant  improvements  expenditures with respect to space
not  previously  leased  shall not be  included  in any  calculation  of Capital
Expenditures,  but must be  reported  to the Agent on a  quarterly  basis as set
forth in Section 6.11.

"Capital  Lease"  means,  as applied to any  Person,  any lease of any  property
(whether real,  personal or mixed) by that Person as lessee which, in accordance
with GAAP, is or should be accounted for as a capital lease on the balance sheet
of the Borrower.

"Cash Available for  Distribution"  means all Funds from Operations (as defined
as of the Closing Date by the Board of Governors of the National  Association of
Real Estate Investment Trusts).




                                        3

<PAGE>



"Cash  Management  Note"  shall have the  meaning  provided  therefor in Section
7.1(c).

"Closing Date" means the date hereof.

"Code"  means the Internal  Revenue Code of 1986 and the rules and  regulations
promulgated thereunder, as amended, modified, succeeded or replaced from time to
time.

"Commitments"  means the commitment of each Lender with respect to the Revolving
Committed Amount.

"Credit Documents" means this Credit Agreement,  the Notes and all other related
agreements and documents issued or delivered hereunder or thereunder or pursuant
hereto or thereto.

"Borrower  Obligations"  means all of the  obligations  of the  Borrower  to the
Lenders and the Agent, whenever arising, under this Credit Agreement,  the Notes
or any of the other Credit Documents to which the Borrower or any Guarantor is a
party.

"Default" means any event,  act or condition which with notice or lapse of time,
or both, would constitute an Event of Default.

"Defaulting  Lender" means, at any time, any Lender that, (a) has failed to make
a Loan required pursuant to the terms of this Credit  Agreement,  (b) has failed
to pay to the Agent or any Lender an amount owed by such Lender  pursuant to the
terms of this Credit Agreement (but only for so long as such amount has not been
repaid) or (c) has been deemed  insolvent or has become  subject to a bankruptcy
or insolvency proceeding or to a receiver, trustee or similar official.

"Dollars"  and "$" means  dollars in lawful  currency  of the  United  States of
America.

"EBITDA" means,  for any period,  with respect to the Borrower on a consolidated
basis,  the sum of (a) Net Income for such period  (excluding  the effect of any
extraordinary  or other  non-recurring  gains or non-cash  losses outside of the
ordinary course of business) plus (b) an amount which, in the  determination  of
Net Income for such period,  has been deducted for (i) Interest Expense for such
period, (ii) total Federal, state, foreign or other income taxes of the Borrower
for such period and (iii) all  depreciation and amortization of the Borrower for
such period, all as determined in accordance with GAAP.

"Effective Date" means the date on which the conditions set forth in Section 5.1
shall have been fulfilled (or waived in the sole  discretion of the Lenders) and
on which the initial Loans shall have been made.






                                        4

<PAGE>



"Eligible  Assignee" means (a) any Lender or Affiliate or subsidiary of a Lender
and (b) any other commercial bank, financial  institutions  institutional lender
or its  "accredited  investor" (as defined in Regulation D of the Securities and
Exchange Commission) with total assets of at least $10 billion and with a rating
on their long term unsecured debt of at least BBB with S&P or its equivalent and
with an office in the United States.

"Environmental  Claim"  means  any  investigation,  written  notice,  violation,
written demand, written allegation,  action, suit, injunction,  judgment, order,
consent  decree,  penalty,  fine,  lien,  proceeding,  or written  claim whether
administrative,  judicial,  or private in nature  arising (a) pursuant to, or in
connection with, an actual or alleged violation of, any  Environmental  Law, (b)
in connection with any Hazardous Material,  (c) from any assessment,  abatement,
removal,  remedial,  corrective,  or other response action in connection with an
Environmental  Law or other order of a  Governmental  Authority  or (d) from any
actual or alleged damage,  injury,  threat, or harm to health,  safety,  natural
resources, or the environment.

"Environmental  Laws"  means any  current  or future  legal  requirement  of any
Governmental  Authority pertaining to (a) the protection of health,  safety, and
the indoor or outdoor environment,  (b) the conservation,  management, or use of
natural  resources and wildlife,  (c) the protection or use of surface water and
groundwater,  (d)  the  management,  manufacture,   possession,  presence,  use,
generation,  transportation,  treatment,  storage, disposal, release, threatened
release,  abatement,  removal,  remediation  or handling of, or exposure to, any
hazardous or toxic substance or material or (e) pollution (including any release
to land surface water and groundwater)  and includes,  without  limitation,  the
Comprehensive Environmental Response,  Compensation,  and Liability Act of 1980,
as amended by the Superfund  Amendments and  Reauthorization Act of 1986, 42 USC
9601 et seq., Solid Waste Disposal Act, as amended by the Resource  Conservation
and Recovery Act of 1976 and Hazardous and Solid Waste Amendment of 1984, 42 USC
6901 et seq., Federal Water Pollution Control Act, as amended by the Clean Water
Act of 1977, 33 USC 1251 et seq., Clean Air Act of 1966, as amended, 42 USC 7401
et seq.,  Toxic Substances  Control Act of 1976, 15 USC 2601 et seq.,  Hazardous
Materials  Transportation Act, 49 USC App. 1801 et seq., Occupational Safety and
Health Act of 1970, as amended,  29 USC 651 et seq.,  Oil Pollution Act of 1990,
33 USC 2701 et seq., Emergency Planning and Community Right-to-Know Act of 1986,
42 USC 11001 et seq., National  Environmental Policy Act of 1969, 42 USC 4321 et
seq.,  Safe Drinking  Water Act of 1974, as amended,  42 USC 300(f) et seq., any
analogous  implementing or successor law, and any amendment,  rule,  regulation,
order, or directive issued thereunder.

"Equity  Issuance" means any issuance by Borrower to any Person of (a) shares of
its capital  stock or other equity  interests  (including,  without  limitation,
participation  units),  (b) any  shares  of its  capital  stock or other  equity
interests  (including without limitation,  participation  units) pursuant to the
exercise of options or warrants, or (c) any shares of its capital stock or other
equity interests (including,  without limitation,  participation units) pursuant
to the conversion of any debt securities to equity.

"ERISA" means the Employee  Retirement  Income Security Act of 1974, as amended,
and any successor  statute thereto,  as interpreted by the rules and regulations
thereunder,  all as the same may be in effect from time to time.  References  to
sections of ERISA shall be construed also to





                                        5

<PAGE>


 refer to any successor sections.

"ERISA  Affiliate" means an entity,  whether or not  incorporated,  (a) which is
under common control with Borrower within the meaning of Section  4001(a)(14) of
ERISA,  or (b) is a member of a group  which  includes  Borrower,  or any of its
Subsidiaries  and which is treated as a single  employer under Sections  414(b),
(c), (m), or (o) of the Code.

"Eurodollar  Rate"  means,  for any  applicable  Interest  Period,  a per  annum
interest rate determined pursuant to the following formula:

Eurodollar Rate =                  London Interbank Offered Rate divided by
                                      1 - Eurodollar Reserve Percentage

"Eurodollar Reserve Percentage" means for any day, that percentage (expressed as
a decimal) which is in effect from time to time under  Regulation D of the Board
of  Governors  of the  Federal  Reserve  System  (or  any  successor),  as  such
regulation may be amended from time to time or any successor regulation,  as the
maximum  reserve  requirement   (including,   without  limitation,   any  basic,
supplemental,  emergency, special, or marginal reserves) applicable with respect
to Eurocurrency  liabilities as that term is defined in Regulation D (or against
any other category of liabilities  that includes  deposits by reference to which
the interest rate of Eurodollar  Loans is  determined),  whether or not a Lender
has any  Eurocurrency  liabilities  subject to such reserve  requirement at that
time.  Eurodollar Loans shall be deemed to constitute  Eurocurrency  liabilities
and as such shall be deemed subject to reserve  requirements without benefits of
credits for proration,  exceptions or offsets that may be available from time to
time to a Lender. The Eurodollar Rate shall be adjusted  automatically on and as
of the effective date of any change in the Eurodollar Reserve Percentage.

"Event of Default" means any of the events or circumstances described in Section
8.1.

"Existing First Union Letter of Credit" shall have the meaning provided therefor
in Section 7.1(d).

"Existing Loan Agreement" has the meaning set forth in Section 4.1 (k).

"Extension  of Credit"  means,  as to any  Lender,  the making of a Loan by such
Lender (or a participation therein by a Lender).

"Federal Funds Rates" means for any day the rate per annum (rounded  upward,  if
necessary,  to the nearest  1/100th of 1%) equal to the  weighed  average of the
rates on  overnight  Federal  funds  transactions  with  members of the  Federal
Reserve  System  arranged by Federal  funds brokers on such day, as published by
the Federal  Reserve Bank of New York on the Business Day next  succeeding  such
day; provided that (a) if such day is not a Business Day, the Federal Funds rate
for  such day  shall be such  rate on such  transactions  on the next  preceding
Business  Day and (b)




                                        6

<PAGE>



if no such rate is s published on such next preceding  Business Day, the Federal
Funds Rates for such day shall be the  average  rate quoted to the Agent on such
day on such transactions as determined by the Agent.

"GAAP" means  generally  accepted  accounting  principles  in the United  States
applied on a consistent basis and subject to Section 1.3.

"Governmental  Authority" means any Federal, state, local, provincial or foreign
court or governmental agency, authority, instrumentality or regulatory body.


"Hazardous  Materials"  means  any  substance,  material  or  waste  defined  or
regulated in or under any Environmental Laws.

"Indebtedness" of any Person means, without duplication,  (a) all obligations of
such Person for borrowed money,  (b) all obligations of such Person evidenced by
bonds, debentures, notes or similar instruments, or upon which interest payments
are customarily  made, (c) all obligations of such Person under conditional sale
or other title  retention  agreements  relating to  property  purchased  by such
Person  to the  extent  of the  value of such  property  (other  than  customary
reservations or retentions of title under agreements with suppliers entered into
in  the  ordinary  course  of  business),   (d)  all  obligations,   other  than
intercompany  items,  of such Person issued or assumed as the deferred  purchase
price of property or services  purchased  by such Person  which would  appear as
liabilities on a balance sheet of such Person,  (e) all  Indebtedness  of others
secured by (or for which the holder of such  Indebtedness has an existing right,
contingent  or  otherwise,  to be secured by) any Lien on, or payable out of the
proceeds of production from, property owned or acquired by such Person,  whether
or not the obligations  secured  thereby have been assumed,  (f) all obligations
(other than  endorsements  in the  ordinary  course of  business  of  negotiable
instruments  for deposit or collection) of such Person  guaranteeing or intended
to guarantee the Indebtedness of any other Person in any manner,  whether direct
or indirect,  (g) the principal  portion of all obligations of such Person under
(i) Capital Leases and (ii) any synthetic lease, tax retention  operating lease,
off-balance  sheet loan or similar  off-balance  sheet financing product of such
Person where such transaction is considered  borrowed money indebtedness for tax
purposes but is classified as an operating  lease in accordance  with GAAP,  (h)
all   obligations  of  such  Person  in  respect  of  interest  rate  protection
agreements,  foreign currency exchange agreements, or other interest or exchange
rate or  commodity  price  hedging  agreements,  (i) the  maximum  amount of all
performance  and  standby  letters  of  credit  issued or  bankers'  acceptances
facilities created for the account of such Person and, without duplication,  all
drafts drawn  thereunder (to the extent  unreimbursed),  (j) all preferred stock
issued by such Person and required by the terms  thereof to be redeemed,  or for
which  mandatory  sinking  fund  payments  are due,  by a fixed date and (k) the
aggregate  amount of uncollected  accounts  receivable of such Person subject at
such  time to a sale of  receivables  (or  similar  transaction)  regardless  of
whether such  transaction  is effected  without  recourse to such Person or in a
manner  that  would not be  reflected  on the  balance  sheet of such  Person in
accordance  with  GAAP.  The  Indebtedness  of  any  Person  shall  include  the
Indebtedness  of any partnership or  unincorporated  joint venture in





                                        7

<PAGE>



which such Person is legally obligated or has a reasonable  expectation of being
liable with respect thereto.

"Interest  Expense" means,  for any period,  with respect to the Borrower,  on a
consolidated  basis, all net interest expense,  including the interest component
under Capital Leases, as determined in accordance with GAAP.

"Interest  Payment Date" means the first  Business Day following the last day of
each applicable Interest Period and on the Revolving Loan Maturity Date.

"Interest  Period"  means,  as to any Loan,  a period of one  month's  duration,
commencing,  in each case, on the first day of each calendar month and ending on
the last day of such month;  provided,  however,  (a) no Interest  Period  shall
extend beyond the Revolving  Loan Maturity Date and (b) when a loan is funded on
a day which is not the first day of a  calendar  month the  Interest  Period for
purposes of calculation of accrued  interest shall begin on the date of funding,
but for purposes of  calculation of the London  Interbank  Offered Rate for such
Interest Period shall be the first day of such calendar month.

"Lender"  means any of the Persons  identified  as a "Lender"  on the  signature
pages  hereto,  and any Person which may become a Lender by way of assignment in
accordance with the terms hereof,  together with their  successors and permitted
assigns.

"Lien"  means  any  mortgage,   pledge,   hypothecation,   assignment,   deposit
arrangement,  security  interest,  encumbrance,  lien  (statutory or otherwise),
preference,  priority or charge of any kind,  including,  without limitation any
agreement  to give any of the  foregoing  any  conditional  sale or other  title
retention agreement, and any lease in the nature thereof.

"Loan" or  "Loans"  means the  Revolving  Loans (or a portion  of any  Revolving
Loan), individually or collectively, as appropriate.

"London  Interbank  Offered  Rate" means,  with  respect to the Interest  Period
applicable  thereto,  the  rate of  interest  per  annum  (rounded  upwards,  if
necessary,  to the nearest  1/100 of 1%) appearing on Telerate Page 3750 (or any
successor page) as the London interbank  offered rate for deposits in Dollars at
approximately  11:00 A.M. (London time) two Business Days prior to the first day
of such Interest Period for a term comparable to such Interest Period; provided,
however,  if more  than  one  rate is  specified  on  Telerate  Page  3750,  the
applicable  rate shall be the  arithmetic  mean of all such  rates.  If, for any
reason,  such rate is not available,  the term "London  Interbank  Offered Rate"
shall  mean,  with  respect  to any  Eurodollar  Loan  for the  Interest  Period
applicable  thereto,  the  rate of  interest  per  annum  (rounded  upwards,  if
necessary, to the nearest 1/100 of 1 %) appearing on Reuters Screen LIBO Page as
the London interbank offered rate for deposits in Dollars at approximately 11:00
A.M.  (London  time) two Business  Days prior to the first day of such  Interest
Period for a term comparable to such Interest Period; provided, however, if more
than one rate is  specified on Reuters  Screen LIBO Page,  the




                                        8

<PAGE>



applicable rate shall be the arithmetic mean of all such rates.

"Material Adverse Effect" means a material adverse effect on (a) the operations,
financial condition,  business or prospects of the Borrower;  (b) the ability of
the Borrower to perform its respective  obligations  under this Credit Agreement
or any of the other Credit  Documents;  or (c) the validity or enforceability of
this Credit  Agreement,  any of the other  Credit  Documents,  or the rights and
remedies of the Lenders hereunder or thereunder taken as a whole.

"Multiemployer  Plan"  means a Plan  covered  by Title  IV of  ERISA  which is a
multiemployer plan as defined in Section 3(37) or 4001(a)(3) of ERISA.

"Multiple Employer Plan" means a Plan covered by Title IV of ERISA, other than a
Multiemployer  Plan,  which  Borrower  or any of its  Subsidiaries  or any ERISA
Affiliate  and  at  least  one  employer  other  than  Borrower  or  any  of its
Subsidiaries or any ERISA Affiliate are contributing sponsors.

"Net Cash  Proceeds"  means  the gross  cash  proceeds  received  from an Equity
Issuance net of (a)  transaction  costs  payable to third parties and (b) a good
faith estimate of the taxes payable with respect to such proceeds.

"Net Income" means,  for any period,  the net income after taxes for such period
of the Borrower on a consolidated basis, as determined in accordance with GAAP.

"Non-Excluded Taxes" has the meaning set forth in Section 3.13.

"Note" or "Notes" means the Revolving Loan Notes,  individually or collectively,
as appropriate.

"Notice of Borrowing"  means a request by the Borrower for a Revolving  Loan, in
the form of Exhibit 2.1(b).

"PBGC" means the Pension Benefit Guaranty  Corporation  established  pursuant to
Subtitle A of Title IV of ERISA and any successor thereto.

"Person" means any individual,  partnership,  joint venture, firm,  corporation,
limited liability company,  association,  trust or other enterprise  (whether or
not incorporated), or any Governmental Authority.

"Plan"  means any  employee  benefit  plan (as defined in Section 3(3) of ERISA)
which is  covered  by ERISA and with  respect  to which  Borrower  or any of its
Subsidiaries or any ERISA Affiliate is (or, if such plan were terminated at such
time,  would under Section 4069 of ERISA be deemed to be) an  "employer"  within
the meaning of Section 3(5) of ERISA.

"Prime Rate" means the per annum rate of interest  established from time to time
by the  Agent at




                                        9

<PAGE>



its principal  office in Richmond,  Virginia (or such other principal  office of
the Agent as  communicated  in writing to the  Borrower  and the Lenders) as its
Prime Rate. Any change in the interest rate resulting from a change in the Prime
Rate shall  become  effective as of 12:01 a.m. of the Business Day on which each
change  in the  Prime  Rate is  announced  by the  Agent.  The  Prime  Rate is a
reference rate used by the Agent in determining  interest rates on certain loans
and is not intended to be the lowest rate of interest  charged on any  extension
of credit to any debtor.

"Projects"  or  "Properties"   means  all  real  property,   together  with  all
improvements  thereon,  owned by the Borrower and oProjecto or "Property"  means
any one of them.

"Regulation D, G, U, or X" means Regulation D, G, U or X,  respectively,  of the
Board of Governors of the Federal  Reserve System as from time to time in effect
and any successor to all or a portion thereof.

"REIT" means a real estate  investment  trust as defined in Sections  856-860 of
the Code.

"Reportable  Event"  means a  "reportable  event" as defined in Section  4043 of
ERISA with  respect to which the notice  requirements  to the PBGC have not been
waived.

"Required Lenders" means Lenders whose aggregate Credit Exposure (as hereinafter
defined)  constitutes at least 65% of the Credit Exposure of all Lenders at such
time: provided, however, that if any Lender shall be a Defaulting Lender at such
time then there shall be excluded from the determination of Required Lenders the
aggregate  principal  amount of Credit Exposure of such Lender at such time. For
purposes of the  preceding  sentence,  the term "Credit  Exposure" as applied to
each  Lender  shall  mean  (a) at any  time  prior  to  the  termination  of the
Commitments,  the sum of the Revolving Loan Commitment Percentage of such Lender
multiplied  by the  Revolving  Committed  Amount  and (b) at any time  after the
termination  of  the  Commitments,  the  sum  of the  principal  balance  of the
outstanding Loans of such Lender.

"Requirement  of Law" means,  as to any Person,  the articles or  certificate of
incorporation and by-laws or other or  organizational or governing  documents of
such Person,  and any law, treaty,  rule or regulation or final,  non-appealable
determination of an arbitrator or a court or other  Governmental  Authority,  in
each case  applicable  to or  binding  upon  such  Person or to which any of its
material property is subject.

"Revolving Committed Amount" means ONE HUNDRED MILLION DOLLARS
($100,000,000).

"Revolving Loan Commitment  Percentage"  means, for each Lender,  the percentage
identified as its Revolving Loan  Commitment  Percentage on Schedule 1.1 (a), as
such  percentage  may be  modified in  connection  with any  assignment  made in
accordance with the provisions of Section 11.3.




                                       10

<PAGE>


"Revolving Loan Maturity Date" means March 31, 1998.

"Revolving  Loans" means the  Revolving  Loans made to the Borrower  pursuant to
Section 2.1.

"Revolving Note" or "Revolving Notes" means the promissory notes of the Borrower
in favor of each of the Lenders evidencing the Revolving Loans provided pursuant
to Section 2.1, individually or collectively, as appropriate, as such promissory
notes may be amended, modified, supplemented, extended, renewed or replaced from
time to time and as evidenced in the form of Exhibit 2.1 (g).

"Securities  Act"  means  the  Securities  Act of 1933,  as  amended,  modified,
succeeded  or  replaced  from  time to  time,  and  the  rules  and  regulations
promulgated thereunder.

"Single Employer Plan" means any Plan which is covered by Title IV of ERISA, but
which is not a Multiemployer Plan.

"Solvent"  means,  with respect to any Person as of a particular  date,  that on
such  date (a) such  Person  is able to pay its  debts  and  other  liabilities,
contingent obligations and other commitments as they mature in the normal course
of  business,  (b) such Person does not intend to, and does not believe  that it
will,  incur debts or  liabilities  beyond such Person's  ability to pay as such
debts and liabilities  mature in their ordinary  course,  (c) such Person is not
engaged in a business or a transaction, and is not about to engage in a business
or a transaction,  for which such Person's assets would constitute  unreasonably
small capital after giving due  consideration to the prevailing  practice in the
industry in which such Person is engaged or is to engage,  (d) the fair value of
the  assets of such  Person is  greater  than the total  amount of  liabilities,
including,  without limitation,  contingent liabilities,  of such Person and (e)
the present  fair  saleable  value of the assets of such Person is not less than
the amount that will be required to pay the probable liability of such Person on
its debts as they  become  absolute  and  matured.  In  computing  the amount of
contingent liabilities at any time, it is intended that such liabilities will be
computed  at the  amount  which,  in light of all the  facts  and  circumstances
existing at such time,  represents the amount that can reasonably be expected to
become an actual or matured liability.

"Subsidiary" means, as to any Person, (a) any corporation more than 50% of whose
stock of any class or classes having by the terms thereof  ordinary voting power
to elect a  majority  of the  directors  of such  corporation  (irrespective  of
whether or not at the time, any class or classes of such corporation  shall have
or might have voting power by reason of the happening of any  contingency) is at
the time owned by such Person directly or indirectly through  Subsidiaries,  and
(b) any  partnership,  association,  joint venture or other entity in which such
person directly or indirectly  through  Subsidiaries  has more than a 50% equity
interest at any time.

"Termination  Event" means (a) with  respect to any Single  Employer  Plan,  the
occurrence  of a Reportable  Event or the  substantial  cessation of  operations
(within the meaning of Section 4062(e) of ERISA); (b) the withdrawal of Borrower
or any ERISA Affiliate from a Multiple







                                       11

<PAGE>



Employer Plan during a plan year in which it was a substantial employer (as such
term is  defined in  Section  4001(a)(2)  of  ERISA),  or the  termination  of a
Multiple  Employer Plan; (c) the distribution of a notice of intent to terminate
or the actual  termination of a Plan pursuant to Section 4041(a)(2) or 4041 A of
ERISA; (d) the institution of proceedings to terminate or the actual termination
of a Plan by the PBGC under  Section  4042 of ERISA;  (e) any event or condition
which might  reasonably  constitute  grounds under Section 4042 of ERISA for the
termination of, or the appointment of a trustee to administer,  any Plan; or (f)
the complete or partial  withdrawal  of Borrower or any ERISA  Affiliate  from a
Multiemployer Plan.

