CORNERSTONE REALTY INCOME TRUST INC
8-K, 1998-01-09
REAL ESTATE INVESTMENT TRUSTS
Previous: FIRST DEPOSIT NATIONAL BANK, 8-K, 1998-01-09
Next: FRANKLIN VALUE INVESTORS TRUST, N-30D, 1998-01-09



                       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: December 30, 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 5.  Other Events

Item 7.  Financial Statements and Exhibits


         a.       Exhibits

                  4.1      Credit Agreement dated as of October 30, 1997, by and
                           among Cornerstone  Realty Income Trust, Inc., and any
                           Additional Borrowers party thereto, as Borrowers, the
                           Lenders referred to therein, and First Union National
                           Bank, as Agent

                  4.2      Joinder  Agreement  dated as of December  31, 1997 to
                           the Credit Agreement dated as of October 30, 1997, by
                           and among Cornerstone Realty Income Trust, Inc., each
                           Additional Borrower party thereto,  CRIT-NC, LLC, the
                           lenders party thereto, and First Union National Bank,
                           as Agent

                  4.3      (1) Amended and Restated  Revolving Credit Note dated
                           December  31, 1997 in the  principal  amount of up to
                           $65,000,000 made payable by Cornerstone Realty Income
                           Trust,  Inc. and  CRIT-NC,  LLC to the order of First
                           Union  National  Bank,  and (2) Amended and  Restated
                           Revolving  Credit Note dated December 31, 1997 in the
                           principal amount of up to $35,000,000 made payable by
                           Cornerstone  Realty Income  Trust,  Inc. and CRIT-NC,
                           LLC to the order of AmSouth Bank, and (3) Amended and
                           Restated  Revolving  Credit Note dated  December  31,
                           1997 in the  principal  amount  of up to  $25,000,000
                           made payable by Cornerstone Realty Income Trust, Inc.
                           and CRIT-NC,  LLC to the order of Crestar  Bank,  and
                           (4) Amended and Restated  Revolving Credit Note dated
                           December  31, 1997 in the  principal  amount of up to
                           $20,000,000 made payable by Cornerstone Realty Income
                           Trust,  Inc. and  CRIT-NC,  LLC to the order of Fleet
                           National Bank, and (5) Amended and Restated Revolving
                           Credit Note dated  December 31, 1997 in the principal
                           amount  of  up  to   $30,000,000   made   payable  by
                           Cornerstone  Realty Income  Trust,  Inc. and CRIT-NC,
                           LLC to the order of Guaranty Federal Bank, F.S.B.

                  10.1     Articles of Organization of CRIT-NC, LLC

                  10.2     Operating  Agreement  of  CRIT-NC,  LLC  dated as of
                           December 9, 1997


                                       2

<PAGE>


Item 5.  Other Events

         On December  30, 1997,  Cornerstone  Realty  Income  Trust,  Inc.  (the
"Company")  transferred all of its properties in North Carolina to CRIT-NC, LLC,
a Virginia limited  liability  company  ("CRIT-NC").  CRIT-NC is a single-member
limited liability company and the sole member (owner) is the Company.

         The Company transferred its North Carolina properties to CRIT-NC with a
view to achieving three  objectives.  First,  the ownership and operation of the
North  Carolina  properties in an entity  separate from the Company may insulate
Company  assets  from  liabilities  that  could  arise  from the North  Carolina
properties.  Satisfaction of such liabilities  could be limited to the assets of
CRIT-NC. Second, the establishment of CRIT-NC may facilitate, in the future, the
use of limited liability  company or partnership  interests as consideration for
property  "sellers"  who may want to  transfer  properties  to the Company on an
income  tax-deferred  basis.  The foregoing  objectives are also relevant to the
Company's  properties in other jurisdictions and the Company may, in the future,
consider  transferring  other properties to other  subsidiaries that the Company
may organize.  The third  objective  that may be realized by the transfer of the
North Carolina  properties to CRIT-NC is the possible reduction of the Company's
liability for certain North Carolina franchise taxes.

         In  connection  with  the  Company's  transfer  of its  North  Carolina
properties  to CRIT-NC,  CRIT-NC  became a  co-borrower  and  co-obligor  on the
Company's  Credit   Agreement  and  promissory  notes  issued   thereunder  (the
"Unsecured Line of Credit").  The Lenders under the Unsecured Line of Credit and
their  respective loan  commitments  thereunder are: First Union National Bank -
$65  million,  AmSouth Bank - $35  million,  Crestar  Bank - $25 million,  Fleet
National Bank - $20 million, and Guaranty Federal Bank, F.S.B. - $30 million.



                                       3


<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: January 9, 1998                      By: /s/ Stanley J. Olander, Jr.
                                               ---------------------------
                                               Stanley J. Olander, Jr.,
                                               Chief Financial Officer
                                               of Cornerstone Realty
                                               Income Trust, Inc.


                                       4

<PAGE>



                                  EXHIBIT INDEX

                         Cornerstone Realty Income Trust
                        Form 8-K dated December 30, 1997



Exhibit Number             Exhibit


         4.1               Credit Agreement dated as of October 30, 1997, by and
                           among Cornerstone  Realty Income Trust, Inc., and any
                           Additional Borrowers party thereto, as Borrowers, the
                           Lenders referred to therein, and First Union National
                           Bank, as Agent

         4.2               Joinder  Agreement  dated as of December  31, 1997 to
                           the Credit Agreement dated as of October 30, 1997, by
                           and among Cornerstone Realty Income Trust, Inc., each
                           Additional Borrower party thereto,  CRIT-NC, LLC, the
                           lenders party thereto, and First Union National Bank,
                           as Agent

         4.3               (1) Amended and Restated  Revolving Credit Note dated
                           December  31, 1997 in the  principal  amount of up to
                           $65,000,000 made payable by Cornerstone Realty Income
                           Trust,  Inc. and  CRIT-NC,  LLC to the order of First
                           Union  National  Bank,  and (2) Amended and  Restated
                           Revolving  Credit Note dated December 31, 1997 in the
                           principal amount of up to $35,000,000 made payable by
                           Cornerstone  Realty Income  Trust,  Inc. and CRIT-NC,
                           LLC to the order of AmSouth Bank, and (3) Amended and
                           Restated  Revolving  Credit Note dated  December  31,
                           1997 in the  principal  amount  of up to  $25,000,000
                           made payable by Cornerstone Realty Income Trust, Inc.
                           and CRIT-NC,  LLC to the order of Crestar  Bank,  and
                           (4) Amended and Restated  Revolving Credit Note dated
                           December  31, 1997 in the  principal  amount of up to
                           $20,000,000 made payable by Cornerstone Realty Income
                           Trust,  Inc. and  CRIT-NC,  LLC to the order of Fleet
                           National Bank, and (5) Amended and Restated Revolving
                           Credit Note dated  December 31, 1997 in the principal
                           amount  of  up  to   $30,000,000   made   payable  by
                           Cornerstone  Realty Income  Trust,  Inc. and CRIT-NC,
                           LLC to the order of Guaranty Federal Bank, F.S.B.

         10.1              Articles of Organization of CRIT-NC, LLC

         10.2              Operating  Agreement  of  CRIT-NC,  LLC  dated as of
                           December 9, 1997



                                       5





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


                                CREDIT AGREEMENT

                          dated as of October 30, 1997,

                                  by and among

                     CORNERSTONE REALTY INCOME TRUST, INC.,

                   and any Additional Borrowers party hereto,

                                  as Borrowers,

                         the Lenders referred to herein,

                                       and

                           FIRST UNION NATIONAL BANK,

                                    as Agent


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


<PAGE>





                                TABLE OF CONTENTS


                                                                            PAGE


ARTICLE I    DEFINITIONS...................................................... 1
     SECTION 1.1  Definitions................................................. 1
     SECTION 1.2  General.....................................................15
     SECTION 1.3  Other Definitions and Provisions............................15


ARTICLE II   REVOLVING CREDIT FACILITY........................................15
     SECTION 2.1  Revolving Credit Loans......................................15
     SECTION 2.2  Procedure for Advances of Loans.............................16
     SECTION 2.3  Repayment of Loans..........................................16
     SECTION 2.4  Revolving Credit Notes......................................17
     SECTION 2.5  Permanent Reduction of the Aggregate Commitment.............17
     SECTION 2.6  Termination of the Credit Facility..........................17
     SECTION 2.7  Optional Increase In Commitments............................18
     SECTION 2.8  Use of Proceeds.............................................20


ARTICLE III  LETTER OF CREDIT FACILITY........................................20
     SECTION 3.1  L/C Commitment..............................................20
     SECTION 3.2  Procedure for Issuance of Letters of Credit.................21
     SECTION 3.3  Commissions and Other Charges...............................21
     SECTION 3.4  L/C Participations..........................................21
     SECTION 3.5  Reimbursement Obligation of the Borrower....................22
     SECTION 3.6  Obligations Absolute........................................23
     SECTION 3.7  Effect of Application.......................................23


ARTICLE IV   GENERAL LOAN PROVISIONS..........................................23
     SECTION 4.1  Interest....................................................23
     SECTION 4.2  Notice and Manner of Conversion or Continuation of Loans....26
     SECTION 4.3  Fees........................................................27
     SECTION 4.4  Manner of Payment...........................................27
     SECTION 4.5  Crediting of Payments and Proceeds..........................28
     SECTION 4.6  Adjustments.................................................28
     SECTION 4.7  Nature of Obligations of Lenders Regarding Extensions of
                  Credit; Assumption by the Agent.............................28
     SECTION 4.8  Changed Circumstances.......................................29
     SECTION 4.9  Indemnity...................................................31
     SECTION 4.10 Capital Requirements........................................31
     SECTION 4.11 Taxes.......................................................31

<PAGE>

ARTICLE V    CLOSING; CONDITIONS OF CLOSING AND BORROWING.....................33
     SECTION 5.1  Closing.....................................................33
     SECTION 5.2  Conditions to Closing and Initial Extensions of Credit......33
     SECTION 5.3  Conditions to All Loans and Letters of Credit...............36


ARTICLE VI   REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES OF THE BORROWERS..................36
     SECTION 6.1  Representations and Warranties..............................36
     SECTION 6.2  Survival of Representations and Warranties, Etc.............44


ARTICLE VII  FINANCIAL INFORMATION AND NOTICES................................44
     SECTION 7.1  Financial Statements and Projections........................45
     SECTION 7.2  Officer's Compliance Certificate............................46
     SECTION 7.3  Other Reports...............................................46
     SECTION 7.4  Notice of Litigation and Other Matters......................46
     SECTION 7.5  Accuracy of Information.....................................47


ARTICLE VIII AFFIRMATIVE COVENANTS............................................48
     SECTION 8.1  Preservation of Corporate Existence and Related Matters.....48
     SECTION 8.2  Maintenance of Property.....................................48
     SECTION 8.3  Insurance...................................................48
     SECTION 8.4  Accounting Methods and Financial Records....................48
     SECTION 8.5  Payment and Performance of Obligations......................48
     SECTION 8.6  Compliance With Laws and Approvals..........................49
     SECTION 8.7  Environmental Laws..........................................49
     SECTION 8.8  Compliance with ERISA.......................................49
     SECTION 8.9  Compliance With Agreements..................................49
     SECTION 8.10 Conduct of Business.........................................49
     SECTION 8.11 Visits and Inspections......................................50
     SECTION 8.12 Year 2000 Compatibility.....................................50
     SECTION 8.13 Surveys.....................................................50
     SECTION 8.14 Title Insurance.............................................50
     SECTION 8.15 Equity Issuance.............................................50
     SECTION 8.16 Upstream of Dividends.......................................50
     SECTION 8.17 Additional Borrowers........................................50
     SECTION 8.18 Securities Exchange Listing.................................51
     SECTION 8.19 Further Assurances..........................................51


ARTICLE IX   FINANCIAL COVENANTS..............................................51
     SECTION 9.1  Leverage Ratio..............................................51
     SECTION 9.2  Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio.................................51
     SECTION 9.3  Minimum Shareholder's Equity................................51
     SECTION 9.4  Ratios of Total Secured Debt to Total Implied
                  Capitalization Value........................................52

<PAGE>

     SECTION 9.5  Ratio of Adjusted Unencumbered Asset Value to Total
                  Unsecured Debt..............................................52
     SECTION 9.6  Adjusted Unencumbered Asset Cash Flow Ratio.................52
     SECTION 9.7  Ratio of Total Construction in Progress Value to Total
                  Implied Capitalization Value................................52
     SECTION 9.8  Ratio of Dividends to Funds from Operations.................52


ARTICLE X    NEGATIVE COVENANTS...............................................52
     SECTION 10.1   Limitations on Debt.......................................52
     SECTION 10.2   Limitations on Contingent Obligations.....................53
     SECTION 10.3   Limitations on Liens......................................53
     SECTION 10.4   Limitations on Loans, Advances, Investments and 
                    Acquisitions..............................................54
     SECTION 10.5   Limitations on Mergers and Liquidation....................55
     SECTION 10.7   Limitations on Dividends and Distributions................56
     SECTION 10.8   Limitations on Exchange and Issuance of Capital Stock.....56
     SECTION 10.9   Transactions with Affiliates..............................56
     SECTION 10.10  Certain Accounting Changes................................56
     SECTION 10.11  Amendments; Payments and Prepayments of Subordinated Debt.57
     SECTION 10.12  Status as REIT............................................57
     SECTION 10.13  Property Acquisition Policy...............................57
     SECTION 10.14  Restrictive Agreements....................................57


ARTICLE XI   DEFAULT AND REMEDIES.............................................58
     SECTION 11.1   Events of Default.........................................58
     SECTION 11.2   Remedies..................................................60
     SECTION 11.3   Rights and Remedies Cumulative; Non-Waiver; etc...........61


ARTICLE XII  THE AGENT........................................................61
     SECTION 12.1   Appointment...............................................61
     SECTION 12.2   Delegation of Duties......................................61
     SECTION 12.3   Exculpatory Provisions....................................62
     SECTION 12.4   Reliance by the Agent.....................................62
     SECTION 12.5   Notice of Default.........................................62
     SECTION 12.6   Non-Reliance on the Agent and Other Lenders...............63
     SECTION 12.7   Indemnification...........................................63
     SECTION 12.8   The Agent in Its Individual Capacity......................63
     SECTION 12.9   Resignation of the Agent; Successor Agent.................64


ARTICLE XIII MISCELLANEOUS....................................................64
     SECTION 13.1   Notices...................................................64
     SECTION 13.2   Expenses; Indemnity.......................................65
     SECTION 13.3   Set-off...................................................66

<PAGE>

     SECTION 13.4   Governing Law.............................................66
     SECTION 13.5   Consent to Jurisdiction...................................66
     SECTION 13.6   Binding Arbitration; Waiver of Jury Trial.................67
     SECTION 13.7   Reversal of Payments......................................68
     SECTION 13.8   Injunctive Relief; Punitive Damages.......................68
     SECTION 13.9   Accounting Matters........................................68
     SECTION 13.10  Successors and Assigns; Participations....................69
     SECTION 13.11  Amendments, Waivers and Consents..........................72
     SECTION 13.12  Performance of Duties.....................................72
     SECTION 13.13  All Powers Coupled with Interest..........................72
     SECTION 13.14  Survival of Indemnities...................................72
     SECTION 13.15  Titles and Captions.......................................73
     SECTION 13.16  Severability of Provisions................................73
     SECTION 13.17  Counterparts..............................................73
     SECTION 13.18  Joint and Several Liability...............................73
     SECTION 13.19  Cornerstone as Agent for Borrowers........................73
     SECTION 13.20  Term of Agreement.........................................73



<PAGE>




                     Exhibits and Schedules


Exhibits

Exhibit A        -   Form of Revolving Credit Note
Exhibit B        -   Form of Notice of Borrowing
Exhibit C        -   Form of Notice of Prepayment
Exhibit D        -   Form of Notice of Conversion/Continuation
Exhibit E        -   Form of Officer's Compliance Certificate
Exhibit F        -   Form of Assignment and Acceptance
Exhibit G        -   Form of Notice of Account Designation
Exhibit H        -   Form of Lender Addition and Acknowledgement Agreement
Exhibit I        -   Form of Joinder Agreement


Schedules

Schedule 1.1(a)   -  Lenders and Commitments
Schedule 1.1(b)   -  Refinanced Debt
Schedule 6.1(a)   -  Jurisdictions of Organization and Qualification
Schedule 6.1(b)   -  Subsidiaries and Capitalization
Schedule 6.1(i)   -  ERISA Plans
Schedule 6.1(m)   -  Labor and Collective Bargaining Agreements
Schedule 6.1(r)   -  Debt and Contingent Obligations
Schedule 6.1(s)   -  Litigation
Schedule 10.3     -  Existing Liens
Schedule 10.4     -  Existing Loans, Advances and Investments

<PAGE>
                                CREDIT AGREEMENT


         CREDIT  AGREEMENT,  dated as of the 30th  day of  October,  1997 by and
among CORNERSTONE REALTY INCOME TRUST,  INC., a corporation  organized under the
laws of Virginia ("Cornerstone"), each Additional Borrower that may become party
to this Agreement pursuant to the terms hereof (the "Additional Borrowers",  and
collectively  with  Cornerstone,  the  "Borrowers"),  the Lenders who are or may
become a party to this Agreement (the "Lenders"), and FIRST UNION NATIONAL BANK,
as Agent for the Lenders (the "Agent").

                              STATEMENT OF PURPOSE

         The Borrowers have  requested,  and the Lenders have agreed,  to extend
certain  credit  facilities to the Borrowers 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.  The  following  terms  when  used  in  this
Agreement shall have the meanings assigned to them below:

         "Additional  Borrower" means each Subsidiary which hereafter  becomes a
Borrower pursuant to Section 8.17.

         "Adjusted  EBITDA"  means,  with  respect  to the  Borrowers  and their
Subsidiaries for any period, the following  calculated  without  duplication for
such period on a Consolidated basis in accordance with GAAP: (a) EBITDA for such
period less (b) the Unit Capital Expense Charge for such period.

         "Adjusted NOI" means, with respect the Borrowers and their Subsidiaries
for any  period,  the  amount  equal to (a) the sum of all  revenues  and income
received by the  Borrowers and their  Subsidiaries  with respect to the relevant
Property or Properties less (b) the sum of all reasonable and customary expenses
incurred  by the  Borrowers  and their  Subsidiaries  in the  operation  of such
Property  or  Properties,   including,  without  limitation,  utility  expenses,
property taxes,  insurance  premiums,  management fees and Capital  Expenditures
(but excluding depreciation, amortization and income taxes).

         "Adjusted  Unencumbered  Asset Cash Flow"  means,  with  respect to the
Borrowers  and their  Wholly-Owned  Subsidiaries  for any period,  the following
calculated  without  duplication  for such  period  on a  Consolidated  basis in
accordance  with GAAP:  (a) the aggregate Net Operating  Income derived from all
Unencumbered Assets for such period less (b) the Unit Capital Expense Charge for
such period.


<PAGE>


         "Adjusted   Unencumbered  Asset  Value"  means,  with  respect  to  the
Borrowers and their  Wholly-Owned  Subsidiaries for any period,  the quotient of
the following  calculated without  duplication for such period on a Consolidated
basis in  accordance  with GAAP:  (a) (i) the  aggregate  Net  Operating  Income
derived from all Unencumbered  Assets for such period less (ii) the Unit Capital
Expense Charge for such period  divided by (b) ten percent (10%);  provided that
(i) for the purposes  hereof,  Net Operating  Income as used in this  definition
shall be  calculated  on a pro forma basis (based upon  Cornerstone's  best good
faith  estimate as to the  applicable  fiscal  quarter and in form and substance
satisfactory  to the Agent) to  include  as of the first day of such  period all
Unencumbered  Assets  acquired  during such period and (ii) for the  purposes of
Section 9.5 hereof,  Net Operating  Income as used in this  definition  shall be
calculated for the applicable fiscal quarter on an Annualized basis.

         "Affiliate"  means, with respect to any Person, any other Person (other
than  a  Subsidiary)   which   directly  or  indirectly   through  one  or  more
intermediaries,  controls, or is controlled by, or is under common control with,
such first Person or any of its  Subsidiaries.  The term "control" means (a) the
power to vote  five  percent  (5%) or more of the  securities  or  other  equity
interests of a Person  having  ordinary  voting  power,  or (b) the  possession,
directly or  indirectly,  of any other power to direct or cause the direction of
the management  and policies of a Person,  whether  through  ownership of voting
securities, by contract or otherwise.

         "Agent" means First Union in its capacity as Agent  hereunder,  and any
successor thereto appointed pursuant to Section 12.9.

         "Agent's  Office"  means  the  office  of  the  Agent  specified  in or
determined in accordance with the provisions of Section 13.1.

         "Aggregate  Commitment"  means the  aggregate  amount  of the  Lenders'
Commitments hereunder,  as such amount may be reduced or modified at any time or
from time to time  pursuant to the terms hereof or increased at any time or from
time to time  pursuant to the terms hereof.  On the Closing Date,  the Aggregate
Commitment shall be One Hundred Seventy-Five Million Dollars ($175,000,000).  At
no time shall the  Aggregate  Commitment,  as increased  pursuant to Section 2.7
hereof, exceed Two Hundred Million Dollars ($200,000,000).

         "Agreement"  means  this  Credit  Agreement,   as  amended,   restated,
supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time.

         "Annualized"  means, with respect any financial term calculated for the
Borrowers  and  their  Subsidiaries  for  the  applicable  fiscal  quarter,  the
calculation of such financial term for such fiscal quarter times four (4).

         "Applicable  Law" means all  applicable  provisions  of  constitutions,
statutes,  laws,  rules,  treaties,  regulations and orders of all  Governmental
Authorities and all orders and decrees of all courts and arbitrators.

         "Applicable  Margin" shall have the meaning assigned thereto in Section
4.1(c).


                                       2
<PAGE>

         "Application"  means  an  application,  in the  form  specified  by the
Issuing  Lender  from time to time,  requesting  the  Issuing  Lender to issue a
Letter of Credit.

         "Assignment and Acceptance"  shall have the meaning assigned thereto in
Section 13.10.

         "Available  Commitment"  means, as to any Lender at any time, an amount
equal to (a) such  Lender's  Commitment  less (b) such  Lender's  Extensions  of
Credit.

         "Base Rate" means, at any time, the higher of (a) the Prime Rate or (b)
the  Federal  Funds Rate plus 1/2 of 1%; each change in the Base Rate shall take
effect simultaneously with the corresponding change or changes in the Prime Rate
or the Federal Funds Rate.

         "Base Rate Loan" means any Loan  bearing  interest at a rate based upon
the Base Rate as provided in Section 4.1(a).

         "Borrowers"  means the  collective  reference  to  Cornerstone  and any
Additional Borrowers in their capacity as borrowers hereunder.

         "Business  Day" means (a) for all  purposes  other than as set forth in
clause (b)  below,  any day other than a  Saturday,  Sunday or legal  holiday on
which banks in Charlotte,  North  Carolina and New York,  New York, are open for
the conduct of their commercial  banking  business,  and (b) with respect to all
notices and  determinations  in connection  with,  and payments of principal and
interest on, any LIBOR Rate Loan,  any day that is a Business  Day  described in
clause  (a) and that is also a day for  trading by and  between  banks in Dollar
deposits in the London interbank market.

         "Capital  Asset"  means,  with  respect  to  the  Borrowers  and  their
Subsidiaries,  any asset that should, in accordance with GAAP, be classified and
accounted  for  as a  capital  asset  on a  Consolidated  balance  sheet  of the
Borrowers and their Subsidiaries.

         "Capital  Expenditures"  means, with respect to the Borrowers and their
Subsidiaries for any period, the aggregate cost of all expenditures required for
the leasing of space within the Properties  owned and  previously  leased by the
Borrowers and their Subsidiaries,  including, without limitation, upfit expenses
and  leasing   commissions,   together  with  expenses  for  the  renovation  or
improvement of existing  Properties that are classified as capital  expenditures
in accordance with GAAP.

         "Capital  Lease"  means,  with  respect  to  the  Borrowers  and  their
Subsidiaries, any lease of any property that should, in accordance with GAAP, be
classified and accounted for as a capital lease on a Consolidated  balance sheet
of the Borrowers and their Subsidiaries.

         "Change in Control" shall have the meaning  assigned thereto in Section
11.1(i).

         "Closing  Date" means the date of this Agreement or such later Business
Day upon which each  condition  described  in  Article V shall be  satisfied  or
waived  in all  respects  in a  manner  acceptable  to the  Agent,  in its  sole
discretion.

                                       3
<PAGE>

         "Code"  means  the  Internal  Revenue  Code of 1986,  and the rules and
regulations thereunder, each as amended or supplemented from time to time.

         "Commitment"  means, as to any Lender, the obligation of such Lender to
make  Loans to and issue or  participate  in  Letters  of Credit  issued for the
account of the Borrowers  hereunder in an aggregate principal amount at any time
outstanding  not to exceed the amount set forth  opposite  such Lender's name on
Schedule  1.1(a)  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.

         "Consenting  Lender" shall have the meaning assigned thereto in Section
2.6.

         "Consolidated"  means, when used with reference to financial statements
or financial  statement  items of the  Borrowers  and their  Subsidiaries,  such
statements  or  items on a  consolidated  basis in  accordance  with  applicable
principles of consolidation under GAAP.

         "Contingent  Obligation" means, with respect to the Borrowers and their
Subsidiaries,  without duplication, any obligation,  contingent or otherwise, of
any such  Person  pursuant  to which such  Person  has  directly  or  indirectly
guaranteed  any  Debt or other  obligation  of any  other  Person  and,  without
limiting the generality of the foregoing,  any  obligation,  direct or indirect,
contingent or  otherwise,  of any such Person (a) to purchase or pay (or advance
or supply  funds for the  purchase or payment of) such Debt or other  obligation
(whether  arising by virtue of  partnership  arrangements,  by agreement to keep
well, to purchase assets, goods,  securities or services, to take-or-pay,  or to
maintain financial statement condition or otherwise) or (b) entered into for the
purpose  of  assuring  in any other  manner  the  obligee  of such Debt or other
obligation  of the payment  thereof or to protect such  obligee  against loss in
respect  thereof  (in  whole or in  part);  provided,  that the term  Contingent
Obligation  shall not  include  endorsements  for  collection  or deposit in the
ordinary course of business.

         "Cornerstone"  shall have the meaning  assigned thereto in the preamble
to this Agreement.

         "Credit  Facility"  means the  collective  reference  to the  Revolving
Credit Facility and the L/C Facility.

         "Debt" means,  with respect to the Borrowers and their  Subsidiaries at
any  date  and  without  duplication,  the sum of the  following  calculated  in
accordance  with GAAP: (a) all  liabilities,  obligations and  indebtedness  for
borrowed  money  including  but not limited to  obligations  evidenced by bonds,
debentures,  notes or other  similar  instruments  of any such  Person,  (b) all
obligations  to pay the deferred  purchase  price of property or services of any
such Person,  (c) all  obligations  of any such Person as lessee  under  Capital
Leases,  (d) all Debt of any other Person  secured by a Lien on any asset of any
such  Person,  (e)  all  Contingent  Obligations  of any  such  Person,  (f) all
obligations,  contingent or otherwise,  of any such Person  relative to the face
amount  of  letters  of  credit,  whether  or  not  drawn,  including,   without
limitation,  any Reimbursement  Obligation,  and banker's acceptances issued for
the account of any such Person  (provided  that the letter of credit in the face


                                       4
<PAGE>


amount of $5,500,000  issued for the account of  Cornerstone on June 21, 1996 by
First Union shall not be  accounted  for under this clause (f) to the extent the
underlying indebtedness related thereto is accounted for under clause (a) above)
and  (g) all  obligations  incurred  by any  such  Person  pursuant  to  Hedging
Agreements.

         "Default" means any of the events  specified in Section 11.1 which with
the  passage  of time,  the  giving  of notice  or any  other  condition,  would
constitute an Event of Default.

         "Dividends" means, with respect to the Borrowers and their Subsidiaries
for any period,  all  dividends  or  distributions  paid by any such Person with
respect to its capital stock.

         "Dollars" or "$" means, unless otherwise  qualified,  dollars in lawful
currency of the United States.

         "EBITDA"  means,  with respect to the Borrowers and their  Subsidiaries
for any period, the following, calculated without duplication for such period on
a  Consolidated  basis in accordance  with GAAP:  (a) Net Income for such period
plus (b) to the  extent  deducted  in  determining  Net  Income,  (i) income and
franchise taxes for such period,  (ii) Interest  Expense for such period,  (iii)
depreciation, amortization and other non-operating, non-cash charges (consisting
of amortization of goodwill,  transaction expenses, covenants not to compete and
other intangible assets) and (iv) extraordinary or other non-recurring gains (or
losses or expenses)  less (c) equity in non-cash  earnings of  Affiliates of the
Borrowers  and  their  Subsidiaries  (plus  non-cash  equity  in  losses of such
Persons).

         "Eligible  Assignee"  means,  with  respect  to any  assignment  of the
rights,  interest and obligations of a Lender hereunder, a Person that is at the
time of such  assignment (a) a commercial  bank organized  under the laws of the
United  States or any state  thereof,  having  combined  capital  and surplus in
excess  of  $500,000,000,  (b) a finance  company,  insurance  company  or other
financial institution which in the ordinary course of business extends credit of
the  type   extended   hereunder   and  that  has  total  assets  in  excess  of
$1,000,000,000,  (c) already a Lender hereunder (whether as an original party to
this Agreement or as the assignee of another Lender), (d) the successor (whether
by transfer of assets,  merger or otherwise) to all or substantially  all of the
commercial  lending  business of the assigning  Lender,  or (e) any other Person
that has been  approved in writing as an Eligible  Assignee by the Borrowers and
the Agent (except that such approval  shall not be required upon the  occurrence
and during the continuance of any Event of Default Sections 11.1(a), (b), (j) or
(k)).

         "Employee  Benefit  Plan" means any  employee  benefit  plan within the
meaning of Section 3(3) of ERISA which (a) is  maintained  for  employees of any
Borrower any ERISA Affiliate or (b) has at any time within the preceding six (6)
years been maintained for the employees of any Borrower or any current or former
ERISA Affiliate.

         "Environmental  Laws" means any and all federal,  state and local laws,
statutes,   ordinances,   rules,  regulations,   permits,  licenses,  approvals,
interpretations  and orders of courts or Governmental  Authorities,  relating to
the protection of human health or the  environment,  including,  but not limited
to, requirements pertaining to the manufacture,  processing,  distribution, use,
treatment, storage,


                                       5
<PAGE>

disposal,   transportation,    handling,   reporting,   licensing,   permitting,
investigation or remediation of Hazardous Materials.

         "Equity  Issuance"  means any  issuance  by any  Borrower or any of its
Subsidiaries  of (a)  shares  of its  capital  stock or other  equity  interests
(including, without limitation,  participation units), (b) shares of its capital
stock or other equity interests  (including,  without limitation,  participation
units)  pursuant to the  exercise of options or  warrants,  or (c) 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, and
the rules and regulations  thereunder,  each as amended or modified from time to
time.

         "ERISA  Affiliate"  means any Person who together  with any Borrower is
treated as a single employer  within the meaning of Section 414(b),  (c), (m) or
(o) of the Code or Section 4001(b) of ERISA.