"Unused  Commitment"  means,  for any  period,  the amount by which (a) the then
applicable  aggregate  Revolving  Committed Amount exceeds (b) the daily average
sum for  such  period  of the  outstanding  aggregate  principal  amount  of all
Revolving Loans.

"Unused Fee Percentage" means one quarter of one percent (.25%) per annum.

1.2 Computation of Time Periods and Other Definitional Provisions.  For purposes
of  computation  of periods of time  hereunder,  the word "from" means "from and
including"  and the  words  "to"  and  "until"  each  mean  "to but  excluding."
References  in  this  Agreement  to  "Articles",   "Sections",   "Schedules"  or
"Exhibits" shall be to Articles,  Sections,  Schedules or Exhibits of or to this
Agreement unless otherwise specifically provided.


1.3  Accounting  Terms.  Except as  otherwise  expressly  provided  herein,  all
accounting terms used herein shall be interpreted,  and all financial statements
and certificates and reports as to financial matters required to be delivered to
the Lenders  hereunder  shall be prepared,  in accordance with GAAP applied on a
consistent  basis. All financial  statements  delivered to the Lenders hereunder
shall be  accompanied by a statement from the Borrower that GAAP has not changed
since the most recent  financial  statements  delivered  by the  Borrower to the
Lenders or if GAAP has changed  describing such changes in detail and explaining
how such changes affect the financial statements.  All calculations made for the
purposes of determining a compliance with this Credit Agreement shall (except as
otherwise expressly provided herein) be made by application of GAAP applied on a
basis consistent with the most recent annual or quarterly  financial  statements
delivered  pursuant  to  Section  6.1 (or,  prior to the  delivery  of the first
financial  statements  pursuant to Section 6.1,  consistent  with the  financial
statements described in Section 4.1(c)); provided,  however, if (a) the Borrower
shall  object  to  determining  such  compliance  on such  basis  at the time of
delivery  of such  financial  statements  due to any change in GAAP or the rules
promulgated  with respect  thereto or (b) either  Agent or the Required  Lenders
shall so object in  writing  within 60 days  after  delivery  of such  financial
statements  (or  after the  Lenders  have been  informed  of the  change in GAAP
affecting such financial statements,  if later), then such calculations shall be
made on a basis consistent with the most recent financial  statements  delivered
by the  Borrower  to the Lenders as to which no such  objection  shall have been
made.

SECTION 2






                                       12

<PAGE>



CREDIT FACILITY

2.1      Revolving Loans.

(a) Revolving  Loan  Commitment.  Subject to the terms and  conditions set forth
herein,  each Lender severally agrees to make revolving loans (each a "Revolving
Loan" or "Loan"  and  collectively  the  "Revolving  Loans" or  "Loans")  to the
Borrower, in Dollars, at any time and from time to time as requested by Borrower
in  accordance  with Section 2.1 (b),  during the period from and  including the
Effective  Date to but not including  the Revolving  Loan Maturity Date (or such
earlier date if the Revolving  Committed  Amount has been terminated as provided
herein):  provided,  however,  that  (i)  the  sum of the  aggregate  amount  of
Revolving Loans outstanding shall not exceed the Revolving  Committed Amount and
(ii) with  respect to each  individual  Lender,  the  Lender's pro rata share of
outstanding  Revolving  Loans  shall not exceed  such  Lender's  Revolving  Loan
Commitment  Percentage  of  the  Revolving  Committed  Amount.  Subject  to  the
provisions  of  Section 4, the  amount of each  advance  shall be subject to the
review and approval by Agent of such requisition. All advances are to be made at
the  principal  office of Agent or at such other  place as Agent may  designate.
Subject to the terms of this Credit Agreement the Borrower may borrow, repay and
reborrow Revolving Loans.

(b) Method of Borrowing for Revolving  Loans.  By no later than 10:00 a.m. three
Business Days prior to the requested  borrowing of Revolving Loans, the Borrower
shall submit a written Notice of Borrowing in the form of Exhibit 2.1 (b) to the
Agent  (which  notice may be by telecopy  with the  original to follow)  setting
forth (A) the  amount  requested,  (B) the  portion of the  purchase  price of a
Project (not to exceed  100%) of such  purchase  price for which such  Revolving
Loans will be used,  (C) a basic  "underwriting"  package for each such  Project
which at a minimum shall include property description,  title reports, operating
statements,  anticipated  capital  expenditure  budgets  and  such  other  items
required by Agent as set forth in Sections  4.2(f) hereof and (D)  certification
that the Borrower has complied in all respects with Section 4.2.

(c) Funding of Revolving Loans. Upon receipt of a Notice of Borrowing, the Agent
shall  promptly  inform the Lenders as to the terms  thereof.  Each Lender shall
make its Revolving Loan Commitment  Percentage of the requested  Revolving Loans
available  to the Agent by 11:00  a.m.  on the date  specified  in the Notice of
Borrowing by deposit, in Dollars, of immediately  available funds at the offices
of the Agent at its office in Richmond, Virginia or at such other address as the
Agent may designate in writing. The amount of the requested Revolving Loans will
then be made  available to the Borrower by the Agent by crediting the account of
the Borrower on the books of such office of the Agent,  to the extent the amount
of such Revolving Loans are made available to the Agent.

No Lender shall be  responsible  for the failure or delay by any other Lender in
its obligation to make Revolving Loans hereunder;  provided,  however,  that the
failure of any Lender to fulfill its obligations hereunder shall not relieve any
other  Lender of its  obligations  hereunder.  Unless the Agent  shall have been
notified by any Lender prior to the date of any such Revolving Loan that







                                       13

<PAGE>



such  Lender does not intend to make  available  to the Agent its portion of the
Revolving  Loans to be made on such date,  the Agent may assume that such Lender
has made such amount available to the Agent on the date of such Revolving Loans,
and the Agent in reliance upon such assumption,  may (in its sole discretion but
without any obligation to do so) make available to the Borrower a  corresponding
amount. If such corresponding amount is not in fact made available to the Agent,
the Agent shall be able to recover such corresponding amount from such Lender.

(d) Minimum  Amounts.  Each request for a borrowing,  conversion or continuation
shall be subject to the requirements that each Loan shall be in a minimum amount
of the lesser of $500,000 (and integral  multiples of $25,000 in excess thereof)
or the remaining amount available under the Revolving Committed Amount.

(e) Notes.  The Revolving Loans made by each Lender shall be evidenced by a duly
executed  promissory note of the Borrower to each applicable  Lender in the face
amount of its Revolving Loan  Commitment  Percentage of the Revolving  Committed
Amount in substantially the form of Exhibit 2.1(e).


SECTION 3

GENERAL PROVISIONS APPLICABLE TO LOANS

3.1 Interest.


(a) Interest  Rate.  All Revolving  Loans shall accrue  interest at the Adjusted
Eurodollar Rate except as provided in Sections 3.10 and 3.11.

(b) Default Rate of Interest.  Upon the occurrence,  and during the continuance,
of an Event of Default,  the  principal of and, to the extent  permitted by law,
interest on the Loans and any other amounts  owing  hereunder or under the other
Credit  Documents  (including  without  limitation fees and expenses) shall bear
interest, payable on demand, at a per annum rate equal to four percent (4%) plus
the rate which would otherwise be applicable (or if no rate is applicable,  then
the rate for Revolving  Loans shall be the Prime Rate plus four percent (4%) per
annum).

(c) Late  Charges.  In the  event  any  payment  of  interest  or  principal  is
delinquent  more than seven (7) days, the Borrower will pay to the Agent for the
benefit of the Lenders a late charge of five  percent  (5%) of the amount of the
overdue  payment.  This provision for late charges shall not be deemed to extend
the time for  payment  or be a "grace  period" or "cure  period"  that gives the
Borrower a right to cure a Default or Event of Default.  Imposition of such late
charges  is not  contingent  upon  giving of any notice or the lapse of any cure
period provided for in the Credit Agreement.

(d) Interest Payments.  Interest on Loans shall be due and payable in arrears on
each Interest





                                       14


<PAGE>



Payment  Date.  If an  Interest  Payment  Date  falls  on a date  which is not a
Business  Day,  such  Interest  Payment  Date  shall  be  deemed  to be the next
succeeding  Business  Day,  except that where the next  succeeding  Business Day
falls in the next succeeding calendar month, then on the next preceding Business
Day.

3.2 Place and Manner of Payments.  All payments of  principal,  interest,  fees,
expenses and other amounts to be made by Borrower under this Agreement  shall be
received  not later  than 12:00  noon on the date when due,  in  Dollars  and in
immediately available funds, by the Agent at its offices in Richmond,  Virginia.
Payments  received  after such time shall be deemed to have been received on the
next  Business Day. The Borrower  shall,  at the time it makes any payment under
this Agreement, specify to the Agent the Loans, fees or other amounts payable by
the Borrower  hereunder to which such payment is to be applied (and in the event
that it fails to specify,  or if such application would be inconsistent with the
terms hereof, the Agent shall,  subject to Section 3.7,  distribute such payment
to the Lenders in such manner as the Agent may deem appropriate). The Agent will
distribute such payments to the Lenders on the date received if any such payment
is received prior to 12:00 p.m. otherwise the Agent will distribute such payment
to the  Lenders  on the next  succeeding  Business  Day.  Whenever  any  payment
hereunder  shall be stated to be due on a day which is not a Business  Day,  the
due date thereof shall be extended to the next succeeding  Business Day (subject
to accrual of  interest  and fees for the  period of such  extension),  provided
that, if the extension  would cause the payment to be made in the next following
calendar  month,  then such payment shall instead be made on the next  preceding
Business Day. If the Agent fails to timely forward  payment to a Lender it shall
pay such Lender interest at the Federal Funds Rate until such payment is made.

3.3      Prepayments.


(a) Voluntary Prepayments.  The Borrower shall have the right to prepay Loans in
whole  or in part  from  time to time  without  premium  or  penalty,  provided,
however,  that Loans may only be prepaid on two  Business  Days'  prior  written
notice to the Agent and any prepayment of Loans will be subject to Section 3.14.

(b) Mandatory  Prepayments.  If at any time the sum of the  aggregate  amount of
Revolving Loans outstanding exceeds the Revolving Committed Amount, the Borrower
shall  immediately make a principal payment to the Agent in the manner and in an
amount necessary to be in compliance with Section 2.1.

(c)  Application  of  Prepayments.  All amounts  required to be paid pursuant to
Section 3.3(b) shall be applied first to late charges outstanding, second to any
fees due hereunder,  third to interest  outstanding and finally to the principal
outstanding   under  the  Revolving  Loans  as  determined  by  the  Agent.  All
prepayments hereunder shall be subject to Section 3.14.

3.4      Fees.






                                       15

<PAGE>



(a) Unused Fees. In consideration  of the Revolving  Committed Amount being made
available  by the Lenders  hereunder,  the  Borrower  agrees to pay to the Agent
quarterly,  for the pro rata benefit of each  applicable  Lender  (based on each
Lender's  Revolving Loan Percentage of the Revolving  Committed  Amount),  a fee
equal to the Unused Fee Percentage on the Unused Commitment (the "Unused Fees").
The Unused Fees shall  commence to accrue on April 1, 1997,  shall be calculated
as of the last day of each March, June,  September and December and shall be due
and payable in arrears on each April 15, July 15,  October 15 and January 15 (as
well as on the  Revolving  Loan  Maturity  Date  for the  immediately  preceding
calendar quarter (or portion thereof), beginning July 15, 1997.

(b)  Commitment  Fee.  In  addition  to the  Unused  Fees  payable  pursuant  to
subsection  (1) above,  the Borrower shall pay to the Agent on the Closing Date,
for the pro rata  benefit  of each  applicable  Lender  (based on each  Lender's
Revolving Loan Percentage of the Revolving Committed Amount), a fee equal to Two
Hundred Fifty Thousand Dollars ($250,000) (the "Commitment Fee").

(c)  Administrative  Fees.  Each of the Lenders (other than First Union National
Bank of  Virginia)  agree to pay to the Agent  quarterly,  for its own  account,
without sharing by the other Lenders, an administrative fee (the oAdministrative
Feeo)  equal to its pro rata share of one eighth of one  percent  (.125%) of the
Unused Committed Amount.  Such fee shall be paid by the Lenders other than First
Union  National Bank of Virginia pro rata based on each Lender's  Revolving Loan
Percentage  of the  Revolving  Committed  Amount.  For  example,  if the  Unused
Committed Amount for a calendar  quarter is $10,000,000 and a Lenders  Revolving
Loan   Percentage   of  the  Revolving   Committed   Amount  is  15%,  then  the
Administrative  Fee payable by such Lender for such  calendar  quarter  would be
$1,875 (i.e.  $10,000,000 x .00125 x .15 = $1,875).  Such fee shall  commence to
accrue on April 1, 1997,  shall be  calculated as of the last day of each March,
June,  September  and  December  and shall be due and payable in arrears on each
April 15, July 15,  October 15 and January 15 (as well as on the Revolving  Loan
Maturity  Date  for the  immediately  preceding  calendar  quarter  (or  portion
thereof), beginning July 15, 1997.


This  Section  shall not in any way  obligate any of the Lenders to pay any fees
except from such  Lender's  prorata  share of the Unused Fees  collected by such
Lender.

3.5 Payment in Full at Maturity. On the Revolving Loan Maturity Date, the entire
outstanding  principal balance of all Revolving Loans, together with accrued but
unpaid interest and all other sums owing with respect thereto,  shall be due and
payable in full, unless accelerated sooner pursuant to Section 8.

3.6 Computations of Interest and Fees.

(a) All  computations  of interest and fees hereunder shall be made on the basis
of the actual  number of days  elapsed over a year of 360 days.  Interest  shall
accrue from and include the date of borrowing (or  continuation  or  conversion)
but exclude the date of payment.







                                       16

<PAGE>



(b) It is the intent of the Lenders and the  Borrower to conform to and contract
in strict compliance with applicable usury law from time to time in effect.  All
agreements  between  the  Lenders  and the  Borrower  are hereby  limited by the
provisions  of  this  paragraph  which  shall  override  and  control  all  such
agreements,  whether now  existing or hereafter  arising and whether  written or
oral. In no way, nor in any event or  contingency  (including but not limited to
prepayment  or  acceleration  of the  maturity  of any  obligation),  shall  the
interest taken, reserved, contracted for, charged, or received under this Credit
Agreement,  under the Notes or otherwise,  exceed the maximum nonusurious amount
permissible  under  applicable  law. If, from any possible  construction  of the
Credit  Documents or any other document,  interest would otherwise be payable in
excess of the maximum nonusurious amount, any such construction shall be subject
to the provisions of this paragraph and such  documents  shall be  automatically
reduced to the  maximum  nonusurious  amount  permitted  under  applicable  law,
without the  necessity  of execution of any  amendment or new  document.  If any
Lender shall ever receive  anything of value which is  characterized as interest
on the Loans under applicable law and which would, apart from this provision, be
in excess of the maximum  lawful  amount,  an amount  equal to the amount  which
would have been excessive  interest shall,  without  penalty,  be applied to the
reduction of the  principal  amount owing on the Loans and not to the payment of
interest,  or refunded to the Borrower or the other payor  thereof if and to the
extent such amount which would have been excessive exceeds such principal amount
of the Loans. The right to demand payment of the Loans or any other indebtedness
evidenced by any of the Credit  Documents  does not include the right to receive
any interest which has not otherwise  accrued on the date of such demand and the
Lenders do not intend to charge or receive any unearned interest in the event of
such demand.  All interest paid or agreed to be paid to the Lenders with respect
to the Loans shall,  to the extent  permitted by  applicable  law, be amortized,
prorated  allocated,  and spread  throughout the full stated term (including any
renewal or  extension) of the Loans so that the amount of interest on account of
such  indebtedness does not exceed the maximum  nonusurious  amount permitted by
applicable law.

3.7 Pro Rata  Treatment.  Except to the extent  otherwise  provided  herein each
Revolving Loan borrowing each payment or prepayment of principal and/or interest
of any Loan, each payment of fees (other than the  Administrative  Fees retained
by the Agent for its own account),  each  reduction of the  Revolving  Committed
Amount,  and each  conversion  or  continuation  of any Loan,  shall  (except as
otherwise  provided in Section  3.11) be  allocated  pro rata among the relevant
Lenders in accordance with the respective Revolving Loan Commitment  Percentages
of such  Lenders  (or, if the  Commitments  of such Lenders have expired or been
terminated,   in  accordance  with  the  respective  principal  amounts  of  the
outstanding  Loans of such  Lenders);  provided  that,  if any Lender shall have
failed to pay its  applicable  pro rata share of any  Revolving  Loan,  then any
amount to which  such  Lender  would  otherwise  be  entitled  pursuant  to this
subsection  (a) shall  instead be  payable to the Agent  until the share of such
Loan not funded by such Lender has been repaid;  provided  further,  that in the
event any amount paid to any Lender pursuant to this subsection (a) is rescinded
or must otherwise be returned by the Agent,  each Lender shall, upon the request
of the  Agent,  repay to the  Agent  the  amount  so paid to such  Lender,  with
interest for the period  commencing  on the date such payment is returned by the





                                       17

<PAGE>



Agent until the date the Agent receives such repayment at a rate per annum equal
to,  during the period to but  excluding  the date two Business  Days after such
request, the Federal Funds Rate, and thereafter, the Prime Rate plus two percent
(2%) per annum.

3.8 Sharing of Payments.  The Lenders agree among  themselves that except to the
extent  otherwise  provided  herein,  in the event that any Lender  shall obtain
payment  in  respect of any Loan or any other  obligation  owing to such  Lender
under this Credit Agreement through the exercise of a right of setoff,  banker's
lien or  counterclaim,  or pursuant to a secured  claim under Section 506 of the
Bankruptcy Code or other security or interest  arising from, or in lieu of, such
secured  claim,  received  by  such  Lender  under  any  applicable  bankruptcy,
insolvency or other similar law or otherwise,  or by any other means,  in excess
of its pro rata share of such payment as provided for in this Credit  Agreement,
such Lender  shall  promptly  pay in cash or purchase  from the other  Lenders a
participation in such Loans and other obligations in such amounts, and make such
other  adjustments  from time to time, as shall be equitable to the end that all
Lenders share such payment in accordance with their respective ratable shares as
provided  for  in  this  Credit  Agreement.  The  Lenders  further  agree  among
themselves  that if payment to a Lender  obtained  by such  Lender  through  the
exercise of a right of setoff,  banker's  lien,  counterclaim  or other event as
aforesaid  shall be rescinded or must  otherwise be restored,  each Lender which
shall have shared the  benefit of such  payment  shall,  by payment in cash or a
repurchase of a participation theretofore sold, return its share of that benefit
(together with its share of any accrued  interest  payable with respect thereto)
to each Lender whose  payment shall have been  rescinded or otherwise  restored.
The Borrower agrees that any Lender so purchasing  such a participation  may, to
the fullest extent permitted by law,  exercise all rights of payment,  including
setoff,  banker's lien or  counterclaim,  with respect to such  participation as
fully as if such  Lender were a holder of such Loan or other  obligation  in the
amount of such  participation.  Except as otherwise  expressly  provided in this
Credit  Agreement,  if any  Lender or Agent  shall fail to remit to Agent or any
other  Lender an amount  payable by such  Lender to such  other  Lender or Agent
pursuant to this  Credit  Agreement  on the date when such  amount is due,  such
payments  shall be made together  with  interest  thereon for each date from the
date such amount is due until the date such amount is paid to such Agent or such
other Lender at a rate per annum equal to the Federal  Funds Rate.  If under any
applicable  bankruptcy,  insolvency or other similar law, any Lender  receives a
secured claim in lieu of a setoff to which this Section 3.8 applies, such Lender
shall, to the extent practicable, exercise its rights in respect of such secured
claim in a manner  consistent  with the rights of the Lenders under this Section
3.8 to share in the benefits of any recovery on such secured claim.

3.9 Capital Adequacy.  If, after the date hereof, any Lender has determined that
the  adoption or the becoming  effective  of, or any change in, or any change by
any Governmental  Authority,  central bank or comparable agency charged with the
interpretation or administration thereof in the interpretation or administration
of, any  applicable  law,  rule or regulation  regarding  capital  adequacy,  or
compliance  by such  Lender,  or its  parent  corporation,  with any  request or
directive regarding capital adequacy (whether or not having the force of law) of
any such  authority,  central bank or comparable  agency,  has or would have the
effect of reducing the rate of return on



                                       18

<PAGE>



such  Lender's (or parent  corporation's)  capital or assets  specifically  as a
consequence of its  commitments  or obligations  hereunder to a level below that
which such Lender, or its parent  corporation,  could have achieved but for such
adoption,  effectiveness,  change or  compliance,  then,  upon  notice from such
Lender to the  Borrower,  the Borrower  shall be obligated to pay to such Lender
such additional amount or amounts as will compensate such Lender on an after-tax
basis (after taking into account applicable deductions and credits in respect of
the amount  indemnified) for such reduction effective from the effective date of
such adoption,  effectiveness,  change or compliance.  Each determination by any
such Lender of amounts owing under this Section shall, absent manifest error, be
conclusive and binding on the parties hereto.

3.10  Inability To Determine  Eurodollar  Rate. If prior to the first day of any
Interest  Period,   the  Agent  shall  have  determined  in  good  faith  (which
determination shall be conclusive and binding upon the Borrower) that, by reason
of circumstances affecting the relevant market, adequate and reasonable means do
not exist for  ascertaining  the Eurodollar Rate for such Interest  Period,  the
Agent shall give telecopy or telephonic  notice  thereof to the Borrower and the
Lenders as soon as  practicable  thereafter,  and will also give prompt  written
notice to the Borrower when such  conditions no longer exist.  If such notice is
given (a) any  Loans  requested  to be made on the  first  day of such  Interest
Period shall be made at the Prime Rate (the "Base Rate") and (b) any outstanding
Loans shall be converted,  on the first day of such Interest Period, to the Base
Rate.

3.11 Illegality to Make Eurodollar  Loans.  Notwithstanding  any other provision
herein,  if the  adoption of or any change in any  Requirement  of Law or in the
interpretation  or application  thereof  occurring  after the Closing Date shall
make it unlawful for any Lender to make or maintain  Loans based on the Adjusted
Eurodollar Rate as contemplated by this Credit Agreement,  (a) such Lender shall
promptly give written notice of such circumstances to the Borrower and the Agent
(which notice shall be withdrawn  whenever such  circumstances no longer exist),
(b) the  commitment of such Lender  hereunder to continue to make Loans based on
the Adjusted  Eurodollar Rate shall forthwith be canceled and until such time as
it shall no longer be unlawful  for such Lender to make or maintain  Loans based
on the Adjusted  Eurodollar  Rate, such Lender shall then have a commitment only
to make a Loan at the Base Rate when a Loan is requested and (c) such  LenderAEs
Loans then  outstanding,  if any, shall be converted  automatically to a Loan at
the Base Rate on the respective last days or the then current  Interest  Periods
with respect to such Loans or within such earlier  period as required by law. If
any such  conversion  of a Loan occurs on a day which is not the last day of the
then current  Interest  Period with respect  thereto,  the Borrower shall pay to
such Lender such amounts, if any, as may be required pursuant to Section 3.14.