         "Eurodollar  Reserve  Percentage"  means,  for any day, the  percentage
(expressed as a decimal and rounded  upwards,  if necessary,  to the next higher
1/100th  of 1%) which is in effect  for such day as  prescribed  by the  Federal
Reserve Board (or any successor) for determining the maximum reserve requirement
(including without limitation any basic,  supplemental or emergency reserves) in
respect of Eurocurrency liabilities or any similar category of liabilities for a
member bank of the Federal Reserve System in New York City.

         "Event of Default"  means any of the events  specified in Section 11.1,
provided  that any  requirement  for passage of time,  giving of notice,  or any
other condition, has been satisfied.

         "Extension  Date"  shall  have   the   meaning   assigned   thereto  in
Section 2.6.

         "Extensions of Credit"  means,  as to any Lender at any time, an amount
equal to the sum of (a) the aggregate principal amount of all Loans made by such
Lender then outstanding and (b) the aggregate  principal amount of such Lender's
Commitment Percentage of the L/C Obligations then outstanding.

         "FDIC"  means  the  Federal  Deposit  Insurance  Corporation,   or  any
successor thereto.

         "Federal  Funds Rate" means,  the rate per annum (rounded  upwards,  if
necessary,  to the next higher 1/100th of 1%)  representing  the daily effective
federal funds rate as quoted by the Agent and confirmed in Federal Reserve Board
Statistical  Release  H.15  (519) or any  successor  or  substitute  publication
selected by the Agent.  If, for any  reason,  such rate is not  available,  then
"Federal Funds Rate" shall mean a daily rate which is determined, in the opinion
of the Agent,  to be the rate at which  federal funds are being offered for sale
in the national federal funds market at 9:00 a.m.  (Charlotte  time).  Rates for
weekends  or  holidays  shall be the  same as the  rate  for the most  immediate
preceding Business Day.


                                       6
<PAGE>

         "First  Union"  means First Union  National  Bank,  a national  banking
association, and its successors.

         "Fiscal  Year"  means  the  fiscal  year  of the  Borrowers  and  their
Subsidiaries ending on December 31.

         "Fixed  Charges"  means,  with  respect  to  the  Borrowers  and  their
Subsidiaries for any period, the sum of the following for such period calculated
on a Consolidated  basis in accordance  with GAAP: (i) Interest  Expense paid or
payable  during  such  period,  (b) income and  franchise  taxes paid or payable
during such period, (c) the scheduled principal payments during such period with
respect to any Debt  (regardless of whether such amounts are actually paid), and
(d) the total  amount of  Dividends  paid,  payable or accrued  with  respect to
preferred  stock (to the extent such Dividends are permitted by this  Agreement)
during such period.

         "Funds from Operations"  means, with respect to the Borrowers and their
Subsidiaries  for any period,  all Funds from  Operations  (as defined as of the
date of such determination by the Board of Governors of the National Association
of Real Estate Investment Trusts).

         "GAAP" means generally accepted accounting principles, as recognized by
the  American  Institute  of  Certified  Public  Accountants  and the  Financial
Accounting Standards Board,  consistently applied and maintained on a consistent
basis for the Borrowers and their  Subsidiaries  throughout the period indicated
and  consistent  with the prior  financial  practice of the  Borrowers and their
Subsidiaries.

         "Governmental Approvals" means all authorizations, consents, approvals,
licenses and exemptions of,  registrations and filings with, and reports to, all
Governmental Authorities.

         "Governmental Authority" means any nation, province, state or political
subdivision  thereof,  and any  government or any Person  exercising  executive,
legislative,   regulatory  or  administrative  functions  of  or  pertaining  to
government,  and any  corporation or other entity owned or  controlled,  through
stock or capital ownership or otherwise, by any of the foregoing.

         "Hazardous  Materials"  means any substances or materials (a) which are
or  become  defined  as  hazardous  wastes,  hazardous  substances,  pollutants,
contaminants,  chemical  substances  or mixtures or toxic  substances  under any
Environmental  Law,  (b)  which  are  toxic,  explosive,  corrosive,  flammable,
infectious, radioactive,  carcinogenic,  mutagenic or otherwise harmful to human
health  or the  environment  and are or  become  regulated  by any  Governmental
Authority,  (c) the presence of which require investigation or remediation under
any Environmental Law or common law, (d) the discharge or emission or release of
which  requires  a  permit  or  license  under  any  Environmental  Law or other
Governmental Approval, (e) which are deemed to constitute a nuisance, a trespass
or pose a health or safety  hazard to persons  or  neighboring  properties,  (f)
which are materials  consisting of  underground  or  aboveground  storage tanks,
whether  empty,  filled or  partially  filled with any  substance,  or (g) which
contain,  without  limitation,   asbestos,   polychlorinated   biphenyls,   urea
formaldehyde  foam  insulation,   petroleum   hydrocarbons,   petroleum  derived
substances or waste, crude oil, nuclear fuel, natural gas or synthetic gas.


                                       7
<PAGE>

         "Hedging  Agreement"  means any  agreement  with respect to an interest
rate swap,  collar,  cap, floor or a forward rate  agreement or other  agreement
regarding the hedging of interest rate risk exposure executed in connection with
hedging the interest rate exposure of any Borrower under this Agreement, and any
confirming letter executed pursuant to such hedging  agreement,  all as amended,
restated, supplemented or otherwise modified.

         "Interest  Expense"  means,  with  respect to the  Borrowers  and their
Subsidiaries  for any period,  the gross interest  expense  (including,  without
limitation,  capitalized  and  accrued  interest  expense and  interest  expense
attributable  to Capital  Leases  and all net  obligations  pursuant  to Hedging
Agreements) of the Borrowers and their Subsidiaries,  determined for such period
on a Consolidated basis in accordance with GAAP.

         "Interest  Period" shall have the meaning  assigned  thereto in Section
4.1(b).

         "Issuing  Lender"  means First Union,  in its capacity as issuer of any
Letter of Credit, or any successor thereto.

         "Joinder  Agreement"  means  each  Joinder  Agreement  executed  by  an
Additional  Borrower  pursuant  to Section  8.17,  substantially  in the form of
Exhibit I attached hereto, as amended,  supplemented or otherwise  modified from
time to time.

         "L/C Commitment" means Fifteen Million Dollars ($15,000,000.)

         "L/C Facility" means the letter of credit facility established pursuant
to Article III hereof.

         "L/C Obligations"  means at any time, an amount equal to the sum of (a)
the aggregate  undrawn and unexpired amount of the then  outstanding  Letters of
Credit and (b) the  aggregate  amount of drawings  under Letters of Credit which
have not then been reimbursed pursuant to Section 3.5.

         "L/C  Participants"  means the collective  reference to all the Lenders
other than the Issuing Lender.

         "Lender"  means each Person  executing  this  Agreement as a Lender set
forth on the  signature  pages hereto and each Person that  hereafter  becomes a
party to this Agreement as a Lender pursuant to Section 13.10.

         "Lender  Addition and  Acknowledgment  Agreement"  means each agreement
executed  pursuant to Section 2.7 hereof by the Borrowers and an existing Lender
or a lender not  theretofore a Lender,  as applicable,  and  acknowledged by the
Agent,  substantially in the form attached hereto as Exhibit H, providing for an
increase in the Aggregate  Commitment  hereunder,  acknowledging that any lender
not  theretofore  a Lender  shall be a party  hereto  and  have the  rights  and
obligations  of a Lender  hereunder,  and setting  forth the  Commitment of each
Lender.

         "Lending Office" means, with respect to any Lender,  the office of such
Lender maintaining such Lender's Commitment Percentage of the Loans.


                                       8
<PAGE>

         "Letters of Credit" shall have the meaning  assigned thereto in Section
3.1(a).

         "Leverage Ratio" means the ratio determined pursuant to Section 9.1.

         "LIBOR"  means the rate for  deposits in Dollars for a period  equal to
the  Interest  Period  selected  which  appears  on the  Telerate  Page  3750 at
approximately  11:00  a.m.  London  time,  two (2)  Business  Days  prior to the
commencement of the applicable Interest Period. If, for any reason, such rate is
not  available,  then  "LIBOR"  shall  mean  the rate per  annum  at  which,  as
determined by the Agent,  Dollars in the amount of $5,000,000  are being offered
to leading banks at approximately  11:00 a.m. London time, two (2) Business Days
prior to the  commencement  of the applicable  Interest Period for settlement in
immediately  available funds by leading banks in the London interbank market for
a period equal to the Interest Period selected.

         "LIBOR Rate" means a rate per annum (rounded upwards, if necessary,  to
the next higher 1/100th of 1%) determined by the Agent pursuant to the following
formula:

         LIBOR Rate =                 LIBOR
                      ------------------------------------
                       1.00-Eurodollar Reserve Percentage

         "LIBOR Rate Loan" means any Loan bearing  interest at a rate based upon
the LIBOR Rate as provided in Section 4.1(a).

         "Lien" means,  with respect to any asset, any mortgage,  lien,  pledge,
charge,  security  interest or encumbrance of any kind in respect of such asset.
For the  purposes of this  Agreement,  any asset which a Person has  acquired or
holds subject to the interest of a vendor or lessor under any  conditional  sale
agreement,  Capital Lease or other title  retention  agreement  relating to such
asset shall be deemed to be subject to a Lien.

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

         "Loan Documents" means,  collectively,  this Agreement,  the Notes, the
Applications,  any Hedging  Agreement  executed  by any  Lender,  and each other
document,  instrument and agreement executed and delivered by any Borrower,  any
Subsidiary  thereof or their counsel in connection with this  Agreement,  all as
may be amended, restated, supplemented or otherwise modified.

         "Material Adverse Effect" means, with respect to any Borrower or any of
its  Subsidiaries,  a  material  adverse  effect  on the  properties,  business,
prospects,  operations or condition (financial or otherwise) of any such Person,
the  ability  of any such  Person  to  perform  its  obligations  under the Loan
Documents  or Material  Contracts,  in each case to which it is a party,  or the
ability of the Agent or any Lender to enforce its respective rights and remedies
under the Loan Documents.

         "Material  Contract" means (a) any single contract or other  agreement,
written or oral, of any Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries  involving  monetary
liability  of or to any such  Person in an amount  in excess of  $1,000,000  per
annum,  or (b) any other single  contract or agreement,  written or


                                       9
<PAGE>


oral,  of any  Borrower  or any of its  Subsidiaries  the failure to comply with
which could reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.

         "Maturity  Date" means  October 30, 2000,  as such date may be extended
pursuant to Section 2.6(a).

         "Moody's" means Moody's Investors Service, Inc., and its successors and
assigns.

         "Multiemployer Plan" means a "multiemployer plan" as defined in Section
4001(a)(3) of ERISA to which any Borrower or any ERISA  Affiliate is making,  or
is accruing an obligation to make, contributions within the preceding six years.

         "Multifamily  Properties"  means  (i)  any  apartment  Project  of  any
Borrower  or any  Subsidiary  thereof  comprised  of no  less  than  fifty  (50)
individual  units which Project can be operated as a single  residential  rental
facility without necessity for sharing amenities (i.e., leasing offices,  tennis
courts,  swimming pools and the like) with any other residential rental facility
and (ii) any apartment  Project of any Borrower or any Subsidiary  thereof which
Project can be operated as a single  residential  rental facility as a result of
the sharing of amenities (i.e., leasing offices,  tennis courts,  swimming pools
and the like) with any other adjoining  apartment Project of any Borrower or any
Subsidiary thereof.

         "Net Equity Proceeds" means,  with respect to any Equity Issuance,  the
gross cash proceeds received by any Borrower or any Subsidiary  thereof less all
legal,   underwriting  and  other  reasonable  fees  and  expenses  incurred  in
connection therewith.

         "Net  Income"   means,   with  respect  to  the   Borrowers  and  their
Subsidiaries for any period, the net income (or loss) for such period determined
on a Consolidated  basis in accordance  with GAAP;  provided that there shall be
excluded  from net  income  (or  loss):  (a) the  income (or loss) of any Person
(other than a  Subsidiary  of such Person) in which such Person has an ownership
interest unless received by such Person in a cash  distribution,  (b) the income
(or loss) of any such Person accrued prior to the date it became a Subsidiary or
is merged into or consolidated with such first Person, and (c) to the extent not
excluded  from  Net  Income  by  clauses  (a)  and  (b)  above,   any  after-tax
extraordinary gains.

         "Net Operating  Income" means,  with respect to the Borrowers and their
Wholly-Owned Subsidiaries for any period, the following calculated in accordance
with  GAAP:  (a) the gross  revenues  of the  Borrowers  and their  Wholly-Owned
Subsidiaries  derived from  Multifamily  Properties less (b) operating  expenses
(including,  without  limitation,  property taxes and insurance expenses) of the
Borrowers  and  their  Wholly-Owned  Subsidiaries  attributable  to  Multifamily
Properties  less (c)  management  fees of the Borrowers  and their  Wholly-Owned
Subsidiaries attributable to Multifamily Properties.

         "Non-Consenting  Lender"  shall have the  meaning  assigned  thereto in
Section 2.6.

         "Notes" means the separate Revolving Credit Notes made by the Borrowers
payable  to the order of each  Lender,  substantially  in the form of  Exhibit A
hereto,  evidencing  the  Revolving  Credit


                                       10
<PAGE>

Facility,   and  any  amendments  and  modifications  thereto,  any  substitutes
therefor, and any replacements,  restatements, renewals or extension thereof, in
whole or in part; "Note" means any of such Notes.

         "Notice of Account Designation" shall have the meaning assigned thereto
in Section 2.2(b).

         "Notice  of  Borrowing"  shall  have the  meaning  assigned  thereto in
Section 2.2(a).

         "Notice of  Conversion/Continuation"  shall have the  meaning  assigned
thereto in Section 4.2.

         "Notice of  Prepayment"  shall  have the  meaning  assigned  thereto in
Section 2.3(c).

         "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, (b)
the L/C Obligations, (c) all payment and other obligations owing by any Borrower
to any Lender or the Agent  under any  Hedging  Agreement  executed  pursuant to
Section  10.1(b)  to  which a  Lender  is a party  and (d) all  other  fees  and
commissions   (including   attorneys'  fees),  charges,   indebtedness,   loans,
liabilities,  financial accommodations,  obligations, covenants and duties owing
by any  Borrower  to the  Lenders  or the  Agent,  of  every  kind,  nature  and
description,  direct or indirect,  absolute or contingent, due or to become due,
contractual  or  tortious,  liquidated  or  unliquidated,  and  whether  or  not
evidenced  by any note,  and whether or not for the payment of money under or in
respect of this  Agreement,  any Note,  any Letter of Credit or any of the other
Loan Documents.

         "Officer's  Compliance  Certificate"  shall have the  meaning  assigned
thereto in Section 7.2.

         "Other Taxes" shall   have    the   meaning    assigned    thereto   in
Section 4.11(b).

         "PBGC" means the Pension Benefit Guaranty  Corporation or any successor
agency.

         "Pension  Plan"  means  any  Employee   Benefit  Plan,   other  than  a
Multiemployer  Plan,  which is subject to the provisions of Title IV of ERISA or
Section  412 of the  Code and  which  (a) is  maintained  for  employees  of any
Borrower or any ERISA Affiliates or (b) has at any time within the preceding six
years been  maintained for the employees of any Borrower or any of their current
or former ERISA Affiliates.

         "Person" means an individual,  corporation,  partnership,  association,
trust, business trust, joint venture, joint stock company, pool, syndicate, sole
proprietorship, unincorporated organization, Governmental Authority or any other
form of entity or group thereof.

         "Prime  Rate"  means,  at any  time,  the rate of  interest  per  annum
publicly  announced  from time to time by First  Union as its prime  rate.  Each
change in the Prime Rate shall be effective as of the opening of business on the
day such change in the Prime Rate occurs.  The parties hereto  acknowledge  that
the rate announced publicly by First Union as its Prime Rate is an index or base
rate and shall  not  necessarily  be its  lowest  or best  rate  charged  to its
customers or other banks.


                                       11
<PAGE>

         "Projects" or "Properties"  means all real property,  together with all
improvements  thereon,  owned by the  Borrowers  or any of  their  Subsidiaries;
"Project" or "Property" means any of such Projects or Properties.

         "Refinanced Debt" means all Debt and other obligations of the Borrowers
set forth on Schedule 1.1(b) attached hereto.

         "Register" shall have the meaning assigned thereto in Section 13.10(d).

         "Reimbursement  Obligation"  means the  obligation  of the Borrowers to
reimburse  the Issuing  Lender  pursuant to Section 3.5 for amounts  drawn under
Letters of Credit.

         "Required Lenders" means, at any date, any combination of holders of at
least  sixty-six  and  two-thirds  percent  (66-2/3%)  of the  aggregate  unpaid
principal amount of the Notes, or if no amounts are outstanding under the Notes,
any  combination  of Lenders  whose  Commitment  Percentages  aggregate at least
sixty-six and two-thirds percent (66-2/3%).

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

         "Senior  Unsecured  Debt Rating"  means the rating,  as  determined  by
either  Standard  &  Poor's  or  Moody's,  of  Cornerstone's   senior  unsecured
non-credit enhanced long term Debt.

         "Shareholder's  Equity" means,  with respect to the Borrowers and their
Subsidiaries,  at any date, the shareholders'  equity (including  capital stock,
additional  paid-in  capital and retained  earnings,  after  deducting  treasury
stock) of such Persons on such date determined in accordance with GAAP.

         "Solvent"  means,  as to any  Borrower or any  Subsidiary  thereof on a
particular date, that any such Person (a) has capital sufficient to carry on its
business and transactions and all business and transactions in which it is about
to engage and is able to pay its debts as they mature,  (b) owns property having
a value, both at fair valuation and at present fair saleable value, greater than
the amount required to pay its probable liabilities  (including  contingencies),
and (c) does not  believe  that it will incur  debts or  liabilities  beyond its
ability to pay such debts or liabilities as they mature.

         "Standard & Poor's" means  Standard & Poor's  Ratings Group, a Division
of McGraw-Hill Corporation, and its successors and assigns.

         "Subordinated Debt" means the collective  reference to Debt on Schedule
6.1(r) hereof designated as Subordinated Debt and any other Debt of any Borrower
or any Subsidiary  subordinated  in right and time of payment to the Obligations
on terms satisfactory to the Required Lenders.

         "Subsidiary"  means as to any Person,  any corporation,  partnership or
other entity of which more than fifty percent (50%) of the  outstanding  capital
stock or other  ownership  interests  having



                                       12
<PAGE>


ordinary  voting  power to elect a majority of the board of  directors  or other
managers  of such  corporation,  partnership  or other  entity  is at the  time,
directly or indirectly,  owned by or the  management is otherwise  controlled by
such Person  (irrespective of whether,  at the time,  capital stock of any other
class or classes of such  corporation  shall have or might have voting  power by
reason  of  the  happening  of  any  contingency).  Unless  otherwise  qualified
references to "Subsidiary" or "Subsidiaries"  herein shall refer to those of the
Borrowers.

         "Taxes" shall have the meaning assigned thereto in Section 4.11(a).

         "Termination  Date"  means the  earliest  of the dates  referred  to in
Section 2.6.

         "Termination  Event"  means:  (a) a  "Reportable  Event"  described  in
Section  4043 of  ERISA,  or (b) the  withdrawal  of any  Borrower  or any ERISA
Affiliate  from a Pension Plan during a plan year in which it was a "substantial
employer" as defined in Section 4001(a)(2) of ERISA, or (c) the termination of a
Pension  Plan,  the filing of a notice of intent to  terminate a Pension Plan or
the treatment of a Pension Plan amendment as a termination under Section 4041 of
ERISA, or (d) the institution of proceedings to terminate, or the appointment of
a trustee with respect to, any Pension Plan by the PBGC,  or (e) any other event
or condition which would  constitute  grounds under Section 4042(a) of ERISA for
the termination  of, or the appointment of a trustee to administer,  any Pension
Plan,  or (f) the partial or complete  withdrawal  of any  Borrower or any ERISA
Affiliate from a Multiemployer Plan, or (g) the imposition of a Lien pursuant to
Section 412 of the Code or Section 302 of ERISA,  or (h) any event or  condition
which results in the  reorganization or insolvency of a Multiemployer Plan under
Sections 4241 or 4245 of ERISA,  or (i) any event or condition  which results in
the  termination  of a  Multiemployer  Plan under  Section 4041A of ERISA or the
institution  by PBGC of  proceedings  to  terminate a  Multiemployer  Plan under
Section 4042 of ERISA.

         "Total  Construction  in Progress  Value"  means,  with  respect to the
Borrowers and their  Subsidiaries on any date of  determination,  the aggregate,
good  faith  estimated  cost of  construction  (including,  without  limitation,
acquisition costs for the applicable  Properties) for Properties during the time
period  from the date  which site work has been  initiated  to the date which is
three (3) months after a  certificate  of occupancy  has been issued.  The Total
Construction  in Progress  Value shall not include  rehabilitation/redevelopment
costs associated with existing  Properties which have an average  occupancy rate
during the applicable period of greater than sixty percent (60%).

         "Total  Funded Debt" means,  with  respect to the  Borrowers  and their
Subsidiaries  at any  date and  without  duplication,  the sum of the  following
calculated  in  accordance  with  GAAP:  (a) all  liabilities,  obligations  and
indebtedness  for  borrowed  money  including,  but not limited to,  obligations
evidenced by bonds,  debentures,  notes or other similar instruments of any such
Person,  (b) all  obligations to pay the deferred  purchase price of property or
services of any such  Person,  except  trade  payables  arising in the  ordinary
course of business  not more than ninety  (90) days past due,  accrued  expenses
arising in the ordinary course of business, security deposits and rents received
in  advance,  (c) all  obligations  of any such Person as lessee  under  Capital
Leases,  (d) all Debt of any other Person  secured by a Lien on any asset of any
such  Person,  (e)  all  Contingent  Obligations  of any  such  Person,  (f) all
obligations,  contingent or otherwise,  of any such Person  relative to the face
amount of  letters  of credit,  whether  or not drawn and  banker's  acceptances


                                       13
<PAGE>


issued for the account of any such Person (provided that the letter of credit in
the face amount of $5,500,000  issued for the account of Cornerstone on June 21,
1996 by First  Union  shall not be  accounted  for under this  clause (f) to the
extent the underlying indebtedness related thereto is accounted for under clause
(a) above).

         "Total  Implied  Capitalization  Value"  means,  with  respect  to  the
Borrowers and their Subsidiaries for any fiscal quarter,  an amount equal to (a)
the sum of (i) the  EBITDA  of the  Borrowers  and their  Subsidiaries  for such
period  (calculated on an Annualized  basis) less (ii) the Unit Capital  Expense
Charge for such fiscal quarter  divided by (b) ten percent (10%);  provided that
for the purposes hereof,  EBITDA shall be calculated on a pro forma basis (based
upon  Cornerstone's best good faith estimate as to the applicable fiscal quarter
and in form and substance  satisfactory to the Agent) to include as of the first
day of such period all Properties acquired during such period.

         "Total  Secured  Debt" means the  aggregate  principal  amount of Total
Funded Debt  secured by a Lien on any assets of any  Borrower or any  Subsidiary
thereof.

         "Total  Unsecured Debt" means the aggregate  principal  amount of Total
Funded Debt not secured by a Lien on any asset of any Borrower or any Subsidiary
thereof.

         "Uniform  Customs" the Uniform  Customs and  Practice  for  Documentary
Credits (1994 Revision), International Chamber of Commerce Publication No. 500.

         "UCC"  means the Uniform  Commercial  Code as in effect in the State of
North Carolina.

         "Unencumbered  Assets"  means,  with respect to the Borrowers and their
Wholly-Owned  Subsidiaries,  all  Properties  which (i) are wholly  owned by any
Borrower  or any of its  Wholly-Owned  Subsidiaries,  (ii)  are not  secured  or
otherwise  encumbered by any Lien,  and (iii) are at least eighty  percent (80%)
occupied  (provided  that, for the purpose of this clause (iii),  (A) Properties
shall be required to be only sixty  percent  (60%)  occupied if such  Properties
have been acquired  within the six (6) month period prior to the applicable date
of determination and (B) Properties shall be required to be only seventy percent
(70%) occupied if such Properties have been acquired within the six (6) month to
twelve (12) month period prior to the applicable date of determination).

         "Unit" means each  individual  rental  residential  apartment  within a
Multifamily Property.

         "Unit Capital Expense Charge" means,  with respect to the Borrowers and
their Subsidiaries for any period, an annual recurring capital expense charge of
$250 per Unit based on the  average  number of Units held in each such  Person's
portfolio during such period.  With respect to any calculation for a period less
than one (1) year, such expense charge of $250 per Unit shall be calculated on a
pro rata basis based upon the applicable time period.

         "United States" means the United States of America.

                                       14
<PAGE>

         "Wholly-Owned" means, with respect to a Subsidiary, a Subsidiary all of
the shares of capital stock or other ownership  interests of which are, directly
or  indirectly,  owned or controlled  by any Borrower  and/or one or more of its
Wholly-Owned Subsidiaries.

         SECTION 1.2 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. Any reference herein to "Charlotte time" shall refer to
the applicable time of day in Charlotte, North Carolina.

         SECTION 1.3 Other Definitions and Provisions.

         (a) Use of Capitalized  Terms.  Unless otherwise  defined therein,  all
capitalized terms defined in this Agreement shall have the defined meanings when
used  in  this  Agreement,  the  Notes  and  the  other  Loan  Documents  or any
certificate,  report  or  other  document  made or  delivered  pursuant  to this
Agreement.

         (b)  Miscellaneous.  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.


                                   ARTICLE II

                            REVOLVING CREDIT FACILITY

         SECTION 2.1 Revolving Credit Loans. Subject to the terms and conditions
of this Agreement,  each Lender  severally agrees to make Loans to the Borrowers
on a joint and several basis from time to time from the Closing Date through the
Termination  Date as  requested  by  Cornerstone  on behalf of the  Borrowers in
accordance  with the terms of  Section  2.2;  provided,  that (a) the  aggregate
principal  amount of all  outstanding  Loans (after  giving effect to any amount
requested)  shall not exceed the Aggregate  Commitment  less the L/C Obligations
and (b) the  principal  amount  of  outstanding  Loans  from any  Lender  to the
Borrowers  shall  not at any  time  exceed  such  Lender's  Commitment  less the
aggregate  principal  amount of such Lender's  Commitment  Percentage of the L/C
Obligations.  Each Loan by a Lender shall be in a principal amount equal to such
Lender's  Commitment  Percentage  of the  aggregate  principal  amount  of Loans
requested on such  occasion.  Subject to the terms and  conditions  hereof,  the
Borrowers may borrow,  repay and reborrow Loans  hereunder until the Termination
Date.


                                       15
<PAGE>

         SECTION 2.2 Procedure for Advances of Loans.

         (a) Requests for  Borrowing.  Cornerstone,  on behalf of the Borrowers,
shall  give the Agent  irrevocable  prior  written  notice in the form  attached
hereto  as  Exhibit B (a  "Notice  of  Borrowing")  not later  than  11:00  a.m.
(Charlotte  time) (i) at least one (1)  Business  Day before each Base Rate Loan
and (ii) at least three (3)  Business  Days before each LIBOR Rate Loan,  of its
intention to borrow, specifying (A) the date of such borrowing, which shall be a
Business Day, (B) the amount of such borrowing,  which shall be (x) with respect
to Base Rate Loans in an aggregate  principal  amount of  $2,000,000  or a whole
multiple of $100,000 in excess  thereof and (y) with respect to LIBOR Rate Loans
in an aggregate  principal  amount of $2,000,000 or a whole multiple of $100,000
in excess thereof, (C) whether the Loans are to be LIBOR Rate Loans or Base Rate
Loans,  and (D) in the case of a LIBOR Rate Loan,  the  duration of the Interest
Period applicable  thereto.  Notices received after 11:00 a.m.  (Charlotte time)
shall be deemed  received on the next  Business  Day. The Agent shall notify the
Lenders of each Notice of Borrowing not later than 5:00 p.m. (Charlotte time) on
the Business Day the Agent receives such Notice of Borrowing.

         (b) Disbursement of Loans. Not later than 2:00 p.m. (Charlotte time) on
the proposed  borrowing date, each Lender will make available to the Agent,  for
the account of the  Borrowers,  at the office of the Agent in funds  immediately
available to the Agent, such Lender's  Commitment  Percentage of the Loans to be
made on such borrowing  date.  The Borrowers  hereby  irrevocably  authorize the
Agent to disburse  the  proceeds of each  borrowing  requested  pursuant to this
Section 2.2 in immediately  available funds by crediting or wiring such proceeds
to the deposit account of the Borrowers  identified in the most recent Notice of
Account Designation  substantially in the form of Exhibit G hereto (a "Notice of
Account  Designation")  delivered  by  the  Borrowers  to  the  Agent  or may be
otherwise agreed upon by the Borrowers and the Agent from time to time.  Subject
to Section 4.7 hereof,  the Agent shall not be obligated to disburse the portion
of the proceeds of any Loan requested pursuant to this Section 2.2 to the extent
that any Lender has not made available to the Agent its Commitment Percentage of
such Loan.

         SECTION 2.3 Repayment of Loans.

         (a)  Repayment  on  Termination  Date.  The  Borrowers  shall repay the
outstanding principal amount of all Loans in full, together with all accrued but
unpaid interest thereon, on the Termination Date.

         (b) Mandatory Repayment of Excess Loans. If at any time the outstanding
principal  amount of all Loans  exceeds the  Aggregate  Commitment  less the L/C
Obligations,  the Borrowers shall repay  immediately upon notice from the Agent,
by payment to the Agent for the account of the  Lenders,  the Loans in an amount
equal to such excess.  Each such  repayment  shall be  accompanied by any amount
required to be paid pursuant to Section 4.9 hereof.

         (c) Optional Repayments. The Borrowers may at any time and from time to
time  repay the Loans,  in whole or in part,  upon at least  three (3)  Business
Days'  irrevocable  notice to the Agent with respect to LIBOR Rate Loans and one
(1) Business Day irrevocable notice with respect to Base Rate Loans, in the form
attached hereto as Exhibit C (a "Notice of Prepayment")  specifying the date and
amount of repayment and whether the repayment is of LIBOR Rate Loans,  Base Rate
Loans, or



                                       16
<PAGE>

a combination thereof, and, if of a combination thereof, the amount allocable to
each. Upon receipt of such notice,  the Agent shall promptly notify each Lender.
If any such notice is given,  the amount  specified  in such notice shall be due
and payable on the date set forth in such notice. Partial repayments shall be in
an  aggregate  amount of  $1,000,000  or a whole  multiple of $100,000 in excess
thereof with respect to Base Rate Loans and  $1,000,000  or a whole  multiple of
$100,000 in excess thereof with respect to LIBOR Rate Loans. Each such repayment
shall be accompanied  by any amount  required to be paid pursuant to Section 4.9
hereof.

         (d) Limitation on Repayment of LIBOR Rate Loans.  The Borrowers may not
repay any LIBOR Rate Loan on any day other than on the last day of the  Interest
Period  applicable  thereto  unless such  repayment is accompanied by any amount
required to be paid pursuant to Section 4.9 hereof.

         SECTION  2.4  Revolving  Credit  Notes.  Each  Lender's  Loans  and the
obligation  of the  Borrowers  to repay such Loans shall be  evidenced by a Note
executed by the Borrowers  payable to the order of such Lender  representing the
Borrowers' obligation to pay such Lender's Commitment or, if less, the aggregate
unpaid  principal  amount of all Loans made and to be made by such Lender to the
Borrowers hereunder, plus interest and all other fees, charges and other amounts
due  thereon.  Each Note shall bear  interest  on the  unpaid  principal  amount
thereof at the applicable interest rate per annum specified in Section 4.1.