3.12  Changes in  Requirements  of Law. If the  adoption of or any change in any
Requirement of Law or in the interpretation or application thereof applicable to
a Lender,  or compliance by any Lender with an request or directive  (whether or
not  having  the  force of law)  from  any  central  bank or other  Governmental
Authority,  in each case made subsequent to the Closing Date (or, if later,  the
date on which such Lender becomes a Lender):





                                       19

<PAGE>


(a) shall  subject such Lender to any tax of any kind  whatsoever  or change the
basis of taxation of payments to such Lender with  respect to the Loans  [except
for Non-Excluded  Taxes covered by Section 3.13 and changes in taxes measured by
or imposed upon the overall net income or franchise tax (imposed in lieu of such
net income tax), of such Lender or its applicable lending office, branch, or any
affiliate thereof];

(b) shall  impose,  modify or hold  applicable  any  reserve,  special  deposit,
compulsory loan or similar requirement against assets held by, deposits or other
liabilities  in or for the account of,  advances,  loans or other  extensions of
credit by, or any other acquisition of funds by, any office of such Lender which
is not otherwise included in the determination of the Eurodollar Rate hereunder;
or

(c) shall impose on such Lender any other  condition  (excluding  any tax of any
kind whatsoever);

and the result of any of the  foregoing  is to increase the cost to such Lender,
by an amount which such Lender deems to be material,  of making,  continuing  or
maintaining  the Loans or to reduce any amount  receivable  hereunder in respect
thereof,  then,  in any such case,  upon notice to the Borrower from such Lender
through the Agent,  in accordance  herewith,  the Borrower shall be obligated to
promptly pay such Lender,  upon its demand,  any additional amounts necessary to
compensate  such  Lender  on an  after-tax  basis  (after  taking  into  account
applicable deductions and credits in respect of the amount indemnified) for such
increased cost or reduced amount receivable effective from the effective date of
such  adoption  of  or  change  in  Requirement  of  Law  or  interpretation  or
application  thereof.  If any Lender  becomes  entitled to claim any  additional
amounts pursuant to this Section 3.12, it shall provide prompt notice thereof to
the Borrower through the Agent,  certifying (x) that one of the events described
in this  Section  3.12 has occurred and  describing,  in  reasonable  detail the
nature of such event,  (y) as to the increased cost or reduced amount  resulting
from such event and (z) as to the additional  amount demanded by such Lender and
a reasonably detailed explanation of the calculation thereof. Such a certificate
as to any additional  amounts payable pursuant to this Section 3.12 submitted by
such Lender,  through the Agent, to the Borrower shall be conclusive and binding
on the parties hereto in the absence of manifest error.

3.13     Taxes.


(a) Except as provided  below in this Section  3.13,  all  payments  made by the
Borrower under this Credit  Agreement and any Notes shall be made free and clear
of, and without  deduction or  withholding  for or on account of, any present or
future income, stamp or other taxes, levies,  imposts,  duties,  charges,  fees,
deductions  or  withholdings,  now  or  hereafter  imposed,  levied,  collected,
withheld  or  assessed  by any  court,  or  governmental  body,  agency or other
official,  excluding taxes measured by or imposed upon the overall net income of
any Lender or its






                                       20

<PAGE>



applicable lending office, or any branch or affiliate thereof, and all franchise
taxes,  branch taxes, taxes on doing business or taxes on the overall capital or
net worth of any  Lender or its  applicable  lending  office,  or any  branch or
affiliate thereof,  in each case imposed in lieu of net income taxes: (i) by the
jurisdiction  under the laws of which such Lender,  applicable  lending  office,
branch or  affiliate  is  organized  or is  located,  or in which its  principal
executive  office is located,  or any nation within which such  jurisdiction  is
located  or  any  political  subdivision  thereof;  or  (ii)  by  reason  of any
connection  between  the  jurisdiction   imposing  such  tax  and  such  Lender,
applicable  lending office,  branch or affiliate other than a connection arising
solely from such Lender having executed, delivered or performed its obligations,
or received  payment under or enforced,  this Credit  Agreement or any Notes. If
any such non-excluded taxes, levies, imposts,  duties, charges, fees, deductions
or withholdings  ("Non-Excluded  Taxes") under applicable law or regulation of a
Governmental  Authority are required to be withheld from any amounts  payable to
Agent or any Lender  hereunder or under any Notes the Borrower may withhold such
amounts,  provided,  however, (A) the amounts so payable to Agent or such Lender
shall be  increased  to the extent  necessary  to yield to Agent or such  Lender
(after  payment of all  Non-Excluded  Taxes)  interest or any such other amounts
payable  hereunder  at the  rates or in the  amounts  specified  in this  Credit
Agreement and any Notes, provided,  however, that the Borrower shall be entitled
to deduct and  withhold  any  Non-Excluded  Taxes and shall not be  required  to
increase any such amounts  payable to any Lender that is not organized under the
laws of the United  States of America or a state thereof if such Lender fails to
comply with the  requirements of paragraph (b) of this Section 3.13 whenever any
Non-Excluded Taxes are payable by the Borrower,  and (B) as promptly as possible
after  requested the Borrower shall send to Agent for its own account or for the
account of such  Lender,  as the case may be, a  certified  copy of an  original
official  receipt  received by the  Borrower  showing  payment  thereof.  If the
Borrower fails to pay any Non-Excluded  Taxes when due to the appropriate taxing
authority or fails to remit to the Agent the required receipts or other required
documentary evidence,  the Borrower shall indemnify the Agent and any Lender for
any incremental taxes, interest or penalties that may become payable by Agent or
any Lender as a result of any such failure.

(b) Each  Lender  (by way of  permitted  assignment  or  otherwise)  that is not
incorporated  under the laws of the United  States of America or a state thereof
shall:

(i)(A) on or before the date of any  payment by the  Borrower  under this Credit
Agreement or Notes to such Lender, deliver to the Borrower and the Agent (x) two
duly completed  copies of United States  Internal  Revenue Form 1001 or 4224, or
successor applicable form, as the case may be, certifying that it is entitled to
receive payments under this Credit Agreement and any Notes without  deduction or
withholding  of any  United  States  federal  income  taxes and (y) an  Internal
Revenue Service From W-8 or W-9, or successor  applicable  form, as the case may
be,  certifying  that it is entitled to an exemption  from United  States backup
withholding tax;

         (B) deliver to the  Borrower  and the Agent two  further  copies of any
such  form or  certification  on or  before  the  date  that  any  such  form or
certification  expires or becomes obsolete and after the occurrence of any event
requiring  a change in the most recent form  previously




                                       21

<PAGE>



delivered by it to the Borrower; and

         (C) obtain such  extensions  of time for filing and complete such forms
or  certifications  as may reasonably be requested by the Borrower or the Agent;
or

             (ii) in the case of any such Lender that is not a "bank" within the
meaning of Section  881(c)(3)(A) of the Internal  Revenue Code, (A) represent to
the  Borrower  (for the benefit of the  Borrower and the Agent) that it is not a
bank within the meaning of Section  881(c)(3)(A)  of the Internal  Revenue Code,
(B) agree to furnish to the  Borrower,  on or before the date of any  payment by
the  Borrower,  with a copy to the Agent,  two accurate  and  complete  original
signed copies of Internal Revenue Service Form W-8, or successor applicable form
certifying to such Lender's legal entitlement at the date of such certificate to
an exemption from U.S. withholding tax under the provisions of Section 881(c) of
the Internal  Revenue Code with respect to payments to be made under this Credit
Agreement  and any  Notes  (and to  deliver  to the  Borrower  and the Agent two
further copies of such form on or before the date it expires or becomes obsolete
and  after  the  occurrence  of any event  requiring  a change in most  recently
provided  form and,  if  necessary,  obtain any  extensions  of time  reasonably
requested  by the Borrower or the Agent for filing and  completing  such forms),
and (C) agree, to the extent legally entitled to do so, upon reasonable  request
by the Borrower, to provide to the Borrower (for the benefit of the Borrower and
the Agent) such other forms as may be reasonably  required in order to establish
the legal  entitlement  of such Lender to an  exemption  from  withholding  with
respect to payments under this Credit Agreement and any Notes.

Notwithstanding  the  above,  if any  change in treaty,  law or  regulation  has
occurred after the date such Person becomes a Lender hereunder which renders all
such forms  inapplicable or which would prevent such Lender from so advising the
Borrower and the Agent then such Lender shall be exempt from such  requirements.
Each Person that shall become a Lender or a participant of a Lender  pursuant to
Section 10.3 shall, upon the effectiveness of the related transfer,  be required
to provide all of the forms,  certifications and statements required pursuant to
this subsection (b); provided that in the case of a participant of a Lender, the
obligations  of such  participant  of a Lender  pursuant to this  subsection (b)
shall be determined as if the  participant of a Lender were a Lender except that
such   participant   of  a  Lender  shall  furnish  all  such  required   forms,
certifications and statements to the Lender from which the related participation
shall have been purchased.

3.14 Indemnity as to Eurodollar  Loans. The Borrower  promises to indemnify each
Lender and to hold each  Lender  harmless  from any loss or  expense  which such
Lender may sustain or incur as a  consequence  of (a) default by the Borrower in
making a borrowing of any Loans after the Borrower has given a notice requesting
the same in accordance with the provisions of this Credit Agreement, (b) default
by the Borrower in making any  prepayment of a Loan after the Borrower has given
a notice thereof in accordance with the provisions of this Credit  Agreement and
(c) the making of a prepayment of Loans on a day which is not the last day of an
Interest Period with respect thereto. Such indemnification may include an amount
equal to (i) the






                                       22

<PAGE>



amount of interest which would have accrued on the amount so prepaid,  or not so
borrowed,  converted  or  continued,  for  the  period  from  the  date  of such
prepayment or of such failure to borrow,  convert or continue to the last day of
the  applicable  Interest  Period  (or,  in the case of a failure  to  borrower,
convert or continue,  the Interest  Period that would have commenced on the date
of such failure) in each case at the applicable  rate of interest for such Loans
provided for herein  (excluding,  however,  the Applicable  Percentage  included
therein, if any) minus (ii) the amount of interest (as reasonably  determined by
such  Lender)  which would have accrued to such Lender on such amount by placing
such  amount on  deposit  for a  comparable  period  with  leading  banks in the
interbank  Eurodollar  market.  The agreements in this Section shall survive the
termination of this Credit  Agreement and the payment of the Loans and all other
amounts payable hereunder.


SECTION 4

CONDITIONS PRECEDENT

4.1 Closing Conditions.  The obligation of the Lenders to enter into this Credit
Agreement and make the initial Extension of Credit is subject to satisfaction of
the following conditions:

(a) Executed Credit Documents.  Receipt by the Agent of duly executed copies of:
(1) this Credit Agreement; (ii) the Notes; and (iii) all other Credit Documents,
each in form and  substance  reasonably  acceptable  to the Agent in their  sole
discretion.

(b) Corporate Documents. Receipt by the Agent of the following:

(i) Charter  Documents.  Copies of the articles or certificates of incorporation
or other charter documents of the Borrower  certified to be true and complete as
of a recent date by the appropriate Governmental Authority of the state or other
jurisdiction  of its  incorporation  and  certified  by a secretary or assistant
secretary of Borrower to be true and correct as of the Effective Date.

(ii) Bylaws.  A copy of the bylaws of the  Borrower  certified by a secretary or
assistant secretary of Borrower to be true and correct as of the Effective Date.

(iii)  Resolutions.  Copies of resolutions of the Board of Directors of Borrower
approving  and  adopting  the  Credit  Documents  to which  it is a  party,  the
transactions   contemplated  therein  and  authorizing  execution  and  delivery
thereof,  certified by a secretary or assistant secretary of Borrower to be true
and correct and in force and effect as of the Effective Date.

(iv) Good Standing.  Copies of (A)  certificates of good standing,  existence or
its  equivalent  with  respect to Borrower  certified as of a recent date by the
appropriate  Governmental  Authorities  of the  state or other  jurisdiction  of
incorporation and each other jurisdiction in which







                                       23

<PAGE>



the failure to so qualify and be in good standing could have a Material  Adverse
Effect and (B) to the extent available,  a certificate indicating payment of all
corporate  franchise  taxes  certified  as of a recent  date by the  appropriate
governmental taxing authorities.

(v) Incumbency.  An incumbency  certificate of Borrower certified by a secretary
or assistant secretary to be true and correct as of the Effective Date.

(c)  Financial  Statements.  Receipt by the Agent and the Lenders of the audited
consolidated  financial  statements  of the  Borrower,  dated as of December 31,
1995, and the unaudited  consolidated financial statements of the Borrower dated
as of September 30, 1996.

(d) Opinion of Counsel.  Receipt by the Agent of an opinion,  or opinions (which
shall cover, among other things, authority,  legality, validity, binding effect,
and  enforceability),  reasonably  satisfactory  to the Agent,  addressed to the
Agent on behalf of the Lenders and dated as of the  Effective  Date,  from legal
counsel to the Borrower.

(e) Evidence of Insurance.  Receipt by the Agent of copies of insurance policies
or certificates of insurance of the Borrower  evidencing  liability and casualty
insurance meeting the requirements set forth in the Credit Documents, including,
but not  limited  to,  naming  the  Agent as sole  loss  payee on  behalf of the
Lenders.

(f)  Material  Adverse  Effect.  There  shall not have  occurred a change  since
December  31,  1995  that  has had or could  reasonably  be  expected  to have a
Material Adverse Effect.

(g) Litigation.  There shall not exist any pending or threatened  action,  suit,
investigation or proceeding against Borrower that would have or would reasonably
be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.

(h)  Officer's  Certificates.  The Agent shall have  received a  certificate  or
certificates  executed by the chief financial  officer of the Borrower as of the
Effective Date stating that (i) the Borrower is in compliance  with all existing
material  financial  obligations,   (ii)  no  action,  suit,   investigation  or
proceeding is pending or, to the best of such officer's knowledge, threatened in
any court or before any arbitrator or governmental instrumentality that purports
to affect Borrower or any transaction  contemplated by the Credit Documents,  if
such action, suit, investigation or proceeding could have or could be reasonably
expected to have a Material Adverse Effect,  (iii) the financial  statements and
information  delivered  pursuant to Section  4.1(c) are true and accurate in all
material  respects  and (iv)  immediately  after  giving  effect to this  Credit
Agreement,  the other Credit  Documents  and all the  transactions  contemplated
therein to occur on such date, (A) Borrower is Solvent,  (B) no Default or Event
of Default exists, (C) all representations  and warranties  contained herein and
in the other Credit Documents are true and correct in all material respects, and
(D) the Borrower is in compliance with each of the financial covenants set forth
in Section 6.2 with evidence to support such compliance in a manner satisfactory
to the Agent.





                                       24

<PAGE>



(i) Fees and Expenses.  Payment by the Borrower of all fees and expenses owed by
them to the Lenders and the Agent.

(j) Project  Information.  With respect to each Project the acquisition of which
is to be financed by the Loan,  Agent shall have received and approved,  in form
and substance, and in its discretion,  executed copies of the purchase contract,
operating statements and anticipated capital expenditure budgets, and such other
information about each Project that Agent may reasonably request from Borrower.

(k) Existing  Indebtedness.  Evidence of payment in full (which may be paid with
proceeds of the Loan) and termination of (i) that certain Loan Agreement,  dated
as of March 1,  1995,  among the  Borrower  and  First  Union  National  Bank of
Virginia,  as amended  (the  "Existing  Loan  Agreement")  and (ii) that certain
Promissory Note dated January 1, 1997 executed by the Borrower in favor of First
Union National Bank of Virginia in the face amount of $85,000,000 (the "Existing
Note") and all documents and instruments executed and/or delivered in connection
with the Existing Loan Agreement and the Existing Note.

(l) Other. Receipt by the Agent or Lenders of such other documents, instruments,
agreements or  information  as reasonable  and timely  requested by Agent or any
Lender,  including,  but not limited to, information regarding litigation,  tax,
accounting,  labor, insurance, pension liabilities (actual or contingent),  real
estate leases,  material  contracts,  debt  agreements,  property  ownership and
contingent liabilities of the Borrower.

4.2  Conditions to All Loans.  In addition to the  conditions  precedent  stated
elsewhere herein, the Lenders shall not be obligated to make Loans unless:

(a)  Notice.  The  Borrower  shall have  delivered a Notice of  Borrowing,  duly
executed and completed, by the time specified in Section 2.1;

(b) Representations  and Warranties.  The representations and warranties made by
the  Borrower  in any  Credit  Document  are true and  correct  in all  material
respects at and as if made as of such date  except to the extent they  expressly
relate to an earlier date;

(c) No Default. No Default or Event of Default shall exist or be continuing;

(d) No Material  Adverse  Effect.  There shall not have  occurred  any  Material
Adverse Effect;

(e)  Availability.  Immediately after giving effect to the making of a Revolving
Loan (and the application of the proceeds  thereof) the Loans  outstanding shall
not exceed the Revolving Commitment Amount; and

(f) Project  Information.  With respect to each Project the acquisition of which
is to be financed by the Loan,  Agent shall have received and approved,  in form
and substance, and in its




                                       25

<PAGE>


discretion,  true,  accurate  and  complete  copies  of the  purchase  contract,
operating statements and anticipated capital expenditure budgets, and such other
information about each Project that Lender may reasonably request from Borrower.

The delivery of each Notice of Borrowing shall constitute a  representation  and
warranty  by  the  Borrower  of the  correctness  of the  matters  specified  in
subsections (b), (c), (d), (e) and (f) above.



SECTION 5

REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES

The Borrower hereby represents to the Agent and each Lender that:


5.1  Financial  Condition.  The  financial  statements  delivered to the Lenders
pursuant to Section 4.1 (c) and Section 6.1 (a) and (b): (a) have been  prepared
in  accordance  with GAAP and (b)  present  fairly  the  consolidated  financial
condition,  results of operations and cash flows of the Borrower as of such date
and for such periods of such  financial  statements.  Since  September 30, 1996,
there  has been no  sale,  transfer  or other  disposition  by  Borrower  of any
material  part of the  business or property of Borrower and no purchase or other
acquisition by Borrower of any business or property (including any capital stock
of any other Person) material in relation to the financial condition of Borrower
in  each  case,  which,  is not  (i)  reflected  in the  most  recent  financial
statements  delivered  to the  Lenders  pursuant  to Section 6.1 or in the notes
thereto or (ii) otherwise communicated to the Agent.

5.2 Organization and Good Standing. Borrower is a corporation duly incorporated,
validly  existing  and in good  standing  under  the  laws of the  state  of its
incorporation.  Borrower  (a)  is  duly  qualified  and  in  good  standing  and
authorized  to do business in every other  jurisdiction  where  ownership of its
properties  or the conduct of its business  requires it to be so and (b) has the
requisite  corporate  power and authority to own its  properties and to carry on
its business as now conducted and as proposed to be conducted.

5.3 Due  Authorization.  Borrower  (a) has the  requisite  corporate  power  and
authority to execute,  deliver and perform this Credit  Agreement  and the other
Credit Documents to which it is a party and to incur the obligations  herein and
therein  provided for, and (b) is duly authorized to, and has been authorized by
all necessary corporate action, to execute,  deliver and perform its obligations
under this Credit  Agreement  and the other  Credit  Documents  to which it is a
party.

5.4 No Conflicts.  Neither the  execution and delivery of the Credit  Documents,
nor the consummation of the transactions  contemplated  therein, nor performance
of and  compliance  with the terms and  provisions  thereof by Borrower will (a)
violate or  conflict  with any  provision





                                       26

<PAGE>



of, as applicable,  its articles or certificate of incorporation or bylaws,  (b)
violate,  contravene or materially  conflict with any  Requirement of Law or any
other law, regulation (including, without limitation, Regulation U or Regulation
X), order, writ,  judgment,  injunction,  decree or permit applicable to it, (c)
violate,  contravene or conflict  with  contractual  provisions  of, or cause an
event of default under, any indenture, loan agreement,  mortgage, deed of trust,
contract or other  agreement or instrument to which it is a party or by which it
may be bound, the violation of which could have or might be reasonably  expected
to have a Material  Adverse Effect,  or (d) result in or require the creation of
any Lien upon or with respect to its properties.

5.5  Consents.  No  consent,  approval,  authorization  or order of, or  filing,
registration or qualification with, any court or Governmental Authority or third
party in respect of  Borrower  is required  in  connection  with the  execution,
delivery or  performance  of this Credit  Agreement  or any of the other  Credit
Documents by such Borrower.

5.6  Enforceable  Obligations.  This  Credit  Agreement  and  the  other  Credit
Documents have been duly executed and delivered and constitute legal,  valid and
binding obligations of Borrower  enforceable against Borrower in accordance with
their  respective  terms,  except as may be limited by  bankruptcy or insolvency
laws or  similar  laws  affecting  creditors'  rights  generally  or by  general
equitable principles.

5.7 No Default.  Borrower is not in default in any respect  under any  contract,
lease,  loan  agreement,   indenture,  mortgage,  security  agreement  or  other
agreement or obligation to which it is a party or by which any of its properties
is bound  which  default  would have or would be  reasonably  expected to have a
Material Adverse Effect. No Default or Event of Default has occurred or exists.

5.8  Ownership.  Borrower is the owner of, and has good and marketable title to,
all of its respective assets.

5.9  Indebtedness.  Borrower  has no  Indebtedness  except  ordinary  trade debt
disclosed in the financial  statements  referenced in Section 6.1 and debt under
the Cash Management Note and the Existing First Union Letter of Credit.

5.10 Litigation. There are no actions, suits or legal, equitable, arbitration or
administrative proceedings, pending or, to the knowledge of Borrower, threatened
against  Borrower  which  could have or might be  reasonably  expected to have a
Material Adverse Effect.

5.11 Taxes. Borrower has filed, or caused to be filed, all tax returns (federal,
state, local and foreign) required to be filed and paid (a) all amounts of taxes
shown thereon to be due  (including  interest and  penalties)  and (b) all other
taxes, fees,  assessments and other governmental charges owing by it, except for
such taxes (i) which are not yet delinquent or (ii) that are being, contested in
good faith and by proper  proceedings,  and against which adequate  reserves are
being maintained in accordance with GAAP.  Borrower is not aware of any proposed
tax





                                       27

<PAGE>



assessments against it.

5.12 Compliance with Law. Borrower is in compliance with all Requirements of Law
and all other laws, rules,  regulations,  orders and decrees  (including without
limitation  Environmental  Laws) applicable to it, or to its properties,  unless
such  failure to comply  would not have or would not be  reasonably  expected to
have a Material Adverse Effect.

5.13 ERISA.  Except as would not result or be reasonably expected to result in a
Material Adverse Effect:

(a) During the five-year  period prior to the date on which this  representation
is made or deemed made: (i) no Termination  Event has occurred,  and no event or
condition  has  occurred  or exists as a result of which any  Termination  Event
could  reasonably  be  expected  to occur,  with  respect  to any Plan,  (ii) no
"accumulated  funding  deficiency,"  as such term is defined  in Section  302 of
ERISA and Section  412 of the Code,  whether or not waived,  has  occurred  with
respect to any Plan; (iii) each Plan has been maintained,  operated,  and funded
in compliance with its own terms and in material  compliance with the provisions
of ERISA, the Code, and any other applicable  federal or state laws; and (iv) no
lien in favor or the PBGC or a Plan has arisen or is reasonably  likely to arise
on account of any Plan.

(b) The actuarial present value of all "benefit  liabilities"  under each Single
Employer Plan (determined  within the meaning of Section  401(a)(2) of the Code,
utilizing the  actuarial  assumptions  used to fund such Plans),  whether or not
vested, did not, as of the last annual valuation date prior to the date on which
this  representation  is made or deemed  made,  exceed the current  value of the
assets of such Plan allocable to such accrued liabilities.

(c) Neither  Borrower  nor any ERISA  Affiliate  has  incurred,  or, to the best
knowledge of the Borrower,  are  reasonably  expected to incur,  any  withdrawal
liability  under  ERISA to any  Multiemployer  Plan or Multiple  Employer  Plan.
Neither  the  Borrower,  any of its  Subsidiaries  nor any ERISA  Affiliate  has
received  any  notification  that any  Multiemployer  Plan is in  reorganization
(within the meaning of Section 4241 of ERISA),  is insolvent (within the meaning
of Section 4245 of ERISA),  or has been terminated  (within the meaning of Title
IV of  ERISA),  and no  Multiemployer  Plan  is,  to the best  knowledge  of the
Borrower, reasonably expected to be in reorganization, insolvent, or terminated.

(d) No  prohibited  transaction  (within  the meaning of Section 406 of ERISA or
Section  4975 of the Code) or breach of  fiduciary  responsibility  has occurred
with respect to a Plan which has  subjected or is  reasonably  likely to subject
the Borrower or any of its  Subsidiaries or any ERISA Affiliate to any liability
under Sections 406, 409, 502(i), or 502(l) of ERISA or Section 4975 of the Code,
or under any  agreement or other  instrument  pursuant to which  Borrower or any
ERISA  Affiliate has agreed or is required to indemnify  any person  against any
such liability.

(e) The present value  (determined  using actuarial and other  assumptions which
are





                                       28

<PAGE>



reasonable   with   respect  to  the  benefits   provided   and  the   employees
participating)  of the  liability of the Borrower and each ERISA  Affiliate  for
post-retirement  welfare  benefits to be  provided  to their  current and former
employees  under Plans which are  welfare  benefit  plans (as defined in Section
3(l) of  ERISA),  net of all  assets  under  all such  Plans  allocable  to such
benefits, are reflected on the Financial Statements in accordance with FASB 106.


(f) Each Plan which is a welfare  plan (as defined in Section  3(l) of ERISA) to
which  Sections  601-609 of ERISA and  Section  4980B of the Code apply has been
administered in compliance in all material respects with such sections.

5.14  Subsidiaries.  Set  forth  on  Schedule  5.14  is a  complete  list of all
Subsidiaries of the Borrower and the type and amount of ownership of each.

5.15 Use of Proceeds,  Margin Stock. The proceeds of the Loans hereunder will be
used solely for repayment of the Existing  Indebtedness  and the  acquisition of
Projects by the Borrower as approved by Agent. None of the proceeds of the Loans
will be used for the purpose of  purchasing  or carrying  any "margin  stock" as
defined in  Regulation  U,  Regulation X or  Regulation G, or for the purpose of
reducing or retiring any Indebtedness which was originally  incurred to purchase
or carry "margin stock" or any "margin  security" or for any other purpose which
might  constitute  this  transaction  a "purpose  credit"  within the meaning of
Regulation U,  Regulation X, Regulation G or Regulation T. The Borrower does not
own any "margin stock".

5.16  Government  Regulation.  Borrower is not subject to  regulation  under the
Public  Utility  Holding  Company  Act of  1935,  the  Federal  Power  Act,  the
Investment Company Act of 1940 or the Interstate  Commerce Act, each as amended.
In addition,  Borrower is not (a) an investment  company" registered or required
to be  registered  under the  Investment  Company Act of 1940,  as  amended,  or
controlled  by such a  company,  or (b) a  "holding  company"  or a  "Subsidiary
company" of a "holding  company," or an "affiliate" of a "holding company" or of
a "Subsidiary" or a "holding  company," within the meaning of the Public Utility
Holding  Company Act of 1935,  as amended.  No  director,  executive  officer or
principal  shareholder of the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries is a director,
executive  officer or  principal  shareholder  of any Lender.  For the  purposes
hereof the terms  "director",  "executive  officer" and "principal  shareholder"
(when used with reference to any Lender) have the respective  meanings  assigned
thereto in Regulation 0 issued by the Board of Governors of the Federal  Reserve
System.

5.17     Environmental Matters.

(a)  Except as would not cause or be  reasonably  expected  to cause a  Material
Adverse Effect:

(i)  Each  of  the  Properties  and  all  operations  at the  Properties  are in
compliance with all applicable  Environmental Laws, and there is no violation of
any Environmental Law with respect to the Properties or the businesses  operated
by Borrower  (the  oBusinesses"),  and there are no  conditions  relating to the
Businesses  or  Properties  that would be  reasonably  expected  to





                                       29

<PAGE>



give rise to liability under any applicable Environmental Laws.

(ii)  Borrower  has not  received  any  written  notice of, or inquiry  from any
Governmental   Authority   regarding,   any   violation,    alleged   violation,
non-compliance,  liability or potential  liability regarding Hazardous Materials
or compliance  with  Environmental  Laws with regard to any of the Properties or
the  Businesses,  nor does Borrower have knowledge that any such notice is being
threatened.


(iii) Hazardous  Materials have not been  transported or disposed at or from any
of the Properties, or generated,  treated, stored or disposed of at, on or under
any of the Properties or any other location,  in each case by, or on behalf,  of
Borrower,  the Properties or the Businesses in any amount  reportable  under the
federal Comprehensive Environmental Response,  Compensation and Liability Act or
any analogous state law,  except  releases in compliance with any  Environmental
Laws.

(iv) No judicial proceeding or governmental or administrative  action is pending
or, to the knowledge of Borrower,  threatened,  under any  Environmental  Law to
which Borrower is or will be named as a party, nor are there any consent decrees
or other decrees,  consent  orders,  administrative  orders or other orders,  or
other   administrative   or   judicial   requirements   outstanding   under  any
Environmental Law with respect to Borrower, the Properties or the Businesses.

(v) There has been no release or threat of release of Hazardous  Materials at or
from the  Properties,  or arising from or related to the operations  (including,
without  limitation,  disposal) of Borrower in connection with the Properties or
otherwise in connection with the Businesses,  except releases in compliance with
any Environmental Laws.

(vi) None of the Properties contains, or has previously contained, any Hazardous
Materials at, on or under the Properties in amounts or  concentrations  that, if
released,  constitute  or  constituted  a  violation  of, or could  give rise to
liability under, Environmental Laws.

(vii)  No  Borrower   has  assumed  any   liability  of  any  Person  under  any
Environmental Law.

(b)  Borrower  has  adopted  procedures  that are  designed  to (i) ensure  that
Borrower, all of its operations and each of the Properties remains in compliance
with  applicable  Environmental  Laws  and  (ii)  minimize  any  liabilities  or
potential  liabilities  that  Borrower,  any of its  operations  and each of the
Properties may have under applicable Environmental Laws.

5.18  Intellectual  Property.  Borrower owns, or has the legal right to use, all
trademarks,  tradenames,  copyrights,  technology,  know-how and processes  (the
"Intellectual  Property")  necessary  for  Borrower to conduct  its  business as
currently conducted except for those the failure to own or have such legal right
to use would  not have or be  reasonably  expected  to have a  Material  Adverse
Effect.







                                       30

<PAGE>



5.19  Solvency.   Borrower  is  and,  after  consummation  of  the  transactions
contemplated by this Credit Agreement, will be Solvent.

5.20 Disclosure.  Neither this Agreement nor any financial  statements delivered
to the Lenders nor any other document, certificate or statement furnished to the
Lenders  by or on  behalf  of  Borrower  in  connection  with  the  transactions
contemplated hereby contains any untrue statement of a material fact or omits to
state a  material  fact  necessary  in order to make  the  statements  contained
therein or herein not misleading.


5.21  Licenses,  etc.  The  Borrower  has  obtained  and holds in full force and
effect,  all  franchises,   licenses,  permits,  certificates,   authorizations,
qualifications,  accreditations,  easements,  rights  of way and  other  rights,
consents and approvals  which are necessary for the operation of its  Businesses
as presently conducted, except where the failure to obtain same would not have a
Material Adverse Effect.

5.22 No  Burdensome  Restrictions.  Borrower is not a party to any  agreement or
instrument  or  subject to any other  obligation  or any  charter  or  corporate
restriction  or any provision of any applicable  law, rule or regulation  which,
individually or in the aggregate, would have or be reasonably expected to have a
Material Adverse Effect.


SECTION 6

AFFIRMATIVE COVENANTS

Borrower hereby covenants and agrees that so long as this Credit Agreement is in
effect  and  until  the  Loans,  together  with  interest  and  fees  and  other
obligations  hereunder,  have  been paid in full and the  Commitments  hereunder
shall have terminated:

6.1 Information Covenants.  The Borrower will furnish, or cause to be furnished,
to the Agent and each of the Lenders:

(a) Annual Financial Statements.  As soon as available,  and in any event within
90 days after the close of each fiscal year of the Borrower,  (i) a consolidated
balance sheet and income statement of the Borrower, as of the end of such fiscal
year, together with related  consolidated  statements of operations and retained
earnings and of cash flows for such fiscal year,  setting  forth in  comparative
form  consolidated  figures for the preceding  fiscal year,  all such  financial
information  described  above to be in reasonable form and detail and audited by
independent   certified  public  accountants  of  recognized  national  standing
reasonably acceptable to the Agent and whose opinion shall be to the effect that
such financial statements have been prepared in accordance with GAAP (except for
changes with which such  accountants  concur) and shall not be limited as to the
scope of the audit or qualified in any manner,  (ii) a detailed schedule for the
Properties to include, without limitation,  project names and locations, leasing
status, net





                                       31

<PAGE>



operating  income,  Adjusted  NOI as to  the  Properties,  the  source  of  cash
necessary to cover any operating  deficit,  the amount of and beneficiary of any
cash  distributions,  and the amount of cash  invested in or  received  from the
Properties and (iii) a projected income statement  (including  projected Capital
Expenditures) for the next fiscal year (twelve month period) for each Property.

(b)  Quarterly  Financial  Statements.  As soon as  available,  and in any event
within 45 days after the close of each  fiscal  quarter of the  Borrower,  (i) a
consolidated  balance sheet and income statement of the Borrower,  as of the end
of such  fiscal  quarter,  together  with  related  consolidated  statements  of
operations  and retained  earnings and of cash flows for such fiscal  quarter in
each  case  setting  forth in  comparative  form  consolidated  figures  for the
corresponding   period  of  the  preceding   fiscal  year,  all  such  financial
information  described  above to be in reasonable form and detail and reasonably
acceptable  to the Agent,  and  accompanied  by a  certificate  of an Authorized
Officer of the Borrower to the effect that such quarterly  financial  statements
fairly present in all material respects the financial  condition of the Borrower
and have been prepared in  accordance  with GAAP,  subject to chances  resulting
from  normal  year-end  audit  adjustments,  (ii) a schedule  of the  Properties
summarizing total revenues,  expenses,  net operating income,  Adjusted NOI, and
occupancy rates as of the last day of the applicable quarter, (iii) a listing of
all Properties  under  development  showing the total capital  obligation of the
Borrower and funds expended to date, (iv) a summary of purchases by the Borrower
for the prior quarter and (v) an accounting of all Revolving Loans.

(c) Officer's  Certificate.  At the time of delivery of the financial statements
provided for in Sections 6.1 (b) above, a certificate  of an Authorized  Officer
of the  Borrower  substantially  in the form of Exhibit  6.1(c)  stating that no
Default or Event of Default  exists,  or if any Default or Event of Default does
exist,  specifying  the nature and extent  thereof and what action the  Borrower
proposes to take with respect thereto.

(d) Compliance With Certain Provisions of the Credit Agreement.  Within 120 days
after  the  end of  each  fiscal  year  of the  Borrower,  a  certificate  of an
Authorized Officer of the Borrower containing  information  regarding the amount
of any Equity Issuances that were made during the prior fiscal year.

(e)  Accountant's  Certificate.  Within the period  for  delivery  of the annual
financial  statements  provided  in  Section  6.l  (a),  a  certificate  of  the
accountants  conducting  the annual audit  stating that they have  reviewed this
Credit Agreement and stating further whether, in the course of their audit, they
have become aware of any Default or Event of Default and, if any such Default or
Event of Default exists, specifying the nature and extent thereof.

(f) Auditor's Reports.  Promptly upon receipt thereof, a copy of any "management
letter" submitted by independent  accountants to the Borrower in connection with
any annual, interim or special audit of the books of Borrower.

(g) Reports.  Promptly upon  transmission or receipt thereof,  (a) copies of any
filings and






                                       32

<PAGE>



registrations  with,  and  reports  to or  from,  the  Securities  and  Exchange
Commission  (including,  without  limitation,  10-K  and 10-Q  reports),  or any
successor  agency,  and copies of all financial  statements,  proxy  statements,
notices and reports as Borrower shall send to its shareholders generally and (b)
upon the written  request of Agent,  all reports and written  information to and
from the United States  Environmental  Protection  Agency, or any state or local
agency  responsible for environmental  matters,  the United States  Occupational
Health and Safety  Administration,  or any state or local agency responsible for
health and safety matters,  or any successor agencies or authorities  concerning
environmental, health or safety matters.

(h) Notices.  Upon  Borrower  obtaining  knowledge  thereof,  Borrower will give
written  notice to the Agent  immediately  of (a) the  occurrence of an event or
condition consisting of a Default or Event of Default, specifying the nature and
existence  thereof and what action the  Borrower  proposes to take with  respect
thereto,  and  (b)  the  occurrence  of any of the  following  with  respect  to
Borrower:  (i) the  pendency  or  commencement  of any  litigation,  arbitral or
governmental  proceeding  against  Borrower which if adversely  determined would
have or would be reasonably  expected to have a Material Adverse Effect, or (ii)
the  institution  of any  proceedings  against  Borrower with respect to, or the
receipt of notice by such Person of potential  liability or  responsibility  for
violation,  or alleged  violation  of any federal,  state or local law,  rule or
regulation,  including but not limited to,  Environmental Laws, the violation of
which  would have or would be  reasonably  expected  to have a Material  Adverse
Effect.

(i) ERISA. Upon the Borrower or any ERISA Affiliate obtaining knowledge thereof,
Borrower will give written notice to the Agent and each of the Lenders  promptly
(and in any event  within five  Business  Days) of: (1) any event or  condition,
including, but not limited to, any Reportable Event, that constitutes,  or might
reasonably lead to, a Termination  Event; (ii) with respect to any Multiemployer
Plan,  the  receipt  of  notice  as  prescribed  in  ERISA or  otherwise  of any
withdrawal  liability assessed against Borrower or any ERISA Affiliate,  or of a
determination  that any  Multiemployer  Plan is in  reorganization  or insolvent
(both  within the meaning of Title IV of ERISA);  (iii) the failure to make full
payment on or before the due date (including  extensions) thereof of all amounts
which  Borrower or any ERISA  Affiliate is required to  contribute  to each Plan
pursuant to its terms and as required to meet the minimum  funding  standard set
forth in ERISA  and the Code with  respect  thereto;  or (iv) any  change in the
funding status of any Plan that could have a Material  Adverse Effect,  together
with a  description  of any such event or condition or a copy of any such notice
and a statement by an Authorized  Officer of the Borrower  briefly setting forth
the details regarding such event,  condition, or notice, and the action, if any,
which has been or is being taken or is proposed to be taken by the Borrower with
respect thereto. Promptly upon request, the Borrower shall furnish the Agent and
each of the Lenders with such additional  information concerning any Plan as may
be reasonably  requested,  including,  but not limited to, copies of each annual
report/return  (Form 5500  series),  as well as all  schedules  and  attachments
thereto  required to be filed with the  Department  of Labor and/or the Internal
Revenue  Service  pursuant to ERISA and the Code,  respectively,  for each "plan
year" (within the meaning of Section 3(39) of ERISA).







                                       33

<PAGE>



(j)  Environmental.

(i)  Subsequent  to  a  notice  from  any  Governmental   Authority  that  would
reasponably  cause concern or during the  existence of an Event of Default,  and
upon the written  request of Agent,  the  Borrower  will  furnish or cause to be
furnished to the Agent, at the Borrower's  expense, a report of an environmental
assessment of reasonable  scope,  form and depth,  including where  appropriate,
invasive soil or groundwater  sampling, by a consultant reasonably acceptable to
the Agent as to the nature and extent of the presence of any Hazardous Materials
on  any  property  owned,  or  leased  or  operated  by  Borrower  and as to the
compliance by the Borrower  with  Environmental  Laws. If the Borrower  fails to
delivery  such an  environmental  report within sixty (60) days after receipt of
such  written  request  then the Agent may  arrange for same,  and the  Borrower
hereby grants to the Agent and their  representatives  access to the  Properties
and a license of a scope  reasonably  necessary to undertake  such an assessment
(including, where appropriate, invasive soil or groundwater sampling).

(ii) Borrower will conduct and complete all investigations,  studies,  sampling,
and testing and all remedial,  removal,  and other actions  necessary to address
all Hazardous Materials on, from, or affecting any real property owned or leased
by Borrower to the extent  necessary to be in compliance with all  Environmental
Laws and all other applicable federal, state, and local laws, regulations, rules
and policies and with the orders and directives of all Governmental  Authorities
exercising  jurisdiction over such real property to the extent any failure would
have or be reasonably expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.

(k) Other Information.  With reasonable  promptness upon any such request,  such
other information  regarding the business,  properties or financial condition of
the Borrower as Agent may  reasonably  request,  including,  but not limited to,
rent rolls for each Property.

6.2 Financial Covenants.  At the end of each fiscal quarter of the Borrower, the
ratio of EBITDA for the prior 12 months to Indebtedness shall be greater than or
equal to .18 to 1.0.

6.3 Preservation of Existence,  Franchises and REIT Status. The Borrower will do
all  things  necessary  to  preserve  and  keep in full  force  and  effect  its
existence,  rights, franchises and authority.  Borrower will maintain its status
as a REIT.

6.4 Books and Records.  The Borrower will keep  complete and accurate  books and
records of its transactions in accordance with good accounting  practices on the
basis of GAAP  (including  the  establishment  and  maintenance  of  appropriate
reserves).

6.5 Compliance  with Law.  Borrower will comply with all material  laws,  rules,
regulations and orders, and all applicable material  restrictions imposed by all
Governmental  Authorities  having  jurisdiction over the Borrower,  its Business
and/or the  Projects.  Without  limiting  the  foregoing,  it will  operate  all
Projects in compliance with all applicable  zoning  ordinances,  regulations and
restrictive covenants.







                                       34

<PAGE>



6.6 Insurance.  Borrower will provide casualty  insurance for each Project to be
financed with the Loans, the form,  amount,  and issuing company of which are to
be  satisfactory  to Agent.  Borrower  will provide  adequate  public  liability
insurance for each Project to be financed  with the Loans the form,  amounts and
terms thereof are to be satisfactory to Agent.

6.7 Surveys. Borrower will obtain for each Project to be financed with the Loans
a current  survey  prepared by a certified  land  surveyor  showing  location of
actual  improvements  as of the date of acquisition  of the Project,  containing
only those matters  acceptable to the Agent and containing a certification  that
the Project to be financed with the Loans is not located in a flood hazard area.

6.8 Title  Insurance.  Borrower  will obtain for all Projects  financed with the
Loans paid title  insurance  policies in accordance  with the  applicable  title
insurance commitment approved by the Agent in connection with the requisition of
the Loan.

6.9 Audits/Inspections.  Upon reasonable notice and during normal business hours
and  in a  manner  that  will  not  unreasonably  interfere  with  its  business
operations,  Borrower will permit representatives appointed by Agent, including,
without limitation, independent accountants, agents, attorneys and appraisers to
visit and inspect  Borrower's  property,  including  its books and records,  its
accounts receivable and inventory, its facilities and its other business assets,
and to make photocopies or photographs  thereof and to write down and record any
information  such   representative   obtains  and  shall  permit  Agent  or  its
representatives  to investigate and verify the accuracy of information  provided
to the Lenders, including,  without limitation, to discuss all such matters with
the officers, employees and representatives of the Borrower.

6.10 Capital  Expenditures.  Upon the request of the Agent,  the Borrower  shall
provide an annual  capital  expenditure  budget of the  Borrower  which shall be
acceptable to the Agent in its reasonable discretion.

6.11 Principal Office.  Borrower will maintain its principal office in Richmond,
Virginia.

6.12  Management.  Each of Glade M. Knight and S. J. Olander shall remain active
in the management of the Borrower; provided that upon the death or disability of
any of the above-referenced  individuals,  the Borrower shall have six months to
provide the Agent with  substitute  personnel as  replacement;  such  substitute
personnel to be acceptable to the Agent in its sole reasonable discretion.

6.13  Additional  Borrower.  At the time any  Person  becomes  a  Subsidiary  of
Borrower with the approval of the Agent as provided above,  Borrower shall cause
such  Person to execute and deliver a joinder  agreement  in form and  substance
approved by Agent pursuant to which such  Subsidiary  shall agree to be bound by
the  provisions of this Credit  Agreement and guarantee the  obligations  of the
Borrower hereunder.







                                       35

<PAGE>



6.14 Equity Issuance.  All Net Cash Proceeds received from an Equity Issuance by
Borrower shall be promptly reported to the Agent and the amount of such Net Cash
Proceeds shall be verified to the satisfaction of the Agent.

6.15  Upstream  of  Dividends.  Borrower  shall cause all  dividends  payable to
Borrower  by any  Subsidiary  to be  transferred  to  Borrower  as  promptly  as
possible.

6.16 Use of Loan Proceeds.  Borrower will receive all advances of the Loans as a
trust  fund to be applied  solely  for the  purpose  of  repaying  the  Existing
Indebtedness  and paying the costs of  acquisition  of a  Project,  but  nothing
herein shall impose upon Agent or any Lender any obligation to see to the proper
application of such advances by Borrower.

SECTION 7

NEGATIVE COVENANTS


Borrower hereby covenants and agrees that so long as this Credit Agreement is in
effect and until the Loans,  together with interest,  fees and other obligations
hereunder,  have  been paid in full and the  Commitments  hereunder  shall  have
terminated:

7.1 Indebtedness.  Borrower will not, nor will it permit any of its Subsidiaries
to, contract, create, incur, assume or permit to exist any Indebtedness, except:

         (a)  Indebtedness  arising  under this Credit  Agreement  and the other
Credit Documents;

         (b)  Indebtedness  in respect of current  accounts  payable and accrued
expenses  incurred in the ordinary course of business  including,  to the extent
not current, accounts payable and accrued expenses that are subject to bona fide
dispute;

         (c) Indebtedness arising under a promissory note of the Borrower in the
principal  amount not to exceed  $7,500,000  payable to the order of First Union
National Bank of Virginia related to the Borrower's cash management  system with
First Union National Bank of Virginia (the "Cash Management Note").

         (d)  Indebtedness   arising  in  connection  with  the  issuance  of  a
$5,500,000  letter  of  credit  by First  Union  National  Bank of  Virginia  to
Lexington  Tower  Associates  for the account of Borrower (the  "Existing  First
Union Letter of Credit").