         SECTION 2.5 Permanent Reduction of the Aggregate Commitment.

         (a) The  Borrowers  shall  have the  right at any time and from time to
time, upon at least five (5) Business Days prior written notice to the Agent, to
permanently  reduce, in whole at any time or in part from time to time,  without
premium or penalty,  the Aggregate  Commitment in an aggregate  principal amount
not less than $1,000,000 or any whole multiple of $1,000,000 in excess thereof.

         (b) Each  permanent  reduction  permitted or required  pursuant to this
Section 2.5 shall be accompanied by a payment of principal  sufficient to reduce
the  aggregate  outstanding  Extensions  of Credit  of the  Lenders  after  such
reduction to the  Aggregate  Commitment  as so reduced.  The  Commitment of each
Lender shall be reduced by the amount of the applicable  reduction on a pro rata
basis in accordance with the Lenders'  respective  Commitment  Percentages.  Any
reduction of the Aggregate Commitment to zero shall be accompanied by payment of
all outstanding  Obligations (and furnishing of cash collateral  satisfactory to
the  Agent  for all  L/C  Obligations)  and,  if such  reduction  is  permanent,
termination of the Commitments and the Credit Facility.  If the reduction of the
Aggregate  Commitment  requires  the  repayment  of any LIBOR  Rate  Loan,  such
reduction may be made only on the last day of the then current  Interest  Period
applicable  thereto unless such repayment is accompanied by any amount  required
to be paid pursuant to Section 4.9 hereof. Such cash collateral shall be applied
in accordance with Section 11.2(b).

         SECTION 2.6  Termination of the Credit  Facility.  The Credit  Facility
shall  terminate  on the  earliest  of (a) the  Maturity  Date,  (b) the date of
termination  by the Borrowers  pursuant to Section  2.5(a),  and (c) the date of
termination by the Agent on behalf of the Lenders  pursuant to Section  11.2(a);
provided that the Borrowers may request a one (1) year extension of the Maturity



                                       17
<PAGE>

Date by providing  the Agent (on behalf of the Lenders)  with a written  request
for such  extension not more than ninety (90) days and not fewer than sixty (60)
days  prior  to the  date  which is two (2)  years  prior  to the then  existing
Termination  Date  (the  "Extension  Date");  provided  further  that  each such
extension  shall be subject to the  satisfaction by the Borrowers of each of the
conditions set forth in Section 5.3 on the Extension  Date.  Each of the Lenders
shall provide  written  notice to the Agent on or prior to the thirtieth  (30th)
day before the  Extension  Date of its desire to extend or not to so extend such
date. No Lender shall be under any  obligation or commitment to extend such date
and no such obligation or commitment on the part of any Lender shall be inferred
from the  provisions  of this Section 2.6.  Failure on the part of any Lender to
respond to such request by the required  date set forth above shall be deemed to
be a denial of such request by such Lender. The requested extension shall not be
granted unless Lenders  holding  Commitments  aggregating at least sixty-six and
two-thirds percent (66 2/3%) of the Aggregate Commitment at such time shall have
consented  in  writing  to such  extension  ("Consenting  Lenders").  If Lenders
holding  Commitments  aggregating less than one hundred percent (100%) but equal
to or greater than sixty-six and  two-thirds  percent (66 2/3%) of the Aggregate
Commitment consent to such extension,  the Borrowers may elect by written notice
to the Agent and the Lenders to (i) continue the Credit  Facility until the then
existing  Termination  Date  with an  Aggregate  Commitment  equal  to the  then
effective  Aggregate  Commitment  and  continue  the  Credit  Facility  for such
additional  period  with an  Aggregate  Commitment  equal to the then  effective
Aggregate  Commitment  less  the  total  Commitments  of  Lenders  who  have not
consented  to such an extension  ("Non-Consenting  Lenders") or (ii) require any
such  Non-Consenting   Lender  to  transfer  and  assign  without  recourse  (in
accordance  with the  provisions  of  Section  13.10) its  Commitment  and other
interests,  rights and obligations  under this Agreement to an Eligible Assignee
(who consents thereto),  which shall assume such obligations upon its consent to
assume such  obligations;  provided that (A) no such  assignment  shall conflict
with any Applicable Law, (B) such assignment shall be at the cost and expense of
the  Borrowers  and (C) the  purchase  price  to be paid to such  Non-Consenting
Lender shall be an amount equal to the outstanding principal amount of the Loans
of such  Non-Consenting  Lender plus all interest accrued and unpaid thereon and
all other amounts owing to such Non-Consenting  Lender thereon.  The Agent shall
provide  prompt notice to the Borrowers and the Lenders in writing as to whether
the  requested  extension  has been  granted  and,  if  applicable,  the list of
Non-Consenting  Lenders. Each time an extension is granted pursuant to the terms
of this Section 2.6, upon the  applicable  Extension  Date (i) the Maturity Date
shall be  extended  to the date  which  is one (1)  year  from the then  current
Maturity Date and (ii) the Borrowers shall pay to the Agent,  for the account of
the Consenting Lenders, a non-refundable extension fee at a rate per annum equal
to 0.125% on the Aggregate  Commitment  (to be  distributed  by the Agent to the
Lenders  pro  rata  in  accordance  with  the  Lenders'  respective   Commitment
Percentages).

         SECTION 2.7 Optional Increase In Commitments.

         (a) Subject to the conditions set forth below,  the Borrowers may, upon
at least  sixty  (60) days prior  written  notice to the Agent (on behalf of the
Lenders), increase the Aggregate Commitment,  either by designating a lender not
theretofore a Lender to become a Lender or by agreeing  with an existing  Lender
that such Lender's  Commitment shall be increased (such designation or agreement
to be effective only with the prior written consent of the Agent,  which consent
shall not be unreasonably withheld); provided that:


                                       18
<PAGE>


                  (i) no Default or Event of Default  shall have occurred and be
         continuing hereunder as of the effective date;

                  (ii)  any  lender  not  theretofore  a Lender  shall  meet the
         criteria set forth in the definition of Eligible Assignee;

                  (iii) the representations and warranties made by the Borrowers
         and  contained in Article VI shall be true and correct on and as of the
         effective  date with the same  effect as if made on and as of such date
         (other than those  representations  and warranties  that by their terms
         speak as of a particular  date,  which  representations  and warranties
         shall be true and correct as of such particular date);

                  (iv) the amount of such increase in the  Aggregate  Commitment
         shall  not be less  than  $25,000,000,  and,  together  with all  other
         increases  in the  Aggregate  Commitment  pursuant to this  Section 2.7
         since  the  date of this  Agreement,  shall  not  cause  the  Aggregate
         Commitment to exceed $200,000,000;

                  (v) the Borrowers  and the Lender or lender not  theretofore a
         Lender,  shall execute and deliver to the Agent, for its acceptance and
         recording  in the  Register,  a  Lender  Addition  and  Acknowledgement
         Agreement,  in  form  and  substance  satisfactory  to  the  Agent  and
         acknowledged by the Agent;

                  (vi)  no  existing  Lender  shall  be  obligated in any way to
         increase its Commitment;

                  (vii) the Borrowers  shall pay any amount  required to be paid
         pursuant to Section 4.9 hereof  resulting from the  reallocation of the
         Extensions  of  Credit  pursuant  to  the  increase  in  the  Aggregate
         Commitment; and

                  (viii)  the  Agent  may   request  any  other   documents   or
         information in its reasonable discretion.

         (b) Upon the  execution,  delivery,  acceptance  and  recording  of the
Lender Addition and Acknowledgement Agreement, from and after the effective date
specified in a Lender Addition and  Acknowledgement  Agreement,  which effective
date shall be five (5) Business Days after the execution thereof,  such existing
Lender shall have a  Commitment  as therein set forth or such other lender shall
become a Lender  with a  Commitment  as therein set forth and all the rights and
obligations of a Lender with such a Commitment hereunder.

         (c)  The  Agent  shall  maintain  a copy of each  Lender  Addition  and
Acknowledgement  Agreement delivered to it with the Register. The entries in the
Register  shall  be  conclusive,  in the  absence  of  manifest  error,  and the
Borrowers,  the Agent  and the  Lenders  may treat  each  person  whose  name is
recorded  in the  Register  as a  Lender  hereunder  for  all  purposes  of this
Agreement.  The Register  shall be available for  inspection by the Borrowers or
any Lender at any reasonable  time and from time to time upon  reasonable  prior
notice.


                                       19
<PAGE>

         (d) Upon its receipt of a Lender Addition and Acknowledgement Agreement
together with any Note or Notes subject to such addition and  assumption and the
written consent to such addition and assumption, the Agent shall, if such Lender
Addition and  Acknowledgement  Agreement has been completed and is substantially
in the form of Exhibit H:

             (i) accept such Lender Addition and Acknowledgement Agreement;

             (ii) record the information contained therein in the Register; and

             (iii) give prompt notice thereof to the Lenders and the Borrowers.

Within five (5)  Business  Days after  receipt of notice,  the  Borrowers  shall
execute and deliver to the Agent, in exchange for the surrendered  Note or Notes
of any existing Lender or with respect to any Lender not theretofore a Lender, a
new Note or Notes to the order of the applicable Lenders in amounts equal to the
Commitment of such Lenders  pursuant to the Lender Addition and  Acknowledgement
Agreement.  Such new Note or Notes  shall be in an  aggregate  principal  amount
equal to the aggregate principal amount of such Commitments,  shall be dated the
effective date of such Lender Addition and  Acknowledgement  Agreement and shall
otherwise be in substantially  the form of the existing Notes. The Lenders shall
promptly cancel and return each surrendered Note or Notes to the Borrowers.

         SECTION 2.8 Use of Proceeds . The  Borrowers  shall use the proceeds of
the Loans (a) to refinance  certain  existing Debt of the Borrowers,  including,
without limitation,  the Refinanced Debt, (b) to finance the acquisition and the
rehabilitation  of  Multifamily  Properties,  and (c) for  working  capital  and
general  corporate   requirements  of  the  Borrowers  and  their  Subsidiaries,
including the payment of certain fees and expenses  incurred in connection  with
the transactions contemplated hereby.


                                   ARTICLE III

                           LETTER OF CREDIT FACILITY

         SECTION 3.1 L/C Commitment. Subject to the terms and conditions hereof,
the Issuing Lender, in reliance on the agreements of the other Lenders set forth
in  Section  3.4(a),  agrees to issue  standby  letters of credit  ("Letters  of
Credit")  for the account of the  Borrowers on any Business Day from the Closing
Date  through  but not  including  the  Termination  Date in such form as may be
approved  from time to time by the Issuing  Lender;  provided,  that the Issuing
Lender shall have no  obligation  to issue any Letter of Credit if, after giving
effect to such issuance, (a) the L/C Obligations would exceed the L/C Commitment
or (b) the  Available  Commitment  of any Lender  would be less than zero.  Each
Letter of Credit  shall (i) be  denominated  in Dollars  in a minimum  amount of
$100,000,  (ii) be a standby  letter of credit issued to support  obligations of
any Borrower or any Subsidiary thereof, contingent or otherwise, incurred in the
ordinary course of business,  (iii) expire on a date satisfactory to the Issuing
Lender,  which  date  shall be no later  than the  Termination  Date and (iv) be
subject to the Uniform  Customs and, to the extent not  inconsistent  therewith,
the laws of the State of North  Carolina.  The Issuing  Lender  shall not at any
time be obligated to issue


                                       20
<PAGE>


any Letter of Credit  hereunder if such issuance  would  conflict with, or cause
the Issuing  Lender or any L/C  Participant to exceed any limits imposed by, any
Applicable  Law.  References  herein to "issue"  and  derivations  thereof  with
respect to Letters of Credit shall also include  extensions or  modifications of
any existing Letters of Credit, unless the context otherwise requires.

         SECTION 3.2 Procedure  for Issuance of Letters of Credit.  Cornerstone,
on  behalf of the  Borrowers,  may from time to time  request  that the  Issuing
Lender  issue a Letter of  Credit by  delivering  to the  Issuing  Lender at the
Agent's Office an Application  therefor,  completed to the  satisfaction  of the
Issuing  Lender,  and such other  certificates,  documents  and other papers and
information as the Issuing Lender may request.  Upon receipt of any Application,
the  Issuing  Lender  shall  process  such  Application  and  the  certificates,
documents  and  other  papers  and  information  delivered  to it in  connection
therewith in accordance  with its  customary  procedures  and shall,  subject to
Section 3.1 and Article V hereof,  promptly issue the Letter of Credit requested
thereby  (but in no event  shall the  Issuing  Lender be  required  to issue any
Letter of Credit  earlier than three (3) Business  Days after its receipt of the
Application therefor and all such other certificates, documents and other papers
and  information  relating  thereto) by issuing  the  original of such Letter of
Credit to the  beneficiary  thereof or as otherwise may be agreed by the Issuing
Lender and the  Borrowers.  The Issuing  Lender shall furnish to the Borrowers a
copy of such  Letter of Credit and  furnish to each Lender a copy of such Letter
of  Credit  and the  amount of each  Lender's  participation  in such  Letter of
Credit, all promptly following the issuance of such Letter of Credit.

         SECTION 3.3 Commissions and Other Charges.

         (a) The  Borrowers  shall  pay to the  Agent,  for the  account  of the
Issuing Lender and the L/C  Participants,  an annual letter of credit commission
with  respect to each Letter of Credit in an amount  equal to the product of (i)
the Applicable  Margin with respect to LIBOR Rate Loans and (ii) the face amount
of such Letter of Credit.  Such commission shall be payable quarterly in arrears
on the last  Business  Day of each fiscal  quarter of the  Borrowers  and on the
Termination Date.

         (b) In addition to the foregoing  commission,  the Borrowers  shall pay
the  Issuing  Lender an  issuance  fee of $150 with  respect  to each  Letter of
Credit.

         (c) The Agent shall, promptly following its receipt thereof, distribute
to the Issuing Lender and the L/C Participants  all commissions  received by the
Agent in accordance with their respective Commitment Percentages.

         SECTION 3.4 L/C Participations.

         (a) The Issuing Lender irrevocably agrees to grant and hereby grants to
each L/C  Participant,  and,  to induce the Issuing  Lender to issue  Letters of
Credit hereunder, each L/C Participant irrevocably agrees to accept and purchase
and hereby  accepts  and  purchases  from the Issuing  Lender,  on the terms and
conditions  hereinafter  stated, for such L/C Participant's own account and risk
an undivided interest equal to such L/C Participant's  Commitment  Percentage in
the Issuing  Lender's  obligations and rights under each Letter of Credit issued
hereunder  and the amount of each draft paid by the Issuing  Lender  thereunder.
Each L/C Participant  unconditionally  and  irrevocably  agrees with the Issuing
Lender that, if a draft is paid under any Letter of Credit for


                                       21
<PAGE>

which  the  Issuing  Lender  is not  reimbursed  in  full  by the  Borrowers  in
accordance with the terms of this Agreement,  such L/C Participant  shall pay to
the  Issuing  Lender upon  demand at the  Issuing  Lender's  address for notices
specified herein an amount equal to such L/C Participant's Commitment Percentage
of the amount of such draft, or any part thereof, which is not so reimbursed.

         (b) Upon  becoming  aware of any amount  required to be paid by any L/C
Participant to the Issuing  Lender  pursuant to Section 3.4(a) in respect of any
unreimbursed  portion of any payment made by the Issuing Lender under any Letter
of Credit,  the Issuing  Lender shall notify each L/C  Participant of the amount
and due date of such required payment and such L/C Participant  shall pay to the
Issuing  Lender the amount  specified on the  applicable  due date.  If any such
amount is paid to the Issuing  Lender after the date such  payment is due,  such
L/C Participant  shall pay to the Issuing Lender on demand,  in addition to such
amount,  the product of (i) such amount,  times (ii) the daily  average  Federal
Funds Rate as  determined  by the Agent during the period from and including the
date  such  payment  is due to the date on which  such  payment  is  immediately
available to the Issuing  Lender,  times (iii) a fraction the numerator of which
is the number of days that  elapse  during such  period and the  denominator  of
which is 360. A  certificate  of the Issuing  Lender with respect to any amounts
owing  under this  Section  3.4 shall be  conclusive  in the absence of manifest
error. With respect to payment to the Issuing Lender of the unreimbursed amounts
described in this Section 3.4(b),  if the L/C  Participants  receive notice that
any such payment is due (A) prior to 1:00 p.m.  (Charlotte time) on any Business
Day,  such  payment  shall be due that  Business  Day,  and (B) after  1:00 p.m.
(Charlotte time) on any Business Day, such payment shall be due on the following
Business Day.

         (c)  Whenever,  at any time after the Issuing  Lender has made  payment
under  any  Letter of  Credit  and has  received  from any L/C  Participant  its
Commitment  Percentage of such payment in accordance  with this Section 3.4, the
Issuing Lender  receives any payment  related to such Letter of Credit  (whether
directly from the Borrowers or otherwise), or any payment of interest on account
thereof, the Issuing Lender will distribute to such L/C Participant its pro rata
share thereof; provided, that in the event that any such payment received by the
Issuing Lender shall be required to be returned by the Issuing Lender,  such L/C
Participant  shall return to the Issuing Lender the portion  thereof  previously
distributed by the Issuing Lender to it.

         SECTION 3.5  Reimbursement  Obligation of the  Borrower.  The Borrowers
agree to reimburse the Issuing  Lender on each date on which the Issuing  Lender
notifies  Cornerstone,  on behalf of the Borrowers,  of the date and amount of a
draft  paid  under any Letter of Credit for the amount of (a) such draft so paid
and (b) any taxes,  fees,  charges or other  costs or  expenses  incurred by the
Issuing Lender in connection with such payment.  Each such payment shall be made
to the Issuing  Lender at its address  for  notices  specified  herein in lawful
money of the United States and in immediately available funds. Interest shall be
payable on any and all  amounts  remaining  unpaid by the  Borrowers  under this
Article  III from the date  such  amounts  become  payable  (whether  at  stated
maturity,  by acceleration or otherwise) until payment in full at the rate which
would be payable on any outstanding Base Rate Loans which were then overdue.  If
the  Borrowers  fail  to  timely  reimburse  the  Issuing  Lender  on  the  date
Cornerstone, on behalf of the Borrowers, receives the notice referred to in this
Section 3.5,  Cornerstone,  on behalf of the Borrowers,  shall be deemed to have
timely given a Notice of Borrowing hereunder to the Agent requesting the Lenders
to make a 


                                       22
<PAGE>

Base Rate Loan to the Borrowers on such date in an amount equal to the amount of
such  drawing  and,  subject  to the  satisfaction  or waiver of the  conditions
precedent specified in Article V, the Lenders shall make Base Rate Loans in such
amount,  the proceeds of which shall be applied to reimburse the Issuing  Lender
for the amount of the related drawing and costs and expenses.

         SECTION 3.6 Obligations Absolute. The Borrowers' obligations under this
Article III (including without limitation the Reimbursement Obligation) shall be
absolute and  unconditional  under any and all circumstances and irrespective of
any set-off,  counterclaim or defense to payment which the Borrowers may have or
have had against the Issuing  Lender or any  beneficiary  of a Letter of Credit.
The Borrowers  also agree with the Issuing  Lender that the Issuing Lender shall
not be  responsible  for,  and the  Borrowers'  Reimbursement  Obligation  under
Section  3.5 shall not be  affected  by,  among other  things,  the  validity or
genuineness  of  documents  or of any  endorsements  thereon,  even  though such
documents  shall in fact  prove to be  invalid,  fraudulent  or  forged,  or any
dispute  between or among the  Borrowers  and any  beneficiary  of any Letter of
Credit or any other party to which such Letter of Credit may be  transferred  or
any claims whatsoever of the Borrowers against any beneficiary of such Letter of
Credit or any such  transferee.  The Issuing  Lender shall not be liable for any
error, omission, interruption or delay in transmission,  dispatch or delivery of
any message or advice,  however  transmitted,  in connection  with any Letter of
Credit,  except for errors or  omissions  caused by the Issuing  Lender's  gross
negligence or willful  misconduct.  The Borrowers agree that any action taken or
omitted by the Issuing  Lender under or in connection  with any Letter of Credit
or the related drafts or documents,  if done in the absence of gross  negligence
or willful  misconduct and in accordance with the standards of care specified in
the Uniform Customs and, to the extent not inconsistent therewith, the UCC shall
be binding on the Borrowers and shall not result in any liability of the Issuing
Lender  to the  Borrowers.  The  responsibility  of the  Issuing  Lender  to the
Borrowers in connection with any draft presented for payment under any Letter of
Credit shall, in addition to any payment  obligation  expressly  provided for in
such Letter of Credit,  be limited to determining that the documents  (including
each  draft)  delivered  under  such  Letter of Credit in  connection  with such
presentment are in conformity with such Letter of Credit.

         SECTION 3.7 Effect of Application.  To the extent that any provision of
any  Application  related  to any  Letter  of Credit  is  inconsistent  with the
provisions of this Article III, the provisions of this Article III shall apply.


                                   ARTICLE IV

                             GENERAL LOAN PROVISIONS

         SECTION 4.1 Interest.

         (a) Interest  Rate Options.  Subject to the  provisions of this Section
4.1, at the election of Cornerstone,  on behalf of the Borrowers,  the aggregate
principal balance of the Notes or any portion thereof shall bear interest at the
Base Rate or the LIBOR Rate plus,  in each case,  the  Applicable  Margin as set
forth below; provided that the LIBOR Rate shall not be available until three (3)
Business  Days after the Closing Date.  Cornerstone,  on behalf of the Borrowers
shall  select the interest  rate index noted above  (i.e.,  the Base Rate or the
LIBOR Rate) and Interest  Period,  if any,


                                       23
<PAGE>


applicable  to any Loan at the time a Notice of Borrowing  is given  pursuant to
Section 2.2 or at the time a Notice of Conversion/Continuation is given pursuant
to Section 4.2. Each Loan or portion thereof bearing  interest based on the Base
Rate shall be a "Base Rate Loan",  each Loan or portion thereof bearing interest
based on the LIBOR Rate shall be a "LIBOR  Rate  Loan".  Any Loan or any portion
thereof  as to which  Cornerstone,  on  behalf  of the  Borrowers,  has not duly
specified an interest rate as provided herein shall be deemed a Base Rate Loan.

         (b)  Interest  Periods.  In  connection  with  each  LIBOR  Rate  Loan,
Cornerstone, on behalf of the Borrowers, by giving notice at the times described
in Section 4.1(a),  shall elect an interest period (each, an "Interest  Period")
to be applicable to such Loan,  which  Interest  Period shall be a period of one
(1), two (2), three (3), or six (6) months with respect to each LIBOR Rate Loan;
provided that:

                  (i) the Interest  Period shall commence on the date of advance
         of or conversion to any LIBOR Rate Loan and, in the case of immediately
         successive  Interest  Periods,  each  successive  Interest Period shall
         commence  on the  date on  which  the next  preceding  Interest  Period
         expires;

                  (ii) if any Interest  Period would  otherwise  expire on a day
         that is not a Business Day,  such  Interest  Period shall expire on the
         next  succeeding  Business Day;  provided,  that if any Interest Period
         with respect to a LIBOR Rate Loan would otherwise  expire on a day that
         is not a Business  Day but is a day of the month after which no further
         Business Day occurs in such month, such Interest Period shall expire on
         the next preceding Business Day;

                  (iii) any  Interest  Period with  respect to a LIBOR Rate Loan
         that begins on the last  Business Day of a calendar  month (or on a day
         for which there is no  numerically  corresponding  day in the  calendar
         month  at the  end of  such  Interest  Period)  shall  end on the  last
         Business Day of the relevant calendar month at the end of such Interest
         Period;

                  (iv) no Interest Period shall extend  beyond  the  Termination
         Date; and

                  (v) there shall  be  no  more  than  five (5) Interest Periods
         outstanding at any time.

         (c) Applicable Margin.

                  (i)  Senior  Unsecured  Debt  Rating.  The  Applicable  Margin
         provided  for  in  Section  4.1(a)  with  respect  to  the  Loans  (the
         "Applicable   Margin")   shall  (i)  on  the  Closing  Date  equal  the
         percentages set forth in the certificate  delivered pursuant to Section
         5.2(d)(iv) and (ii) for each fiscal quarter thereafter be determined by
         reference to the Senior  Unsecured Debt Rating  announced by Standard &
         Poor's or Moody's, as applicable, as follows:


                                       24
<PAGE>


                                    Senior     
                                   Unsecured         Applicable Margin Per Annum
             Level               Debt Ratings          Base Rate+   LIBOR Rate +
             -----               ------------          -------------------------

              I        BBB+ or Baa1 or higher            0.000%       0.850%
              II       BBB or Baa2                       0.000%       1.000%
              III      BBB- or Baa3                      0.000%       1.150%


         ; provided that, at all times when the Senior  Unsecured Debt Rating is
         unavailable  or is less than Level III set forth  above,  the  Leverage
         Ratio set forth below shall  control.  In the event that  Cornerstone's
         Senior Unsecured Debt Ratings,  as determined by Moody's and Standard &
         Poor's,  differ by up to two levels,  the lower Senior  Unsecured  Debt
         Rating will apply.  In the event that  Cornerstone's  Senior  Unsecured
         Debt Ratings, as determined by Moody's and Standard & Poor's, differ by
         more than two levels, the Leverage Ratio set forth below shall control.

         Adjustments,  if any,  in the  Applicable  Margin  shall be made by the
         Agent  three (3)  Business  Days after the Agent has  received  written
         notice  from  Cornerstone  of a change  in the  Senior  Unsecured  Debt
         Rating.  In the event Cornerstone fails to notify the Agent of a change
         in the Senior Unsecured Debt Rating within the time required by Section
         7.4 hereof,  the  Applicable  Margin  until the delivery of such notice
         shall be the Applicable  Margin as determined  pursuant to the Leverage
         Ratio set forth below.  In the event that the  above-referenced  rating
         designations  are  replaced  by  Standard  &  Poor's  or  Moody's,   as
         applicable,  the equivalent  replacement  rating  designation  shall be
         deemed automatically substituted therefor.

                  (ii) Leverage  Ratio.  If the Senior  Unsecured Debt Rating is
         unavailable  or is below  Level III set  forth  above,  the  Applicable
         Margin shall (i) on the Closing Date equal the percentages set forth in
         the certificate  delivered  pursuant to Section 5.2(d)(iv) and (ii) for
         each fiscal  quarter  thereafter  be  determined  by  reference  to the
         Leverage  Ratio  as of  the  end  of  the  fiscal  quarter  immediately
         preceding  the  delivery  of  the   applicable   Officer's   Compliance
         Certificate as follows:

                                           Applicable Margin Per Annum  
            Leverage Ratio                 Base Rate +     LIBOR Rate + 
            --------------                 ---------------------------- 
                                                                        
  Less than 0.30 to 1.00                     0.000%          1.200%     
                                                                        
  Equal to or  Greater  than 0.30 to         0.000%          1.350%     
  1.00 but less than 0.40 to 1.00                                       
                                                                        
  Equal to or  greater  than 0.40 to         0.000%          1.450%     
  1.00                                                                  



                                       25
<PAGE>

         Adjustments,  if any, in the  Applicable  Margin as  determined  herein
         shall be made by the  Agent on the  tenth  (10th)  Business  Day  after
         receipt  by  the  Agent  of  quarterly  financial  statements  for  the
         Borrowers  and  their  Subsidiaries  and  the  accompanying   Officer's
         Compliance   Certificate  setting  forth  the  Leverage  Ratio  of  the
         Borrowers and their  Subsidiaries  as of the most recent fiscal quarter
         end.  Subject to Section  4.1(d),  in the event the  Borrowers  fail to
         deliver  such  financial  statements  and  certificate  within the time
         required by Section  7.2 hereof,  the  Applicable  Margin  shall be the
         highest  Applicable  Margin set forth above until the  delivery of such
         financial statements and certificate.

         (d) Default Rate.  Upon the occurrence and during the continuance of an
Event of Default,  (i) the Borrowers  shall no longer have the option to request
LIBOR Rate Loans, (ii) all outstanding LIBOR Rate Loans shall bear interest at a
rate per annum two percent (2%) in excess of the rate then  applicable  to LIBOR
Rate Loans until the end of the applicable  Interest  Period and thereafter at a
rate equal to two  percent  (2%) in excess of the rate then  applicable  to Base
Rate Loans,  and (iii) all outstanding  Base Rate Loans shall bear interest at a
rate per annum equal to two percent  (2%) in excess of the rate then  applicable
to Base Rate  Loans.  Interest  shall  continue to accrue on the Notes after the
filing  by or  against  any  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.

         (e) Interest Payment and  Computation.  Interest on each Base Rate Loan
shall be payable in arrears  with  respect to each  calendar  month on the first
Business  Day of the  following  calendar  month  commencing  November  1, 1997;
interest  on each  LIBOR  Rate  Loan  shall be  payable  on the last day of each
Interest  Period  applicable  thereto,  and if such Interest Period extends over
three  (3)  months,  at the end of each  three (3) month  interval  during  such
Interest Period.  All interest rates,  fees and commissions  provided  hereunder
shall be computed  on the basis of a 360-day  year and  assessed  for the actual
number of days elapsed.

         (f) Maximum  Rate.  In no  contingency  or event  whatsoever  shall the
aggregate  of all amounts  deemed  interest  hereunder or under any of the Notes
charged or collected  pursuant to the terms of this Agreement or pursuant to any
of the Notes exceed the highest rate permissible  under any Applicable 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 Applicable  Law and the Lenders  shall at the Agent's  option
promptly  refund to the Borrowers any interest  received by 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 Borrowers not pay or contract
to pay,  and that  neither  the Agent nor any  Lender  receive  or  contract  to
receive, directly or indirectly in any manner whatsoever,  interest in excess of
that which may be paid by the Borrowers under Applicable Law.

         SECTION 4.2 Notice and Manner of Conversion or  Continuation  of Loans.
Provided  that no Event of Default  has  occurred  and is then  continuing,  the
Borrowers shall have the option to (a) convert at any time all or any portion of
its outstanding Base Rate Loans in a principal amount equal to $2,000,000 or any
whole  multiple of $100,000 in excess  thereof into one or more LIBOR



                                       26
<PAGE>


Rate Loans or (b) upon the expiration of any Interest Period, (i) convert all or
any part of its  outstanding  LIBOR Rate Loans in a  principal  amount  equal to
$2,000,000  or a whole  multiple of $100,000  in excess  thereof  into Base Rate
Loans or (ii) continue  such LIBOR Rate Loans as LIBOR Rate Loans.  Whenever the
Borrowers  desire to convert or continue Loans as provided above,  the Borrowers
shall give the Agent  irrevocable  prior written  notice in the form attached as
Exhibit D (a  "Notice  of  Conversion/Continuation")  not later  than 11:00 a.m.
(Charlotte  time)  three (3)  Business  Days  before the day on which a proposed
conversion or  continuation  of such Loan is to be effective  specifying (A) the
Loans to be converted or  continued,  and, in the case of any LIBOR Rate Loan to
be converted or continued, the last day of the Interest Period therefor, (B) the
effective  date of such  conversion or  continuation  (which shall be a Business
Day), (C) the principal  amount of such Loans to be converted or continued,  and
(D) the Interest  Period to be applicable to such  converted or continued  LIBOR
Rate  Loan.  The Agent  shall  promptly  notify the  Lenders  of such  Notice of
Conversion/Continuation.

         SECTION 4.3 Fees.