7.2 Nature of Business.  Borrower  will not alter the  character of its business
from that  conducted as of the Closing Date or engage in any business other than
the business conducted as of the Closing Date.





                                       36

<PAGE>



7.3  Consolidation,  Merger,  Liquidation.  Borrower  will  not  enter  into any
transaction of merger or consolidation or liquidate,  wind up or dissolve itself
(or  suffer  any  liquidation  or  dissolution)  or sell or agree to sell all or
substantially  all its assets unless  approved by the Required  Lenders in their
sole discretion.

7.4  Restrictions  on Loans.  Borrower  will not make any loans or engage in any
lending activity.

7.5  Dividends.  Other than as set forth below,  Borrower will not,  directly or
indirectly, declare or pay any dividends or make any other distribution upon any
shares  of  its  capital  stock  of any  class  or  make  any  distributions  to
stockholders;  provided  that (i) the  Borrower may make  distributions,  in the
aggregate,  in an amount not to exceed in any calendar year one hundred  percent
(100%) of Cash Available for Distribution;  (ii) Borrower may pay such dividends
as are  necessary to retain its status as a REIT and (iii)  Subsidiaries  of the
Borrower may make distributions to the Borrower.

7.6 Transactions  with Affiliates.  Borrower will not enter into any transaction
or series of  transactions,  whether or not in the ordinary  course of business,
with any officer, director,  shareholder,  Subsidiary or Affiliate other than on
terms and  conditions  substantially  as favorable as would be  obtainable  in a
comparable  arm's-length  transaction  with a  Person  other  than  an  officer,
director, shareholder, Subsidiary or Affiliate.

7.7 Fiscal  Year,  Organizational  Documents.  Borrower  will not (a) change its
fiscal year or (b) change its articles of incorporation or by-laws.

7.8 Negative Pledges.  Borrower will not enter into, assume or become subject to
any agreement prohibiting or otherwise restricting the creation or assumption of
any Lien upon its properties or assets, whether now owned or hereafter acquired,
or requiring the grant of any security for any obligation.

7.9  Subsidiaries.  Notwithstanding  any other provision of this Agreement,  the
Borrower  shall not create or acquire  beneficial  interests  in any  Subsidiary
other than Apple Realty  Management,  Inc. and Apple Realty  Advisors,  Inc. and
shall prohibit any Subsidiary  from (a) forming or acquiring any new Subsidiary,
(b) incurring any new Indebtedness other than Indebtedness in respect of current
accounts  payable  and  accrued  expenses  incurred  in the  ordinary  course of
business, (c) purchasing or acquiring any new assets or (d) incurring any change
in its ownership.

7.10 Investments.  Borrower will not make (a) any deposit with or advance,  loan
or other  extension of credit to any Subsidiary or (b) any capital  contribution
to or investment in any Subsidiary,  including, without limitation, any guaranty
on behalf of, or for the benefit of, a Subsidiary.





                                       37

<PAGE>



7.11  Liens.  Borrower  will not shall  allow or permit  any lien,  encumbrance,
assignment,  security interest,  preference or priority of any kind,  including,
without limitation, any agreement to give any of the foregoing, on its ownership
interest in a Subsidiary.


SECTION 8

EVENTS OF DEFAULT

8.1 Events of Default.  An Event of Default  shall exist upon the  occurrence of
any of the following specified events (each an "Event of Default"):

         (a) Payment. Borrower shall default in the payment within five (5) days
of when due of (i) any principal of any of the Loans or (ii) any interest on the
Loans or (iii) any fees or other amounts owing hereunder, under any of the other
Credit Documents or in connection herewith.

         (b) Representations. Any representation,  warranty or statement made or
deemed to be made by Borrower herein, in any of the other Credit  Documents,  or
in any statement or certificate  delivered or required to be delivered  pursuant
hereto or thereto  shall prove untrue in any material  respect on the date as of
which it was made or deemed to have been made.

         (c) Covenants. Borrower shall:

(i)  default in the due  performance  or  observance  of any term,  covenant  or
agreement contained in Section 6.3, Section 6.16 or Section 7; or

(ii) default in the due performance or observance by it of any term, covenant or
agreement  contained  in Sections  6.1 or 6.2 and such  default  shall  continue
unremedied  for a period of ten (10) days  after the  earlier  of an  Authorized
Officer becoming aware of such default or notice thereof given by Agent; or

(iii) default in the due  performance or observance by it of any term,  covenant
or agreement  (other than those referred to in subsections (a), (b) or (c)(i) or
(ii) of this Section 8.1)  contained in this Credit  Agreement  and such default
shall continue  unremedied for a period of at least 30 days after the earlier of
an Authorized  Officer becoming aware of such default or notice thereof given by
Agent.

         (d) Other  Credit  Documents.  (i)  Borrower  shall  default in the due
performance or observance of any term, covenant or agreement in any of the other
Credit  Documents and such default shall continue  unremedied for a period of at
least 30 days after the earlier of an Authorized  Officer becoming aware of such
default or notice thereof given by the





                                       38

<PAGE>



Agent,  or (ii) any Credit Document shall fail to be in full force and effect or
Borrower  shall so assert or any  Credit  Document  shall fail to give the Agent
and/or the Lenders the rights,  powers and  privileges  purported  to be created
thereby.

         (e)  Bankruptcy,  etc.  If (i) a court or  governmental  agency  having
jurisdiction in the premises shall enter a decree or order for relief in respect
of Borrower in an involuntary case under any applicable  bankruptcy,  insolvency
or  other  similar  law now or  hereafter  in  effect  or  appoint  a  receiver,
liquidator,  assignee,  custodian,  trustee, sequestrator or similar official of
Borrower or for any substantial  part of its property or ordering the winding up
or liquidation of its affairs;  or (ii) an involuntary case under any applicable
bankruptcy,  insolvency  or other  similar  law now or  hereafter  in  effect is
commenced  against Borrower and such petition remains unstayed and in effect for
a period of 60  consecutive  days; or (iii)  Borrower shall commence a voluntary
case under any  applicable  bankruptcy,  insolvency  or other similar law now or
hereafter  in  effect,  or  consent  to the entry of an order  for  relief in an
involuntary  case under any such law,  or consent to the  appointment  or taking
possession by a receiver, liquidator, assignee, custodian, trustee, sequestrator
or similar  official of Borrower or any substantial part of its property or make
any general  assignment  for the benefit of creditors,  or (iv)  Borrower  shall
admit in writing its inability to pay its debts  generally as they become due or
any action  shall be taken by Borrower in  furtherance  of any of the  aforesaid
purposes.

         (f) Defaults Under Other  Agreements.  With respect to any Indebtedness
(other than  Indebtedness  outstanding  under this Credit Agreement) of Borrower
(i)  Borrower  shall (A) default in any payment  (beyond  the  applicable  grace
period with respect thereto,  if any) with respect to any such Indebtedness,  or
(B)  default  (after  giving  effect  to any  applicable  grace  period)  in the
observance  or  performance  relating to such  Indebtedness  or contained in any
instrument or agreement  evidencing,  securing or relating thereto, or any other
event or condition shall occur or condition  exist,  the effect of which default
or other event or  condition  is to cause,  or permit,  the holder or holders of
such  Indebtedness  (or  trustee  or agent on behalf of such  holders)  to cause
(determined  without  regard to whether any notice or lapse of time is required)
any such  Indebtedness to become due prior to its stated  maturity;  or (ii) any
such Indebtedness  shall be declared due and payable,  or required to be prepaid
other than by a  regularly  scheduled  required  prepayment  prior to the stated
maturity thereof; or (iii) any such Indebtedness shall mature and remain unpaid.

         (g)  Judgments.  One or more  judgments,  orders,  or decrees  shall be
entered  against  any one or more  of the  Borrower  involving  a  liability  of
$100,000  or more,  in the  aggregate,  (to the  extent  not paid or  covered by
insurance  provided  by a  carrier  who  has  acknowledged  coverage)  and  such
judgments,  orders or decrees (i) are the subject of any enforcement proceedings
commenced by any creditor or (ii) shall continue  unsatisfied,  undischarged and
unstayed for a period  ending on the first to occur of (A) the last day on which
such judgment order or decree becomes final and unappealable or (B) 60 days.

         (h) ERISA. The occurrence of any of the following events or conditions:
(A)






                                       39

<PAGE>



any "accumulated funding deficiency, " as such term is defined in Section 302 of
ERISA and  Section  412 of the Code,  whether or not  waived,  shall  exist with
respect to any Plan,  or any lien shall  arise on the assets of the  Borrower or
any of its  Subsidiaries  or any ERISA Affiliate in favor of the PBGC or a Plan,
(B) a  Termination  Event shall occur with  respect to a Single  Employer  Plan,
which  is,  in the  reasonable  opinion  of the  Agent,  likely to result in the
termination  of such Plan for purposes of Title IV of ERISA,  (C) a  Termination
Event  shall occur with  respect to a  Multiemployer  Plan or Multiple  Employer
Plan, which is, in the reasonable opinion of the Agent,  likely to result in (i)
the  termination  of such Plan for  purposes  of Title IV of ERISA,  or (ii) the
Borrower  or any of  its  Subsidiaries  or any  ERISA  Affiliate  incurring  any
liability in connection with a withdrawal  from,  reorganization  of (within the
meaning of Section 4241 of ERISA), or insolvency  (within the meaning of Section
4245 of ERISA) of such  Plan;  or (D) any  prohibited  transaction  (within  the
meaning  of  Section  406 of ERISA or  Section  4975 of the  Code) or  breach of
fiduciary  responsibility  shall occur which may subject the  Borrower or any of
its  Subsidiaries  or any ERISA  Affiliate to any liability  under Sections 406,
409,  502(i),  or 502(l)  of ERISA or  Section  4975 of the  Code,  or under any
agreement  or other  instrument  pursuant  to which the  Borrower  or any of its
Subsidiaries  or any ERISA  Affiliate has agreed or is required to indemnify any
person against any such liability.

8.2 Acceleration;  Remedies.  Upon the occurrence of an Event of Default, and at
any time  thereafter  unless and until such Event of Default  has been waived in
writing by the Required  Lenders (or the Lenders as may be required  hereunder),
the Agent shall, upon the request and direction of the Required Lenders,  (or if
in the reasonable  judgment of the Agent there is not sufficient  time to obtain
the consent of the Required  Lenders  then on its own) by written  notice to the
Borrower,  take any of the following  actions without prejudice to the rights of
the Agent or any Lender to enforce its claims  against the  Borrower,  except as
otherwise specifically provided for herein:

         (a)  Termination of  Commitments.  Declare the  Commitments  terminated
whereupon the Commitments shall be immediately terminated.

         (b)  Acceleration  of Loans.  Declare the unpaid  principal  of and any
accrued interest in respect of all Loans, and any and all other  indebtedness or
obligations  of any and  every  kind  owing by  Borrower  to any of the  Lenders
hereunder  to be due  whereupon  the same shall be  immediately  due and payable
without presentment,  demand,  protest or other notice of any kind, all of which
are hereby waived by the Borrower.

         (c)  Enforcement  of Rights.  Enforce any and all rights and  interests
created and existing under the Credit Documents,  including, without limitation,
all rights and remedies against the Borrower and all rights of set-off.

Notwithstanding  the foregoing,  if an Event of Default specified in Section 8.1
(e) shall occur,  then the  Commitments  shall  automatically  terminate and all
Loans, all accrued interest in respect thereof,  all accrued and unpaid fees and
other   indebtedness  or  obligations  owing  to  the  Lenders






                                       40

<PAGE>



hereunder  shall  immediately  become due and payable  without the giving of any
notice or other action by the Agent or the Lenders, which notice or other action
is expressly waived by the Borrower.

Notwithstanding  the fact that  enforcement  powers  reside  primarily  with the
Agent,  each  Lender has, to the extent  permitted  by law, a separate  right of
payment and shall be considered a separate "creditor" holding a separate "claim"
within  the  meaning  of  Section  101(5)  of the  Bankruptcy  Code or any other
insolvency statute.

8.3  Allocation of Payments  After Event of Default.  Notwithstanding  any other
provisions  of this  Credit  Agreement,  after the  occurrence  and  during  the
continuance of an Event of Default,  all amounts  collected or received by Agent
or any  Lender  on  account  of  amounts  outstanding  under  any of the  Credit
Documents shall be paid over or delivered as follows:

         FIRST,  to  the  payment  of all  reasonable  out-of-pocket  costs  and
expenses (including without limitation  reasonable attorneys' fees) of the Agent
in  connection  with  enforcing  the  rights of the  Lenders  under  the  Credit
Documents;

         SECOND, to payment of any fees owed to Agent;

         THIRD,  to  the  payment  of all  reasonable  out-of-pocket  costs  and
expenses, (including, without limitation, reasonable attorneys' fees) of each of
the Lenders in connection with enforcing its rights under the Credit Documents;

         FOURTH,  to the payment of all accrued fees and interest payable to the
Lenders hereunder;


         FIFTH, to the payment of the outstanding principal amount of the Loans,
pro rata, as set forth below;

         SIXTH, to all other obligations which shall have become due and payable
under the Credit  Documents and not repaid  pursuant to clauses  "FIRST" through
"FIFTH" above; and

         SEVENTH,  to the  payment of the  surplus,  if any,  to whoever  may be
lawfully entitled to receive such surplus.

In carrying  out the  foregoing,  (a) amounts  received  shall be applied in the
numerical  order  provided  until  exhausted  prior to  application  to the next
succeeding  category;  and (b) each of the Lenders shall receive an amount equal
to its pro rata share (based on the proportion that the then  outstanding  Loans
held by such Lender bears to the aggregate  then  outstanding  Loans) of amounts
available  to be applied  pursuant to clauses  "THIRD,"  "FOURTH,"  "FIFTH," and
"SIXTH" above.







                                       41

<PAGE>


SECTION 9

AGENCY PROVISIONS

9.1 Appointment. Each Lender hereby designates and appoints First Union National
Bank of  Virginia  as agent of such  Lender to act as  specified  herein and the
other Credit Documents, and each such Lender hereby authorizes the Agent, as the
agent for such Lender, to take such action on its behalf under the provisions of
this Credit Agreement and the other Credit Documents and to exercise such powers
and perform  such duties as are  expressly  delegated by the terms hereof and of
the other Credit  Documents,  together with such other powers as are  reasonably
incidental  thereto.  Notwithstanding  any  provision to the contrary  elsewhere
herein and in the other Credit Documents, the Agent shall not have any duties or
responsibilities,  except those  expressly set forth herein and therein,  or any
fiduciary  relationship with any Lender,  and no implied  covenants,  functions,
responsibilities,  duties,  obligations or  liabilities  shall be read into this
Credit Agreement or any of the other Credit Documents,  or shall otherwise exist
against the Agent.  The provisions of this Section are solely for the benefit of
the Agent and the  Lenders  and  Borrower  shall have no rights as a third party
beneficiary  of the  provisions  hereof.  In performing its functions and duties
under this Credit  Agreement  and the other  Credit  Documents,  Agent shall act
solely as Agent of the  Lenders  and does not  assume and shall not be deemed to
have  assumed  any  obligation  or  relationship  of agency or trust with or for
Borrower.

9.2 Delegation of Duties. Agent may execute any of its duties hereunder or under
the other Credit Documents by or through agents or  attorneys-in-fact  and shall
be  entitled to advice of counsel  concerning  all  matters  pertaining  to such
duties.  Agent shall not be responsible  for the negligence or misconduct of any
agent or attorneys-in-fact selected by it with reasonable care.

9.3  Exculpatory  Provisions.  Neither  the  Agent  nor  any  of  its  officers,
directors,  employees,  agents,  attorneys-in-fact  or  affiliates  shall be (a)
liable for any action lawfully taken or omitted to be taken by it or such Person
under or in connection  herewith or in  connection  with any of the other Credit
Documents  (except  for its or such  Person's  own gross  negligence  or willful
misconduct) or (b) responsible in any manner to any of the Lenders for recitals,
statements,  representations or warranties made by the Borrower contained herein
or in any of the other Credit Documents or in any certificate, report, document,
financial  statement or other written or oral statement  referred to or provided
for in, or received by Agent under or in  connection  herewith or in  connection
with the other Credit Documents,  or  enforceability or sufficiency  therefor of
any of the other Credit Documents, or for any failure of the Borrower to perform
its obligations  hereunder or thereunder.  The Agent shall not be responsible to
any  Lender  for  the  effectiveness,   genuineness,  validity,  enforceability,
collectibility  or  sufficiency  of this Credit  Agreement,  or any of the other
Credit Documents or for any representations,  warranties, recitals or statements
made herein or therein or made by the Borrower in any written or oral  statement
or in any financial or other statements,  instruments,  reports, certificates or
any other  documents in  connection  herewith or therewith  furnished or made by
Agent to the  Lenders  or by or on  behalf of the  Borrower  to the Agent or any
Lender  or be  required  to  ascertain  or  inquire  as to  the






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<PAGE>



performance or observance of any of the terms, conditions, provisions, covenants
or  agreements  contained  herein or therein or as to the use of the proceeds of
the Loans or of the  existence or possible  existence of any Default or Event of
Default or to inspect  the  properties,  books or records of the  Borrower.  The
Agent is not trustee for the Lenders and owes no fiduciary  duty to the Lenders.
The Agent  shall  administer  the  facility  evidenced  by the Credit  Documents
similar to other credits in which the Agent holds 100% of the credit exposure.

9.4 Reliance on  Communications.  The Agent shall be entitled to rely, and shall
be fully  protected  in relying,  upon any note,  writing,  resolution,  notice,
consent, certificate, affidavit, letter, cablegram, telegram, telecopy, telex or
teletype message, statement, order or other document or conversation believed by
it to be genuine and correct and to have been signed, sent or made by the proper
Person or Persons and upon advice and  statements of legal  counsel  (including,
without limitation,  counsel to any of the Borrower, independent accountants and
other experts  selected by the Agent with reasonable  care).  The Agent may deem
and treat the Lenders as the owner of its  interests  hereunder for all purposes
unless a written  notice of assignment,  negotiation  or transfer  thereof shall
have been filed with the Agent in  accordance  with Section  10.3(b).  The Agent
shall be fully  justified  in failing or refusing to take any action  under this
Credit  Agreement  or under any of the other  Credit  Documents  unless it shall
first  receive such advice or  concurrence  of the Required  Lenders as it deems
appropriate or it shall first be indemnified to its  satisfaction by the Lenders
against any and all  liability and expense which may be incurred by it by reason
of taking or continuing to take any such action. The Agent shall in all cases be
fully protected in acting, or in refraining from acting,  hereunder or under any
of the other  Credit  Documents  in  accordance  with a request of the  Required
Lenders  (or to the  extent  specifically  provided  in  Section  10.6,  all the
Lenders)  and such  request  and any action  taken or  failure  to act  pursuant
thereto shall be binding upon all the Lenders  (including  their  successors and
assigns).

9.5 Notice of Default.  Agent shall not be deemed to have knowledge or notice of
the occurrence of any Default or Event of Default  hereunder (other than Section
8.l (a))  unless  such  Agent has  received  notice  from a Lender  or  Borrower
referring to the Credit Document describing such Default or Event of Default and
stating  that such notice is a "notice of  default." In the event that the Agent
receives  such a notice,  the Agent  shall  give  prompt  notice  thereof to the
Lenders.  The Agent shall take such action with respect to such Default or Event
of Default as shall be reasonably directed by the Required Lenders.

9.6 Non-Reliance on Agent and Other Lenders. Each Lender expressly  acknowledges
that neither the Agent, nor any of its officers,  directors,  employees, agents,
attorneys-in-fact or affiliates has made any representations or warranties to it
and  that  no act by the  Agent  or any  affiliate  thereof  hereinafter  taken,
including  any review of the affairs of Borrower,  shall be deemed to constitute
any  representation  or  warranty  by the  Agent  to  any  Lender.  Each  Lender
represents to the Agent that it has, independently and without reliance upon the
Agent or any other Lender, and based on such documents and information as it has
deemed  appropriate,  made  its own  appraisal  of and  investigation  into  the
business,  assets,  operations,   property,   financial




                                       43

<PAGE>



and other conditions,  prospects and  creditworthiness  of the Borrower and made
its own  decision  to make its  Loans  hereunder  and  enter  into  this  Credit
Agreement.  Each Lender also represents that it will,  independently and without
reliance  upon the Agent or any other  Lender,  and based on such  documents and
information as it shall deem  appropriate at the time,  continue to make its own
credit  analysis,  appraisals and decisions in taking or not taking action under
this Credit Agreement,  and to make such  investigation as it deems necessary to
inform itself as to the business,  assets, operations,  property,  financial and
other  conditions,  prospects and  creditworthiness  of the Borrower.  The Agent
shall  promptly  provide to the Lenders (a) copies of all notices of Defaults or
Events  of  Default  it  receives  regarding  the  Borrower  and (d) such  other
documents  or notices  received  by the Agent  pursuant  to this  Agreement  and
requested  in  writing  by a  Lender.  Except  for  notices,  reports  and other
documents  expressly  required  to be  furnished  to the  Lenders  by the  Agent
hereunder,  the Agent shall not have any duty or  responsibility  to provide any
Lender with any credit or other information concerning the business, operations,
assets, property,  financial or other conditions,  prospects or creditworthiness
of the Borrower which may come into the  possession of the Agent,  or any of its
officers, directors, employees, agents, attorneys-in-fact or affiliates.

9.7  Indemnification.  The Lenders  agree to indemnify  Agent in its capacity as
such but not in its  capacity as a Lender (to the extent not  reimbursed  by the
Borrower and without  limiting the obligation of the Borrower to do so), ratably
according to their respective Commitments (or if the Commitments have expired or
been  terminated,  in  accordance  with  the  respective  principal  amounts  of
outstanding  Loans of the  Lenders),  from and against any and all  liabilities,
obligations,  losses,  damages,  penalties,  actions,  judgments,  suits, costs,
expenses  or  disbursements  of any  kind  whatsoever  which  may  at  any  time
(including  without  limitation  at any time  following  payment  in full of the
Borrower  Obligations) be imposed on,  incurred by or asserted  against Agent in
its  capacity  as such in any way  relating  to or  arising  out of this  Credit
Agreement or the other  Credit  Documents or any  documents  contemplated  by or
referred to herein or therein or the transactions contemplated hereby or thereby
or any action taken or omitted by Agent under or in  connection  with any of the
foregoing,  provided  that no Lender  shall be  liable  for the  payment  of any
portion of such liabilities,  obligations,  losses, damages, penalties, actions,
judgments,  suits, costs, expenses or disbursements (i) resulting from the gross
negligence or willful  misconduct of Agent, (ii) arising solely from an internal
or  regulatory  matter  relating  only to the Agent (i.e. a legal  lending limit
violation by the Agent) or (iii)  resulting from and related solely to a dispute
between the Agent and one or more Lenders in which it is  reasonably  determined
that the Agent did not  prevail,  and  provided  further in any  arbitration  or
litigation  involving  a dispute  between  the Agent and one or more  Lenders in
which it is  reasonably  determined  that one of the parties has  prevailed  the
prevailing  party shall be entitled to recover its reasonable  attorneysAE  fees
from the adverse  parties.  If any indemnity  furnished to Agent for any purpose
shall,  in the  reasonable  judgment of such Agent,  be  insufficient  or become
impaired,  such  Agent  may call for  additional  indemnity  and  cease,  or not
commence,  to do the acts indemnified against until such additional indemnity is
furnished.  The  agreements  in this  Section  shall  survive the payment of the
Borrower Obligations and all other amounts payable hereunder and under the other
Credit Documents.