         (a) Commitment Fee. Commencing on the Closing Date, the Borrowers shall
pay to the Agent, for the account of the Lenders,  a  non-refundable  commitment
fee at a rate per annum equal to 0.200% on the average  daily unused  portion of
the Aggregate Commitment.  The commitment fee shall be payable in arrears on the
last Business Day of each  calendar  quarter  during the term of this  Agreement
commencing  December 31, 1997, and on the Termination  Date. Such commitment fee
shall be distributed by the Agent to the Lenders pro rata in accordance with the
Lenders' respective Commitment Percentages.

         (b)  Agent's  and  Other  Fees.  In order to  compensate  the Agent for
structuring and syndicating  the Loans and for its  obligations  hereunder,  the
Borrowers agree to pay to the Agent, for its account,  the fees set forth in the
separate fee letter agreement executed by Cornerstone and the Agent dated August
6, 1997. In addition,  the Borrowers agree to pay to the Agent,  for its account
or for the  ratable  benefit of the  Lenders  (as  applicable),  any other fees,
including, without limitation, any upfront fees, which the Borrowers have agreed
to pay to such Persons.

         SECTION 4.4 Manner of Payment. Each payment by the Borrowers on account
of the principal of or interest on the Loans or of any fee,  commission or other
amounts  (including the Reimbursement  Obligation)  payable to the Lenders under
this  Agreement  or any Note shall be made not later  than 1:00 p.m.  (Charlotte
time) on the date specified for payment under this Agreement to the Agent at the
Agent's  Office for the account of the Lenders  (other than as set forth  below)
pro rata in accordance with their respective Commitment Percentages, in Dollars,
in  immediately   available  funds  and  shall  be  made  without  any  set-off,
counterclaim or deduction  whatsoever.  Any payment received after such time but
before 2:00 p.m.  (Charlotte time) on such day shall be deemed a payment on such
date for the  purposes  of Section  11.1,  but for all other  purposes  shall be
deemed  to have been  made on the next  succeeding  Business  Day.  Any  payment
received after 2:00 p.m.  (Charlotte  time) shall be deemed to have been made on
the next succeeding Business Day for all purposes.  Upon receipt by the Agent of
each such payment,  the Agent shall distribute in a timely manner to each Lender
at its address for notices set forth  herein its pro rata share of such  payment
in accordance with such Lender's Commitment  Percentage and shall wire advice of
the  amount of such  credit to each  Lender.  Each  payment  to the


                                       27
<PAGE>

Agent of the Issuing  Lender's fees or L/C  Participant's  commissions  shall be
made in like  manner,  but for the  account  of the  Issuing  Lender  or the L/C
Participants,  as the case may be. Each  payment to the Agent of Agent's fees or
expenses  shall be made for the  account of the Agent and any amount  payable to
any Lender under  Sections  4.8,  4.9,  4.10,  4.11 or 13.2 shall be paid to the
Agent for the account of the applicable Lender.

         SECTION 4.5 Crediting of Payments and  Proceeds.  In the event that the
Borrowers shall fail to pay any of the Obligations  when due and the Obligations
have been  accelerated  pursuant to Section 11.2,  all payments  received by the
Lenders upon the Notes and the other  Obligations  and all net proceeds from the
enforcement of the  Obligations  shall be applied first to all expenses then due
and payable by the Borrowers hereunder,  then to all indemnity  obligations then
due and payable by the Borrowers  hereunder,  then to all of the Agent's and the
Issuing  Lender's fees then due and payable,  then to all  commitment  and other
fees and commissions  then due and payable,  then to accrued and unpaid interest
on the Notes and the  Reimbursement  Obligation (pro rata in accordance with all
such amounts due), then to the principal  amount of the Notes and  Reimbursement
Obligation,  then to the cash  collateral  account  described in Section 11.2(b)
hereof to the extent of any L/C Obligations  then  outstanding,  and then to any
termination  payments  due in  respect  of a Hedging  Agreement  with any Lender
executed pursuant to Section 10.1(b), in that order.

         SECTION 4.6 Adjustments. If any Lender (a "Benefitted Lender") shall at
any time  receive any  payment of all or part of its  Extensions  of Credit,  or
interest  thereon,  or if any Lender shall at any time receive any collateral in
respect to its Extensions of Credit (whether  voluntarily or  involuntarily,  by
set-off  or  otherwise)  in a greater  proportion  than any such  payment to and
collateral  received  by any other  Lender,  if any,  in  respect  of such other
Lender's Extensions of Credit, or interest thereon, such Benefitted Lender shall
purchase  for cash from the  other  Lenders  such  portion  of each  such  other
Lender's  Extensions  of Credit,  or shall  provide such other  Lenders with the
benefits of any such collateral,  or the proceeds thereof, as shall be necessary
to cause such Benefitted  Lender to share the excess payment or benefits of such
collateral or proceeds ratably with each of the Lenders;  provided,  that if all
or any portion of such excess  payment or benefits is thereafter  recovered from
such Benefitted Lender, such purchase shall be rescinded, and the purchase price
and benefits returned to the extent of such recovery,  but without interest. The
Borrowers  agree that each Lender so  purchasing  a portion of another  Lender's
Extensions  of Credit may  exercise  all rights of payment  (including,  without
limitation,  rights of set-off) with respect to such portion as fully as if such
Lender were the direct holder of such portion.

         SECTION 4.7 Nature of  Obligations of Lenders  Regarding  Extensions of
Credit;  Assumption  by the Agent . The  obligations  of the Lenders  under this
Agreement  to make the Loans and issue or  participate  in Letters of Credit are
several  and are not joint or joint and  several.  Unless  the Agent  shall have
received  notice  from a Lender  prior to a  proposed  borrowing  date that such
Lender will not make available to the Agent such Lender's ratable portion of the
amount to be borrowed on such date (which  notice  shall not release such Lender
of its  obligations  hereunder),  the Agent may assume that such Lender has made
such portion available to the Agent on the proposed borrowing date in accordance
with Section  2.2(b) and the Agent may, in reliance upon such  assumption,  make
available to the Borrowers on such date a corresponding  amount.  If such amount
is made available to the Agent on a date after such borrowing  date, such Lender
shall pay to the


                                       28
<PAGE>

Agent on demand an amount, until paid, equal to the product of (a) the amount of
such  Lender's  Commitment  Percentage  of such  borrowing,  times (b) the daily
average Federal Funds Rate during such period as determined by the Agent,  times
(c) a fraction the numerator of which is the number of days that elapse from and
including  such  borrowing  date to the date on which such  Lender's  Commitment
Percentage  of such  borrowing  shall have become  immediately  available to the
Agent and the  denominator  of which is 360.  A  certificate  of the Agent  with
respect to any amounts owing under this Section 4.7 shall be conclusive,  absent
manifest error. If such Lender's Commitment  Percentage of such borrowing is not
made  available to the Agent by such Lender  within  three (3) Business  Days of
such  borrowing  date,  the Agent shall be entitled to recover  such amount made
available by the Agent with interest thereon at the rate per annum applicable to
Base Rate Loans  hereunder,  on demand,  from the Borrowers.  The failure of any
Lender to make its Commitment Percentage of any Loan available shall not relieve
it or any  other  Lender  of its  obligation,  if any,  hereunder  to  make  its
Commitment  Percentage of such Loan  available on such  borrowing  date,  but no
Lender  shall be  responsible  for the  failure of any other  Lender to make its
Commitment Percentage of such Loan available on the borrowing date.

         SECTION 4.8 Changed Circumstances.

         (a) Circumstances Affecting LIBOR Rate Availability. If with respect to
any  Interest  Period the Agent or any Lender  (after  consultation  with Agent)
shall determine that, by reason of circumstances  affecting the foreign exchange
and interbank  markets  generally,  deposits in  eurodollars  in the  applicable
amounts are not being quoted via  Telerate  Page 3750 or offered to the Agent or
such Lender for such Interest Period, then the Agent shall forthwith give notice
thereof to the Borrowers.  Thereafter,  until the Agent notifies Cornerstone, on
behalf of the Borrowers, that such circumstances no longer exist, the obligation
of the  Lenders  to make  LIBOR  Rate  Loans and the right of the  Borrowers  to
convert  any  Loan to or  continue  any  Loan  as a LIBOR  Rate  Loan  shall  be
suspended, and the Borrowers shall repay in full (or cause to be repaid in full)
the then  outstanding  principal  amount of each such LIBOR Rate Loans  together
with accrued  interest  thereon,  on the last day of the then  current  Interest
Period  applicable  to such  LIBOR  Rate Loan or  convert  the then  outstanding
principal amount of each such LIBOR Rate Loan to a Base Rate Loan as of the last
day of such Interest Period.

         (b) Laws Affecting LIBOR Rate Availability.  If, after the date hereof,
the  introduction  of, or any change in, any Applicable Law or any change in the
interpretation or administration thereof by any Governmental Authority,  central
bank or comparable  agency  charged with the  interpretation  or  administration
thereof,  or  compliance  by any  Lender  (or any of  their  respective  Lending
Offices) with any request or directive  (whether or not having the force of law)
of any such Governmental  Authority,  central bank or comparable  agency,  shall
make  it  unlawful  or  impossible  for  any of the  Lenders  (or  any of  their
respective  Lending  Offices)  to honor  its  obligations  hereunder  to make or
maintain any LIBOR Rate Loan,  such Lender shall promptly give notice thereof to
the Agent and the Agent shall promptly give notice to Cornerstone,  on behalf of
the  Borrowers,  and the other  Lenders.  Thereafter,  until the Agent  notifies
Cornerstone,  on behalf of the  Borrowers,  that  such  circumstances  no longer
exist, (i) the obligations of the Lenders to make LIBOR Rate Loans and the right
of the  Borrowers  to convert any Loan or continue any Loan as a LIBOR Rate Loan
shall be suspended and  thereafter the Borrowers may select only Base Rate Loans
hereunder,  and (ii) if any of the Lenders may not lawfully continue to maintain
a LIBOR

                                       29
<PAGE>

Rate Loan to the end of the then current Interest Period applicable thereto as a
LIBOR Rate Loan, the applicable  LIBOR Rate Loan shall  immediately be converted
to a Base Rate Loan for the remainder of such Interest Period.

         (c) Increased Costs. If, after the date hereof, the introduction of, or
any change in, any Applicable Law, or in the  interpretation  or  administration
thereof by any Governmental Authority, central bank or comparable agency charged
with the interpretation or administration  thereof,  or compliance by any of the
Lenders  (or any of  their  respective  Lending  Offices)  with any  request  or
directive  (whether  or not  having  the  force  of law)  of  such  Governmental
Authority, central bank or comparable agency:

                  (i)  shall  subject  any  of the  Lenders  (or  any  of  their
         respective  Lending  Offices)  to any tax,  duty or other  charge  with
         respect to any Note,  Letter of Credit or  Application  or shall change
         the basis of  taxation  of  payments  to any of the  Lenders (or any of
         their  respective  Lending  Offices) of the principal of or interest on
         any Note,  Letter of Credit or  Application  or any other  amounts  due
         under this Agreement in respect thereof (except for changes in the rate
         of tax on the  overall net income of any of the Lenders or any of their
         respective  Lending Offices  imposed by the  jurisdiction in which such
         Lender is organized or is or should be qualified to do business or such
         Lending Office is located); or

                  (ii)  shall  impose,  modify or deem  applicable  any  reserve
         (including,  without limitation,  any imposed by the Board of Governors
         of the Federal Reserve System),  special deposit,  insurance or capital
         or similar  requirement  against  assets of,  deposits  with or for the
         account  of, or credit  extended by any of the Lenders (or any of their
         respective  Lending  Offices) or shall impose on any of the Lenders (or
         any of their  respective  Lending  Offices) or the foreign exchange and
         interbank markets any other condition affecting any Note;

and the result of any of the  foregoing  is to increase  the costs to any of the
Lenders  of  maintaining  any LIBOR Rate Loan or  issuing  or  participating  in
Letters  of  Credit or to reduce  the  yield or  amount of any sum  received  or
receivable  by any of the  Lenders  under this  Agreement  or under the Notes in
respect  of a LIBOR  Rate Loan or Letter  of  Credit or  Application,  then such
Lender shall  promptly  notify the Agent,  and the Agent shall  promptly  notify
Cornerstone,  on behalf of the Borrowers,  of such fact and demand  compensation
therefor  and,  within  fifteen  (15) days after such  notice by the Agent,  the
Borrowers  shall pay to such  Lender such  additional  amount or amounts as will
compensate  such Lender or Lenders for such  increased  cost or  reduction.  The
Agent will promptly notify Cornerstone, on behalf of the Borrowers, of any event
of which it has  knowledge  which  will  entitle  such  Lender  to  compensation
pursuant  to this  Section  4.8(c);  provided,  that the  Agent  shall  incur no
liability whatsoever to the Lenders or the Borrowers in the event it fails to do
so. The  amount of such  compensation  shall be  determined,  in the  applicable
Lender's  reasonable  discretion,  based upon the  assumption  that such  Lender
funded its Commitment Percentage of the LIBOR Rate Loans in the London interbank
and using any  reasonable  attribution  or averaging  methods  which such Lender
deems appropriate and practical.  A certificate of such Lender setting forth the
basis for determining such amount or amounts necessary to compensate such Lender
shall be forwarded to Cornerstone, on behalf of the Borrowers, through the Agent
and shall be conclusively presumed to be correct save for manifest error.



                                       30
<PAGE>

         SECTION 4.9 Indemnity.  Each Borrower  hereby  indemnifies  each of the
Lenders  against any loss or expense which may arise or be  attributable to each
Lender's obtaining, liquidating or employing deposits or other funds acquired to
effect,  fund or maintain  any Loan (a) as a  consequence  of any failure by any
Borrower to make any payment when due of any amount due  hereunder in connection
with a LIBOR Rate Loan,  (b) due to any  failure of any  Borrower to borrow on a
date   specified   therefor   in  a   Notice   of   Borrowing   or   Notice   of
Continuation/Conversion  or (c) due to any payment,  prepayment or conversion of
any LIBOR  Rate Loan on a date other  than the last day of the  Interest  Period
therefor.  The  amount  of such  loss or  expense  shall be  determined,  in the
applicable Lender's reasonable  discretion,  based upon the assumption that such
Lender  funded its  Commitment  Percentage of the LIBOR Rate Loans in the London
interbank and using any reasonable  attribution or averaging  methods which such
Lender deems  appropriate  and  practical.  A certificate of such Lender setting
forth the basis for determining  such amount or amounts  necessary to compensate
such Lender  shall be  forwarded  to  Cornerstone,  on behalf of the  Borrowers,
through  the Agent and shall be  conclusively  presumed  to be correct  save for
manifest error.

         SECTION 4.10 Capital  Requirements.  If either (a) the introduction of,
or any  change  in,  or in the  interpretation  of,  any  Applicable  Law or (b)
compliance  with any  guideline or request  from any central bank or  comparable
agency or other Governmental Authority (whether or not having the force of law),
has or would have the effect of  reducing  the rate of return on the capital of,
or has affected or would affect the amount of capital  required to be maintained
by, any Lender or any corporation  controlling  such Lender as a consequence of,
or with reference to the Commitments and other  commitments of this type,  below
the rate which the Lender or such other  corporation could have achieved but for
such  introduction,  change or  compliance,  then within fifteen (15) days after
written demand by any such Lender,  the Borrowers  shall pay to such Lender from
time to time as  specified  by such  Lender  additional  amounts  sufficient  to
compensate such Lender or other corporation for such reduction. A certificate as
to such amounts  submitted to Cornerstone,  on behalf of the Borrowers,  and the
Agent by such Lender, shall, in the absence of manifest error, be presumed to be
correct and binding for all purposes.

         SECTION 4.11 Taxes.

         (a)  Payments  Free and Clear.  Any and all  payments by the  Borrowers
hereunder  or under the Notes or the  Letters  of Credit  shall be made free and
clear of and without deduction for any and all present or future taxes,  levies,
imposts,  deductions,  charges or withholding,  and all liabilities with respect
thereto  excluding,  (i) in the case of each  Lender and the  Agent,  income and
franchise taxes imposed by the jurisdiction  under the laws of which such Lender
or the Agent (as the case may be) is  organized  or is or should be qualified to
do business or any  political  subdivision  thereof and (ii) in the case of each
Lender,  income and franchise taxes imposed by the jurisdiction of such Lender's
Lending  Office or any  political  subdivision  thereof  (all such  non-excluded
taxes, levies, imposts, deductions,  charges, withholdings and liabilities being
hereinafter referred to as "Taxes"). If any Borrower shall be required by law to
deduct any Taxes from or in respect of any sum  payable  hereunder  or under any
Note or Letter of Credit to any Lender or the Agent,  (A) the sum payable  shall
be increased  as may be  necessary so that after making all required  deductions
(including  deductions  applicable to additional sums payable under this Section
4.11) such Lender or the Agent (as the case may be)  receives an amount equal to
the amount such party would have received had no such  deductions been made, (B)
such Borrower shall make such  deductions,  (C)



                                       31
<PAGE>

such  Borrower  shall  pay the  full  amount  deducted  to the  relevant  taxing
authority or other  authority in accordance  with  applicable  law, and (D) such
Borrower  shall  deliver to the Agent  evidence of such  payment to the relevant
taxing authority or other authority in the manner provided in Section 4.11(d).

         (b) Stamp and Other Taxes.  In addition,  the  Borrowers  shall pay any
present or future stamp,  registration,  recordation or documentary taxes or any
other similar fees or charges or excise or property taxes,  levies of the United
States or any state or political  subdivision  thereof or any applicable foreign
jurisdiction  which arise from any payment made hereunder or from the execution,
delivery or registration  of, or otherwise with respect to, this Agreement,  the
Loans, the Letters of Credit, the other Loan Documents, or the perfection of any
rights or  security  interest  in respect  thereto  (hereinafter  referred to as
"Other Taxes").

         (c) Indemnity.  Each Borrower shall indemnify each Lender and the Agent
for the full amount of Taxes and Other Taxes (including, without limitation, any
Taxes and Other Taxes imposed by any  jurisdiction on amounts payable under this
Section  4.11)  paid by such  Lender  or the  Agent (as the case may be) and any
liability (including penalties, interest and expenses) arising therefrom or with
respect  thereto,  whether or not such Taxes or Other  Taxes were  correctly  or
legally  asserted.  Such  indemnification  shall be made within thirty (30) days
from the date such Lender or the Agent (as the case may be) makes written demand
therefor.

         (d) Evidence of Payment.  Within thirty (30) days after the date of any
payment of Taxes or Other Taxes,  the Borrowers  shall furnish to the Agent,  at
its address  referred to in Section 13.1,  the original or a certified copy of a
receipt evidencing payment thereof or other evidence of payment  satisfactory to
the Agent.

         (e) Delivery of Tax Forms.  Each Lender  organized  under the laws of a
jurisdiction  other than the United States or any state thereof shall deliver to
Cornerstone,  on  behalf  of the  Borrowers,  with a copy to the  Agent,  on the
Closing Date or  concurrently  with the delivery of the relevant  Assignment and
Acceptance, as applicable,  (i) two United States Internal Revenue Service Forms
4224 or Forms 1001, as applicable (or successor  forms)  properly  completed and
certifying  in each case that such Lender is  entitled  to a complete  exemption
from  withholding  or deduction for or on account of any United  States  federal
income taxes,  and (ii) an Internal Revenue Service Form W-8 or W-9 or successor
applicable  form,  as the case may be, to  establish  an  exemption  from United
States backup  withholding  taxes. Each such Lender further agrees to deliver to
Cornerstone,  on behalf of the Borrowers,  with a copy to the Agent, a Form 1001
or 4224  and  Form W-8 or W-9,  or  successor  applicable  forms  or  manner  of
certification,  as the case may be,  on or  before  the date  that any such form
expires or becomes  obsolete or after the  occurrence  of any event  requiring a
change in the most recent form  previously  delivered by it to  Cornerstone,  on
behalf of the Borrowers, certifying in the case of a Form 1001 or 4224 that such
Lender is entitled to receive payments under this Agreement without deduction or
withholding  of any United States  federal income taxes (unless in any such case
an event (including  without limitation any change in treaty, law or regulation)
has occurred  prior to the date on which any such  delivery  would  otherwise be
required  which renders such forms  inapplicable  or the exemption to which such
forms relate unavailable and such Lender notifies Cornerstone,  on behalf of the
Borrowers,  and the Agent that it is not  entitled to receive


                                       32
<PAGE>

payments without deduction or withholding of United States federal income taxes)
and, in the case of a Form W-8 or W-9,  establishing  an  exemption  from United
States backup withholding tax.

         (f) Survival.  Without prejudice to the survival of any other agreement
of the Borrowers  hereunder,  the  agreements  and  obligations of the Borrowers
contained  in  this  Section  4.11  shall  survive  the  payment  in full of the
Obligations and the termination of the Commitments.


                                    ARTICLE V

                  CLOSING; CONDITIONS OF CLOSING AND BORROWING

         SECTION 5.1  Closing.  The  closing  shall take place at the offices of
Kennedy Covington  Lobdell & Hickman,  LLC at 10:00 a.m. on October 30, 1997, or
on such other date as the parties hereto shall mutually agree.

         SECTION 5.2 Conditions to Closing and Initial Extensions of Credit. The
obligation  of the Lenders to close this  Agreement and to make the initial Loan
or issue the initial Letter of Credit is subject to the  satisfaction of each of
the following conditions:

         (a) Executed Loan Documents.  The following Loan Documents, in form and
substance satisfactory to Agent and each Lender:

             (i)   this Agreement;

             (ii)  the Notes; and

             (iii) each other document and certificate reasonably  requested  by
         the Agent;

shall have been duly  authorized,  executed  and  delivered  to the Agent by the
parties  thereto,  shall be in full force and effect and no default  shall exist
thereunder, and the Borrowers shall have delivered original counterparts thereof
to the Agent.

         (b) Closing Certificates; etc.

             (i) Officer's  Certificate   of  Cornerstone   on  behalf  of  each
         Borrower.  The Agent shall have received a  certificate  from the chief
         executive officer or chief financial officer of Cornerstone,  on behalf
         of the Borrowers,  in form and substance  satisfactory to the Agent, to
         the effect that all  representations  and  warranties  of the Borrowers
         contained  in this  Agreement  and the other Loan  Documents  are true,
         correct and complete; that the Borrowers are not in violation of any of
         the covenants contained in this Agreement and the other Loan Documents;
         that,  after giving  effect to the  transactions  contemplated  by this
         Agreement,  no  Default  or  Event  of  Default  has  occurred  and  is
         continuing;  and that the Borrowers  have satisfied each of the closing
         conditions.



                                       33
<PAGE>

                  (ii)  Certificate  of  Secretary of each  Borrower.  The Agent
         shall  have  received  a  certificate  of the  secretary  or  assistant
         secretary of each Borrower  certifying that attached  thereto is a true
         and complete copy of the articles of incorporation of such Borrower and
         all  amendments  thereto,   certified  as  of  a  recent  date  by  the
         appropriate    Governmental    Authority   in   its   jurisdiction   of
         incorporation; that attached thereto is a true and complete copy of the
         bylaws of such Borrower as in effect on the date of such certification;
         that attached  thereto is a true and complete copy of resolutions  duly
         adopted by the Board of  Directors  of such  Borrower  authorizing  the
         borrowings  contemplated  hereunder  and the  execution,  delivery  and
         performance  of this Agreement and the other Loan Documents to which it
         is a party;  and as to the incumbency and  genuineness of the signature
         of each officer of such Borrower  executing  Loan Documents to which it
         is a party.

                  (iii)  Certificates  of Good  Standing.  The Agent  shall have
         received  long-form  certificates  as of a  recent  date  of  the  good
         standing  of  each  Borrower  under  the  laws of its  jurisdiction  of
         organization  and  each  other  jurisdiction  where  each  Borrower  is
         qualified to do business.

                  (iv)  Opinions  of  Counsel.  The Agent  shall  have  received
         favorable  opinions of counsel to the Borrowers  addressed to the Agent
         and the Lenders with respect to the  Borrowers,  the Loan Documents and
         such other matters as the Lenders shall request.

                  (v) Tax Forms.  The Agent  shall have  received  copies of the
         United  States  Internal  Revenue  Service  forms  required  by Section
         4.11(e) hereof.

         (c)      Consents; Defaults.

                  (i)  Governmental  and Third Party  Approvals.  All  necessary
         approvals,  authorizations  and  consents,  if any be required,  of any
         Person  and  of  all   Governmental   Authorities   and  courts  having
         jurisdiction  with  respect to the  transactions  contemplated  by this
         Agreement and the other Loan Documents shall have been obtained.

                  (ii) No Injunction, Etc. No action, proceeding, investigation,
         regulation or  legislation  shall have been  instituted,  threatened or
         proposed  before any  Governmental  Authority to enjoin,  restrain,  or
         prohibit,  or to obtain substantial  damages in respect of, or which is
         related to or arises out of this  Agreement or the other Loan Documents
         or the consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby or thereby,
         or which,  in the  Agent's  discretion,  would make it  inadvisable  to
         consummate  the  transactions  contemplated  by this Agreement and such
         other Loan Documents.

                  (iii) No Event of  Default.  No  Default  or Event of  Default
         shall have occurred and be continuing.


                                       34

<PAGE>



         (d)      Financial Matters.

                  (i)  Financial  Statements.  The Agent shall have received the
         most recent audited Consolidated  financial statements of the Borrowers
         and their Subsidiaries,  all in form and substance  satisfactory to the
         Agent.

                  (ii) Financial Condition Certificate.  Cornerstone,  on behalf
         of the Borrowers,  shall have delivered to the Agent a certificate,  in
         form and substance satisfactory to the Agent, and certified as accurate
         by  the  chief  executive   officer  or  chief  financial   officer  of
         Cornerstone,  that (A) each Borrower and each of its  Subsidiaries  are
         each  Solvent,  (B) each  Borrower's  payables are current and not past
         due, (C) attached thereto is a pro forma balance sheet of the Borrowers
         and their Subsidiaries setting forth on a pro forma basis the financial
         condition of the Borrowers  and their  Subsidiaries  on a  Consolidated
         basis as of that date,  reflecting  a pro forma basis the effect of the
         transactions  contemplated  herein,  including all fees and expenses in
         connection  therewith,  and evidencing  compliance on a pro forma basis
         with the  covenants  contained  in  Articles  IX and X  hereof  and (D)
         attached thereto are the financial projections  previously delivered to
         the Agent  representing  the good faith  opinions of the  Borrowers and
         senior  management  thereof  as  to  the  projected  results  contained
         therein.

                  (iii) Payment at Closing;  Fee Letters.  There shall have been
         paid by the  Borrowers  to the Agent and the Lenders the fees set forth
         or  referenced  in Section 4.3 and any other accrued and unpaid fees or
         commissions due hereunder  (including,  without limitation,  legal fees
         and  expenses),  and to any  other  Person  such  amount  as may be due
         thereto  in  connection  with  the  transactions  contemplated  hereby,
         including  all taxes,  fees and other  charges in  connection  with the
         execution,  delivery,  recording, filing and registration of any of the
         Loan  Documents.  The Agent shall have  received  duly  authorized  and
         executed  copies of the fee  letter  agreement  referred  to in Section
         4.3(c).

                  (iv) Applicable Margin Certificate.  Cornerstone, on behalf of
         the Borrowers, shall have delivered to the Agent a certificate executed
         by the chief  financial  officer or  treasurer of  Cornerstone  setting
         forth the  calculation  of the  Applicable  Margin  pursuant to Section
         4.1(c).

         (e)  Termination  of the  Refinanced  Debt.  On or prior to the Closing
Date, the Refinanced  Debt shall have been fully and finally paid and terminated
and all Liens relating to such Refinanced Debt shall have been released.

         (f)      Miscellaneous.

                  (i)  Notice of  Borrowing.  The Agent  shall  have  received a
         Notice of Borrowing from  Cornerstone,  on behalf of the Borrowers,  in
         accordance  with Section  2.2(a),  and a Notice of Account  Designation
         specifying  the account or accounts to which the  proceeds of any loans
         made after the Closing Date are to be disbursed.


                                       35
<PAGE>

                  (ii) Proceedings and Documents. All opinions, certificates and
         other   instruments   and  all   proceedings  in  connection  with  the
         transactions  contemplated  by this Agreement  shall be satisfactory in
         form and  substance to the  Lenders.  The Lenders  shall have  received
         copies of all other  instruments  and other  evidence as the Lender may
         reasonably request, in form and substance  satisfactory to the Lenders,
         with respect to the transactions contemplated by this Agreement and the
         taking of all actions in connection therewith.

                  (iii) Due Diligence and Other  Documents.  Each Borrower shall
         have  delivered  to the Agent such other  documents,  certificates  and
         opinions  as  the  Agent  reasonably   requests,   including,   without
         limitation,   copies  of  any  document  evidencing  or  governing  any
         Subordinated Debt,  certified by a secretary or assistant  secretary of
         such Borrower as a true and correct copy thereof.

         SECTION  5.3  Conditions  to All  Loans  and  Letters  of  Credit.  The
obligations  of the  Lenders  to make any Loan or issue any  Letter of Credit is
subject  to  the  satisfaction  of the  following  conditions  precedent  on the
relevant borrowing or issue date, as applicable:

         (a) Continuation of Representations and Warranties. The representations
and  warranties  contained  in Article VI shall be true and correct on and as of
such  borrowing  or  issuance  date with the same effect as if made on and as of
such  date,  except to the extent the  failure  of any  schedule  to be true and
correct on and as of such borrowing or issuance date would not have or would not
be reasonably expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.

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

         (c) Officer's Compliance Certificate;  Additional Documents.  The Agent
shall have  received  the  current  Officer's  Compliance  Certificate  and each
additional  document,  instrument,  legal  opinion or other item of  information
reasonably requested by it.


                                   ARTICLE VI

                 REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES OF THE BORROWERS

         SECTION  6.1  Representations  and  Warranties.  To induce the Agent to
enter  into this  Agreement  and the  Lenders  to make the Loans and to issue or
participate in the Letters of Credit, the Borrowers hereby represent and warrant
to the Agent and Lenders that:

         (a)  Organization;   Power;  Qualification.   Each  Borrower  and  each
Subsidiary  thereof is duly  organized,  validly  existing and in good  standing
under the laws of the jurisdiction of its  incorporation  or formation,  has the
power and  authority to own its  properties  and to carry on its business as now
being  and  hereafter  proposed  to be  conducted  and  is  duly  qualified  and
authorized


                                       36
<PAGE>

to do business in each  jurisdiction in which the character of its properties or
the nature of its business requires such qualification and authorization  except
to the extent the failure to be so qualified and authorized to do business would
not have or would not be reasonably  expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.
The  jurisdictions  in which  each  Borrower  and  each  Subsidiary  thereof  is
organized and qualified to do business are described on Schedule 6.1(a).

         (b) Ownership.  Each  Subsidiary of each Borrower is listed on Schedule
6.1(b). The  capitalization of the Borrowers and their Subsidiaries  consists of
the number of shares,  authorized,  issued and outstanding,  of such classes and
series, with or without par value, described on Schedule 6.1(b). All outstanding
shares  have been duly  authorized  and  validly  issued  and are fully paid and
nonassessable.  The  shareholders  of the  Subsidiaries of the Borrowers and the
number of shares owned by each are  described on Schedule  6.1(b).  There are no
outstanding  stock  purchase  warrants,   subscriptions,   options,  securities,
instruments  or  other  rights  of any  type or  nature  whatsoever,  which  are
convertible  into,  exchangeable  for or  otherwise  provide  for or permit  the
issuance of capital stock of any Borrower or any Subsidiary  thereof,  except as
described on Schedule 6.1(b).

         (c)  Authorization  of Agreement,  Loan Documents and  Borrowing.  Each
Borrower and each Subsidiary  thereof has the right, power and authority and has
taken all  necessary  corporate  and other  action to authorize  the  execution,
delivery and  performance of this Agreement and each of the other Loan Documents
to which it is a party in accordance with their respective terms. This Agreement
and each of the other Loan  Documents  have been duly  executed and delivered by
the duly authorized officers of each Borrower and each of its Subsidiaries party
thereto,  and each such  document  constitutes  the  legal,  valid  and  binding
obligation of each Borrower or its  Subsidiary  party  thereto,  enforceable  in
accordance  with  its  terms,  except  as such  enforcement  may be  limited  by
bankruptcy, insolvency,  reorganization,  moratorium or similar state or federal
debtor relief laws from time to time in effect which affect the  enforcement  of
creditors' rights in general and the availability of equitable remedies.

         (d)  Compliance of Agreement,  Loan  Documents and Borrowing with Laws,
Etc.  The  execution,  delivery  and  performance  by the  Borrowers  and  their
Subsidiaries  of the Loan  Documents  to which each such  Person is a party,  in
accordance  with  their  respective  terms,  the  borrowings  hereunder  and the
transactions  contemplated  hereby do not and will not,  by the passage of time,
the giving of notice or  otherwise,  (i)  require any  Governmental  Approval or
violate any Applicable Law relating to any Borrower or any of its  Subsidiaries,
(ii)  conflict  with,  result in a breach of or  constitute a default  under the
articles  of  incorporation,  bylaws or other  organizational  documents  of any
Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries,  (iii) conflict with, result in a breach of
or constitute a default under any  indenture,  agreement or other  instrument to
which any Borrower or any of its  Subsidiaries is a party or by which any of its
properties may be bound or any  Governmental  Approval  relating to such Person,
except where such  conflict  with,  breach of or default under would not have or
would not be  reasonably  expected to have a Material  Adverse  Effect,  or (iv)
result in or require the creation or imposition of any Lien upon or with respect
to any property  now owned or  hereafter  acquired by any Borrower or any of its
Subsidiaries other than Liens arising under the Loan Documents.

         (e) Compliance with Law; Governmental Approvals. Each Borrower and each
Subsidiary thereof (i) has all Governmental Approvals required by any Applicable
Law for it to



                                       37
<PAGE>

conduct its  business,  each of which is in full force and effect,  is final and
not subject to review on appeal and is not the subject of any pending or, to the
best of its knowledge, threatened attack by direct or collateral proceeding, and
(ii) is in compliance with each  Governmental  Approval  applicable to it and in
compliance  with  all  other  Applicable  Laws  relating  to it or  any  of  its
respective  properties,  except where the failure to be in such compliance would
not have or would not be reasonably expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.

         (f) Tax Returns and Payments.  Each Borrower and Subsidiary thereof has
duly filed or caused to be filed all federal, state, local and other tax returns
required by Applicable Law to be filed, and has paid, or made adequate provision
for the payment of, all federal,  state, local and other taxes,  assessments and
governmental  charges or levies upon it and its  property,  income,  profits and
assets which are due and payable.  No  Governmental  Authority  has asserted any
Lien or other claim against any Borrower or any Subsidiary  thereof with respect
to unpaid taxes which has not been discharged or resolved. The charges, accruals
and  reserves  on the  books of each  Borrower  and any of its  Subsidiaries  in
respect  of  federal,  state,  local and other  taxes for all  Fiscal  Years and
portions  thereof  since  the  organization  of  such  Borrower  and  any of its
Subsidiaries  are in the judgment of such Borrower  adequate,  and such Borrower
does not anticipate any additional taxes or assessments for any of such years.

         (g) Intellectual  Property  Matters.  Each Borrower and each Subsidiary
thereof owns or possesses  rights to use all franchises,  licenses,  copyrights,
copyright applications, patents, patent rights or licenses, patent applications,
trademarks,  trademark rights,  trade names,  trade name rights,  copyrights and
rights with respect to the foregoing which are required to conduct its business,
except  where the failure own or possess such rights would not have or would not
be reasonably  expected to have a Material Adverse Effect. No event has occurred
which  permits,  or after  notice  or lapse of time or both  would  permit,  the
revocation or termination of any such rights, and no Borrower nor any Subsidiary
thereof is liable to any  Person  for  infringement  under  Applicable  Law with
respect to any such rights as a result of its business operations.

         (h)  Environmental  Matters.  Except  as would not have or would not be
reasonably  expected  to have a  Material  Adverse  Effect,  to the  best of the
knowledge of the Borrowers and their Subsidiaries,

                  (i) The properties of the Borrowers and their  Subsidiaries do
         not contain, and have not previously contained, any Hazardous Materials
         in amounts or  concentrations  which (A)  constitute  or  constituted a
         violation  of, or (B) could give rise to  liability  under,  applicable
         Environmental Laws;

                  (ii)  Such   properties  and  all   operations   conducted  in
         connection  therewith are in  compliance,  and have been in compliance,
         with all applicable  Environmental  Laws, and there is no contamination
         at,  under or about such  properties  or such  operations  which  could
         interfere with the continued operation of such properties or impair the
         fair saleable value thereof;

                  (iii) No Borrower nor any Subsidiary  thereof has received any
         notice of violation,  alleged violation,  non-compliance,  liability or
         potential liability regarding



                                       38
<PAGE>


         environmental matters or compliance with Environmental Laws with regard
         to any of their  properties or the  operations  conducted in connection
         therewith,  nor  does  any  Borrower  or any  Subsidiary  thereof  have
         knowledge or reason to believe that any such notice will be received or
         is being threatened;


                  (iv) Hazardous Materials have not been transported or disposed
         of from the  properties of any Borrower or any of its  Subsidiaries  in
         violation of, or in a manner or to a location  which could give rise to
         liability under,  Environmental  Laws, nor have any Hazardous Materials
         been generated,  treated,  stored or disposed of at, on or under any of
         such properties in violation of, or in a manner that could give rise to
         liability under, any applicable Environmental Laws;

                  (v) No judicial  proceedings or governmental or administrative
         action is pending or threatened  under any  Environmental  Law to which
         any Borrower or any  Subsidiary  thereof is or will be named as a party
         with respect to such  properties or operations  conducted in connection
         therewith,  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 such properties or such operations; and

                  (vi)  There has been no  release  or the  threat of release of
         Hazardous  Materials at or from such properties,  in violation of or in
         amounts  or in a  manner  that  could  give  rise  to  liability  under
         Environmental Laws.

         (i) ERISA. Except as would not have or would not be reasonably expected
to have a Material Adverse Effect,

                  (i)  No  Borrower  nor  any  ERISA   Affiliate   maintains  or
         contributes to, or has any obligation under, any Employee Benefit Plans
         other than those identified on Schedule 6.1(i);

                  (ii) Each  Borrower and each ERISA  Affiliate is in compliance
         with  all  applicable  provisions  of  ERISA  and the  regulations  and
         published  interpretations  thereunder  with  respect  to all  Employee
         Benefit Plans except for any required amendments for which the remedial
         amendment  period as defined in Section  401(b) of the Code has not yet
         expired.  Each  Employee  Benefit Plan that is intended to be qualified
         under  Section  401(a) of the Code has been  determined by the Internal
         Revenue Service to be so qualified, and each trust related to such plan
         has been  determined to be exempt under Section  501(a) of the Code. No
         liability  has been  incurred by any  Borrower  or any ERISA  Affiliate
         which remains  unsatisfied  for any taxes or penalties  with respect to
         any Employee Benefit Plan or any Multiemployer Plan;

                  (iii)  No  Pension  Plan  has  been  terminated,  nor  has any
         accumulated  funding deficiency (as defined in Section 412 of the Code)
         been incurred  (without  regard to any waiver granted under Section 412
         of the Code),  nor has any  funding  waiver from the  Internal  Revenue
         Service been  received or requested  with respect to any Pension  Plan,
         nor


                                       39
<PAGE>

         has  any   Borrower  or  any  ERISA   Affiliate   failed  to  make  any
         contributions  or to pay any  amounts  due and  owing  as  required  by
         Section  412 of the  Code,  Section  302 of ERISA  or the  terms of any
         Pension Plan prior to the due dates of such contributions under Section
         412 of the Code or Section  302 of ERISA,  nor has there been any event
         requiring  any  disclosure  under Section  4041(c)(3)(C)  or 4063(a) of
         ERISA with respect to any Pension Plan;

                  (iv) No Borrower nor any ERISA Affiliate has: (A) engaged in a
         nonexempt prohibited  transaction described in Section 406 of the ERISA
         or Section 4975 of the Code,  (B)  incurred  any  liability to the PBGC
         which remains  outstanding other than the payment of premiums and there
         are no premium payments which are due and unpaid,  (C) failed to make a
         required contribution or payment to a Multiemployer Plan, or (D) failed
         to make a required  installment or other required payment under Section
         412 of the Code;

                  (v) No  Termination  Event  has   occurred  or  is  reasonably
         expected to occur; and

                  (vi) No proceeding,  claim,  lawsuit and/or  investigation  is
         existing or, to the best  knowledge of any Borrower  after due inquiry,
         threatened  concerning  or involving any (A) employee  welfare  benefit
         plan (as  defined in Section  3(1) of ERISA)  currently  maintained  or
         contributed to by any Borrower or any ERISA Affiliate, (B) Pension Plan
         or (C) Multiemployer Plan.

         (j) Margin  Stock.  No Borrower nor any  Subsidiary  thereof is engaged
principally or as one of its activities in the business of extending  credit for
the purpose of  "purchasing" or "carrying" any "margin stock" (as each such term
is  defined  or used in  Regulations  G and U of the Board of  Governors  of the
Federal Reserve System).  No part of the proceeds of any of the Loans or Letters
of  Credit  will be used for  purchasing  or  carrying  margin  stock or for any
purpose which violates,  or which would be inconsistent  with, the provisions of
Regulation G, T, U or X of such Board of Governors.

         (k) Government Regulation. No Borrower nor any Subsidiary thereof is an
"investment  company" or a company  "controlled" by an "investment  company" (as
each such term is  defined or used in the  Investment  Company  Act of 1940,  as
amended) and no Borrower nor any  Subsidiary  thereof is, or after giving effect
to any  Extension  of Credit  will be,  subject to  regulation  under the Public
Utility  Holding  Company Act of 1935 or the  Interstate  Commerce  Act, each as
amended,  or any other  Applicable  Law which  limits  its  ability  to incur or
consummate the transactions contemplated hereby.

         (l) Material  Contracts.  Each  Material  Contract is, and after giving
effect  to  the  consummation  of the  transactions  contemplated  by  the  Loan
Documents  will be,  in full  force  and  effect  in  accordance  with the terms
thereof.

         (m) Employee Relations. Each Borrower and each Subsidiary thereof has a
stable work force in place and is not,  except as set forth on Schedule  6.1(m),
party to any  collective  bargaining  agreement  nor has any  labor  union  been
recognized  as the  representative  of its  employees.  The




                                       40
<PAGE>

Borrowers  and their  Subsidiaries  do not know of any  pending,  threatened  or
contemplated strikes, work stoppage or other collective labor disputes involving
its employees or those of its Subsidiaries.

         (n) Burdensome Provisions.  No Borrower nor any Subsidiary thereof is a
party to any indenture,  agreement, lease or other instrument, or subject to any
corporate or partnership  restriction,  Governmental  Approval or Applicable Law
which  could be  reasonably  expected  to have a Material  Adverse  Effect.  The
Borrowers  and  their  Subsidiaries  do not  presently  anticipate  that  future
expenditures  needed to meet the  provisions of any statutes,  orders,  rules or
regulations  of a  Governmental  Authority  will be so  burdensome  as to have a
Material Adverse Effect.

         (o) Financial  Statements.  The (i) Consolidated  balance sheets of the
Borrowers  and  their  Subsidiaries  as of  December  31,  1996 and the  related
statements  of income and retained  earnings and cash flows for the Fiscal Years
then ended and (ii)  unaudited  Consolidated  balance sheet of the Borrowers and
their  Subsidiaries as of June 30, 1997 and related unaudited interim statements
of revenue and  retained  earnings,  copies of which have been  furnished to the
Agent and each Lender,  are complete and correct and fairly  present the assets,
liabilities and financial position of the Borrowers and their Subsidiaries as at
such dates, and the results of the operations and changes of financial  position
for the periods then ended. All such financial statements, including the related
schedules and notes  thereto,  have been prepared in accordance  with GAAP.  The
Borrowers  and their  Subsidiaries  have no Debt,  obligation  or other  unusual
forward or long-term  commitment  which is not fairly reflected in the foregoing
financial statements or in the notes thereto.

         (p) No Material Adverse Change. Since December 31, 1996, there has been
no material adverse change in the properties,  business, operations,  prospects,
or condition  (financial or  otherwise) of the Borrowers and their  Subsidiaries
and no event has occurred or condition  arisen that could reasonably be expected
to have a Material Adverse Effect.

         (q)  Solvency.  As of the Closing Date and after giving  effect to each
Extension of Credit made hereunder,  each Borrower and each  Subsidiary  thereof
will be Solvent.

         (r) Debt and Contingent Obligations.  Schedule 6.1(r) is a complete and
correct  listing of all Debt and  Contingent  Obligations  of the  Borrowers and
their  Subsidiaries  in excess of $500,000 as of the Closing Date. The Borrowers
and their  Subsidiaries  have  performed and are in  compliance  with all of the
terms of such Debt and Contingent Obligations and all instruments and agreements
relating  thereto,  and no default or event of  default,  or event or  condition
which with  notice or lapse of time or both would  constitute  such a default or
event of default on the part of any Borrower or any of its  Subsidiaries  exists
with respect to any such Debt or Contingent Obligation.

         (s) Litigation.  Except as set forth on Schedule  6.1(s),  there are no
actions,  suits or  proceedings  pending nor, to the  knowledge of any Borrower,
threatened  against or in any other way relating  adversely to or affecting  any
Borrower or any Subsidiary thereof or any of their respective  properties in any
court or before  any  arbitrator  of any kind or  before or by any  Governmental
Authority  which could have or could be  reasonably  expected to have a Material
Adverse Effect.




                                       41
<PAGE>

         (t) Absence of Defaults.  No event has occurred or is continuing  which
constitutes  a Default or an Event of Default,  or which  constitutes,  or which
with the passage of time or giving of notice or both would constitute, a default
or event of default by any Borrower or any Subsidiary thereof under any Material
Contract or judgment,  decree or order to which any  Borrower or any  Subsidiary
thereof is a party or by which any Borrower or any Subsidiary  thereof or any of
their respective  properties may be bound or which would require any Borrower or
any  Subsidiary  thereof to make any payment  thereunder  prior to the scheduled
maturity date therefor.

         (u) Status of Cornerstone as REIT. Cornerstone is and has been for each
of  Cornerstone's  tax years from and including  1993 a "real estate  investment
trust"  within the meaning of Section  856 of the Code and is being  operated in
accordance with the rules for  qualification as a "real estate investment trust"
under Sections 856 through 860 of the Code.

         (v) Other  Property  Matters.  With respect to each  Property  owned or
operated by each Borrower and each Subsidiary thereof:

                  (i) Titles to  Properties.  Each Borrower and each  Subsidiary
         thereof  has  such  title  to  each  such  Property  owned  by it as is
         necessary  or  desirable  to the conduct of its  business and valid and
         legal title to all of its personal property and assets,  including, but
         not limited to, those  reflected on the balance sheets of the Borrowers
         and their  Subsidiaries  delivered  pursuant to Section 6.1(o),  except
         those  which  have  been   disposed  of  by  the   Borrowers  or  their
         Subsidiaries  subsequent to such date which  dispositions  have been in
         the  ordinary  course of business or as otherwise  expressly  permitted
         hereunder.

                  (ii) Liens.  None of the properties and assets of any Borrower
         or any  Subsidiary  thereof  is  subject  to  any  Lien,  except  Liens
         permitted  pursuant to Section 10.3. No financing  statement  under the
         Uniform  Commercial  Code of any state which names any  Borrower or any
         Subsidiary  thereof or any of their respective trade names or divisions
         as  debtor  and which has not been  terminated,  has been  filed in any
         state or other  jurisdiction and no Borrower nor any Subsidiary thereof
         has signed  any such  financing  statement  or any  security  agreement
         authorizing  any secured party  thereunder  to file any such  financing
         statement,  except to perfect  those Liens  permitted  by Section  10.3
         hereof.

                  (iii)  Title  Insurance.  (A) On the date of  purchase of each
         such Property,  either (1) a title  insurance  policy was issued to the
         applicable  Borrower or one of its  Subsidiaries  in an amount not less
         than the purchase  price paid by such Borrower or such  Subsidiary,  or
         (2) the applicable  Borrower or one of its  Subsidiaries had obtained a
         commitment from a title insurance company to issue such title insurance
         policy  following  such purchase date, had complied as of such purchase
         date with each other condition  precedent to the issuance of such title
         policy and had paid the premium in respect of such policy,  and in each
         case neither the applicable  Borrower nor any of its  Subsidiaries  has
         taken any action that would cause such title insurance policy not to be
         valid  and in  full  force  and  effect  or (B)  with  respect  to such
         Property,  there exists an attorney's opinion of title favorable to the
         applicable  Borrower or one of its  Subsidiaries,  given by an attorney
         licensed to practice  law in the  jurisdiction  where such  Property is
         located.

                                       42
<PAGE>

                  (iv) Taxes,  etc.  Current.  All material taxes,  governmental
         assessments, insurance premiums, and water, sewer and municipal charges
         which previously  became due and owing in respect of such real property
         have been paid, or an escrow of funds in an amount  sufficient to cover
         such payments has been established.

                  (v)  Hazard  Insurance.  Such  Property  is  covered by hazard
         insurance (and, if applicable, federal flood insurance) in an amount at
         least  equal to the greater of (i) one  hundred  percent  (100%) of the
         replacement  cost of the  improvements  on such  Property,  and (ii) an
         amount  sufficient to avoid the application of any  coinsurance  clause
         contained in the related  insurance  policy;  such  insurance  requires
         prior notice to the applicable Borrower of termination or cancellation,
         and no such notice has been received.

                  (vi) Mechanics'  Liens. Such Property is free and clear of any
         material  mechanics'  and  materialmen's  liens or liens in the  nature
         thereof, except to the extent such liens would not have or would not be
         reasonably  expected to have a Material  Adverse Effect,  and no rights
         are  outstanding  that  under  law could  give rise to any such  liens,
         except those which are insured against by the title insurance  policies
         referred to in Section  6.2(v)(iii) above, or for work conducted by the
         applicable Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries for which payment is not
         yet due (or is being contested in good faith).

                  (vii)  Improvements.  None of the  improvements  in respect of
         such Property lies outside of the boundaries  and building  restriction
         lines of such  Property  in such a manner as to  materially  affect the
         value of such  improvements,  no improvements  on adjoining  properties
         materially  encroach upon such Property,  and no improvement located on
         or  forming  part of such  Property  is in  material  violation  of any
         applicable zoning laws or ordinances.

                  (viii) Inspections and Physical  Condition.  As of the Closing
         Date, such Property and any improvement or fixtures thereon are free of
         structural defects or damage materially  affecting their value, and all
         building systems  necessary for normal use of such Property are in good
         working order subject to ordinary wear and tear.

                  (ix)   Licenses  and   Permits.   The   Borrowers   and  their
         Subsidiaries  are  in  possession  of  all  material   certificates  of
         occupancy or other similar licenses,  permits and other  authorizations
         necessary and required by Applicable  Law for the use of such Property;
         and all such  certificates  of  occupancy  or other  similar  licenses,
         permits and authorizations are valid and in full force and effect.

                  (x) Condemnation Proceedings. As of the Closing Date, there is
         no material  proceeding  pending or threatened for the total or partial
         condemnation  of such  Property,  or for  the  relocation  of  roadways
         providing access to such Property.

                  (xi) Purchase  Options.  There are no  outstanding  options or
         rights of first refusal materially affecting such Property.




                                       43
<PAGE>

                  (xii) Separate  Lots.  Such Property is a separate tax parcel,
         assessed for real estate tax purposes separately from property owned by
         any other Person,  with such  exceptions as would not have or would not
         be reasonably expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.

                  (xiii)  Ground  Leases.  Where the interest of any Borrower or
         any  Subsidiary  thereof in such Property  exists under a ground lease,
         such ground  lease is in full force and effect and no material  default
         has  occurred  under  such  ground  lease,  nor is there  any  existing
         condition  which,  but for the  passage of time or the giving of notice
         (other than rent, or other payments due but not yet delinquent),  would
         result in a material default under the terms of such ground lease.

         (w) Accuracy and Completeness of Information.  All written information,
reports and other  papers and data  produced by or on behalf of any  Borrower or
any  Subsidiary  thereof and furnished to the Lenders were, at the time the same
were so furnished,  complete and correct in all respects to the extent necessary
to give the recipient a true and accurate  knowledge of the subject  matter.  No
document  furnished or written statement made to the Agent or the Lenders by any
Borrower  or  any  Subsidiary   thereof  in  connection  with  the  negotiation,
preparation or execution of this Agreement or any of the Loan Documents contains
or will contain any untrue statement of a fact material to the  creditworthiness
of any Borrower or any Subsidiary  thereof or omits or will omit to state a fact
necessary in order to make the statements  contained therein not misleading.  No
Borrower  is aware of any facts  which it has not  disclosed  in  writing to the
Agent  having a Material  Adverse  Effect,  or insofar as any  Borrower  can now
foresee, could reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.

         SECTION 6.2  Survival  of  Representations  and  Warranties,  Etc.  All
representations   and   warranties   set  forth  in  this  Article  VI  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 Lenders or any borrowing hereunder.


                                   ARTICLE VII

                        FINANCIAL INFORMATION AND NOTICES

         Until all the Obligations have been finally and  indefeasibly  paid and
satisfied  in full  and the  Commitments  terminated,  unless  consent  has been
obtained in the manner set forth in Section  13.11 hereof,  the  Borrowers  will
furnish  or cause to be  furnished  to the  Agent  and to the  Lenders  at their
respective  addresses as set forth on Schedule  1.1(a),  or such other office as
may be designated by the Agent and Lenders from time to time:


                                       44
<PAGE>

         SECTION 7.1 Financial Statements and Projections.

         (a)      Quarterly Financial Reports.

                  (i) Quarterly Financial Statements. As soon as practicable and
         in any  event  within  sixty  (60) days  after  the end of each  fiscal
         quarter, an unaudited  Consolidated  balance sheet of the Borrowers and
         their Subsidiaries as of the close of such fiscal quarter and unaudited
         Consolidated statements of income, retained earnings and cash flows for
         the fiscal  quarter then ended and that portion of the Fiscal Year then
         ended,  including the notes thereto,  all in reasonable  detail setting
         forth in comparative form the  corresponding  figures for the preceding
         Fiscal Year and prepared by the Borrowers in accordance  with GAAP and,
         if  applicable,  containing  disclosure  of the effect on the financial
         position or results of operations of any change in the  application  of
         accounting principles and practices during the period, and certified by
         the chief financial officer of Cornerstone, on behalf of the Borrowers,
         to present fairly in all material  respects the financial  condition of
         the Borrowers and their  Subsidiaries as of their  respective dates and
         the results of operations of the Borrowers and their  Subsidiaries  for
         the  respective  periods  then  ended,   subject  to  normal  year  end
         adjustments.

                  (ii) Quarterly Operating  Information.  As soon as practicable
         and in any event  within  sixty (60) days after the end of each  fiscal
         quarter,  (A) a schedule of the Properties  summarizing total revenues,
         expenses, Net Operating Income as to the Properties, Adjusted NOI as to
         the  Properties,  and  occupancy  rates  as of  the  last  day  of  the
         applicable  fiscal  quarter,  (B) a  listing  of all  Properties  under
         development  showing the total capital  obligation of the Borrowers and
         their  Subsidiaries  and funds  expended  to date and showing the Total
         Construction  in Progress Value with respect  thereto and (C) a summary
         of purchases,  sales or other  dispositions  by the Borrowers and their
         Subsidiaries for the prior fiscal quarter.

         (b)      Annual Financial Reports.

                  (i) Annual Financial Statements. As soon as practicable and in
         any event  within one  hundred  and twenty  (120) days after the end of
         each  Fiscal  Year,  an  audited  Consolidated  balance  sheet  of  the
         Borrowers  and their  Subsidiaries  as of the close of such Fiscal Year
         and audited  Consolidated  statements of income,  retained earnings and
         cash flows for the Fiscal Year then ended, including the notes thereto,
         all  in  reasonable  detail  setting  forth  in  comparative  form  the
         corresponding  figures for the preceding Fiscal Year and prepared by an
         independent certified public accounting firm acceptable to the Agent in
         accordance with GAAP and, if applicable,  containing  disclosure of the
         effect on the financial  position or results of operation of any change
         in the  application of accounting  principles and practices  during the
         year, and  accompanied  by a report  thereon by such  certified  public
         accountants  that is not  qualified  with respect to scope  limitations
         imposed by any  Borrower or any  Subsidiary  thereof or with respect to
         accounting  principles  followed  by any  Borrower  or  any  Subsidiary
         thereof not in accordance with GAAP.


                                       45
<PAGE>

                  (ii) Annual Operating Information.  As soon as practicable and
         in any event  within one hundred and twenty (120) days after the end of
         each  Fiscal  Year,  (A)  a  detailed   schedule  for  the  Properties,
         including,  without  limitation,  project names and locations,  leasing
         status,  Net Operating Income as to the Properties,  Adjusted NOI as to
         the  Properties,  the source of cash  necessary to cover any  operating
         deficit,  the amount of and the beneficiary of any cash  distributions,
         and the amount  invested  in or  received  from the  properties,  (B) a
         projected income statement (including  projected Capital  Expenditures)
         for the next  Fiscal  Year  (four (4)  fiscal  quarter  period)  of the
         Borrowers and their Subsidiaries for each Property,  and (C) the annual
         report of the Borrowers and their Subsidiaries.

         (c)  Annual  Business  Plan and  Financial  Projections.  To the extent
prepared by the Borrowers and their  Subsidiaries at any time, any business plan
or financial projections respecting the Borrowers and their Subsidiaries for any
ensuing time period,  and including,  without  limitation,  any of the following
information:  any quarterly  operating and capital budget,  any projected income
statement,  any  statement  of cash flows and  balance  sheet  and/or any report
containing management's discussion and analysis of such projections.

         (d) Securities Filings.  Promptly upon any other transmission  thereof,
copies of each periodic  report  (including the special reports on Form 8-K, the
annual  reports  on Form 10-K and the  quarterly  reports on Form  10-Q),  proxy
statement or prospectus relating to any Borrower, any of its Subsidiaries or any
of their  respective  securities  as shall be  delivered  to  shareholders,  any
securities exchange or the Commission.

         SECTION 7.2 Officer's  Compliance  Certificate.  As soon as practicable
and in any  event  within  forty-five  (45) days  after  the end of each  fiscal
quarter,  within one hundred and twenty  (120) days after the end of each Fiscal
Year  and at  such  other  times  as  the  Agent  shall  reasonably  request,  a
certificate of the chief financial  officer or the treasurer of Cornerstone,  on
behalf of the Borrowers, in the form of Exhibit E attached hereto (an "Officer's
Compliance Certificate").

         SECTION 7.3 Other Reports.

         (a) Promptly  upon  receipt  thereof,  copies of all  reports,  if any,
submitted to any Borrower or its Board of  Directors by its  independent  public
accountants  in connection  with their  auditing  function,  including,  without
limitation, any management report and any management responses thereto; and

         (b) Such other information  regarding the operations,  business affairs
and financial  condition of any Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries as the Agent
or any Lender may reasonably request.

         SECTION 7.4 Notice of Litigation and Other  Matters.  Prompt (but in no
event  later  than ten  (10)  days  after an  officer  of any  Borrower  obtains
knowledge thereof) telephonic and written notice of:

         (a) the commencement of all proceedings and investigations by or before
any  Governmental  Authority  and all  actions and  proceedings  in any court or
before any  arbitrator


                                       46
<PAGE>

against or  involving  any  Borrower or any  Subsidiary  thereof or any of their
respective properties, assets or businesses;

         (b)  any  notice  of any  violation  received  by any  Borrower  or any
Subsidiary   thereof  from  any  Governmental   Authority   including,   without
limitation, any notice of violation of Environmental Laws which in any such case
could reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect;

         (c) any labor  controversy that has resulted in, or threatens to result
in, a strike  or other  work  action  against  any  Borrower  or any  Subsidiary
thereof;

         (d) any attachment,  judgment,  lien,  levy or order exceeding  $50,000
individually  or  $100,000  in the  aggregate  that may be  assessed  against or
threatened against any Borrower or any Subsidiary thereof;

         (e) any Default or Event of Default,  or any event which constitutes or
which with the  passage of time or giving of notice or both would  constitute  a
default or event of default under any Material Contract to which any Borrower or
any  Subsidiary  thereof is a party or by which any  Borrower or any  Subsidiary
thereof or any of their respective properties may be bound;

         (f) (i) any unfavorable  determination letter from the Internal Revenue
Service  regarding the  qualification  of an Employee Benefit Plan under Section
401(a) of the Code (along with a copy thereof), (ii) all notices received by any
Borrower or any ERISA  Affiliate of the PBGC's  intent to terminate  any Pension
Plan or to have a trustee  appointed to administer  any Pension Plan,  (iii) all
notices  received by any Borrower or any ERISA  Affiliate  from a  Multiemployer
Plan  sponsor  concerning  the  imposition  or  amount of  withdrawal  liability
pursuant to Section 4202 of ERISA and (iv) any Borrower  obtaining  knowledge or
reason to know that any Borrower or any ERISA  Affiliate has filed or intends to
file a  notice  of  intent  to  terminate  any  Pension  Plan  under a  distress
termination within the meaning of Section 4041(c) of ERISA;

         (g) any change in the Senior Unsecured Debt Rating of Cornerstone; and

         (h) any  event  which  makes  any of the  representations  set forth in
Section 6.1 inaccurate in any respect.

         SECTION 7.5 Accuracy of Information. All written information,  reports,
statements  and other papers and data  furnished by or on behalf of any Borrower
to the Agent or any Lender (other than financial  forecasts) whether pursuant to
this  Article  VII or any  other  provision  of  this  Agreement,  or any of the
Security Documents, shall be, at the time the same is so furnished, complete and
correct in all  material  respects to the extent  necessary to give the Agent or
any Lender complete,  true and accurate knowledge of the subject matter based on
the Borrowers' knowledge thereof.


                                       47
<PAGE>


                                  ARTICLE VIII

                             AFFIRMATIVE COVENANTS

         Until all of the Obligations  have been finally and  indefeasibly  paid
and satisfied in full and the  Commitments  terminated,  unless consent has been
obtained in the manner  provided for in Section 13.11,  the Borrowers  will, and
will cause each of their Subsidiaries to:

         SECTION 8.1  Preservation of Corporate  Existence and Related  Matters.
Except as  permitted  by  Section  10.5,  preserve  and  maintain  its  separate
corporate  existence  and  all  rights,  franchises,   licenses  and  privileges
necessary to the conduct of its business,  and qualify and remain qualified as a
foreign  corporation  and  authorized  to do business in each  jurisdiction  and
maintain the  qualification  of  Cornerstone  and each of its  Subsidiaries,  as
applicable,  as "real estate investment trust" under Sections 856 through 860 of
the Code.