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<PAGE>



9.8  Agent  and  Lenders  in  Individual  Capacity.  Agent,  Lenders  and  their
affiliates may make loans to, accept  deposits from and generally  engage in any
kind of business  with the Borrower or any Affiliate of Borrower as though Agent
or Lenders were not Agent or Lenders  hereunder.  With respect to the Loans made
and all  obligations  owing to it,  Agent  shall have the same rights and powers
under this Credit  Agreement  as any Lender and may  exercise the same as though
they were not Agent, and the terms "Lender" and "Lenders" shall include Agent in
its individual capacity as Lender.

9.9 Successor  Agent.  Agent may, at any time resign upon 20 days written notice
to the Lenders.  Upon any such resignation,  the Required Lenders shall have the
right to appoint a successor  Agent;  provided that if no successor  Agent shall
have been  appointed  by the  Required  Lenders,  and shall have  accepted  such
appointment,  within 45 days after the notice of resignation,  then the retiring
Agent shall select a successor  Agent. In either case,  whether  selected by the
Required  Lenders or the retiring  Agent,  the successor Agent must be either an
existing  Lender  hereunder or a commercial bank organized under the laws of the
United  States of America or of any State  thereof  and have total  assets of at
least $10  billion and a long term  unsecured  debt rating of at least BBB+ with
S&P or its equivalent. Upon the acceptance of any appointment as Agent hereunder
by a  successor,  such  successor  Agent shall  thereupon  succeed to and become
vested with all the rights, powers, privileges and duties of the retiring Agent,
and the retiring  Agent shall be discharged  from its duties and  obligations as
Agent,  as  appropriate,  under  this  Credit  Agreement  and the  other  Credit
Documents  and the  provisions of this Section 9.9 shall inure to its benefit as
to any actions  taken or omitted to be taken by it while it was Agent under this
Credit Agreement.


SECTION 10

MISCELLANEOUS

10.1 Notices.  Except as otherwise  expressly  provided herein,  all notices and
other  communications shall have been duly given and shall be effective (a) when
delivered by hand, (b) when transmitted via telecopy (or other facsimile device)
to the number set out below, (c) the Business Day following the day on which the
same has been delivered  prepaid to a reputable  national  overnight air courier
service,  or (d) the third  Business Day  following the day on which the same is
sent by certified  or  registered  mail,  postage  prepaid,  in each case to the
respective parties at the address or telecopy numbers set forth on Schedule 10.1
or at such  other  address as such  party may  specify by written  notice to the
other parties hereto.

10.2 Right of Set-Off.  In addition to any rights now or hereafter granted under
applicable  law or  otherwise,  and not by way of limitation of any such rights,
upon the  occurrence  of an Event of Default  and the  commencement  of remedies
described in Section 8.2, each Lender is authorized at any time and from time to
time, without presentment,  demand,  protest or other notice of any kind (all of
which rights being hereby expressly  waived),  to set-off and to appropriate and
apply




                                       45

<PAGE>



any and all deposits (general or special) and any other indebtedness at any time
held or owing by such Lender (including, without limitation,  branches, agencies
or  Affiliates  of such  Lender  wherever  located)  to or for the credit or the
account of Borrower against  obligations and liabilities of such Borrower to the
Lenders  hereunder,  under the Notes,  the other Credit  Documents or otherwise,
irrespective  of  whether  the Agent or the  Lenders  shall have made any demand
hereunder and although such obligations,  liabilities or claims, or any of them,
may be  contingent  or  unmatured,  and any such set-off shall be deemed to have
been made  immediately  upon the  occurrence  of an Event of Default even though
such charge is made or entered on the books of such Lender  subsequent  thereto.
The Borrower  hereby agrees that any Person  purchasing a  participation  in the
Loans and Commitments  hereunder pursuant to Section 10.3(c) or 3.8 may exercise
all rights of set-off with respect to its participation  interest as fully as if
such Person were a Lender hereunder.

10.3     Benefit of Agreement.

         (a) Generally. This Credit Agreement shall be binding upon and inure to
the benefit of and be enforceable  by the  respective  successors and assigns of
the parties  hereto;  provided that the Borrower may not assign and transfer any
of its interests without the prior written consent of the Lenders;  and provided
further  that  the  rights  of  each  Lender  to   transfer,   assign  or  grant
participation in its rights and/or obligations hereunder shall be limited as set
forth below in subsections (b) and (c) of this Section 10.3. Notwithstanding the
above  (including  anything set forth in subsections (b) and (c) of this Section
10.3),  nothing herein shall  restrict,  prevent or prohibit any Lender from (A)
pledging its Loans  hereunder to a Federal Reserve Bank in support of borrowings
made by such Lender from such Federal Reserve Bank, or (B) granting  assignments
or  participation  in such Lender's  Loans and/or  Commitments  hereunder to its
parent company and/or to any Affiliate of such Lender or to any existing  Lender
or Affiliate thereof.  No action permitted by this Section 10.3(a) shall require
a fee to be paid to the Agent.

         (b)  Assignments.  In addition to the assignments  permitted in Section
10.3(a),  each Lender  may,  with the prior  written  consent of the Agent which
shall not be  unreasonably  withheld,  assign all or a portion of its rights and
obligations  hereunder pursuant to an assignment agreement  substantially in the
form of Exhibit 10.3 to one or more  Eligible  Assignees,  provided that (i) any
such  assignment  shall be in a minimum  aggregate  amount of  $5,000,000 of the
Commitments  in  integral  multiples  of  $1,000,000  above such  amount (or the
remaining, amount of Commitments held by such Lender), (ii) each such assignment
shall be of a constant, not varying, percentage of all of the assigning Lender's
rights and  obligations  under the Commitment  being  assigned,  and (iii) First
Union National Bank of VirginiaAEs  Revolving Loan Commitment  Percentage  shall
not be  reduced  below  thirty-five  percent  (35%) as a result  of  assignments
permitted  under this Section  10.3(b)  without the prior written consent of the
other Lenders.  Any assignment hereunder shall be effective upon satisfaction of
the conditions set forth above and delivery to the Agent (other than assignments
by Agent) of a duly executed  assignment  agreement together with a transfer fee
of $3,500 payable to the Agent for its own account,  provided that such transfer
fee shall not apply to assignments occurring during the




                                       46

<PAGE>



initial  syndication of the  Commitments,  as determined by the Agent.  Upon the
effectiveness of any such  assignment,  the assignee shall become a "Lender" for
all purposes of this Credit Agreement and the other Credit Documents and, to the
extent  of such  assignment,  the  assigning  Lender  shall be  relieved  of its
obligations hereunder to the extent of the Loans and Commitment components being
assigned.  Borrower agrees that upon notice of any such assignment and surrender
of the  appropriate  Note or Notes,  it will  promptly  provide to the assigning
Lender  and to the  assignee  separate  promissory  notes in the amount of their
respective  interests  substantially  in the form of the original  Note or Notes
(but with notation  thereon that it is given in substitution for and replacement
of the original Note or Notes or any replacement notes thereto).

By executing,  and  delivering an assignment  agreement in accordance  with this
Section  10.3(b),  the assigning Lender  thereunder and the assignee  thereunder
shall be deemed to confirm  to and agree  with each other and the other  parties
hereto as follows:  (i) such assigning  Lender warrants that it is the legal and
beneficial  owner of the interest being  assigned  thereby free and clear of any
adverse claim and the assignee  warrants that it is an Eligible  Assignee;  (ii)
except  as set  forth in  clause  (i)  above,  such  assigning  Lender  makes no
representation  or warranty  and assumes no  responsibility  with respect to any
statements,  warranties or  representations  made in or in connection  with this
Credit  Agreement,  any of the other Credit Documents or any other instrument or
document  furnished  pursuant  hereto or thereto,  or the  execution,  legality,
validity,  enforceability,  genuineness,  sufficiency  of value  of this  Credit
Agreement, any of the other Credit Documents or any other instrument or document
furnished  pursuant hereto or thereto or the financial  condition of Borrower or
the performance or observance by Borrower of any of its  obligations  under this
Credit  Agreement,  any of the other Credit Documents or any other instrument or
document  furnished pursuant hereto or thereto;  (iii) such assignee  represents
and  warrants  that it is  legally  authorized  to enter  into  such  assignment
agreement;  (iv) such  assignee  confirms  that it has  received  a copy of this
Credit  Agreement,  the other  Credit  Documents  and such other  documents  and
information  as it has deemed  appropriate  to make its own credit  analysis and
decision  to enter  into  such  assignment  agreement;  (v) such  assignee  will
independently  and without reliance upon the statements of such assigning Lender
or any other Lender,  and based on such  documents and  information  as it shall
deem  appropriate  at the time,  continue  to make its own credit  decisions  in
taking or not taking  action  under this Credit  Agreement  and the other Credit
Documents;  (vi) such assignee  appoints and  authorizes  the Agent to take such
action on its behalf and to exercise such powers under this Credit  Agreement or
any other Credit  Document as are  delegated to the Agent by the terms hereof or
thereof,  together with such powers as are reasonably  incidental  thereto;  and
(vii) such assignee  agrees that it will perform in accordance  with their terms
all the  obligations  which by the terms of this Credit  Agreement and the other
Credit Documents are required to be performed by it as a Lender.

10.4 No Waiver: Remedies Cumulative. No failure or delay on the part of Agent or
any Lender in exercising  any right,  power or privilege  hereunder or under any
other Credit  Document and no course of dealing between the Borrower or Borrower
and the Agent or any Lender  shall  operate as a waiver  thereof;  nor shall any
single or partial exercise of any right,





                                       47

<PAGE>



power or privilege  hereunder or under any other  Credit  Document  preclude any
other or further exercise  thereof or the exercise of any other right,  power or
privilege  hereunder or thereunder.  The rights and remedies provided herein are
cumulative  and not  exclusive of any rights or remedies  which the Agent or any
Lender  would  otherwise  have.  No notice to or demand on  Borrower in any case
shall  entitle  Borrower to any other or further  notice or demand in similar or
other  circumstances  or  constitute  a waiver of the rights of the Agent or the
Lenders to any other or further  action in any  circumstances  without notice or
demand.

10.5 Payment of Expenses;  Indemnification.  The Borrower agrees to: (a) pay all
reasonable  out-of-pocket  costs and  expenses  of (i) the Agent and the Lenders
involved in the initial  syndication  of the  Commitments  as  determined by the
Agent  in  connection  with  (A) the  negotiation,  preparation,  execution  and
delivery  and  administration  of this  Credit  Agreement  and the other  Credit
Documents  and the  documents  and  instruments  referred to therein  including,
without  limitation,  the reasonable fees and expenses of LeClair Ryan,  special
counsel to the Agent,  and (B) any amendment,  waiver or consent relating hereto
and  thereto  including,  but not limited  to, any such  amendments,  waivers or
consents resulting from or related to any work-out, renegotiation or restructure
relating to the performance by the Borrower under this Credit Agreement and (ii)
the Agent and the  Lenders  in  connection  with (A)  enforcement  of the Credit
Documents  and the  documents and  instruments  referred to therein,  including,
without limitation, in connection with any such enforcement, the reasonable fees
and disbursements of counsel for the Agent and each of the Lenders,  and (B) any
bankruptcy or insolvency  proceeding of Borrower;  and (b) indemnify  each Agent
and each Lender, its officers, directors,  employees,  representatives and Agent
from and hold each of them  harmless  against any and all  losses,  liabilities,
claims,  damages or expenses  incurred by any of them as a result of, or arising
out of, or in any way related to, or by reason of, any investigation, litigation
or other  proceeding  (whether  or not any Agent or  Lender is a party  thereto)
related to (i) the entering into and/or  performance  of any Credit  Document or
the  use of  proceeds  of any  Loans  (including  other  extensions  of  credit)
hereunder or the  consummation  of any other  transactions  contemplated  in any
Credit  Document,   including,  without  limitation,  the  reasonable  fees  and
disbursements  of counsel  incurred in connection  with any such  investigation,
litigation or other  proceeding  (but  excluding  any such losses,  liabilities,
claims, damages or expenses to the extent incurred by reason of gross negligence
or willful  misconduct  on the part of the Person to be  indemnified),  (ii) any
Environmental Claim and (iii) any claims for Non-Excluded Taxes.

10.6  Amendments,  Waivers and Consents.  Neither this Credit  Agreement nor any
other  Credit  Document  nor any of the terms  hereof or thereof may be amended,
changed, waived, discharged or terminated unless such amendment, change, waiver,
discharge or termination is in writing,  and signed by the Required  Lenders and
the Borrower;  provided that no such  amendment,  change,  waiver,  discharge or
termination shall without the consent of each Lender affected thereby:

(a) extend the final maturity of any Loan or any portion thereof or postpone any
other date fixed for any payment of principal;




                                       48

<PAGE>



(b) reduce the rate or extend the time of payment of  interest  (other than as a
result of waiving the  applicability  of any  post-default  increase in interest
rates) thereon or fees hereunder;

(c) reduce or waive the principal amount of any Loan;

(d) increase the  Commitment  of a Lender over the amount  thereof in effect (it
being  understood and agreed that a waiver of any Default or Event of Default or
a waiver of any mandatory  reduction in the  Commitments  shall not constitute a
change in the terms of any Commitment of any Lender);

(e) release the Borrower or any Guarantor from its obligations  under the Credit
Documents;

(f) amend, modify or waive any provision of this Section 10.6 or Section 3.4(a),
3.4(b),  3.4(c),  3.7, 3.8, 3.9, 3.10,  3.11,  3.12, 3.13, 3.14, 8.1, 8.2, 10.2,
10.3, 10.5 or 10.10;

(g) reduce any percentage  specified in, or otherwise modify,  the definition of
Required Lenders;

(h) consent to the  assignment  or transfer by the Borrower of any of its rights
and obligations under (or in respect of) the Credit Documents; or

Notwithstanding  the fact that the  consent of all the  Lenders is  required  in
certain circumstances as set forth above, (x) each Lender is entitled to vote as
such Lender sees fit on any reorganization plan that affects the Loans, and each
Lender  acknowledges  that the  provisions of Section  1126(c) of the Bankruptcy
Code  supersedes the unanimous  consent  provisions set forth herein and (y) the
Required  Lenders may consent to allow  Borrower to use cash  collateral  in the
context of a bankruptcy or insolvency proceeding.

10.7  Counterparts.  This  Credit  Agreement  may be  executed  in any number of
counterparts,  each of  which  where  so  executed  and  delivered  shall  be an
original,  but all of which shall  constitute  one and the same  instrument.  It
shall not be necessary  in making  proof of this Credit  Agreement to produce or
account for more than one such counterpart.

10.8 Headings.  The headings of the sections and subsections hereof are provided
for convenience only and shall not in any way affect the meaning or construction
of any provision of this Credit Agreement.

10.9 Defaulting  Lender.  Each Lender understands and agrees that if such Lender
is a defaulting,  Lender then  notwithstanding the provisions of Section 10.6 it
shall  not be  entitled  to vote on any  matter  requiring  the  consent  of the
Required  Lenders or to object to any matter  requiring  the  consent of all the
Lenders;  provided,  however,  that all other benefits and obligations under the
Credit Documents shall apply to such Defaulting Lender.




                                       49

<PAGE>



10.10.  Survival of  Indemnification  and  Representation  and  Warranties.  All
indemnities set forth herein and all  representations and warranties made herein
shall survive the execution and delivery of this Credit Agreement, the making of
the  Loans  and  other  obligations  and  the  termination  of  the  Commitments
hereunder.

10.11 Governing Law.

THIS AGREEMENT AND THE OTHER CREDIT  DOCUMENTS AND THE RIGHTS AND OBLIGATIONS OF
THE PARTIES  HEREUNDER  AND  THEREUNDER  SHALL BE GOVERNED BY AND  CONSTRUED AND
INTERPRETED IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE LAWS OF THE COMMONWEALTH OF VIRGINIA.

10.12 Arbitration.  Any controversy or claim between or among the parties hereto
including,  but  not  limited  to,  those  arising  out of or  relating  to this
Agreement or any related agreements or instruments, including any claim based on
or arising from an alleged tort,  shall be determined by binding  arbitration in
accordance  with  the  Federal  Arbitration  Act  (or  if  not  applicable,  the
applicable  state law), the Rules of Practice and Procedure for the  Arbitration
of Commercial  Disputes of Judicial  Arbitration  and Mediation  Services,  Inc.
(J.A.M.S.),  and the  "Special  Rules"  set  forth  below.  In the  event of any
inconsistency,  the Special Rules shall control.  Judgment upon any  arbitration
award  may be  entered  in any  court  having  jurisdiction.  Any  party to this
Agreement may bring an action,  including a summary or expedited proceeding,  to
compel  arbitration of any controversy or claim to which this Agreement  applies
in any court having jurisdiction over such action.

         (a) Special Rules.  The  arbitration  shall be conducted in the city of
the Borrower's  domicile at time of this Agreement's  execution and administered
by J.A.M.S.  who will appoint an  arbitrator;  if J.A.M.S.  is unable or legally
precluded from  administering  the  arbitration,  then the American  Arbitration
Association will serve. All arbitration hearings will be commenced within ninety
(90) days of the demand for  arbitration;  further,  the arbitrator  shall only,
upon a showing of cause, be permitted to extend the commencement of such hearing
for up to an additional sixty (60) days.

         (b)  Reservations of Rights.  Nothing in this Agreement shall be deemed
to  (i)  limit  the  applicability  of  any  otherwise  applicable  statutes  of
limitation or repose and any waivers  contained in this Agreement;  or (ii) be a
waiver by the Lenders of the protection  afforded to it by 12 U.S.C.  Section 91
or any  substantially  equivalent  state  law;  or (ii)  limit  the right of the
Lenders (A) to exercise  self help remedies such as (but not limited to) setoff,
or (B) to foreclose against any real or personal property collateral,  or (C) to
obtain from a court  provisional or ancillary  remedies such as (but not limited
to) injunctive relief or the appointment of a receiver. The Lenders may exercise
such self help rights,  foreclose upon such property, or obtain such provisional
or ancillary  remedies  before,  during or after the pendency of any arbitration
proceeding  brought  pursuant to this  Agreement.  At the Lenders'  option,  any
foreclosure  available  under the Credit  Documents may be  accomplished  by the
exercise of a






                                       50

<PAGE>




power of sale or a  judicial  sale  under the Credit  Documents  or by  judicial
foreclosure.  Neither the exercise of self help remedies nor the  institution or
maintenance of an action for  foreclosure  or provisional or ancillary  remedies
shall  constitute a waiver of the right of any party,  including the claimant in
any such action, to arbitrate the merits of the controversy or claim occasioning
resort to such remedies.

10.13  Time.  All  references  to time  herein  shall be  references  to Eastern
Standard Time or Eastern  Daylight  time,  as the case may be, unless  specified
otherwise.

10.14  Severability.  If  any  provision  of  any of  the  Credit  Documents  is
determined to be illegal,  invalid or  unenforceable,  such  provision  shall be
fully  severable  and the  remaining  provisions  shall remain in full force and
effect and shall be construed  without giving effect to the illegal,  invalid or
unenforceable provisions.

10.15  Entirety.  This Credit Agreement together with the other Credit Documents
represent the entire agreement of the parties hereto and thereto,  and supersede
all prior agreements and understandings,  oral or written, if any, including any
commitment  letters or  correspondence  relating to the Credit  Documents or the
transactions contemplated herein and therein.








                  [remainder of page intentionally left blank]


                                       51
<PAGE>
         Each of the  parties  hereto has caused a  counterpart  of this  Credit
Agreement to be duly executed and delivered as of the date first above written


BORROWER:.


                     CORNERSTONE REALTY INCOME TRUST, INC.,
                     a Virginia corporation


                     By:  /s/ Glade M. Knight
                          ---------------------------------
                     Title:
ATTEST:

By:     /s/ Stanley J. Olander, Jr.
        ---------------------------
Title:  Secretary

[CORPORATE SEAL]





                                       52

<PAGE>



LENDERS:

FIRST UNION NATIONAL BANK OF VIRGINIA,
individually in its capacity as Agent and in its capacity as Lender

By:     /s/ Chris B. Troutman
        ---------------------
Title:  Vice President






                                       53

<PAGE>






AMSOUTH BANK OF ALABAMA

By:      /s/ Arthur J. Sharbell, III
         ---------------------------
Title:   Vice President







                                       54

<PAGE>



SIGNET BANK

By:      /s/ John A. Schissel
         --------------------
Title:   Vice President






                                       55

<PAGE>



SCHEDULE 1.1 (a)


COMMITMENT PERCENTAGES


                                     Revolving                      Revolving
                                     Commitment                     Commitment
Lender                               Amount                         Percentage

First Union National
Bank of Virginia                     $50,000,000                    50%


AmSouth Bank of Alabama              $35,000,000                    35%


Signet Bank                          $15,000,000                    15%







                                       56

<PAGE>

                                                                  Exhibit 2.1(b)
                                                                        to
                                                                Credit Agreement


                            FORM OF NOTICE BORROWING
                            ------------------------

TO:       FIRST UNION NATIONAL BANK OF VIRGINIA, as Agent
          901 EAST CARY STREET
          RICHMOND, VIRGINIA 23219

RE:       Credit Agreement dated as of _________ ____
          1997 among  Cornerstone  Realty  Income Trust,  Inc. (the "Borrower"),
          First Union National Bank of Virginia, as Agent, and the Lenders party
          thereto (as the same  may be amended,  modified,  extended or restated
          from time to time, the "Credit Agreement")

DATE:      ____________,199__

1.       This Notice of  Borrowing  is made  pursuant to the terms of the Credit
         Agreement.  All capitalized  terms used herein unless otherwise defined
         shall have the meanings set forth in the Credit Agreement.


2.       Please be advised that the Borrower is  requesting  Revolving  Loans in
         the amount of $_______ to be funded on _______,  199__.  Subsequent  to
         the funding of the requested  Revolving  Loans, the aggregate amount of
         outstanding Revolving Loans will be $_____, which is less than or equal
         to the Revolving Committed Amount.

3.       The   proceeds   from   the   Revolving   Loans   shall   be  used  for
         _____________________________________________which   is  in  compliance
         with Section 6.16 of the Credit Agreement.

4.       Enclosed is the  documentation  required  under  Section  4.2(b) of the
         Credit  Agreement which the  undersigned  represents to be accurate and
         complete.

5.       The  representations  and warranties made by the Borrower in the Credit
         Documents  are true and correct in all  material  respects at and as if
         made on the date hereof except to the extent they  expressly  relate to
         an earlier date.

6.       As of the date  hereof,  all of the  conditions  of Section  4.2 of the
         Credit  Agreement  have been  compiled  with and no Default or Event of
         Default  has  occurred  and is  continuing,  or would be  caused b this
         Notice of Borrowing.

7.       No Material Adverse Effect has occurred since the Closing
         Date.


                                    CORNERSTONE REALTY INCOME TRUST, INC.