         SECTION  8.2   Maintenance  of  Property.   Protect  and  preserve  all
properties  useful  in and  material  to  its  business,  including  copyrights,
patents,  trade  names  and  trademarks;  maintain  in good  working  order  and
condition  all  buildings,  equipment  and  other  tangible  real  and  personal
property;  and  from  time  to time  make or  cause  to be  made  all  renewals,
replacements  and  additions to such  property  necessary for the conduct of its
business,  so that  the  business  carried  on in  connection  therewith  may be
properly and advantageously conducted at all times.

         SECTION 8.3 Insurance.  Maintain  insurance with financially  sound and
reputable  insurance  companies  against  such risks and in such  amounts as are
customarily  maintained  by  similar  businesses  and  as  may  be  required  by
Applicable Law, and on the Closing Date and from time to time thereafter deliver
to the Agent upon its request a detailed list of the  insurance  then in effect,
stating  the names of the  insurance  companies,  the  amounts  and rates of the
insurance,  the dates of the  expiration  thereof and the  properties  and risks
covered thereby.

         SECTION 8.4 Accounting Methods and Financial Records. Maintain a system
of accounting,  and keep such books,  records and accounts  (which shall be true
and complete in all material respects) as may be required or as may be necessary
to permit the preparation of financial statements in accordance with GAAP and in
compliance  with  the   regulations  of  any   Governmental   Authority   having
jurisdiction over it or any of its properties.

         SECTION 8.5 Payment and Performance of Obligations. Pay and perform all
Obligations  under  this  Agreement  and the other  Loan  Documents,  and pay or
perform (a) all taxes,  assessments and other  governmental  charges that may be
levied  or  assessed  upon  it or  any  of  its  property,  and  (b)  all  other
indebtedness,  obligations  and  liabilities in accordance  with customary trade
practices;  provided, that such Borrower or such Subsidiary may contest any item
described in Section  8.5(a) and (b) in good faith so long as adequate  reserves
are maintained with respect thereto in accordance with GAAP.



                                       48
<PAGE>

         SECTION 8.6 Compliance  With Laws and Approvals.  Observe and remain in
compliance  with all  Applicable  Laws and maintain in full force and effect all
Governmental Approvals, in each case applicable to the conduct of its business.

         SECTION 8.7 Environmental Laws. In addition to and without limiting the
generality  of Section 8.6, (a) comply with,  and ensure such  compliance by all
tenants and  subtenants,  if any, with, all  applicable  Environmental  Laws and
obtain and comply with and maintain,  and ensure that all tenants and subtenants
obtain  and  comply  with  and  maintain,  any  and  all  licenses,   approvals,
notifications,  registrations  or permits  required by applicable  Environmental
Laws,  (b)  conduct and  complete  all  investigations,  studies,  sampling  and
testing,   and  all  remedial,   removal  and  other  actions   required   under
Environmental Laws, and promptly comply with all lawful orders and directives of
any  Governmental  Authority  regarding  Environmental  Laws,  and  (c)  defend,
indemnify  and hold  harmless  the Agent and the Lenders,  and their  respective
parents,  Subsidiaries,  Affiliates,  employees, agents, officers and directors,
from  and  against  any  claims,   demands,   penalties,   fines,   liabilities,
settlements,  damages,  costs and  expenses of whatever  kind or nature known or
unknown, contingent or otherwise,  arising out of, or in any way relating to the
violation  of,  noncompliance  with or liability  under any  Environmental  Laws
applicable to the operations of such Borrower or such Subsidiary, or any orders,
requirements or demands of Governmental Authorities related thereto,  including,
without limitation,  reasonable attorney's and consultant's fees,  investigation
and laboratory fees, response costs, court costs and litigation expenses, 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 8.8 Compliance with ERISA. In addition to and without  limiting
the  generality  of Section 8.6, (a) comply with all  applicable  provisions  of
ERISA and the regulations and published interpretations  thereunder with respect
to all Employee  Benefit  Plans,  (b) not take any action or fail to take action
the result of which could be a liability to the PBGC or to a Multiemployer Plan,
(c) not participate in any prohibited transaction that could result in any civil
penalty  under ERISA or tax under the Code,  (d) operate each  Employee  Benefit
Plan in such a manner that will not incur any tax liability  under Section 4980B
of the Code or any liability to any qualified  beneficiary as defined in Section
4980B of the Code and (e)  furnish to the Agent upon the  Agent's  request  such
additional  information  about any Employee  Benefit  Plan as may be  reasonably
requested by the Agent.

         SECTION 8.9  Compliance  With  Agreements.  Comply in all respects with
each  term,  condition  and  provision  of  all  leases,  agreements  and  other
instruments  entered  into in the  conduct of its  business  including,  without
limitation,  any  Material  Contract;  provided,  that  such  Borrower  or  such
Subsidiary  may contest any such lease,  agreement or other  instrument  in good
faith through applicable proceedings so long as adequate reserves are maintained
in accordance with GAAP.

         SECTION  8.10  Conduct  of  Business.  Engage  only  in  businesses  in
substantially  the same fields as the  businesses  conducted on the Closing Date
(specifically the ownership and operation of Multifamily Properties).


                                       49
<PAGE>


         SECTION 8.11 Visits and Inspections.

         (a) Upon reasonable prior notice,  permit  representatives of the Agent
or any Lender, from time to time, to visit and inspect its properties;

         (b) Upon reasonable prior notice,  permit  representatives of the Agent
(on  behalf of the  Lenders),  from  time to time,  to  inspect,  audit and make
extracts  from its books,  records  and files,  including,  but not  limited to,
management letters prepared by independent accountants; and

         (c) Upon reasonable prior notice,  permit  representatives of the Agent
(on behalf of the  Lenders),  from time to time,  to discuss with its  principal
officers,  and, together with representatives of the Borrowers,  its independent
accountants, its business, assets, liabilities,  financial condition, results of
operations and business prospects.

         SECTION  8.12 Year 2000  Compatibility.  Take all action  necessary  to
ensure that key  operational  software  of the  computer  based  systems of such
Borrower and its Subsidiaries  are able to operate and effectively  process data
including dates on and after January 1, 2000. At the request of the Agent,  each
Borrower  shall  provide to the Agent  assurance  acceptable to the Agent of the
Year 2000 compatibility of such Borrower and its Subsidiaries.

         SECTION 8.13 Surveys.  Obtain for each Project acquired by any Borrower
or any Subsidiary  thereof after the Closing Date a current survey prepared by a
certified land surveyor  showing the 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.

         SECTION 8.14 Title Insurance.  Obtain for all Projects  acquired by any
Borrower or any Subsidiary  thereof after the Closing Date paid title  insurance
policies in accordance with the applicable title insurance  commitment  approved
by the Agent in connection with the requisition of the Loans.

         SECTION  8.15  Equity  Issuance.  Promptly  report to the Agent all Net
Equity Proceeds  received from any Equity Issuance by any Borrower or any of its
Subsidiaries  and verify to the satisfaction of the Agent the amount of such Net
Equity Proceeds.

         SECTION 8.16 Upstream of Dividends.  Cause all Dividends payable by any
Subsidiary  of any Borrower to be  transferred  to such  Borrower as promptly as
possible.

         SECTION 8.17 Additional Borrowers.  Upon the creation of any Subsidiary
of any Borrower  that is permitted by this  Agreement,  cause to be executed and
delivered to the Agent (a) a Joinder  Agreement duly executed by such Subsidiary
and each  other  document  and  agreement  referred  to  therein  such that such
Subsidiary  shall become a borrower  hereunder  and be bound by all of the terms
and conditions  hereof,  (b) replacement  Notes duly executed by such Subsidiary
and each other  Borrower  then party  hereto,  (c) such  closing  documents  and
certificates  required of each of the Borrowers  pursuant to Section  5.2(b) and
(d) such other documents  reasonably  requested by the Agent consistent with the
terms of this Agreement in order that such Subsidiary  shall become


                                       50
<PAGE>

bound  by all of the  terms,  covenants  and  agreements  contained  in the Loan
Documents.  Upon  satisfaction of the conditions set forth in this Section 8.17,
each Subsidiary  shall become a Borrower  hereunder and the other Loan Documents
on a joint and several basis to the same extent as if such Subsidiary had been a
party hereto and thereto on the Closing Date.

         SECTION 8.18 Securities Exchange Listing.  Take all action necessary to
ensure that Cornerstone maintains a listing (including,  without limitation, all
authorizations  required in order to be listed) on the New York Stock  Exchange,
the American  Stock  Exchange,  the National  Market  System of the Nasdaq Stock
Market or any other  national  securities  exchange  that has listing  standards
determined  by the Agent to be  substantially  similar to the listing  standards
applicable to the aforementioned exchanges.

         SECTION 8.19  Further  Assurances.  Make,  execute and deliver all such
additional and further acts,  things,  deeds and instruments as the Agent or any
Lender may  reasonably  require to  document  and  consummate  the  transactions
contemplated  hereby  and to vest  completely  in and  insure  the Agent and the
Lenders their respective rights under this Agreement,  the Notes, the Letters of
Credit and the other Loan Documents.


                                   ARTICLE IX

                               FINANCIAL COVENANTS

         Until all of the Obligations  have been finally and  indefeasibly  paid
and satisfied in full and the  Commitments  terminated,  unless consent has been
obtained in the manner set forth in Section  13.11  hereof,  the  Borrowers  and
their  Subsidiaries (or, as applicable,  their  Wholly-Owned  Subsidiaries) on a
Consolidated basis will not:

         SECTION 9.1 Leverage  Ratio.  As of any fiscal quarter end,  permit the
ratio  of  (a)  Total  Funded  Debt  as  of  such  date  to  (b)  Total  Implied
Capitalization Value for such fiscal quarter to exceed 0.45 to 1.0.

         SECTION 9.2 Fixed Charge  Coverage Ratio. As of any fiscal quarter end,
permit the ratio of (a) Adjusted  EBITDA for the period of four (4)  consecutive
fiscal  quarters ending on such fiscal quarter end to (b) Fixed Charges for such
period of four (4) consecutive fiscal quarters, to be less than 2.00 to 1.00.

         SECTION 9.3 Minimum Shareholder's Equity. As of any fiscal quarter end,
permit Shareholder's Equity to be less than the sum of (a) $200,000,000 plus (b)
seventy-five  percent (75%) of the Net Equity  Proceeds from any equity offering
after March 1, 1997.



                                       51
<PAGE>

         SECTION   9.4   Ratios  of  Total   Secured   Debt  to  Total   Implied
Capitalization  Value.  As of any fiscal  quarter  end,  permit the ratio of (a)
Total Secured Debt as of such date to (b) Total Implied Capitalization Value for
such fiscal quarter to exceed 0.20 to 1.0; provided that the percentage of Total
Secured  Debt  permitted  hereunder  which is  recourse  to any  Borrower or any
Subsidiary  thereof shall at no time exceed fifty percent (50%) of Total Secured
Debt.

         SECTION  9.5  Ratio  of  Adjusted  Unencumbered  Asset  Value  to Total
Unsecured  Debt.  As of any  fiscal  quarter  end,  permit  the ratio of (a) the
Adjusted Unencumbered Asset Value for such fiscal quarter to (b) Total Unsecured
Debt as of such date to be less than 2.00 to 1.0.

         SECTION 9.6  Adjusted  Unencumbered  Asset Cash Flow  Ratio.  As of any
fiscal quarter end, permit the ratio of (a) the Adjusted Unencumbered Asset Cash
Flow for the period of four (4)  consecutive  fiscal  quarters as of such fiscal
quarter end to (b) Interest  Expense on Total  Unsecured Debt for such period of
four (4) consecutive fiscal quarters to be less than 2.00 to 1.0.

         SECTION  9.7 Ratio of Total  Construction  in  Progress  Value to Total
Implied  Capitalization Value. As of any fiscal quarter end, permit the ratio of
(a) Total  Construction  in Progress  Value as of such date to (b) Total Implied
Capitalization Value for such fiscal quarter to exceed 0.10 to 1.0.

         SECTION  9.8 Ratio of  Dividends  to Funds from  Operations.  As of any
fiscal quarter end,  permit the ratio of (a) Dividends paid during the period of
four (4) consecutive  fiscal quarters as of such fiscal quarter end to (b) Funds
from  Operations  for such  period of four (4)  consecutive  fiscal  quarters to
exceed 0.95 to 1.0.


                                    ARTICLE X

                               NEGATIVE COVENANTS

         Until all of the Obligations  have been finally and  indefeasibly  paid
and satisfied in full and the  Commitments  terminated,  unless consent has been
obtained in the manner set forth in Section 13.11 hereof, the Borrowers have not
and will not, and will not permit any of their Subsidiaries to:

         SECTION 10.1 Limitations on Debt.  Create,  incur,  assume or suffer to
exist any Debt except:

         (a) the Obligations;

         (b) Debt  incurred  in  connection  with a  Hedging  Agreement  with  a
counterparty and upon terms and conditions reasonably satisfactory to the Agent;

         (c) Debt existing on the Closing Date and not otherwise permitted under
this  Section  10.1,  as set  forth  on  Schedule  6.1(r)  and the  renewal  and
refinancing (but not the increase) thereof;

         (d) Debt consisting of  Contingent  Obligations  permitted  by  Section
10.2;


                                       52
<PAGE>

         (e) Debt  incurred in  connection  with trade  payables  arising in the
ordinary course of business;

         (f) Debt incurred in connection  with the  $5,000,000  cash  management
facility between Cornerstone and First Union;

         (g) purchase money Debt of Cornerstone in connection with the Lexington
Apartments in Richmond, Virginia (including the letter of credit issued by First
Union with respect thereto);

         (h) Debt not otherwise  permitted by this Section  10.1;  provided that
(i) no Default or Event of Default shall then have occurred and be continuing or
occasioned thereby, (ii) the maturity date of any such Debt must occur after the
Termination  Date,  (iii) such Debt shall not consist of variable  rate Debt and
(iv) such Debt shall not be incurred  pursuant to a revolving credit facility or
any other revolving line of credit;

provided,  that none of the Debt  permitted  to be incurred by this Section 10.1
shall  restrict,  limit or otherwise  encumber (by  covenant or  otherwise)  the
ability of any  Subsidiary  of any Borrower to make any payment to such Borrower
or any of its Subsidiaries (in the form of Dividends,  intercompany  advances or
otherwise) for the purpose of enabling such Borrower to pay the Obligations.

         SECTION 10.2  Limitations  on Contingent  Obligations.  Create,  incur,
assume  or  suffer  to  exist  any  Contingent   Obligations  except  Contingent
Obligations in favor of the Agent for the benefit of the Agent and the Lenders.

         SECTION 10.3 Limitations on Liens.  Create,  incur, assume or suffer to
exist, any Lien on or with respect to any of its assets or properties (including
without limitation shares of capital stock or other ownership  interests),  real
or personal, whether now owned or hereafter acquired, except:

         (a) Liens for  taxes,  assessments  and other  governmental  charges or
levies (excluding any Lien imposed pursuant to any of the provisions of ERISA or
Environmental  Laws)  not yet due or as to which  the  period  of grace  (not to
exceed thirty (30) days),  if any,  related thereto has not expired or which are
being  contested  in good  faith  and by  appropriate  proceedings  if  adequate
reserves are maintained to the extent required by GAAP;

         (b) the  claims  of  materialmen,  mechanics,  carriers,  warehousemen,
processors or landlords for labor,  materials,  supplies or rentals  incurred in
the ordinary course of business,  (i) which are not overdue for a period of more
than  thirty  (30) days or (ii) which are being  contested  in good faith and by
appropriate proceedings;

         (c) Liens consisting of deposits or pledges made in the ordinary course
of business in  connection  with,  or to secure  payment of,  obligations  under
workers' compensation, unemployment insurance or similar legislation;


                                       53
<PAGE>

         (d)  Liens   constituting   encumbrances   in  the   nature  of  zoning
restrictions,  easements and rights or restrictions of record on the use of real
property, which in the aggregate are not substantial in amount and which do not,
in any case,  detract from the value of such  property or impair the use thereof
in the ordinary conduct of business;

         (e)  Liens of the Agent for the benefit of the Agent and  the  Lenders;

         (f)  Liens  securing  Debt  permitted  under  Section  10.1(g)  of this
Agreement;

         (g) Liens arising under mortgages securing Debt permitted under Section
10.1 of this Agreement; and

         (h) Liens not otherwise permitted by this Section 10.3 and in existence
on the Closing Date and described on Schedule 10.3.

         SECTION  10.4   Limitations  on  Loans,   Advances,   Investments   and
Acquisitions.  Purchase,  own,  invest  in or  otherwise  acquire,  directly  or
indirectly,  any capital  stock,  interests in any  partnership or joint venture
(including,   without   limitation,   the  creation  or  capitalization  of  any
Subsidiary), evidence of Debt or other obligation or security, substantially all
or a  portion  of the  business  or  assets  of any  other  Person  or any other
investment  or interest  whatsoever  in any other  Person,  or make or permit to
exist,  directly or  indirectly,  any loans,  advances or  extensions  of credit
(which  shall  not  be  deemed  to  include  delinquent  rental  payments  being
diligently  pursued by the Borrowers in the ordinary  course of business) to, or
any investment in cash or by delivery of property in, any Person, or enter into,
directly or  indirectly,  any  commitment  or option in respect of the foregoing
except:

         (a)  investments in  Subsidiaries  existing on the Closing Date and the
other existing loans, advances and investments described on Schedule 10.4;

         (b)  investments  in  (i)  marketable  direct   obligations  issued  or
unconditionally guaranteed by the United States of America or any agency thereof
maturing within 120 days from the date of acquisition  thereof,  (ii) commercial
paper  maturing  no more than 120 days  from the date of  creation  thereof  and
currently having the highest rating  obtainable from either Standard & Poor's or
Moody's,  (iii)  certificates of deposit maturing no more than 120 days from the
date of creation thereof issued by commercial banks  incorporated under the laws
of the United  States of America,  each  having  combined  capital,  surplus and
undivided  profits of not less than  $500,000,000  and having a rating of "A" or
better by a nationally  recognized rating agency;  provided,  that the aggregate
amount  invested in such  certificates  of deposit  shall not at any time exceed
$5,000,000 for any one such  certificate of deposit and  $10,000,000 for any one
such bank, or (iv) time deposits  maturing no more than 30 days from the date of
creation  thereof  with  commercial  banks or savings  banks or savings and loan
associations  each having membership either in the FDIC or the deposits of which
are insured by the FDIC and in amounts  not  exceeding  the  maximum  amounts of
insurance thereunder;

         (c)  investments  by any  Borrower  or any  Subsidiary  in the  form of
acquisitions of all or  substantially  all of the business or a line of business
(whether by the acquisition of capital stock,


                                       54
<PAGE>

assets or any combination  thereof) of any other Person if such  acquisition has
been previously approved in writing by the Required Lenders;

         (d)  investments by any Borrower or any Subsidiary in joint ventures or
partnerships in an aggregate amount not to exceed five percent (5%) of the Total
Implied Capitalization Value on any date of determination;

         (e) investments by any Borrower or any Subsidiary in Properties  (other
than Multifamily  Properties as permitted  hereunder) and in an aggregate amount
(including, without limitation, the aggregate amount of any investments incurred
under  Section  10.4(d)  and (f)) not to exceed ten  percent  (10%) of the Total
Implied Capitalization Value on any date of determination;

         (f) investments by Cornerstone in Apple Residential  Income Trust, Inc.
in an aggregate amount (including,  without limitation,  the aggregate amount of
any  investments  incurred  under  Sections  10.4(d)  and (e)) not to exceed ten
percent  (10%)  of  the  Total  Implied  Capitalization  Value  on any  date  of
determination.

Notwithstanding  the foregoing,  to the extent  Cornerstone  has received equity
proceeds  which it  reasonably  determines  it cannot  immediately  reinvest  in
Multifamily Properties, Cornerstone may make temporary investments not otherwise
permitted  by this  Section  10.4 upon the  approval of the Agent and all of the
Lenders. The approval of such investment,  the amount of such investment and the
permitted time period  related  thereto shall be determined in discretion of the
Agent and all of the Lenders.

         SECTION 10.5 Limitations on Mergers and Liquidation. Merge, consolidate
or enter  into any  similar  combination  with any other  Person  or  liquidate,
wind-up or dissolve itself (or suffer any liquidation or dissolution) except:

         (a) any Borrower may merge with any other Borrower;

         (b) any Borrower may merge into the Person such  Borrower was formed to
acquire in connection with an acquisition permitted by Section 10.4(c); and

         (c) any Borrower may wind-up into any other Borrower.

         SECTION  10.6  Limitations  on Sale of  Assets.  Convey,  sell,  lease,
assign, transfer or otherwise dispose of any of its property, business or assets
(including,  without  limitation,  the  sale of any  receivables  and  leasehold
interests and any sale-leaseback or similar  transaction),  whether now owned or
hereafter acquired except:

         (a) the  sale of  obsolete  assets  no  longer  used or  usable  in the
business of any Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries;

         (b) the transfer of assets to any Borrower pursuant to Section 10.5(c);

         (c) the transfer of assets from any Borrower to any other Borrower; and



                                       55
<PAGE>

         (d) the  sale or  discount  without  recourse  of  accounts  receivable
arising in the ordinary  course of business in connection with the compromise or
collection thereof.

         SECTION 10.7 Limitations on Dividends and Distributions. Declare or pay
any  Dividends  upon any of its  capital  stock;  purchase,  redeem,  retire  or
otherwise acquire,  directly or indirectly,  any shares of its capital stock, or
make any distribution of cash, property or assets among the holders of shares of
its capital stock, or make any change in its capital structure; provided that:

         (a) any Borrower or any  Subsidiary  may pay Dividends in shares of its
own capital stock  (provided  that no Default or Event of Default under Sections
11.1(a),  (b),  (j) or (k)  shall  then  have  occurred  and  be  continuing  or
occasioned thereby);

         (b) any Borrower which is a real estate  investment  trust may pay such
Dividends as are  necessary  to maintain its status as a real estate  investment
trust (provided that no Default or Event of Default under Sections 11.1(a), (b),
(j) or (k) shall then have occurred and be continuing or occasioned thereby);

         (c) any  Borrower  which  is a real  estate  investment  trust  may pay
Dividends in addition to those  Dividends  permitted  by Section  10.7(b) to the
extent not  prohibited by Section 9.8 hereof  (provided that no Default or Event
of Default under Sections 11.1(a),  (b), (j) or (k) shall then have occurred and
be continuing or occasioned thereby); and

         (d)      any Subsidiary may pay cash Dividends to any Borrower.

         SECTION 10.8  Limitations  on Exchange  and Issuance of Capital  Stock.
Issue,  sell or otherwise  dispose of any class or series of capital stock that,
by its terms or by the terms of any  security  into which it is  convertible  or
exchangeable, is, or upon the happening of an event or passage of time would be,
(a)  convertible  or  exchangeable  into Debt or (b)  required to be redeemed or
repurchased, including at the option of the holder, in whole or in part, or has,
or upon the happening of an event or passage of time would have, a redemption or
similar payment due.

         SECTION 10.9 Transactions with Affiliates.  Directly or indirectly: (a)
make any loan or advance to, or purchase or assume any note or other  obligation
to or from, any of its officers, directors, shareholders or other Affiliates, or
to or from any member of the immediate family of any of its officers, directors,
shareholders  or other  Affiliates,  or subcontract any operations to any of its
Affiliates (except loans or advances to any of its officers,  directors or other
employees  approved  by the  Board  of  Directors  in  the  ordinary  course  of
business),  or (b) enter into, or be a party to, any transaction with any of its
Affiliates,  except pursuant to the reasonable  requirements of its business and
upon fair and  reasonable  terms that are fully  disclosed  to and  approved  in
writing by the  Required  Lenders and are no less  favorable to it than it would
obtain in a comparable arm's length transaction with a Person not its Affiliate.

         SECTION 10.10 Certain Accounting  Changes.  Change its Fiscal Year end,
or make any change in its accounting treatment and reporting practices except as
required by GAAP.



                                       56
<PAGE>

         SECTION 10.11  Amendments;  Payments and  Prepayments  of  Subordinated
Debt.  Amend or modify (or permit the  modification  or amendment of) any of the
terms or provisions  of any  Subordinated  Debt, or cancel or forgive,  make any
voluntary or optional  payment or prepayment  on, or redeem or acquire for value
(including without limitation by way of depositing with any trustee with respect
thereto money or  securities  before due for the purpose of paying when due) any
Subordinated Debt, except where any such amendment,  modification,  cancellation
or payment would not cause a Default or Event of Default.

         SECTION  10.12  Status as REIT.  (a) Revoke its  election to be a "real
estate investment trust" within the meaning of Section 856 of the Code, (b) take
or fail to take any action that will cause such  election to be terminated or to
cease to be valid at any time,  (c) incur  liability  for any  excise  tax under
Section 4981 of the Code or (d) incur  liability for any prohibited  transaction
under Section 857(b)(6) of the Code.

         SECTION 10.13         Property Acquisition Policy
 .

         (a)  Acquire  any  Property  unless the  representations  contained  in
Section 6.1(v)  hereof,  if given as of the date of such  acquisition,  would be
true and correct with respect to such Property.

         (b) Purchase any new  Property  unless for each such  Property it shall
first:

                  (i) conduct such  investigations and examinations with respect
         to such  Property as are  customarily  made by the  Borrowers as of the
         date hereof; and

                  (ii) conduct a Phase I  environmental  review (a "Phase I") of
         such  Property  and the  surrounding  area and perform and  document in
         writing all further investigation  necessary or appropriate in light of
         the findings of such Phase I and determine that no Hazardous  Materials
         exist in such area  that has the  potential  to result in any  material
         adverse effect on the condition  (financial or otherwise),  operations,
         assets, businesses,  properties or prospects of any Borrower;  provided
         that if a Phase I cannot feasibly be conducted due to time  constraints
         dictated by the terms of the proposed  Property,  the  Borrowers  shall
         perform  computer  database  searches  to  confirm  the  absence of any
         Environmental Condition, and shall perform as much of the investigation
         and analysis  which would be part of a Phase I as is possible  prior to
         the closing of the transaction related to the Property, and will obtain
         a full  Phase I within  sixty  (60)  days  after  the  purchase  of the
         Property  has  been  effected.  Each  Phase  I will  be  available  for
         inspection  by the Agent or any Lender.  At no time shall the aggregate
         book value of all Properties with respect to which there existed at the
         time of purchase a Hazardous  Material  on such  Property as  described
         above exceed five percent (5%) of the  aggregate  book value of all the
         Properties owned by the Borrowers and their Subsidiaries.

         SECTION  10.14  Restrictive  Agreements.  Enter  into  any  Debt  which
contains any negative  pledge on assets or any covenants more  restrictive  than
the provisions of Articles VIII, IX and X hereof, or which restricts,  limits or
otherwise  encumbers its ability to incur Liens on or with respect to any of its
assets or properties other than the assets or properties securing such Debt.



                                       57
<PAGE>


                                   ARTICLE XI

                              DEFAULT AND REMEDIES

         SECTION 11.1 Events of Default.  Each of the following shall constitute
an Event of Default,  whatever the reason for such event and whether it shall be
voluntary or  involuntary  or be effected by operation of law or pursuant to any
judgment  or  order  of any  court  or any  order,  rule  or  regulation  of any
Governmental Authority or otherwise:

         (a)  Default  in  Payment  of  Principal  of  Loans  and  Reimbursement
Obligation.  Any Borrower shall default in any payment of principal of any Loan,
Note or Reimbursement Obligation when and as due (whether at maturity, by reason
of acceleration or otherwise).

         (b) Other Payment  Default.  Any Borrower  shall default in the payment
when and as due (whether at maturity, by reason of acceleration or otherwise) of
interest on any Loan,  Note or  Reimbursement  Obligation  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 any Borrower or any Subsidiary thereof 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 Certain  Covenants.  Any Borrower shall
default in the performance or observance of any covenant or agreement  contained
in Sections 7.4(e) or Articles IX or X of this Agreement.

         (e) Default in  Performance  of Other  Covenants  and  Conditions.  Any
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
11.1) 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 Cornerstone,  on
behalf of the Borrowers, by the Agent.

         (f) Hedging  Agreement.  Any  termination  payment  shall be due by any
Borrower under any Hedging Agreement and such amount is not paid within ten (10)
Business Days of the due date thereof.

         (g) Debt  Cross-Default.  Any Borrower or any Subsidiary  thereof shall
(i)  default  in  the  payment  of  any  Debt  (other  than  the  Notes  or  any
Reimbursement  Obligation) the aggregate  outstanding amount of which Debt is in
excess of $100,000 beyond the period of grace if any, provided in the instrument
or  agreement  under  which  such  Debt  was  created,  or (ii)  default  in the
observance or  performance of any other  agreement or condition  relating to any
Debt  (other  than the  Notes or any  Reimbursement  Obligation)  the  aggregate
outstanding  amount of which Debt is in excess of $100,000 or  contained  in any
instrument or agreement  evidencing,  securing or relating



                                       58
<PAGE>

thereto or any other event shall occur or condition  exist,  the effect of which
default  or other  event or  condition  is to cause,  or to permit the holder or
holders of such Debt (or a trustee or agent on behalf of such holder or holders)
to cause,  with the  giving of notice if  required,  any such Debt to become due
prior to its stated maturity (any applicable grace period having expired).

         (h) Other Cross-Defaults.  Any Borrower or any Subsidiary thereof shall
default in the payment when due, or in the  performance  or  observance,  of any
obligation or condition of any Material  Contract  unless,  but only as long as,
the  existence of any such default is being  contested by such  Borrower or such
Subsidiary in good faith by  appropriate  proceedings  and adequate  reserves in
respect  thereof  have been  established  on the books of such  Borrower or such
Subsidiary to the extent required by GAAP.

         (i) Change in Control.  (i) Any person or group of persons  (within the
meaning of Section  13(d) of the  Securities  Exchange Act of 1934,  as amended)
shall obtain  ownership or control in one or more series of transactions of more
than ten percent  (10%) of the common  stock or ten percent  (10%) of the voting
power of Cornerstone entitled to vote in the election of members of the board of
directors of  Cornerstone or (ii) Glade M. Knight,  S.J.  Olander or Debra Jones
ceases to continue to hold his or her current office or continue with management
responsibilities substantially similar to those existing on the Closing Date and
a  replacement  for  such  Person  reasonably  satisfactory  to  the  Agent  and
possessing  substantially  similar  qualifications  and reputation to the Person
being  replaced is not employed by the  Borrowers  within three (3) months after
such  Person  ceases to hold such  office or  continue  to have such  management
responsibilities (any such event, a "Change in Control").

         (j) Voluntary  Bankruptcy  Proceeding.  Any Borrower or any  Subsidiary
thereof shall (i) commence a voluntary  case under the federal  bankruptcy  laws
(as now or hereafter in effect),  (ii) file a petition seeking to take advantage
of any other  laws,  domestic or foreign,  relating to  bankruptcy,  insolvency,
reorganization, winding up or composition for adjustment of debts, (iii) consent
to or fail to contest  in a timely and  appropriate  manner any  petition  filed
against it in an involuntary case under such bankruptcy laws or other laws, (iv)
apply for or consent to, or fail to contest in a timely and appropriate  manner,
the  appointment  of, or the taking of  possession  by, a  receiver,  custodian,
trustee,  or  liquidator  of itself or of a  substantial  part of its  property,
domestic or foreign, (v) admit in writing its inability to pay its debts as they
become due,  (vi) make a general  assignment  for the benefit of  creditors,  or
(vii) take any  corporate  action  for the  purpose  of  authorizing  any of the
foregoing.

         (k) Involuntary Bankruptcy Proceeding. A case or other proceeding shall
be  commenced  against any  Borrower or any  Subsidiary  thereof in any court of
competent  jurisdiction seeking (i) relief under the federal bankruptcy laws (as
now or  hereafter  in  effect) or under any other  laws,  domestic  or  foreign,
relating to bankruptcy, insolvency,  reorganization, winding up or adjustment of
debts, or (ii) the appointment of a trustee, receiver, custodian,  liquidator or
the  like  for  any  Borrower  or  any  Subsidiary  thereof  or  for  all or any
substantial part of their respective assets,  domestic or foreign, and such case
or proceeding shall continue  undismissed or unstayed for a period of sixty (60)
consecutive  days,  or an order  granting  the relief  requested in such case or
proceeding  (including,  but not  limited  to, an order for  relief  under  such
federal bankruptcy laws) shall be entered.


                                       59
<PAGE>

         (l) Failure of  Agreements.  Any provision of this  Agreement or of any
other Loan  Document  shall for any reason  cease to be valid and binding on any
Borrower or any  Subsidiary  party  thereto or any such Person shall so state in
writing, or this Agreement or any other Loan Document shall for any reason cease
to create a valid and perfected first priority Lien on, or security interest in,
any of the collateral  purported to be covered thereby,  in each case other than
in accordance with the express terms hereof or thereof.

         (m) Termination  Event. The occurrence of any of the following  events:
(i) any Borrower or any ERISA  Affiliate  fails to make full payment when due of
all amounts  which,  under the  provisions of any Pension Plan or Section 412 of
the  Code,  any  Borrower  or  any  ERISA   Affiliate  is  required  to  pay  as
contributions  thereto,  (ii) an  accumulated  funding  deficiency  in excess of
$100,000  occurs or exists,  whether or not waived,  with respect to any Pension
Plan,  (iii) a Termination  Event or (iv) any Borrower or any ERISA Affiliate as
employers  under one or more  Multiemployer  Plan  makes a  complete  or partial
withdrawal  from  any such  Multiemployer  Plan  and the  plan  sponsor  of such
Multiemployer  Plans notifies such  withdrawing  employer that such employer has
incurred  a  withdrawal  liability  requiring  payments  in an amount  exceeding
$100,000.

         (n) Judgment. A judgment or order for the payment of money which causes
the aggregate amount of all such judgments to exceed $100,000 in any Fiscal Year
shall be entered against any Borrower or any Subsidiary thereof by any court and
such judgment or order shall continue  undischarged  or unstayed for a period of
thirty (30) days.

         SECTION 11.2 Remedies. Upon the occurrence of an Event of Default, with
the consent of the Required  Lenders,  the Agent may, or upon the request of the
Required  Lenders,  the Agent shall, by notice to Cornerstone,  on behalf of the
Borrowers:

         (a) Acceleration;  Termination of Facilities.  Declare the principal of
and interest on the Loans,  the Notes and the  Reimbursement  Obligation  at the
time  outstanding,  and all other  amounts  owed to the Lenders and to the Agent
under this  Agreement  or any of the other Loan  Documents  (including,  without
limitation,  all  L/C  Obligations,  whether  or not  the  beneficiaries  of the
outstanding  Letters  of Credit  shall have  presented  the  documents  required
thereunder)  and  all  other  Obligations,  to be  forthwith  due  and  payable,
whereupon the same shall immediately become due and payable without presentment,
demand,  protest or other notice of any kind, all of which are expressly waived,
anything  in  this  Agreement  or the  other  Loan  Documents  to  the  contrary
notwithstanding, and terminate the Credit Facility and any right of any Borrower
to request borrowings or Letters of Credit thereunder;  provided,  that upon the
occurrence  of an Event of  Default  specified  in Section  11.1(j) or (k),  the
Credit  Facility shall be  automatically  terminated and all  Obligations  shall
automatically become due and payable.

         (b)  Letters of Credit.  With  respect  to all  Letters of Credit  with
respect to which presentment for honor shall not have occurred at the time of an
acceleration pursuant to the preceding paragraph,  require the Borrowers at such
time to deposit in a cash collateral account opened by the Agent an amount equal
to the aggregate  then undrawn and  unexpired  amount of such Letters of Credit.
Amounts held in such cash  collateral  account  shall be applied by the Agent to
the payment of drafts drawn under such Letters of Credit, and the unused portion
thereof  after all such


                                       60
<PAGE>

Letters of Credit shall have expired or been fully drawn upon, if any,  shall be
applied to repay the other  Obligations.  After all such Letters of Credit shall
have expired or been fully drawn upon, the  Reimbursement  Obligation shall have
been  satisfied  and all other  Obligations  shall  have been paid in full,  the
balance,  if any,  in such cash  collateral  account  shall be  returned  to the
Borrowers.

         (c) Rights of Collection.  Exercise on behalf of the Lenders all of its
other rights and remedies  under this  Agreement,  the other Loan  Documents and
Applicable Law, in order to satisfy all of the Borrowers' Obligations.

         SECTION  11.3 Rights and  Remedies  Cumulative;  Non-Waiver;  etc.  The
enumeration of the rights and remedies of the Agent and the Lenders set forth in
this  Agreement is not intended to be  exhaustive  and the exercise by the Agent
and the Lenders of any right or remedy  shall not  preclude  the exercise of any
other  rights or  remedies,  all of which shall be  cumulative,  and shall be in
addition  to any  other  right or  remedy  given  hereunder  or  under  the Loan
Documents or that may now or  hereafter  exist in law or in equity or by suit or
otherwise.  No delay or failure  to take  action on the part of the Agent or any
Lender in  exercising  any right,  power or privilege  shall operate as a waiver
thereof,  nor shall any single or partial  exercise of any such right,  power or
privilege  preclude  other or further  exercise  thereof or the  exercise of any
other  right,  power or  privilege  or shall be  construed to be a waiver of any
Event of Default.  No course of dealing between any Borrower,  the Agent and the
Lenders or their  respective  agents or employees  shall be effective to change,
modify or discharge  any  provision  of this  Agreement or any of the other Loan
Documents or to constitute a waiver of any Event of Default.


                                   ARTICLE XII

                                    THE AGENT

         SECTION  12.1  Appointment.  Each  of the  Lenders  hereby  irrevocably
designates and appoints First Union as Agent of such Lender under this Agreement
and the other Loan Documents and each such Lender  irrevocably  authorizes First
Union as Agent for such  Lender,  to take such  action on its  behalf  under the
provisions of this  Agreement and the other Loan  Documents and to exercise such
powers and perform  such duties as are  expressly  delegated to the Agent by the
terms of this Agreement and such other Loan Documents,  together with such other
powers as are  reasonably  incidental  thereto.  The Agent shall  administer the
Loans in the same  manner  that the  Agent  administers  loans  made for its own
account.  Notwithstanding  any  provision  to the  contrary  elsewhere  in  this
Agreement or such other Loan  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
Agreement or the other Loan Documents or otherwise exist against the Agent.

         SECTION  12.2  Delegation  of Duties.  The Agent may execute any of its
respective  duties  under  this  Agreement  and the other Loan  Documents  by or
through agents or  attorneys-in-fact  and shall be entitled to advice of counsel
concerning  all  matters  pertaining  to such  duties.  The



                                       61
<PAGE>

Agent shall not be responsible for the negligence or misconduct of any agents or
attorneys-in-fact selected by the Agent with reasonable care.

         SECTION 12.3 Exculpatory  Provisions.  Neither the Agent nor any of its
officers,  directors,  employees,  agents,  attorneys-in-fact,  Subsidiaries  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  with this  Agreement or the
other  Loan  Documents  (except  for  actions  occasioned  solely by its or such
Person's own gross negligence or willful misconduct),  or (b) responsible in any
manner to any of the Lenders for any recitals,  statements,  representations  or
warranties made by any Borrower or any Subsidiary thereof or any officer thereof
contained in this Agreement or the other Loan  Documents or in any  certificate,
report,  statement or other document referred to or provided for in, or received
by the Agent  under or in  connection  with,  this  Agreement  or the other Loan
Documents or for the value, validity, effectiveness, genuineness, enforceability
or  sufficiency of this Agreement or the other Loan Documents or for any failure
of any Borrower or any Subsidiary  thereof to perform its obligations  hereunder
or  thereunder.  The Agent  shall not be under any  obligation  to any Lender to
ascertain  or to  inquire  as to the  observance  or  performance  of any of the
agreements  contained in, or conditions  of, this  Agreement,  or to inspect the
properties,  books or records of any Borrower or any Subsidiary  thereof (except
as the Agent (on behalf of the Lenders) may be directed by the Required  Lenders
to take those actions permitted under Section 8.11(b) or (c)).

         SECTION  12.4  Reliance  by the Agent.  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 the
Borrowers), independent accountants and other experts selected by the Agent. The
Agent may deem and treat  the  payee of any Note as the  owner  thereof  for all
purposes unless such Note shall have been transferred in accordance with Section
13.10 hereof.  The Agent shall be fully justified in failing or refusing to take
any action under this  Agreement  and the other Loan  Documents  unless it shall
first  receive  such advice or  concurrence  of the Required  Lenders (or,  when
expressly  required  hereby or by the  relevant  other  Loan  Document,  all the
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
except for its own gross  negligence or willful  misconduct.  The Agent shall in
all cases be fully protected in acting, or in refraining from acting, under this
Agreement  and the Notes in  accordance  with a request of the Required  Lenders
(or, when expressly required hereby, all the Lenders),  and such request and any
action  taken or failure to act pursuant  thereto  shall be binding upon all the
Lenders and all future holders of the Notes.

         SECTION  12.5 Notice of Default.  The Agent shall not be deemed to have
knowledge  or  notice  of the  occurrence  of any  Default  or Event of  Default
hereunder unless it has received notice from a Lender or a Borrower referring to
this  Agreement,  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, it shall promptly give 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;  provided that unless and until the
Agent  shall  have  received  such  directions,  the Agent


                                       62
<PAGE>

may (but shall not be  obligated  to) take such  action,  or refrain from taking
such  action,  with respect to such Default or Event of Default as it shall deem
advisable in the best interests of the Lenders.

         SECTION 12.6  Non-Reliance on the Agent and Other Lenders.  Each Lender
expressly  acknowledges  that  neither  the  Agent  nor  any of  its  respective
officers,  directors,  employees,  agents,  attorneys-in-fact,  Subsidiaries  or
Affiliates has made any  representations  or warranties to it and that no act by
the Agent hereinafter taken, including any review of the affairs of any Borrower
or any Subsidiary  thereof,  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,  operations,  property,
financial and other  condition and  creditworthiness  of the Borrowers and their
Subsidiaries  and  made  its own  decision  to  make  its  Loans  and  issue  or
participate in Letter of Credit  hereunder and enter into this  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 Agreement and
the other Loan Documents,  and to make such  investigation as it deems necessary
to inform itself as to the business,  operations,  property, financial and other
condition and  creditworthiness of the Borrowers and their Subsidiaries.  Except
for notices,  reports and other documents  expressly required to be furnished to
the Lenders by the Agent  hereunder  or by the other Loan  Documents,  the Agent
shall not have any duty or  responsibility to provide any Lender with any credit
or other information concerning the business,  operations,  property,  financial
and other  condition  or  creditworthiness  of any  Borrower  or any  Subsidiary
thereof which may come into the possession of the Agent or any of its respective
officers,  directors,  employees,  agents,  attorneys-in-fact,  Subsidiaries  or
Affiliates.

         SECTION 12.7 Indemnification.  The Lenders agree to indemnify the Agent
in its capacity as such and (to the extent not  reimbursed  by the Borrowers and
without limiting the obligation of the Borrowers to do so), ratably according to
the respective amounts of their Commitment Percentages, 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 the payment of the
Notes or any  Reimbursement  Obligation) be imposed on,  incurred by or asserted
against the Agent in any way relating to or arising out of this Agreement or the
other Loan 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 the  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  resulting solely from the Agent's bad faith,
gross  negligence  or willful  misconduct.  The  agreements in this Section 12.7
shall survive the payment of the Notes,  any  Reimbursement  Obligation  and all
other amounts payable hereunder and the termination of this Agreement.

         SECTION 12.8 The Agent in Its  Individual  Capacity.  The Agent and its
respective  Subsidiaries  and Affiliates may make loans to, accept deposits from
and  generally  engage in any kind of business  with the Borrowers as though the
Agent were not an Agent hereunder.  With respect to any Loans made or renewed by
it and any Note issued to it and with respect to any Letter




                                       63
<PAGE>

of Credit issued by it or  participated  in by it, the Agent shall have the same
rights  and powers  under this  Agreement  and the other Loan  Documents  as any
Lender and may exercise  the same as though it were not an Agent,  and the terms
"Lender" and "Lenders" shall include the Agent in its individual capacity.

         SECTION 12.9 Resignation of the Agent;  Successor Agent. Subject to the
appointment and acceptance of a successor as provided  below,  (i) the Agent may
resign at any time by giving notice thereof to the Lenders and  Cornerstone,  on
behalf of the Borrowers,  and (ii) in the event of a judicial  determination  of
gross  negligence or willful  misconduct with respect to the manner in which the
Agent has  carried out its duties  hereunder,  the Agent may be removed as Agent
under the Loan  Documents at any time after such  determination  by the Required
Lenders upon at least thirty (30)  Business  Days' prior  notice.  Upon any such
resignation or removal, the Required Lenders,  with the consent of the Borrowers
(such  consent  not to be  unreasonably  withheld)  unless  there then  exists a
Default or Event of Default,  shall have the right to appoint a successor Agent,
which successor shall have minimum capital and surplus of at least $500,000,000.
If no successor  Agent shall have been so appointed by the Required  Lenders and
shall have accepted such  appointment  within thirty (30) days after the Agent's
giving of notice of  resignation  or the  removal  of the Agent by the  Required
Lenders,  then the Agent  may,  on behalf of the  Lenders,  appoint a  successor
Agent,  which  successor  shall have  minimum  capital  and  surplus of at least
$500,000,000.  Upon the acceptance of any  appointment  as Agent  hereunder by a
successor  Agent,  such successor  Agent shall  thereupon  succeed to and become
vested with all rights, powers, privileges and duties of the retiring Agent, and
the  retiring  Agent  shall  be  discharged  from  its  duties  and  obligations
hereunder.  After any  retiring  Agent's  resignation  hereunder  as Agent,  the
provisions  of this  Section  12.9 shall  continue  in effect for its benefit in
respect of any actions taken or omitted to be taken by it while it was acting as
Agent.


                                  ARTICLE XIII

                                 MISCELLANEOUS

         SECTION 13.1 Notices.

         (a)  Method of  Communication.  Except as  otherwise  provided  in this
Agreement,  all notices and communications  hereunder shall be in writing, or by
telephone  subsequently  confirmed in writing.  Any notice shall be effective if
delivered by hand delivery or sent via telecopy,  recognized  overnight  courier
service or certified mail, return receipt requested, and shall be presumed to be
received by a party  hereto (i) on the date of delivery if  delivered by hand or
sent by telecopy,  (ii) on the next Business Day if sent by recognized overnight
courier  service and (iii) on the third  Business Day following the date sent by
certified mail,  return receipt  requested.  A telephonic notice to the Agent as
understood by the Agent will be deemed to be the  controlling  and proper notice
in the event of a  discrepancy  with or failure to receive a confirming  written
notice.

         (b) Addresses for Notices.  Notices to any party shall be sent to it at
the following addresses,  or any other address as to which all the other parties
are notified in writing.


                                       64
<PAGE>

       If to any Borrower:   Cornerstone Realty Income Trust, Inc.
                             306 East Main Street
                             Richmond, Virginia 23219
                             Attention:  S.J. Olander
                             Telephone No.: (804) 643-1761
                             Telecopy No.:  (804) 782-9302

       With copies to:       McGuire Woods Battle & Boothe, LLP
                             One James Center
                             901 East Cary Street
                             Richmond, Virginia 23219-4030
                             Attention:  Leslie A. Grandis
                             Telephone No.: (804) 775-4322
                             Telecopy No.:  (804) 775-1061

       If to First Union     First Union National Bank
         as Agent:           One First Union Center, DC-6
                             301 South College Street
                             Charlotte, North Carolina 28288-0166
                             Attention:  Donna Hemenway
                             Telephone No.: (704) 383-8763
                             Telecopy No.: (704) 383-7989

       With copies to:       First Union National Bank
                             Real Estate Capital Markets Group
                             One First Union Center, DC-6
                             301 S. College Street
                             Charlotte, NC  28288-0735
                             Attention:  John A. Schissel
                             Telephone No.: (704) 383-1967
                             Telecopy No.:  (704) 383-6205

       If to any Lender:     To the Address set forth on Schedule 1.1(a) hereto


         (c) Agent's Office.  The Agent hereby  designates its office located at
the address set forth  above,  or any  subsequent  office  which shall have been
specified  for such purpose by written  notice to the Borrowers and the Lenders,
as the Agent's Office  referred to herein,  to which payments due are to be made
and at which Loans will be disbursed and Letters of Credit issued.

         SECTION  13.2  Expenses;  Indemnity.  The  Borrowers  will  (a) pay all
out-of-pocket  expenses of the Agent 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  syndication  and 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 or the  Lenders
relating  to this  Agreement  or any  other  Loan  Document,  including  without
limitation reasonable fees and




                                       65
<PAGE>

disbursements  of counsel for the Agent,  and (iii) the exercise and enforcement
of any  rights  and  remedies  of the Agent  and the  Lenders  under the  Credit
Facility,   including  consulting  with  appraisers,   accountants,   engineers,
attorneys and other Persons  concerning the nature,  scope or value of any right
or remedy of the Agent or any Lender  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,  (b)
pay all out-of-pocket expenses each Lender in connection with the enforcement of
any rights and remedies of the Agent and the Lenders under the Credit  Facility,
including  consulting with  appraisers,  accountants,  engineers,  attorneys and
other Persons  concerning  the nature,  scope or value of any right or remedy of
the  Agent or any  Lender  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 (c)
defend,  indemnify  and hold  harmless  the  Agent  and the  Lenders,  and their
respective 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 Agent or any Lender is a party thereto) and the  prosecution
and defense thereof,  arising out of or in any way connected with the Agreement,
any other Loan Document or the Loans,  including without  limitation  reasonable
attorney's and consultant's 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  13.3  Set-off.  In  addition  to any rights  now or  hereafter
granted  under  Applicable  Law and not by way of limitation of any such rights,
upon and after the occurrence of any Event of Default and during the continuance
thereof,  the Lenders and any assignee or  participant of a Lender in accordance
with Section  13.10 are hereby  authorized  by the Borrowers at any time or from
time to time,  without  notice to any 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
Lenders, or any such assignee or participant to or for the credit or the account
of the  Borrowers  against  and on account of the  Obligations  irrespective  of
whether or not (a) the Lenders  shall have made any demand under this  Agreement
or any of the other Loan  Documents or (b) the Agent shall have  declared any or
all of the  Obligations  to be due and payable as  permitted by Section 11.2 and
although such Obligations shall be contingent or unmatured.

         SECTION 13.4  Governing  Law. This  Agreement,  the Notes 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 State of North
Carolina,  without  reference  to the  conflicts  or  choice  of law  principles
thereof.

         SECTION 13.5 Consent to Jurisdiction.  Each Borrower hereby irrevocably
consents to the personal jurisdiction of the state and federal courts located in
Mecklenburg  County,  North Carolina,  in any action,  claim or other proceeding
arising out of any dispute in connection with this Agreement,  the Notes and the
other Loan Documents, any rights or obligations hereunder or thereunder,  or the
performance of such rights and  obligations.  Each Borrower  hereby  irrevocably
consents  to the  service of a summons and  complaint  and other  process in any
action,  claim or




                                       66
<PAGE>

proceeding brought by the Agent or any Lender in connection with this Agreement,
the Notes or the other Loan  Documents,  any rights or obligations  hereunder or
thereunder,  or the  performance  of such rights and  obligations,  on behalf of
itself or its property, in the manner specified in Section 13.1. Nothing in this
Section  13.5 shall  affect the right of the Agent or any Lender to serve  legal
process in any other manner  permitted by Applicable  Law or affect the right of
the Agent or any Lender to bring any action or  proceeding  against any Borrower
or its properties in the courts of any other jurisdictions.

         SECTION 13.6 Binding Arbitration; Waiver of Jury Trial.

         (a) Binding Arbitration.  Upon demand of any party, whether made before
or  after  institution  of  any  judicial  proceeding,  any  dispute,  claim  or
controversy arising out of, connected with or relating to the Notes or any other
Loan Documents ("Disputes"),  between or among parties to the Notes or any other
Loan  Document  shall be resolved  by binding  arbitration  as provided  herein.
Institution of a judicial proceeding by a party does not waive the right of that
party to demand arbitration hereunder. Disputes may include, without limitation,
tort claims, counterclaims, claims brought as class actions, claims arising from
Loan Documents  executed in the future,  or claims  concerning any aspect of the
past, present or future relationships  arising out of or connected with the Loan
Documents.  Arbitration  shall be conducted under and governed by the Commercial
Financial Disputes  Arbitration Rules (the "Arbitration  Rules") of the American
Arbitration  Association and Title 9 of the U.S. Code. All arbitration  hearings
shall be conducted in Charlotte,  North Carolina.  The expedited  procedures set
forth in Rule 51, et seq. of the Arbitration Rules shall be applicable to claims
of less than  $1,000,000.  All applicable  statutes of limitation shall apply to
any  Dispute.  A  judgment  upon the award may be  entered  in any court  having
jurisdiction.  The  panel  from  which all  arbitrators  are  selected  shall be
comprised of licensed  attorneys.  The single arbitrator  selected for expedited
procedure   shall  be  a  retired  judge  from  the  highest  court  of  general
jurisdiction,  state  or  federal,  of the  state  where  the  hearing  will  be
conducted.  Notwithstanding the foregoing, this paragraph shall not apply to any
Hedging Agreement that is a Loan Document.

         (b) Jury Trial. TO THE EXTENT PERMITTED BY LAW, THE AGENT,  EACH LENDER
AND EACH BORROWER HEREBY  IRREVOCABLY  WAIVE THEIR  RESPECTIVE  RIGHTS TO A JURY
TRIAL WITH RESPECT TO ANY ACTION,  CLAIM OR OTHER PROCEEDING  ARISING OUT OF ANY
DISPUTE  IN  CONNECTION  WITH  THIS  AGREEMENT,  THE  NOTES  OR THE  OTHER  LOAN
DOCUMENTS, ANY RIGHTS OR OBLIGATIONS HEREUNDER OR THEREUNDER, OR THE PERFORMANCE
OF SUCH RIGHTS AND OBLIGATIONS.

         (c)  Preservation of Certain  Remedies.  Notwithstanding  the preceding
binding arbitration provisions,  the parties hereto and the other Loan Documents
preserve,  without diminution,  certain remedies that such Persons may employ or
exercise  freely,  either alone, in conjunction  with or during a Dispute.  Each
such Person shall have and hereby  reserves the right to proceed in any court of
proper  jurisdiction  or by self help to exercise  or  prosecute  the  following
remedies:  (i) all rights to foreclose  against any real or personal property or
other  security by  exercising a power of sale granted in the Loan  Documents or
under  applicable law or by judicial  foreclosure  and sale,  (ii) all rights of
self help including peaceful occupation of property and collection of rents, set
off, and  peaceful  possession  of  property,  (iii)  obtaining  provisional  or




                                       67
<PAGE>

ancillary remedies  including  injunctive  relief,  sequestration,  garnishment,
attachment,  appointment  of receiver  and in filing an  involuntary  bankruptcy
proceeding,  and (iv) when  applicable,  a judgment by  confession  of judgment.
Preservation  of these  remedies  does not limit the power of an  arbitrator  to
grant similar remedies that may be requested by a party in a Dispute.

         SECTION 13.7 Reversal of Payments.  To the extent any Borrower  makes a
payment or payments  to the Agent for the ratable  benefit of the Lenders or the
Agent  receives  any  payment or proceeds of the  collateral  which  payments or
proceeds  or any part  thereof  are  subsequently  invalidated,  declared  to be
fraudulent or preferential, set aside and/or required to be repaid to a trustee,
receiver or any other  party under any  bankruptcy  law,  state or federal  law,
common law or equitable  cause,  then, to the extent of such payment or proceeds
repaid,  the  Obligations  or part  thereof  intended to be  satisfied  shall be
revived and  continued  in full force and effect as if such  payment or proceeds
had not been received by the Agent.

         SECTION 13.8 Injunctive Relief; Punitive Damages.

         (a) Each Borrower  recognizes  that, in the event any Borrower fails to
perform,  observe or discharge any of its obligations or liabilities  under this
Agreement,  any remedy of law may prove to be inadequate  relief to the Lenders.
Therefore,  each Borrower agrees that the Lenders, at the Lenders' option, shall
be  entitled  to  temporary  and  permanent  injunctive  relief in any such case
without the necessity of proving actual damages.

         (b) The Agent,  the Lenders and each  Borrower (on behalf of itself and
its  Subsidiaries)  hereby  agree  that no such  Person  shall  have a remedy of
punitive or  exemplary  damages  against any other party to a Loan  Document and
each such  Person  hereby  waives any right or claim to  punitive  or  exemplary
damages that they may now have or may arise in the future in connection with any
Dispute, whether such Dispute is resolved through arbitration or judicially.

         (c) The parties  agree that they shall not have a remedy of punitive or
exemplary  damages  against any other party in any Dispute and hereby  waive any
right or claim to punitive or exemplary damages they have now or which may arise
in the future in connection  with any Dispute whether the Dispute is resolved by
arbitration or judicially.

         SECTION  13.9   Accounting   Matters.   All  financial  and  accounting
calculations,  measurements  and  computations  made for any purpose relating to
this Agreement,  including, without limitation, all computations utilized by any
Borrower or any  Subsidiary  thereof to determine  compliance  with any covenant
contained herein,  shall, except as otherwise  expressly  contemplated hereby or
unless  there is an  express  written  direction  by the Agent and the  Required
Lenders to the contrary agreed to by Cornerstone, on behalf of the Borrowers, be
performed in accordance with GAAP as in effect on the Closing Date. In the event
that  changes in GAAP shall be mandated by the  Financial  Accounting  Standards
Board,  or any  similar  accounting  body of  comparable  standing,  or shall be
recommended by the Borrowers'  certified public accountants,  to the extent that
such  changes  would  modify  such  accounting  terms or the  interpretation  or
computation thereof,  such changes shall be followed in defining such accounting
terms  only from and after the date the  Borrowers  and the  Lenders  shall have
amended this  Agreement  to the extent




                                       68
<PAGE>


necessary to reflect any such changes in the financial covenants and other terms
and conditions of this Agreement.

         SECTION 13.10 Successors and Assigns; Participations.

         (a) Benefit of  Agreement.  This  Agreement  shall be binding  upon and
inure to the benefit of the  Borrowers,  the Agent and the  Lenders,  all future
holders of the Notes, and their respective  successors and assigns,  except that
the  Borrowers  shall not assign or transfer any of their rights or  obligations
under this Agreement without the prior written consent of each Lender.

         (b)  Assignment  by Lenders.  Each Lender may,  with the consent of the
Agent, which consent shall not be unreasonably  withheld,  assign to one or more
Eligible  Assignees all or a portion of its  interests,  rights and  obligations
under this Agreement  (including,  without  limitation,  all or a portion of the
Extensions of Credit at the time owing to it and the Notes held by it); provided
that:

                  (i) each such  assignment  shall be of a  constant,  and not a
         varying,   percentage  of  all  the  assigning   Lender's   rights  and
         obligations under this Agreement;

                  (ii) if less than all of the assigning Lender's  Commitment is
         to be assigned,  (A) the  Commitment of the Assigning  Lender after any
         such  assignment   (determined  as  of  the  date  the  Assignment  and
         Acceptance  with respect to such  assignment is delivered to the Agent)
         shall not be less than  $10,000,000  (or a whole multiple of $5,000,000
         in excess thereof) and (B) the Commitment so assigned shall not be less
         than $10,000,000 (or a whole multiple of $5,000,000 in excess thereof);

                  (iii) the parties to each such  assignment  shall  execute and
         deliver to the Agent, for its acceptance and recording in the Register,
         an Assignment and  Acceptance in the form of Exhibit F attached  hereto
         (an  "Assignment  and  Acceptance"),  together  with  any Note or Notes
         subject to such assignment;

                  (iv) such  assignment  shall not,  without  the consent of the
         Borrowers,  require any Borrower to file a registration  statement with
         the Securities and Exchange Commission or apply to or qualify the Loans
         or the Notes under the blue sky laws of any state;

                  (v) the assigning  Lender shall pay to the Agent an assignment
         fee of $3,000 upon the execution by such Lender of the  Assignment  and
         Acceptance;  provided  that no such  fee  shall  be  payable  upon  any
         assignment by a Lender to an Affiliate thereof permitted hereunder;

                  (vi) no Lender may  assign all or a portion of its  interests,
         rights  and  obligations  under  this  Agreement  to more  than one (1)
         Affiliate of such Lender; and

                  (vii) the Agent, in its capacity as a Lender, shall not effect
         any assignment of its Commitment if, after giving effect  thereto,  the
         amount  of  its  Commitment  would  be  less  than  the  amount  of the
         Commitment of any other Lender.



                                       69
<PAGE>

Upon such  execution,  delivery,  acceptance and  recording,  from and after the
effective date specified in each Assignment and Acceptance, which effective date
shall be at least five (5) Business  Days after the execution  thereof,  (A) the
assignee  thereunder shall be a party hereto and, to the extent provided in such
Assignment and  Acceptance,  have the rights and  obligations of a Lender hereby
and (B) the Lender  thereunder shall, to the extent provided in such assignment,
be released from its obligations under this Agreement.

         (c) Rights and Duties Upon  Assignment.  By executing and delivering an
Assignment  and  Acceptance,  the assigning  Lender  thereunder and the assignee
thereunder  confirm to and agree with each other and the other parties hereto as
set forth in such Assignment and Acceptance.

         (d) Register.  The Agent shall  maintain a copy of each  Assignment and
Acceptance  delivered to it and a register for the  recordation of the names and
addresses of the Lenders and the amount of the Extensions of Credit with respect
to each Lender from time to time (the  "Register").  The entries in the Register
shall be conclusive,  in the absence of manifest error,  and the Borrowers,  the
Agent and the  Lenders  may treat  each  person  whose name is  recorded  in the
Register as a Lender hereunder for all purposes of this Agreement.  The Register
shall be available for inspection by Cornerstone, on behalf of the Borrowers, or
any Lender at any reasonable  time and from time to time upon  reasonable  prior
notice.

         (e)  Issuance  of New  Notes.  Upon its  receipt of an  Assignment  and
Acceptance  executed by an assigning  Lender and an Eligible  Assignee  together
with any Note or Notes  subject to such  assignment  and the written  consent to
such  assignment,  the Agent shall,  if such  Assignment and Acceptance has been
completed and is substantially in the form of Exhibit F:

              (i)    accept such Assignment and Acceptance;

              (ii)   record the information contained therein in the Register;

              (iii)  give prompt notice thereof to the Lenders and  Cornerstone,
         on behalf of the Borrowers; and

                  (iv) promptly deliver a copy of such Assignment and Acceptance
         to Cornerstone, on behalf of the Borrowers.