                                    By: 
                                        ----------------------------------------
                                     Name:
                                           -------------------------------------
                                     Title:
                                            ------------------------------------
<PAGE>



                                                                Exhibit 2. 1 (e)
                                                                        to
                                                                Credit Agreement



                                     FORM OF
                                 REVOLVING NOTE
                                 --------------

$__________                                                 __________ __, 1997

         FOR VALUE Received  Cornerstone  Realty Income Trust,  Inc., a Virginia
corporation  (the  "Borrower"),  hereby  promises  to pay to the  order  of (the
"Lender"),  at the office of First Union National Bank of Virginia (the "Agent")
as set forth in that  certain  Credit  Agreement  dated as of 1997  between  the
Borrower,  the  Lenders  named  therein  (including  the  Lender)  and Agent (as
modified  and  supplemented  and in  effect  from  time  to  time,  the  "Credit
Agreement");  the principal sum of $______ (or such lesser amount as shall equal
the aggregate  unpaid principal amount of the Revolving Loans made by the Lender
to the  Borrower  under the  Credit  Agreement),  in lawful  money of the United
States of America and in immediately  available  funds,  on the dates and in the
principal amounts provided in the Credit  Agreement,  and to pay interest on the
unpaid  principal  amount of each such Revolving  Loan, at such office,  in like
money and funds,  for the period  commencing on the date of such  Revolving Loan
until such  Revolving  Loan shall be paid in full, at the rates per annum and on
the dates provided in the Credit Agreement.

         This  Note is one of the  Revolving  Notes  referred  to in the  Credit
Agreement  and  evidences   Revolving  Loans  made  by  the  Lender  thereunder.
Capitalized  terms used in this Revolving  Note and not otherwise  defined shall
have the respective  meanings  assigned to them in the Credit  Agreement and the
terms and conditions of the Credit Agreement are expressly  incorporated  herein
and made a part hereof.

        The Credit  Agreement  provides for the  acceleration of the maturity of
the Revolving  Loans  evidenced by this  Revolving  Note upon the  occurrence of
certain events (and for payment of collection costs in connection therewith) and
for  prepayments  of  Revolving  Loans upon the terms and  conditions  specified
therein.  In the event this Revolving Note is not paid when due at any stated or
accelerated  maturity,  the Borrower agrees to pay, in addition to the principal
and interest, all costs of collection, including reasonable attorney fees.




<PAGE>



         The date, amount, interest rate and duration of Interest Period of each
Revolving  Loan made by the Lander to the  Borrower,  and each  payment  made on
account of the principal thereof,  shall be recorded by the Lender on its books;
provided  that  the  failure  of the  Lender  to make any  such  recordation  or
endorsement  shall not affect the  obligations of the Borrower to make a payment
when due of any amount owing  hereunder or under this  Revolving Note in respect
of the Revolving  Loans to be evidenced by this  Revolving  Note,  and each such
recordation or endorsement shall be prima facie evidence of such information.

        THIS  REVOLVING  NOTE SHALL BE GOVERNED BY, AND  CONSTRUED IN ACCORDANCE
WITH, THE LAWS OF THE COMMONWEALTH OF VIRGINIA.

        IN WITNESS  WHEREOF,  the Borrower has caused this  Revolving Note to be
executed as of the date first above written.

                                     CORNERSTONE REALTY INCOME TRUST, INC.


                                     By:
                                         ---------------------------------------
                                     Name:
                                           -------------------------------------
                                     Title:
                                            ------------------------------------

<PAGE>

                                                                 Exhibit 6.1(c)
                                                                      to
                                                                Credit Agreement


                          FORM OF OFFICER'S CERTIFICATE
                          -----------------------------


         For the fiscal quarter ended ________________,  19___.

         I,  ____________,  chief financial officer of Cornerstone Realty Income
Trust, Inc. (the "Borrower") hereby certify on behalf of the Borrower that, with
respect  to that  certain  Credit  Agreement  dated  as of , 1997  (as it may be
amended,  modified,  extended  or  restated  from  time  to  time,  the  "Credit
Agreement";  all of the  capitalized  terms  herein  shall have the meanings set
forth in the Credit Agreement) among the Borrower, the Lenders party thereto and
First Union National Bank of Virginia, as Agent:

         a.  Attached  hereto  as  Schedule  I  are  calculations  demonstrating
compliance  by the Credit  Parties  with the  financial  covenants  contained in
Section 6.2 of the Credit  Agreement as of the end of the fiscal period referred
to above.

         b. No  Default  or Event of  Default  has  occurred  under  the  Credit
Agreement.1

         c. The quarterly financial  statements which accompany this certificate
fairly present in all material respects the financial condition of the Borrower,
on a  consolidated  basis,  and have been  prepared  in  accordance  with GAAP,
subject to changes resulting from normal year-end audit.

         This _________day of ____________,19__.



                                           CORNERSTONE REALTY INCOME TRUST, INC.


                                           By:
                                               ---------------------------------
                                           Name:
                                                 -------------------------------
                                           Title: Chief Financial Officer



- ----------
1 If a Default or Event of Default  shall have occurred an  explanation  of such
Default or Event of Default  shall be provided on a separate  page together with
an explanation of the action taken or proposed to be taken by the Credit Parties
with respect thereto.



<PAGE>



                                                                  Exhibit 10.1
                                                                       to
                                                                Credit Agreement


                               NOTICE INFORMATION
                               ------------------



FIRST UNION NATIONAL BANK OF VIRGINIA
- -------------------------------------

         Chris B. Troutman
         Vice President
         First Union National of Virginia
         901 East Cary Street
         Richmond, Virginia 23219

         (804)788-9656 Phone
         (804)697-5439 Fax

WITH COPIES TO:
- --------------

         Steven D. Delaney
         LeClair Ryan
         707 East Main Street
         11th Floor
         Richmond, Virginia 23219


         (804)782-2003 Phone
         (804)782-2294 Fax


SIGNET BANK
- -----------

         John A. Schissel
         Vice President
         Signet Bank
         7799 Leesburg Pike
         Falls Church, Virginia 22043

         (703)714-5145 Phone
         (703)506-0284 Fax



<PAGE>



AMSOUTH BANK OF ALABAMA
- -----------------------

         Arthur J. Sharbell, III
         Vice President
         AmSouth Bank
         Commercial Real Estate
         1900 Fifth Avenue, North
         9th Floor
         Birmingham, AL 35203

         (205)581-7647 Phone
         (205)326-4075 Fax


CORNERSTONE REALTY INCOME TRUST, INC.
- -------------------------------------

         S. Jay Olander
         Cornerstone Realty Group, Inc.
         306 East Main Street
         Richmond, Virginia 23219

         (804)643-1761 Phone
         (804)782-9302 Fax

WITH COPIES TO:
- ---------------

         Russell T. Aaronson, III, Esq.
         McGuire, Woods, Battle & Boothe
         901 East Cary Street
         Richmond, Virginia 23. 19

         (804)775-4342 Phone
         (804)775-1061 Fax




<PAGE>




                                                                   Exhibit 10.3
                                                                       to
                                                                Credit Agreement


                                     FORM OF
                              ASSIGNMENT AGREEMENT
                              --------------------


         Reference  is  made  to  that  certain  Credit  Agreement  dated  as of
________________,  1997 (as the  same  may be  amended,  modified,  extended  or
restated from time to time, the "Credit  Agreement")  among  Cornerstone  Realty
Income Trust,  Inc., the Lenders  identified  therein,  and First Union National
Bank of Virginia, as Agent. All capitalized terms used therein and not otherwise
defined shall have the meanings set forth in the Agreement.

         1. The Assignor (as defined  below)  hereby sells and assigns,  without
recourse,  to the Assignee (as defined below), and the Assignee hereby purchases
and assumes, without recourse, from the Assignor, effective as of effective date
of the assignment as designated below (the "Effective  Date"), the interests set
forth below (the "Assigned  Interest") in the Assignor's  rights and obligations
under the Credit Agreement, including, without limitation, (a) the interests set
forth below in the Revolving Loan  Commitment  Percentage of the Assignor on the
Effective  Date, and (b) the Loans owing to the Assignor in connection  with the
Assigned  Interest which are  outstanding on the Effective Date. The purchase of
the Assigned Interest shall be at par and periodic payments made with respect to
the Assigned  Interest  which (i) accrued prior to the  Effective  Date shall be
remitted to the Assignor and (ii) accrue from and after the Effective Date shall
be remitted to the Assignee. From and after the Effective Date, the Assignee, if
it is not already a Lender under the Credit  Agreement,  shall become a "Lender"
for all purposes of the Credit  Agreement and the other Credit Documents and, to
the extent of such  assignment,  the  assigning  Lender shall be relieved of its
obligations under the Credit Agreement.

         2. The Assignor  represents and warrants to the Assignee that it is the
holder  of the  Assigned  Interest,  and the  Loans,  and it has not  previously
transferred or encumbered such Assigned Interest or Loans.

         3. The Assignee  represents  and warrants to the Assignor that it is an
Eligible Assignee.

         4. This  Assignment  shall be  effective  only  upon (a) to the  extent
required, the consent of the Agent under Section 10.3(b) of the Credit Agreement
and (b) delivery to the Agent of this  Assignment  Agreement  together  with the
transfer  fees,  if  applicable,  set forth in  Section  10.3(b)  of the  Credit
Agreement.




<PAGE>




         5. The Assignor  and the Assignee  confirm to and agree with each other
and the  other  parties  to the  Credit  Agreement  as to the terms set forth in
Section 10.3(b) of the Credit Agreement.

         6. This  Assignment  shall be governed by and  construed in  accordance
with the laws of the Commonwealth of Virginia.


      7. Terms of Assignment

            (a)  Date of Assignment
                                                        ------------------------
            (b)  Legal Name of Assignor
                                                        ------------------------

            (c)  Legal Name of Assignee
                                                        ------------------------

            (d)  Effective Date of Assignment
                                                        ------------------------

            (e)  Revolving Loan Commitment
                 Percentage Assigned
                                                        -----------------------%

            (f)  Total Revolving Loans
                 outstanding as Of Effective Date      $
                                                        ------------------------

            (g)  Principal Amount of Revolving
                 Loans assigned on Effective
                 Date (the amount set forth in (f)
                 multiplied by the percentage set
                 forth in (e))                         $
                                                        ------------------------

            (h)  Revolving Command Amount              $
                                                        ------------------------

            (i)  Principal Amount of Revolving,
                 Committed Amount Assigned on
                 the Effective  Date (the amount set
                 forth in (h) multiplied by the
                 percentage set forth in (e))          $
                                                        ------------------------

The terms Set forth above are hereby to:

__________________________, as Assignor

By:_______________________
Name:_____________________






<PAGE>



Title: _________________________

___________________, as Assignee



By:_______________________
Name:_____________________
Title:___________________


                                              CONSENTED TO (if applicable):

                                              FIRST UNION NATIONAL BANK OF
                                              VIRGINIA., as Agent

                                              By: ______________________________
                                              Name: ____________________________
                                              Title: ___________________________









                                                                     Exhibit 4.2


                                      NOTE
                                      ----

$30,000,000                                                      August 28, 1997

         FOR VALUE RECEIVED,  the undersigned,  CORNERSTONE REALTY INCOME TRUST,
INC., a corporation organized under the laws of Virginia (the "Borrower") hereby
promises to pay to the order of FIRST UNION NATIONAL BANK (the "Lender"), at the
times, at the place and in the manner  provided in the Line of Credit  Agreement
hereinafter  referred  to, the  principal  sum of up to Thirty  Million  Dollars
($30,000,000),  or, if less, the aggregate  unpaid principal amount of all Loans
disbursed  by the Lender under the Line of Credit  Agreement  referred to below,
together  with interest at the rates as in effect from time to time with respect
to each  portion of the  principal  amount  hereof,  determined  and  payable as
provided in Article II of the Line of Credit Agreement.

         This Note is a Note referred to in, and is entitled to the benefits of,
the Line of Credit  Agreement dated as of August 28, 1997 (as amended,  restated
or otherwise  modified,  the "Line of Credit Agreement")  between Borrower,  the
lenders  party  thereto and First Union  National Bank as Agent for the Lenders.
The Line of Credit Agreement  contains,  among other things,  provisions for the
time,  place and  manner of  payment  of this  Note,  the  determination  of the
interest rate borne by and fees payable in respect of this Note, acceleration of
the payment of this Note upon the  happening  of certain  stated  events and the
mandatory repayment of this Note under certain circumstances.

         The Borrower  agrees to pay on demand all actual  costs of  collection,
including  reasonable  attorneys'  fees, if any part of this Note,  principal or
interest, is collected after maturity with the aid of an attorney.

         Presentment  for  payment,  notice of  dishonor,  protest and notice of
protest are hereby waived.

         THIS NOTE SHALL BE  CONSTRUED  IN  ACCORDANCE  WITH AND GOVERNED BY THE
LAWS OF THE COMMONWEALTH OF VIRGINIA.

         IN WITNESS  WHEREOF,  the  Borrower has caused this Note to be executed
under  seal by a duly  authorized  officer  as of the day and year  first  above
written.


[CORPORATE SEAL]                    CORNERSTONE REALTY INCOME TRUST, INC.

                                    By: /s/ Glade M. Knight
                                       -----------------------------------------
                                    Name: Glade M. Knight
                                         ---------------------------------------
                                    Title: Chief Executive Officer and President
                                          --------------------------------------



                                                                    Exhibit 10.1

                               PURCHASE CONTRACT

          THIS  AGREEMENT  made and entered  into this 25th day of August  1997,
between  CORNERSTONE  REALTY  GROUP,  INC. or its nominee,  (hereinafter  called
'purchaser')  and  ITALIAN  INVESTMENT  COMPANY,  a Joint  Venture  Partnership,
(hereinafter called "Seller").

                                   ARTICLE I
                                  THE PROPERTY

          1.1 SALE OF PROPERTY.  Seller agrees to sell and convey, and Purchaser
agrees to purchase,  Seller's real property  known as ITALIAN  VILLAGE and VILLA
MARINA APARTMENTS located in CHARLOTTE,  No, with all buildings and improvements
located  thereon,   as  more  particularly   described  in  the  attached  legal
description in EXHIBIT A including,  but not limited to 156 and 48  individually
heated and air conditioned  apartment units,  with all  appurtenances,  together
with  all  appliances,  drapes,  carpeting,  shrubbery  and all  other  personal
property  used in  connection  with the  premises,  including,  the inventory of
personal property to be supplied by Seller and attached hereto as EXHIBIT B (all
such real and  personal  property  hereinafter  collectively  referred to a" the
"Property" unless the context clearly indicates otherwise).

                                   ARTICLE II
                           PAYMENT OF PURCHASE PRICE

          2.1 PURCHASE  PRICE.  The total  purchase price shall be SEVEN MILLION
FOUR HUNDRED  TWENTY FIVE  THOUSAND ( $7, 425, 000) DOLLARS as evidenced by cash
or cash equivalent at closing.

          2.2 DEPOSIT.  ONE HUNDRED THOUSAND  ($100,000) DOLLARS to be placed In
escrow at the end of the  "Inspection  Period.'  described  in Article VI below.
Said deposit shall be placed in escrow with

Title  Company of North  Carolina or its  authorized  agent as an earnest  money
deposit  which may be  credited  against  the  purchase  price or applied an per
Article XI below,

                                  ARTICLE III
                                 TITLE MATTERS

          3.1 MARKETABLE TITLE.  Seller,  shall convey good and marketable title
by General  Warranty Deed in the form attached hereto as EXHIBIT C, subject only
to  general  taxes for the  current  year not yet due and  payable  and  utility
easements  which do not interfere  with the present use of the Property and such
Permitted Exceptions that are set forth in Exhibit C attached to
this Agreement. Exhibit C shall set forth all of the Schedule B


<PAGE>



Exceptions  in  addition  to  Deed  of  Trust  (to  be  satisfied  at  Closing),
Subordination,  Non-Disturbance and Attornment Agreement dated February 18, 1997
to be eliminated  upon payment of above loan),  and  Memorandum of Lease for Cel
Tower Site dated February 15, 1997.

          (A} Title shall be free from any and all liens or mortgages and Seller
shall be responsible for any prepayment penalties necessary to deliver such free
title.

     3.2 TITLE DEFECTS;  ELECTION TO CURE.  Purchaser shall procure a commitment
for Title Insurance,  "the  commitment".  If title is not marketable,  except as
stated above in the preceding paragraph,  Purchaser shall give written notice of
any  defects  in title to  Seller's,  counsel  within  fifteen  (15) days  after
Purchaser's  receipt of a title  report which  report  shall  include  copies of
backup  documents  relating to any title  exceptions,  a current survey, a flood
zone certification letter and a Surveyor's  Certification letter. Seller may, at
its option, elect whether to cure said defects or by written notice to Purchaser
indicate its intention not to cure.

          3.3  ELECTION  NOT TO CURE  DEFECTS.  Should  Seller elect not to cure
title defects, this Agreement,  at Purchaser's option, shall be void. Each party
shall  thereupon be released from all  obligations  hereunder,  and all deposits
shall be immediately returned to Purchaser.

                                   ARTICLE IV
                                   PRORATIONS

          4.1 INCOME AND EXPENSE  ALLOCATIONS.  The following shall be prorated,
on a  calendar-month  basis, to the day of closing:  rents and other income from
the Property; operating expenses as actually incurred, including Cel Tower rent.
Real property,  business and personal  property taxes applicable to the personal
property  that is part of the  property to be sold  pursuant to this  Agreement,
shall be  prorated  on a calendar  year basis using the most recent tax rate and
tax valuation applicable to such properties.

          4.2 CLOSING  COSTS.  Seller shall pay the costs of "revenue  stamp" on
the deed and the costs of deed preparation and any prepayment  penalty harged by
the holders of any existing  notes.  Each party will pay its attorney's fees and
costs. Purchaser will pay all other closing costs and expenses.

          4.3  ALLOCATION OF RENTS.  Rents  collected by Seller prior to Closing
shall be prorated as agreed in 4.1 above.  Purchaser  shall apply rents received
after  Closing  first to payment of the current rent due to  Purchaser,  then to
delinquent  rents  due to  Purchaser,  and last to rents due to Seller as of the
Closing but

                                       2
<PAGE>



uncollected  prior to  settlement.  Purchaser  agrees to use its best efforts in
good  faith to  collect  the  amount of any  rental  arrears  from  tenants  and
Purchaser  agrees to remit promptly to Seller any such arrears  actually paid by
such  tenants to  Purchaser.  Seller  chain  retain the right to commence  legal
action against a tenant for any delinquent rent apportioned to the Seller.

          4.4 Prior  Lease  Concessions.  If Seller  has  committed  to give any
future monetary  concessions to tenants under existing leases to which Purchaser
would become  liable,  then Seller shall pay to Purchaser  said amount in a lump
sum at closing.  Provided,  however,  there are tenants in  possession  who have
leased apartment units at rates lower than current posted rents, but which rents
were at posted  rents  when the  leases  were made;  and the  existence  of such
tenancies at such rent rates shall not be deemed a commitment to future monetary
concessions that entitle Purchaser to any deduction at closing.

                                    ARTICLE V
                           POSSESSION OF THE PROPERTY

          5.1  POSSESSION.  Possession  of the  Property  shall be  delivered ta
Purchaser at closing, subject to the rights of the tenants under existing leases
and rental  agreements and the easement rights and possessory  rights of utility
companies under easements and lease agreements,

                                   ARTICLE VI
                         CONDITIONS PRECEDENT TO CLOSING

          6.1 CONDITIONS PRECEDENT.  Purchaser's obligation to purchase shaft be
subject to and  contingent  upon the  satisfaction  of the following  conditions
precedent:  provided, such conditions precedent shall for all purposes be deemed
satisfied immediately upon the expiration of the Inspection Period on August 26,
1997 unless  Purchaser  cancels  this  contract by written  notice prior to such
expiration or extended in writing by both  parties: 

               {A) Receipt by Purchaser of an engineering report of building and
site conditions,  satisfactory to Purchaser in its sole discretion,  said report
to include in part, a description of any hazardous waste sites, hazardous wastes
Indoor hazardous materials affecting the property.  Purchaser shall have fifteen
(l0) days in which to review the reports set forth herein and exercise its right
to reject the Property  loaned  thereon or the right  hereunder  shall be deemed
waived. 

               (B) The receipt by Purchaser of seller documents described in 7.2
below.

               (C) On the condition that Sellers representation.  and warranties
described in Article VIII below remain true and

                                       3


<PAGE>


correct.

               (D) On the condition  that there have been no material or adverse
changes to the property or leases.

               (E) Seller  acknowledges  that  Purchaser is a public  entity and
that it in  required  to furnish  financial  statements  to the  Securities  and
Exchange  Commission in connection with this acquisition.  Seller agrees to make
the information available for Purchaser to audit the last 12 months of operation
of the Property so that a report can be  generated  that is in  compliance  with
accounting Regulation S-X of the Securities and Exchange Commission.

               (F) Survey which shall show no  encroachments  onto the Land from
any  adjacent  property,  no  encroachments  by or from the Land  onto  adjacent
property and no violation of or encroachments  upon any recorded building lines,
restrictions or easements  affecting the Property.  If the Survey  discloses any
such encroachment or violation, Seller shall have thirty (30) days from the date
of delivery of the survey (with a commensurate extension of the closing date) to
have the Title Insurer issue its endorsement  insuring  against damage caused by
such encroachment or violation and to provide evidence thereof to Purchaser, and
if Seller  fails to or is unable to have the same  insured  against  within such
thirty (30) day period,  Purchaser may elect,  on or before the Closing Date, to
(i) terminate  this Agreement (in which case the Earnest Money shall be returned
to Purchaser)  and neither party shall have any further  liability or obligation
to the  other  hereunder,  or (ii)  accept  the  property  subject  to any  such
encroachment or violation.

          6.2  INSPECTION.  This  Agreement  shall  be  further  subject  to and
contingent upon Purchaser's satisfactory inspection as follows herein below.

          6.2.1 PREPARATION FOR INSPECTION.  At the execution of this Agreement,
Seller shall deliver to Purchaser copies of the following: The current rent roll
for the.  Property;  detailed  statements of income and expenses with respect to
the Property for the past two years; the most recent tax bills for the Property;
utility  bills for the Property for the twelve (12) months  previous to the date
hereof; all contract,  mortgages, and other documents creating liens of Security
interest on the Property,  or any part thereof an all  promissory  note" secured
thereby;  all insurance policies applicable to the Property to include loss runs
for the last five (a) years; Plans and Specifications for the Property,  service
contracts, Certificates of Occupancy, to the extent reasonably available; a copy
of the title policy and most recent survey for the Property in its possession. A
copy of any  environmental  or  engineering  reports on the property.  All theme
items shall be certified by Seller to be accurate and complete to

                                       4

<PAGE>



the best of its knowledge and belief.

          6.2.2  INSPECTION  OF BOOKS  AND  RECORDS;  ACCESS.  Upon  receipt  by
Purchaser of all documents  requested in the  paragraph  above,  Purchaser,  its
employees,  agents,  and  contractors  shall  have until  August  26,  1997 (the
"Inspection  Period")  to enter upon the  Property  subject to the rights of the
tenants  during  normal  business  hours  for the  purpose  of  making  physical
inspections  thereof,  including  but not  limited to roofs,  heating,  cooling,
electrical  and plumbing  systems,  swimming  pool,  appliances,  and structural
elements  of the  buildings.  Purchaser  shall also be  permitted  to review all
original  leases,  expense  records,  tenant cards and occupancy data available.
Upon the conclusion of the Inspection Period this contract shall be deemed to be
a firm agreement of purchase and sale binding the parties  hereto,  except as it
may be terminated by other provisions and conditions contained herein,

          6.2.3 RIGHT OF TERMINATION  DURING INSPECTION  PERIOD. If Purchaser is
not  satisfied,  in its  sole  and  exclusive  discretion,  with  the  state  of
maintenance  and repair of the  Property or the rents,  occupancy or expenses of
the Property,  then  notwithstanding  anything contained herein to the contrary,
Purchaser  shall have the right to terminate  this  Agreement by giving  written
notice to Seller before the end of the  Inspection  Period,  and no party hereto
shall have any further  liability  to any other party  hereto,  and all deposits
shall  be  returned  to  Purchaser.  If  Purchaser  terminates  this  Agreement,
Purchaser  shall  have the duty to  promptly  return to Seller  all  documentary
information  that Seller has  furnished  and copies of all reports,  surveys and
other  documents with respect to the Property that Purchaser has obtained during
the Inspection Period.

          6.2.4 TERMINATION OF INSPECTION  PERIOD.  Notwithstanding  anything to
the contrary set forth herein,  the Inspection Period shall expire on August 22,
logy or Such other date as the parties may agree to in writing.

          6.2.5 "RENT READY".  During the "Inspection  Period",  both Seller and
Purchaser Will inspect an apartment unit at the Property and mutually agree that
said apartment shall be representative of a "rent ready" unit by which all other
units shall be judged for "rent  ready"  condition  at closing.  All  apartments
vacant for a period of seven (7) days or more prior to  closing,  are to be in a
Brent ready" condition (as defined above),  at the time of closing,  containing,
but not limited to the following amenities, i.e., carpet,  refrigerator,  range,
garbage disposal,  heating, garbage disposal,  heating,  plumbing and electrical
systems.  The **parties  agree to walk through any apartments  vacated seven (7)
days  or  less  prior  to  closing  and  further  agree  to  set  the  financial
remuneration  for the  cost of  making  such  units  "rent  ready".  Seller  and
Purchaser each reserves the right to terminate this

                                       5
<PAGE>



Agreement if they cannot  agree on the  financial  consideration  to be paid for
units which are not "rent ready".

          6.2.6 CONDITION OF PERSONAL PROPERTY AT CLOSING. All personal property
included in the sale and all mechanical,  electrical, heating, air conditioning,
sewer,  water and plumbing systems will be in the same working order at the time
of closing and in the same condition as at the time of the initial inspection by
Purchaser.  If Seller fails to make reasonable efforts to conserve the property!
Purchaser  shall have the option of waiving Such  requirement,  in writing,  and
proceeding to closing,  or Purchaser may void this Agreement and obtain a prompt
return of its deposit.

                                   ARTICLE VII
                                     CLOSING

          7.1 CLOSING. Closing will be held on or about August 28, 1997, at such
place and at such time as the parties may agree in Charlotte, NC.

               (A) It is agreed by both  parties that the closing date set forth
herein is a time of the essence  clause,  however,  either  party may request an
adjournment for no more than 7 days.

          7.2 SELLER'S DELIVERIES.  At closing, Seller shall execute and deliver
to Purchaser  the General  Warranty  Deed  referred to in Paragraph 3 hereof and
shall also execute, where necessary, and deliver to Purchaser, the following;

               (A) A Bill of  Sale,  with  warranty  of title  transferring  the
personal  property  (as shown in  Schedule  B) to  Purchaser  free of all liens,
charges and encumbrances.

               (B)   Originals  or  copies  of  all  signed  leases  and  rental
agreements in effect with tenants of the Property.

               (C) All  security  and cleaning  deposits  made by such  tenants.
Seller will give the tenants the required  notice of such transfer in compliance
with the laws of North Carolina.

               (D) An  affidavit  of Seller in such form am will cause the Title
Company  to omit from the title  insurance  policy  the  exclusion  relating  to
unrecorded mechanic's and materialmen's liens,

               (E) A rent roll  certified by Seller to be true and correct as of
the date of  closing  showing  the name of,  and the  amount of  monthly  rental
payable,  by each tenant of the Property,  the apartment occupied by the tenant,
the date to which  rent has been paid,  any  advance  payment  of rent,  and the
amount of any escrow, or security deposit of tenant.

                                       6
<PAGE>


                    The   Purchaser   agrees  to  accept  the  above  rent  roll
certification  by the  Seller as of the 15th of the month,  however,  the Seller
agrees to execute an affidavit at closing  statinq:  (i) that there have been no
changes,  (ii) the  amount  of rent  actually  collected  and any rent  which is
currently due, (iii) whether any changes in security, and (iv) setting forth any
modifications of the tenants list. This clause "hall survive closing.

               (F) An  affidavit  of Seller that to the best of its  information
and  belief  there  are,  Oh the  date of  closing,  no  unsatisfied  judgments,
creditor's claims, tax liens, or pending bankruptcies involving Seller.

               (G)  Assignments of all Seller's  interest in the following:  (1)
all assignable licenses,  and permits relating to the operation of the Property,
In) the leases and  rental  agreements  with  tenants of the  Property,  (3) the
existing  Property  telephone  number and (4) the business and trade name as set
forth in Par. 1. 1.

               (H)  Assignments  of all  warranties and guarantees to the extent
such  are  still  in  effect  and  provide  Purchaser  with  copies  of all such
warranties and guarantees that are in Seller's possession without limitation for
all  appliances,  dishwashers,   disposals,   refrigerators,   heating  and  air
conditioning units, washers and dryers.

               (I) Evidence reasonably satisfactory to Purchaser that all water,
sewer, gas, electric, telephone, and drainage facilities and all other utilities
required by law or by the normal use and  operation  of the  Property are and at
the time of closing will be installed to the property  line, are and at the time
of closing will be connected pursuant to valid permits,  and are and at the time
of closing  adequate to service the Property and to permit full  compliance with
all  requirements of law and normal usage of the Property by the tenants thereof
and their licensees and invitees.

               (J) Consent of Seller's  partners to the saleof the  Property and
other approvals required under Seller's Partnership Agreement as may be required
by the  title  company.  

               (K)  Provide   documents  for  the  transfer  of  the  telephone,
electric, water and sewer, and gas utilities, as may be required by the utility,
for execution at closing,  provided  Purchaser  shall establish its own deposits
and Seller  shall be entitled to any funds it has placed on deposit with utility
companies.

               (L)  Reasonable  evidence of the power and authority of Seller to
enter into and consummate thin agreement to the

                                       7
<PAGE>



satisfaction of the title company, including but not limited to:

               (i)  An  opinion  of  Seller's  counsel,  in  a  form  reasonably
satisfactory to Purchaser and title company, stating that:

                    (a)  The  individual(s)   executing  the  deed  and  related
documents are duly authorized to do all such acts as are necessary to consummate
this sale, without further consent of any other party.

                    (b) That the partner or officer can bind the  Partnership or
Corporation.

               (M) Affidavit that Seller has no actual knowledge of the presence
of asbestos and/or any other hazardous material at the Property.  This affidavit
shall be limited to the actual knowledge of B.W, Miller,  the Seller's  managing
partner.

               (N)  Seller  shall  provide  a  satisfactory  and  valid  written
termination of the management  agreement executed by the existing management and
rental agent for the Property, without cost to the Purchaser.

               (O) A notice letter to all the residents of the apartment complex
as to change of ownership in the form prepared by the Purchaser.

               (P) All such  other  documents  as are  normally  transferred  at
settlement  in  the  jurisdiction  in  which  the  property  is  located  or are
reasonably requested by Purchaser or its counsel.

               (Q) A representation  letter as normally required by auditors for
a public  company in the form  attached  hereto as EXHIBIT E. This clause  shall
survive closing for one year.

          7.3 PURCHASER'S DELIVERIES.  At closing and contemporaneously with the
Seller's compliance with the provisions of Section 7.2, Purchaser shall:

               (A)  Pay to  Seller  the  cash  portion  of the  purchase  price,
adjusted for the prorations herein provided for in Article IV.

               (B)  Execute  and  deliver an  assumption  of  obligations  under
leases, securities, any contracts which may be accepted by the Purchaser and any
other obligations specifically set forth herein.

               (C) Deliver to the Seller a resolution of the Purchaser that:

                    (i) This Agreement has been dully authorized,

                                       8
<PAGE>



executed and delivered by the Purchaser and is a valid and
binding agreement of Purchaser, and

                    (ii)  Purchaser has complete  unrestricted  power to buy the
Property from the Seller and to execute any documents required to effectuate the
transfer,

                                 ARTICLE VI I I
               SELLER'S REPRESENTATIONS, WARRANTIES AND COVENANTS

          8.1 REPRESENTATIONS OF THE PARTIES.  Seller warrants (which warranties
"hall not survive  settlement  unless designated to the contrary) that as of the
date of closing hereof:

               (A) That  Seller,  is the owner in fee simple of the Property and
has the power to convey same. .

               (B)  That  Seller  is not  subject  to any  other  agreements  or
arrangements,  with the  exception of those  contained in any existing  mortgage
documents  which would  prevent  Seller from selling the Property to  Purchaser.
This Warranty shall survive for one year following closing.

               (C) All  necessary  action has been taken by Seller to  authorize
the  execution  of  this  Agreement  and  the  performance  of  the  obligations
contemplated  hereunder,  which are not excluded  elsewhere in existing mortgage
documents. This warranty shall survive for one year following closing.

               (D) Seller has no actual  knowledge  and has not been  advised in
writing  that it is in default  under any  lease,  rental  agreement  service or
equipment contract,  or mortgage or other encumbrances relating to the Property.
This warranty shall survive for one year fallowing closing.

               (E) Seller has no actual  knowledge  of any patent  defect in the
Property or any part thereof.

               (F) Seller has no actual  knowledge of any existing or threatened
litigation  Which relates to or which would affect the  Property.  This warranty
shall survive for one year following closing.

               (G) The Property  abuts on and has direct  vehicular  access to a
public road.

               (H) All  building  and other  improvement"  at the  Property  are
located entirely within the boundary lines Of the Property.


               (I) Seller has no actual knowledge that any part

                                       9
<PAGE>



of the Property or the operation of the Property, is in violation or may violate
any  governmental  statute,  regulation,  ordinance  or building  code or of any
private  restriction,  that any governmental  authority  requires any work to be
done on or  affecting  the  Property r or that any  governmental  authority  has
expressed an intent to condemn or to make special  improvements  for the benefit
of the Property or any part thereof.  This  warranty  shall survive for one year
following closing.

               (J) That to the best knowledge of the Seller, the drainage within
the project is  satisfactory  and complies in all respects  with all  government
regulation. This warranty shall survive for one year following closing,

               (K) That Seller is not a "foreign  person"  within the meaning of
the Internal Revenue Code of 19S4, as amended (the "Code"), and that Seller will
furnish to  Purchaser  prior to closing an  affidavit  in form  satisfactory  to
Purchaser confirming the same.

               (L} That to the best of  Seller's  knowledge,  the  Property  was
never utilized as a disposal site for hazardous  waste products and will furnish
to Purchaser an affidavit confirming same.

               (M) Seller  covenants and agrees that,  between this date and the
date of  closing,  Seller  shall  continue to  maintain,  operate and manage the
Property  in  a  manner  consistent  with  its  prior  practices,  making  every
reasonable  effort to do  nothing  which  might  damage  the  reputation  of the
Property or the  relationships  with the  tenants.  Seller  shall not permit the
modification,   extension  or  cancellation  of  any  tenant  lease  (except  in
accordance  with the terms of such lease) or any dealing  with any tenant  other
than the ordinary  course of managing the Property,  without the prior  written,
consent of  Purchaser.  If the leases of any tenants  expire  before thirty (30)
days after the date of  cloning,  Seller  shall,  up to the date of closing  and
without  cost to the  Purchaser,  continue its normal  course of operation  with
respect to causing tenants to be obtained for apartments which are unrented.

          8.2 CONTINUATION OF  REPRESENTATIONS.  HarrantIee and Covenante to_the
Date of Closing.  If each of the  warranties  set forth in this seation does not
remain true up to and includlog the time of closing as to any material  matters,
this  Agreement,  at Purchaser'=  election,  shall be  terminated,  Seller shall
return all payments made by Purchaser,  or Purchaser may elect to close the sale
and waive failure of the warranties.

          8.3   BREACH   OF    REDRESENTATIONS.    warranties   and   Covenants.
Notwithstanding  the provisions of 8.2 above,  Seller shall indemnify  Purchaser
for all  reasonable  costs incurred a" a result of the failure of any of Seller'
representations,

                                       10
<PAGE>



warranties  or  covenants  contained  herein  to  remain  true as of the date of
closing,

          8.4 LIMITATIONS ON SCONE OF REPRASENTATIONA AND WARRANTIES.  After the
Closing, Seller shall have no obligations to Purchaser:  (i) with respect to any
representations  or warranties except those contained in the deed of conveyance,
the  Bill of  Sale,  other  documents  delivered  under  7.2  and  the  lettered
subsections of Section 8.1 that expressly  survive the Closing (the  'isurviving
Representations and Warranties"),  and (ii) as to such Surviving Representations
and Warranties,  Seller's  obligation to indemnify and save Purchaser shall only
arise if such Surviving Representations and Warranties are materially untrue and
Purchaser incurs actual loss as a result thereof.

                                   ARTICLE IX
                           CONDEMNATION; RISK OF Loss

          9.1 PROPERTY DAMAGE. If, prior to closing, any part of the Property is
damaged by fire or other  casualty,  Seller shall repair such damage  before the
date  provided  herein for  closing.  If such damage  cannot be repaired by such
time,  this  Agreement  may be canceled at the option of the  Purchaser.  In the
event of  cancellation  as aforesaid,  this Agreement shall become null and void
and the  parties  shall be released  and all  payments  made shall be  returned.
Should  Purchaser  elect to carry out this Agreement  despite such damage Seller
shall assign to Purchaser all insurance proceeds and any deductible arising from
such  damage and will  compensate  Purchaser  for lost rent  collections  to the
extent of insurance proceeds received, Seller shall promptly notify Purchaser in
writing upon the occurrence of any such damage.

          9.2  CONDEMNATION.  In the event of any actual or  threatened  taking,
pursuant to the power of eminent domain, all or any part thereof,  or any actual
or proposed sale in lieu thereof,  the Seller shall give written  notice thereof
to the Purchaser promptly after Seller learns or receives notice thereof. Upon a
taking of a material part of the Property (any part of the building or more than
51 of the  parking  area),  Purchaser  may elect to either  (a)  terminate  this
Agreement, in which event the Deposit shall be immediately returned to Purchaser
and all other rights and  obligations of the parties  hereunder  shall terminate
immediately,  or (b) to waive its right to terminate  this Agreement and proceed
to closing,  in which event all proceeds,  awards and other payments arising out
of such  condemnation  or  sale  (actual  or  threatened)  shall  be paid to the
Purchaser at closing,  if such payment has been  received or Seller shall assign
to Purchaser the rights to such payments.

          9.3 RISK OF LOSS.  Prior to  closing,  all  risks of loss or damage by
every casualty shall be borne by the Seller.

                                       11
<PAGE>



                                    ARTICLE X
                               BROKER'S COMMISSION

          10.1  COMMISSION.  Seller  agrees to pay a  brokerage  fee to  McGUIRE
PROPERTIES,  pursuant to a separate  agreement between Seller and Brokers.  Said
brokerage  fee  shall be  deemed  earned  if,  and only  if,  settlement  occurs
hereunder,  and shall not be  deemed  earned  even if  Purchaser  and/or  Seller
wrongfully  fail(s) to  consummate  the purchase  and sale herein  contemplated.
Purchaser  shall not be obligated for any brokerage fees to McGUIRE  PROPERTIES,
and Seller  agrees to hold  Purchaser  harmless  in  connection  with such fees.
Seller and Purchaser represent and warrant to each other that no other brokerage
fees are or shall be owing in  connection  with this  transaction  or in any way
with the Apartments and Seller and Purchaser hereby indemnify and hold the other
harmless from any and all claims of any other person so claiming.

                                   ARTICLE XI
                                     DEFAULT

          11.1 DEFAULT DEFINED.  Default for the purpose of this Agreement shall
mean any failure by Seller or Purchaser to fulfill all the terms, conditions and
covenants  contained  herein,  however,  it shall not be an event of default for
either party to exercise its rights to terminate  this  contract as contained in
other provisions herein.

          11.2 SELLERS DEFAULT.  Upon Seller's default,  the Purchaser,  at it's
election,  may either (1) require specific  performance of Seller, or pursue its
other  remedies at law or equity,  (2) cancel this Agreement and obtain a prompt
return of the deposit,  in which case this Agreement shall be terminated and the
parties released from all obligations hereunder,  or (3) the Purchaser may waive
such defaults and proceed to settlement.  Seller shall  indemnify  Purchaser for
any  reasonable  costs  incurred by Purchaser if Purchaser  elects to pursue its
option (1) noted above, to include reasonable attorney fees.

          11.3 PURCHASER'S  DEFAULT.  Upon Purohaser's  default,  this Agreement
shall be terminated and both parties  released from all  obligations  hereunder,
and the deposit  shall be retained by the Seller as liquidated  damages.  Seller
shall  have no other  remedy  against  Purchaser  in the  event  of  Purchaser's
default.

                                   ARTICLE XII
                            MISCELLANEOUS PROVISIONS

          12.1  ENTIRE   AGREEMENT.   This   Agreement  sets  forth  the  entire
understanding  between the parties;  it supersedes  all previous  agreements and
representations which are deemed merged herein and may not be modified except in
writing.

                                       12
<PAGE>



          12.2  ASSIGNMENT.  Purchaser  may assign  this  Agreement  without the
consent of Seller to CORNERSTONE REALTY INCOME TRUST, INC.

          12.3 SEVERABILITY. If any provision,  sentence, phrase or word of this
Agreement or the application thereof to any person or circumstance shall be held
invalid,  the remainder of this Agreement or the  application of such provision,
sentence,  phrase, or word to persons or  circumstances,  other than those as to
which it is held invalid, shall remain in full force and effect.

          12.4 BINDING-EFFECT.  The parties to the Agreement mutually agree that
it shall be binding  upon and inure to the  benefit of their  respective  heirs,
representatives, successors in interest and assigns.

          12.5  CONTROLLING LAW. It is the intent.of the parties hereto that all
questions with respect to the  construction of this Agreement and the rights and
liabilities of the parties shall be determined in accordance with the provisions
of the laws of the State set forth in Par. 1.1.

          12.6  COUNTERPARTS.  To facilitate  execution,  this  Agreement may be
executed in as many  counterparts as may be required.  It shall not be necessary
that the signature on behalf of both parties  hereto appear in each  counterpart
hereof,  and it shall be sufficient that the signature on behalf of both parties
hereto  appear  on  one  or  more  such  counterparts.  All  counterparts  shall
collectively constitute a single contract. 12.7 Incorporation by Reference.  All
of the Exhibits  referred to herein  and/or  attached  hereto Shall be deemed to
constitute a part of the Agreement.

          12.8  HEADINGS.  The headings of the Articles and sections  hereof are
inserted for  convenience  only and shall not be deemed to  constitute a part of
the Agreement.

          12.9  CONSTRUCTION  OF CONTRACT.  Each party hereto have  reviewed and
revised (or  requested  revisions of) this  Agreement,  and therefore the normal
rule  of  construction  that  any  ambiguities  are  to be  resolved  against  a
particular party shall not be applicable in the construction and  interpretation
of this Contract or any amendments or exhibits hereto.

          12.10  CONFIDENTIALITY.  The  parties;  shall  keep  confidential  the
existence  of  this  Agreement,  the  transaction"  described  herein,  and  all
information  obtained  from the other  party both during and  subsequent  to the
transaction.  However, the covenants contained in this paragraph shall not apply
in respect to any  information  which (a) was already known to either party when
such information was received from the other, (b) was readily

                                       13
<PAGE>



available to the general  public at the time of such receipt,  (c)  subsequently
becomes  known to the general  public  through no fault or omission by the other
party,  (d) is  subsequently  disclosed by a third party which has the bona fide
right to make such  disclosure,  or (e) is required to be  disclosed by law or a
governmental agency.
This clause shall survive closing.

          12.11 EXHIBITS.  The following exhibits are attached to this Agreement
and are  incorporated  into this  Agreement  by this  reference  and made a part
hereof for all purposes:

          (a) EXHIBIT A, the legal description of the Land.
          (b) EXHIBIT B, list of personal property.
          (c) EXHIBIT C, the form of Deed.
          (d) EXHIBIT D, the form of the  Assignment  and Assumption of Personal
              Property, Service Contracts, Warranties and Leases.
          (e) EXHIBIT E, the form of the Representation Letter.

                                  ARTICLE XIII
                                     NOTICE

          13.1 NOTICE.  All notices required or permitted to be given under this
Agreement  shall be in writing and shall be sent or delivered to the address set
forth below (or such-other address as may be hereafter specified in writing):

          To Seller: Italian Investment Company
                     c/o B.W. Miller
                     301 South McDowell St., Suite 1000
                     Charlotte, NC 28202
                     Fax: (704) 376-8417

          With a copy to
            Seller's Attorneys: William S. Michael, Esq. 2312
                                Christensens Ct., Charlotte, NC 28270
                                306 E. Main Street
                                Fax: (704) 366-4958

          To Purchaser: Mr. Gus Remppies
                        Cornerstone Realty Group, Inc.
                        306 E. Main Street, Richmond, VA 23219
                        Fax: (804) 782-9302

          With a copy to
            Purchaser's Attorneys: Harry S. Taubenfeld, Esq.
                                   Zuckerbrod & Taubenfeld
                                   575 Chestnut St., P.O. Box 488
                                   Cedarhurst, NY 11516
                                   Fax: (516) 374-3490

                                       14
<PAGE>



- -and-                              

                                           Ted Oliver, Esq.
                                           Manning, Fulton & Skinner
                                           5OO UCB Plaza
                                           3605 Glenwood Avenue
                                           Raleigh, NC 27612
                                           Fax: (919)781-0811
                          
          13.2  DELIVERY  OF  NOTICE.  Notices  sent  either  by  Registered  or
Certified Mail, Return Receipt Requested, or bar overnight express mail shall be
deemed  given  when  deposited  in the  United  States  Mail,  postage  prepaid,
delivered to a reliable overnight courier or by facsimile transmission, provided
in the case notice is by facsimile,  it shall not be effective unless concurrent
notice is given by one of the other two permitted  methods,  Notices sent in any
other  manner  shall be  deemed  gibbon  only  when  actually  delivered  at the
specified address.

          IN WITNESS  WHEREOF,  the Seller and the  Purchaser  have  caused this
Agreement to be executed this day and date first written above.

SELLER:

ITALIAN INVESTMENT COMPANY,

By: J. Chadbourn Bollos QTIP Trust for Rosemary Bolles
    under agreement dated January 15, 1987, Joint Venturer



By:     /s/ B.W. Miller
      -----------------------------------
         B.W. Miller, Trustee

And
        /s/ B.W. Miller
By:   -----------------------------------
         B.W. Miller, Joint Venturer


PURCHASER:

CORNERSTONE REALTY GROUP, INC.

By:     /s/ S. J. Olander
      -----------------------------------


Its:    SVP
      -----------------------------------




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