Within five (5)  Business  Days after  receipt of notice,  the  Borrowers  shall
execute and deliver to the Agent, in exchange for the surrendered Note or Notes,
a new Note or Notes to the order of such  Eligible  Assignee in amounts equal to
the  Commitment  assumed by it pursuant to such  Assignment and Acceptance and a
new Note or Notes to the order of the assigning Lender in an amount equal to the
Commitment  retained  by it  hereunder.  Such new  Note or Notes  shall be in an
aggregate  principal  amount  equal to the  aggregate  principal  amount of such
surrendered Note or Notes,  shall be dated the effective date of such Assignment
and Acceptance and shall otherwise be in substantially  the form of the assigned
Notes delivered to the assigning Lender. Each surrendered Note or Notes shall be
canceled and returned to Cornerstone, on behalf of the Borrowers.


                                       70
<PAGE>

         (f) Participations.  Each Lender may sell participations to one or more
banks or other entities in all or a portion of its rights and obligations  under
this  Agreement  (including,  without  limitation,  all  or  a  portion  of  its
Extensions of Credit and the Notes held by it); provided that:

                  (i) each such  participation  shall be in an  amount  not less
         than $10,000,000 (or a whole multiple of $5,000,000 in excess thereof);

                  (ii)  such   Lender's   obligations   under   this   Agreement
         (including, without limitation, its Commitment) shall remain unchanged;

                  (iii) such Lender shall remain solely responsible to the other
         parties hereto for the performance of such obligations;

                  (iv) such Lender  shall remain the holder of the Notes held by
         it for all purposes of this Agreement;

                  (v) the  Borrowers,  the  Agent and the  other  Lenders  shall
         continue to deal  solely and  directly  with such Lender in  connection
         with such Lender's rights and obligations under this Agreement;

                  (vi) such Lender shall not permit such  participant  the right
         to approve  any  waivers,  amendments  or other  modifications  to this
         Agreement or any other Loan Document other than waivers,  amendments or
         modifications  which would reduce the principal of or the interest rate
         on any Loan or  Reimbursement  Obligation,  extend the term or increase
         the  amount of the  Commitment,  reduce the amount of any fees to which
         such  participant  is entitled,  extend any scheduled  payment date for
         principal of any Loan or,  except as expressly  contemplated  hereby or
         thereby,  release  substantially  all of any  collateral  securing  the
         Credit Facility; and

                  (vii) any such  disposition  shall not, without the consent of
         the Borrowers,  require any Borrower to file a  registration  statement
         with the  Securities  and Exchange  Commission  to apply to qualify the
         Loans or the Notes under the blue sky law of any state.

         (g)  Disclosure  of  Information;  Confidentiality.  The  Agent and the
Lenders  shall hold all  non-public  information  with respect to the  Borrowers
obtained  pursuant to the Loan  Documents  in  accordance  with their  customary
procedures for handling confidential information.  Any Lender may, in connection
with  any   assignment,   proposed   assignment,   participation   or   proposed
participation  pursuant  to  this  Section  13.10,  disclose  to  the  assignee,
participant, proposed assignee or proposed participant, any information relating
to the  Borrowers  furnished  to such  Lender by or on behalf of the  Borrowers;
provided,  that  prior to any such  disclosure,  each  such  assignee,  proposed
assignee,  participant or proposed participant shall agree with the Borrowers or
such Lender to preserve  the  confidentiality  of any  confidential  information
relating to the Borrowers received from such Lender.

         (h) Certain Pledges or  Assignments.  Nothing herein shall prohibit any
Lender  from  pledging or  assigning  any Note to any  Federal  Reserve  Bank in
accordance with Applicable Law.


                                       71
<PAGE>

         SECTION 13.11  Amendments,  Waivers and  Consents.  Except as set forth
below,  any term,  covenant,  agreement or condition of this Agreement or any of
the other  Loan  Documents  may be  amended  or waived by the  Lenders,  and any
consent given by the Lenders, if, but only if, such amendment, waiver or consent
is in writing  signed by the Required  Lenders (or by the Agent with the consent
of the  Required  Lenders)  and  delivered  to the Agent and,  in the case of an
amendment,  signed by each  Borrower;  provided  that, no  amendment,  waiver or
consent  shall (a) increase the amount or extend the time of the  obligation  of
the  Lenders  to make  Loans  or issue  or  participate  in  Letters  of  Credit
(including, without limitation,  pursuant to Section 2.6 except as otherwise set
forth in such Section 2.6), (b) extend the originally scheduled time or times of
payment of the principal of any Loan or Reimbursement  Obligation or the time or
times of payment of interest on any Loan or Reimbursement Obligation, (c) reduce
the rate of interest  or fees  payable on any Loan or  Reimbursement  Obligation
(except as the rate of interest  may  fluctuate  pursuant to the  provisions  of
Section 4.1), (d) permit any  subordination  of the principal or interest on any
Loan or  Reimbursement  Obligation,  (e)  release  any  material  portion of any
collateral  securing the Credit  Facility,  (f) amend or waive the provisions of
Section  8.17,  (g) amend or waive the  provisions or Section 9.1, (h) amend the
provisions of Section 11.1 or the definition of Default or Event of Default, (i)
amend the  provisions  of the last  sentence  of  Section  10.4 or (j) amend the
provisions of this Section 13.11 or the definition of Required Lenders,  without
the prior written consent of each Lender; provided,  further, that the Borrowers
may,  subject to the terms and conditions of Section 2.7 and upon the consent of
the Agent  (which  consent  shall not be  unreasonably  withheld),  increase the
Aggregate  Commitment either by designating a lender not theretofore an existing
Lender to become a Lender  or by  agreeing  with an  existing  Lender  that such
Lender's  Commitment  shall be  increased,  without the further  consent of each
other Lender (such  consent being hereby deemed to be granted by each other such
Lender upon execution of this Agreement).  In addition, no amendment,  waiver or
consent to the  provisions  of (a) Article XII shall be made without the written
consent of the Agent and (b) Article  III  without  the  written  consent of the
Issuing Lender.

         SECTION 13.12 Performance of Duties.  The Borrowers'  obligations under
this  Agreement  and  each of the  Loan  Documents  shall  be  performed  by the
Borrowers at their sole cost and expense.

         SECTION 13.13 All Powers Coupled with Interest.  All powers of attorney
and other  authorizations  granted  to the  Lenders,  the Agent and any  Persons
designated  by the  Agent  or any  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 Credit Facility has not been terminated.

         SECTION 13.14 Survival of Indemnities.  Notwithstanding any termination
of this  Agreement,  the  indemnities  to which the Agent  and the  Lenders  are
entitled  under the  provisions of this Article XIII and any other  provision of
this  Agreement and the Loan  Documents  shall continue in full force and effect
and shall protect the Agent and the Lenders  against  events  arising after such
termination as well as before.



                                       72
<PAGE>

         SECTION  13.15  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  13.16  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  13.17  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  13.18  Joint and Several  Liability.  The  Obligations  of the
Borrowers  under  this  Agreement  and the  Notes  shall be joint  and  several.
References  to the  Borrowers  with  respect to the  Obligations  or any portion
thereof shall mean each Borrower on a joint and several basis.

         SECTION 13.19 Cornerstone as Agent for Borrowers.  Each Borrower hereby
irrevocably  appoints and authorizes  Cornerstone  (i) to provide the Agent with
all notices with  respect to Loans  obtained for the benefit of any Borrower and
all other notices and  instructions  under this  Agreement and (ii) to take such
action on behalf of the Borrowers as Cornerstone deems appropriate on its behalf
to obtain Loans and to exercise such other powers as are  reasonably  incidental
thereto to carry out the purposes of this Agreement.

         SECTION 13.20 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.

                           [Signature pages to follow]


                                       73

<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.

                                         BORROWERS:

[CORPORATE SEAL]                         CORNERSTONE REALTY INCOME TRUST, INC.



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

                                         Name: S. J. Olander
                                              ----------------------------------

                                         Title: C.F.O. and Vice President
                                               ---------------------------------





<PAGE>



                                          AGENT:

                                          FIRST UNION NATIONAL BANK, as Agent

                                          By:/s/ John A. Schissel
                                             -----------------------------------

                                          Name: John A. Schissel
                                               ---------------------------------

                                          Title: V. P.
                                                --------------------------------




<PAGE>



                                          LENDERS:

                                          FIRST UNION NATIONAL BANK, as Lender

                                          By:/s/ John A. Schissel
                                             -----------------------------------

                                          Name: John A. Schissel
                                               ---------------------------------

                                          Title: V. P.
                                                --------------------------------



<PAGE>



                                          AMSOUTH BANK

                                          By:/s/ Arthur J. Sharbel, III
                                             -----------------------------------

                                          Name: Arthur J. Sharbel, III
                                               ---------------------------------

                                          Title: Vice President
                                                --------------------------------




<PAGE>



                                          GUARANTY FEDERAL BANK, F.S.B.

                                          By:/s/ Lesa B. Balsley
                                             -----------------------------------

                                          Name: Lesa B. Balsley
                                                --------------------------------

                                          Title: Vice President/Division Manager
                                                --------------------------------




<PAGE>



                                          SIGNET BANK

                                          By: /s/ Kevin McCullough
                                             ---------------------------------

                                          Name: Kevin McCullough
                                               -------------------------------

                                          Title: Assistant Vice President
                                                ------------------------------




<PAGE>



                                          CRESTAR BANK

                                          By: /s/ Richard D. Dickinson
                                             -----------------------------------

                                          Name: Richard D. Dickinson
                                               ---------------------------------

                                          Title: Senior Vice President
                                                --------------------------------




<PAGE>



                                          FLEET NATIONAL BANK

                                          By:/s/ James B. McLaughlin
                                             -----------------------------------

                                          Name: James B. McLaughlin
                                               ---------------------------------

                                          Title: Vice President
                                                --------------------------------




<PAGE>


                    SCHEDULE 1.1(a): LENDERS AND COMMITMENTS

                                                              COMMITMENT
                                                              AND COMMITMENT
LENDER                                                        PERCENTAGE

First Union National Bank                                         $50,000,000
One First Union Center, DC-6                                        28.57%
301 South College Street
Charlotte, North Carolina 28288-0166
Attention:        John Schissel
Telephone No.: (704) 383-8763
Telecopy No.:  (704) 383-7989

AmSouth Bank                                                      $35,000,000
1900 5th Avenue North                                               20.00%
Birmingham, AL  35203
Attention:        Arthur J. Sharbel
                  Vice President
Telephone No.:(205) 581-7647
Telecopy No.:  (205) 326-4075

Crestar Bank                                                      $25,000,000
919 East Main Street, 8th Floor                                     14.29%
Richmond, VA 23219
Attention:        Richard Dickinson
Telephone No.: (804) 782-5956
Telecopy No.:  (804) 782-7986

Fleet National Bank                                               $20,000,000
111 Westminster Street, RI MO 215                                   11.43%
8th Floor
Providence, RI  02903
Attention:        Jim McLaughlin
                  Vice President
Telephone No.: (401) 278-3247
Telecopy No.:  (401) 278-5166

Guaranty Federal Bank, F.S.B.                                     $30,000,000
8333 Douglas Avenue, Suite 1000                                     17.14%
Dallas, TX  75225
Attention:        Roger Davis
Telephone No.: (214) 360-2849
Telecopy No.:  (214) 360-1661


<PAGE>


Signet Bank                                                       $15,000,000
7799 Leesburg Pike                                                   8.57%
Falls Church, VA  22043
Attention:        Kevin McCullough
Telephone No.: (703) 714-5145
Telecopy No.:  (703) 506-0284



<PAGE>


                                 SCHEDULE 1.1(b)

                                       TO

                                CREDIT AGREEMENT


                                 REFINANCED DEBT

     All  indebtedness  evidenced  by the Line of Credit  Agreement  dated as of
August 28, 1997 and the Credit  Agreement  dated as of February 14,  1997,  each
with Cornerstone  Realty Income Trust, Inc. as Borrower and First Union National
Bank and First Union National Bank of Virginia, respectively, as Agent.


<PAGE>



                                 SCHEDULE 6.1(a)

                                       TO

                                CREDIT AGREEMENT


                 JURISDICTIONS OF ORGANIZATION AND QUALIFICATION

     The Borrower is organized and  authorized to do business in Virginia and is
qualified to transact business as a foreign corporation in North Carolina, South
Carolina and Georgia.

     There are no Subsidiaries of the Borrower.



<PAGE>



                                 SCHEDULE 6.1(b)

                                       TO

                                CREDIT AGREEMENT


                         SUBSIDIARIES AND CAPITALIZATION

     There are no Subsidiaries of the Borrower.

     The following  describes the  capitalization of the Borrower as of the date
of the Agreement:


                                                                   NUMBER OF
       AUTHORIZED                  NUMBER OF                       ISSUED AND
        CLASS OF                   AUTHORIZED                     OUTSTANDING
         SHARES                  COMMON SHARES                   COMMON SHARES
Common Shares, no par              50,000,000                    35,516,356.413
value

     In addition to the  foregoing,  there are reserved  for issuance  under the
Borrower's 1992 Incentive Plan, 1992  Non-Employee  Directors Stock Option Plan,
Special  Non-Employee  Directors Stock Option Plan, and  Non-Employee  Directors
Fees Plan a total of,  respectively,  2,199,246  Common  Shares,  927,000 Common
Shares, 23,169 Common Shares and 43,750 Common Shares.



<PAGE>



                                 SCHEDULE 6.1(i)

                                       TO

                                CREDIT AGREEMENT


                                   ERISA PLANS

     None.



<PAGE>



                                 SCHEDULE 6.1(m)

                                       TO

                                CREDIT AGREEMENT


                   LABOR AND COLLECTIVE BARGAINING AGREEMENTS

     None.



<PAGE>



                                 SCHEDULE 6.1(r)

                                       TO

                                CREDIT AGREEMENT


                         DEBT AND CONTINGENT OBLIGATIONS

     All  indebtedness  evidenced  by the Line of Credit  Agreement  dated as of
August 28, 1997 and the Credit  Agreement  dated as of February 14,  1997,  each
with Cornerstone  Realty Income Trust, Inc. as Borrower and First Union National
Bank and First Union National Bank of Virginia, respectively, as Agent.

     Unsecured  Line of Credit  from First  Union  National  Bank in a principal
amount up to $5 million.

     Promissory  Note in the  principal  amount  of $5.5  million  issued by the
Borrower  in  connection   with  the  purchase  of  the  "Trolley   Square  East
Apartments," and a letter of credit in the same amount securing such Note.



<PAGE>



                                 SCHEDULE 6.1(s)

                                       TO

                                CREDIT AGREEMENT


                                   LITIGATION

     None.



<PAGE>



                                  SCHEDULE 10.3

                                       TO

                                CREDIT AGREEMENT


                                 EXISTING LIENS

     None.



<PAGE>


                                  SCHEDULE 10.4

                                       TO

                                CREDIT AGREEMENT


                    EXISTING LOANS, ADVANCES AND INVESTMENTS

     All  indebtedness  evidenced  by the Line of Credit  Agreement  dated as of
August 28, 1997 and the Credit  Agreement  dated as of February 14,  1997,  each
with Cornerstone  Realty Income Trust, Inc. as Borrower and First Union National
Bank and First Union National Bank of Virginia, respectively, as Agent.

     Unsecured  Line of Credit  from First  Union  National  Bank in a principal
amount up to $5 million.

     Promissory  Note in the  principal  amount  of $5.5  million  issued by the
Borrower  in  connection   with  the  purchase  of  the  "Trolley   Square  East
Apartments," and a letter of credit in the same amount securing such Note.

     417,777 Common Shares of Apple  Residential  Income Trust, Inc. acquired by
the Borrower on April 25, 1997 for approximately $3.76 million.





<PAGE>



                                LIST OF EXHIBITS



Exhibit A           Revolving Credit Note

Exhibit B           Notice of Borrowing

Exhibit C           Notice of Prepayment

Exhibit D           Notice of Conversion/Continuation

Exhibit E           Officer's Compliant Certificate
   Schedule 1

Exhibit F           Assignment and Acceptance
   Schedule 1

Exhibit G           Notice of Account Designation

Exhibit H           Form of Lender Addition and Acknowledgement Agreement
   Schedule A-1
   Schedule A-2
   Schedule 1

Exhibit I           Form of Joinder Agreement


<PAGE>


                                    EXHIBIT A
                                       to
                                Credit Agreement
                          dated as of October __, 1997,
                                  by and among
                     Cornerstone Realty Income Trust, Inc.,
                     each Additional Borrower party thereto,
                           the Lenders party thereto,
                                       and
                           First Union National Bank,
                                    as Agent

                              REVOLVING CREDIT NOTE

$___________                                                    __________, ____

         FOR VALUE RECEIVED,  the undersigned,  CORNERSTONE REALTY INCOME TRUST,
INC., a corporation organized under the laws of Virginia  ("Cornerstone" [or the
"Borrower"]),  [____________________,  a corporation organized under the laws of
__________  ("__________",  and together with  Cornerstone,  the  "Borrowers")],
hereby   [jointly   and   severally]   promise[s]   to  pay  to  the   order  of
____________________  (the "Bank"), at the times, at the place and in the manner
provided in the 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 Bank  under the 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 IV of the Credit Agreement.

         This Note is the Note  referred to in, and is entitled to the  benefits
of, the Credit  Agreement  dated as of October __, 1997 (as  amended,  restated,
supplemented  or otherwise  modified,  the "Credit  Agreement") by and among the
Borrower[s], each Additional Borrower that may become party thereto, the lenders
(including  the Bank) party  thereto (the  "Lenders")  and First Union  National
Bank, as Agent (the "Agent"). The 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[s]  agree[s]  to pay on demand  all 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.



<PAGE>



         THIS  NOTE IS MADE AND  DELIVERED  IN THE STATE OF NORTH  CAROLINA  AND
SHALL BE CONSTRUED IN  ACCORDANCE  WITH AND GOVERNED BY THE LAWS OF THE STATE OF
NORTH CAROLINA.

         The Debt  evidenced  by this Note is senior in right of  payment to all
Subordinated Debt referred to in the Credit Agreement.




                            [Signature Page Follows]



                                       2

<PAGE>



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

                                           CORNERSTONE REALTY INCOME TRUST, INC.

[CORPORATE SEAL]

                                           By:        __________________________
                                           Name:      __________________________
                                           Title:     __________________________

                                           [OTHER BORROWERS]

[CORPORATE SEAL]

                                           By:        __________________________
                                           Name:      __________________________
                                           Title:     __________________________


                                       3

<PAGE>



                                    EXHIBIT B
                                       to
                                Credit Agreement
                          dated as of October __, 1997,
                                  by and among
                     Cornerstone Realty Income Trust, Inc.,
                     each Additional Borrower party thereto,
                           the Lenders party thereto,
                                       and
                           First Union National Bank,
                                    as Agent

                               NOTICE OF BORROWING


First Union National Bank, as Agent
One First Union Center, DC-6
301 South College Street
Charlotte, North Carolina  28288-0166
Attn:  Donna Hemenway

Ladies and Gentlemen:

         This irrevocable  Notice of Borrowing is delivered to you under Section
2.2(a)  of the  Credit  Agreement  dated as of  October  __,  1997 (as  amended,
restated,  supplemented or otherwise modified,  the "Credit Agreement"),  by and
among Cornerstone Realty Income Trust, Inc. ("Cornerstone"), and each Additional
Borrower who may become party  thereto  (collectively,  with  Cornerstone,  "the
Borrowers"), the lenders party thereto (the "Lenders"), and First Union National
Bank, as Agent (the "Agent").

         1.  Cornerstone,  on behalf of the Borrowers,  hereby requests that the
Lenders  make a Loan in the  aggregate  principal  amount of  $___________  (the
"Loan).1

         2.  Cornerstone,  on behalf of the Borrowers,  hereby requests that the
Loan be made on the following Business Day: _____________________.2

         3.  Cornerstone,  on behalf of the Borrowers,  hereby requests that the
Loan bear interest at the following  interest rate, plus the Applicable  Margin,
as set forth below:


- ----------
1    Complete  with an amount  in  accordance  with  Section  2.2 of the  Credit
     Agreement.
2    Complete with a Business Day in  accordance  with Section 2.2 of the Credit
     Agreement.


<PAGE>



                                                           Termination Date for
 Principal Component                     Interest Period      Interest Period
       of Loan          Interest Rate     (if applicable)      (if applicable)
- ---------------------  ---------------  -----------------  ---------------------



         4. The principal amount of all Loans and L/C Obligations outstanding as
of the date hereof  (including  the requested  Loan) does not exceed the maximum
amount  permitted  to be  outstanding  pursuant  to  the  terms  of  the  Credit
Agreement.

         5. All of the conditions applicable to the Loan requested herein as set
forth in the Credit Agreement have been satisfied as of the date hereof and will
remain satisfied to the date of such Loan.

         6. All  capitalized  undefined  terms  used  herein  have the  meanings
assigned thereto in the Credit Agreement.




                            [Signature Page Follows]



                                       2

<PAGE>



         IN WITNESS WHEREOF,  the undersigned,  on behalf of the Borrowers,  has
executed this Notice of Borrowing this ____ day of _______, ____.


                                           CORNERSTONE REALTY INCOME TRUST, INC.


                                           By:        __________________________
                                           Name:      __________________________
                                           Title:     __________________________


                                       3

<PAGE>




                                    EXHIBIT C
                                       to
                                Credit Agreement
                          dated as of October __, 1997,
                                  by and among
                     Cornerstone Realty Income Trust, Inc.,
                     each Additional Borrower party thereto,
                           the Lenders party thereto,
                                       and
                           First Union National Bank,
                                    as Agent

                              NOTICE OF PREPAYMENT

First Union National Bank, as Agent
One First Union Center
301 South College Street, DC-6
Charlotte, North Carolina 28288-0166
Attention: Donna Hemenway

Ladies and Gentlemen:

         This   irrevocable   Notice  of  Prepayment  is  delivered  to  you  by
Cornerstone Realty Income Trust, Inc., a corporation organized under the laws of
Virginia ("Cornerstone"), on behalf of itself and each Additional Borrower party
to the Credit Agreement referred to below (collectively,  with Cornerstone,  the
"Borrowers"),  under Section 2.3(c) of the Credit  Agreement dated as of October
__, 1997 (as amended, restated,  supplemented or otherwise modified, the "Credit
Agreement"),  by and among the Borrowers,  the Lenders party thereto,  and First
Union National Bank, as Agent.

         1. Cornerstone,  on behalf of the Borrowers,  hereby provides notice to
the Agent that the Borrowers  shall repay the following [Base Rate Loans] and/or
[LIBOR Rate Loans]: ____________________.1

         2.  The  Borrowers  shall  repay  the  above  referenced  Loans  on the
following Business Day: _______________.2

         3. All  capitalized  undefined  terms  used  herein  have the  meanings
assigned thereto in the Credit Agreement.

- ----------
1    Complete  with an amount  in  accordance  with  Section  2.3 of the  Credit
     Agreement.
2    Complete with a Business Day in  accordance  with Section 2.3 of the Credit
     Agreement.


<PAGE>



         IN WITNESS WHEREOF,  the undersigned,  on behalf of the Borrowers,  has
executed this Notice of Prepayment this ____ day of _______, ____.


                                           CORNERSTONE REALTY INCOME TRUST, INC.

[CORPORATE SEAL]

                                           By:      ____________________________
                                           Name:    ____________________________
                                           Title:   ____________________________


                                       2

<PAGE>



                                    EXHIBIT D
                                       to
                                Credit Agreement
                          dated as of October __, 1997,
                                  by and among
                     Cornerstone Realty Income Trust, Inc.,
                     each Additional Borrower party thereto,
                           the Lenders party thereto,
                                       and
                           First Union National Bank,
                                    as Agent

                        NOTICE OF CONVERSION/CONTINUATION

First Union National Bank, as Agent
One First Union Center, DC-6
301 South College Street
Charlotte, North Carolina  28288-0166
Attn:  Donna Hemenway

Ladies and Gentlemen:

         This irrevocable  Notice of  Conversion/Continuation  (the "Notice") is
delivered to you under Section 4.2 of the Credit  Agreement  dated as of October
__, 1997 (as amended, restated,  supplemented or otherwise modified, the "Credit
Agreement"), by and among Cornerstone Realty Income Trust, Inc. ("Cornerstone"),
and each Additional  Borrower who may become party thereto  (collectively,  with
Cornerstone,  the "Borrowers"),  the lenders party thereto (the "Lenders"),  and
First Union National Bank, as Agent (the "Agent").

     1.   This Notice of  Conversion/Continuation  is submitted  for the purpose
          of: (Complete applicable information.)

     (a)  [Converting]  [continuing]  a ________  Loan  [into]  [as] a _________
          Loan.1

     (b)  The  aggregate   outstanding   principal   balance  of  such  Loan  is
          $_______________.

     (c)  The  last  day of  the  current  Interest  Period  for  such  Loan  is
          _______________.2

     (d)  The principal  amount of such Loan to be  [converted]  [continued]  is
          $_______________.3

- ----------
1    Delete the bracketed  language and insert "Base Rate" or "LIBOR  Rate",  as
     applicable, in each blank.

2    Insert  applicable  date  for  any  LIBOR  Rate  Loan  being  converted  or
     continued.


<PAGE>



     (e)  The requested  effective date of the  [conversion]  [continuation]  of
          such Loan is _______________.4

     (f)  The  requested   Interest   Period   applicable  to  the   [converted]
          [continued] Loan is _______________.5

         2. No Default or Event of  Default  exists,  and no Default or Event of
Default will exist upon the  conversion or  continuation  of the Loan  requested
herein.

         3. All  capitalized  undefined  terms  used  herein  have the  meanings
assigned thereto in the Credit Agreement.




                            [Signature Page Follows]



- ----------
 ...(continued)

3.   Complete  with an amount  in  compliance  with  Section  3.2 of the  Credit
     Agreement.
4.   Compleete  with a Business Day at least three (3)  Business  Days after the
     date of this Notice.
5.   Complete for any LIBOR Rate Loan with an Interest Period in compliance with
     Section 3.1(b) of the Credit Agreement.


                                       2

<PAGE>



         IN WITNESS WHEREOF,  the undersigned,  on behalf of the Borrowers,  has
executed  this Notice of  Conversion/Continuation  this ____ day of  __________,
____.


                                           CORNERSTONE REALTY INCOME TRUST, INC.


                                           By:      ____________________________
                                           Name:    ____________________________
                                           Title:   ____________________________



                                       3

<PAGE>




                                    EXHIBIT E
                                       to
                                Credit Agreement
                          dated as of October __, 1997,
                                  by and among
                     Cornerstone Realty Income Trust, Inc.,
                     each Additional Borrower party thereto,
                           the Lenders party thereto,
                                       and
                           First Union National Bank,
                                    as Agent

                        OFFICER'S COMPLIANCE CERTIFICATE

         The undersigned,  on behalf of Cornerstone Realty Income Trust, Inc., a
corporation  organized  under  the laws of  Virginia  ("Cornerstone"),  and each
Additional   Borrower   party  to  the  Credit   Agreement   referred  to  below
(collectively,  with Cornerstone,  the  "Borrowers"),  hereby certifies to First
Union National Bank, as Agent ("First Union" or the "Agent"), as follows:

         1. This  Certificate is delivered to you pursuant to Section 7.2 of the
Credit   Agreement  dated  as  of  October  __,  1997  (as  amended,   restated,
supplemented or otherwise modified,  the "Credit  Agreement"),  by and among the
Borrowers, the lenders party thereto (the "Lenders"), and the Agent. Capitalized
terms used  herein and not  defined  herein  shall  have the  meanings  assigned
thereto in the Credit Agreement.

         2. I have reviewed the financial  statements of the Borrowers and their
Subsidiaries dated as of _______________ and for the  _______________  period[s]
then ended and such  statements  fairly  present the financial  condition of the
Borrowers and their  Subsidiaries  as of the dates  indicated and the results of
its operations and cash flows for the period[s] indicated.

         3. I have reviewed the terms of the Credit Agreement, the Notes and the
related Loan Documents and have made, or caused to be made under my supervision,
a review in  reasonable  detail of the  transactions  and the  condition  of the
Borrowers and their  Subsidiaries  during the  accounting  period covered by the
financial  statements  referred  to in  Paragraph  2 above.  Such review has not
disclosed the existence  during or at the end of such  accounting  period of any
condition or event that  constitutes a Default or an Event of Default,  nor do I
have any  knowledge of the  existence  of any such  condition or event as at the
date of this Certificate [except, [if such condition or event existed or exists,
describe  the  nature  and  period of  existence  thereof  and what  action  the
Borrowers have taken, are taking and propose to take with respect thereto]].


<PAGE>



         4. The Senior  Unsecured  Debt Rating as announced by Standard & Poor's
and Moody's is set forth on the attached  Schedule 1, the Applicable  Margin and
calculations  determining  such  figure  are set forth on such  Schedule  1, the
Borrowers and their Subsidiaries are in compliance with the covenants  contained
in  Article  IX of the  Credit  Agreement  as shown on such  Schedule  1 and the
Borrowers and their  Subsidiaries are in compliance with the other covenants and
restrictions contained in Articles VIII and X of the Credit Agreement.




                            [Signature Page Follows]



                                        2

<PAGE>



         WITNESS  the  following  signatures  as of the _____ day of  _________,
____.


                                           CORNERSTONE REALTY INCOME TRUST, INC.


                                           By:      ____________________________
                                           Name:    ____________________________
                                           Title:   ____________________________



                                       3

<PAGE>



                                   Schedule 1
                                       to
                        Officer's Compliance Certificate


I.       Applicable Margin.

         (a)      Senior Unsecured Debt Rating:

                  (1)      Standard & Poor's:               __________

                  (2)      Moody's:                         __________

         (b)      Leverage Ratio:


II.      Covenant Compliance.


                  DETAILED  FORM  RESPECTING  EACH  INDIVIDUAL  COVENANT  TO  BE
                  ATTACHED HERETO BY THE AGENT.



                                       4

<PAGE>




                                    EXHIBIT F
                                       to
                                Credit Agreement
                          dated as of October __, 1997,
                                  by and among
                     Cornerstone Realty Income Trust, Inc.,
                     each Additional Borrower party thereto,
                           the Lenders party thereto,
                                       and
                           First Union National Bank,
                                    as Agent

                            ASSIGNMENT AND ACCEPTANCE

                                 Dated _________

         Reference is made to the Credit  Agreement dated as of October __, 1997
(as  amended,   restated,   supplemented  or  otherwise  modified,  the  "Credit
Agreement"), by and among Cornerstone Realty Income Trust, Inc. ("Cornerstone"),
each  Additional  Borrower  who may become  party  thereto  (collectively,  with
Cornerstone,  "the Borrowers"),  the lenders party thereto (the "Lenders"),  and
First Union National Bank, as Agent (the "Agent").  Capitalized  terms which are
defined in the Credit  Agreement  and which are used herein  without  definition
shall have the same meanings herein as in the Credit Agreement.

         ______________________________________     (the     "Assignor")     and
____________________________________ (the "Assignee") agree as follows:

         1. The  Assignor  hereby  sells and  assigns to the  Assignee,  and the
Assignee  hereby  purchases and assumes from the  Assignor,  as of the Effective
Date (as defined  below),  a ____% interest (the "Assigned  Interest") in and to
all of the  Assignor's  interests,  rights  and  obligations  under  the  Credit
Agreement and the Assignor  thereby  retains ____% of its interest  therein (the
"Retained Interest"). This Assignment and Acceptance is entered pursuant to, and
authorized by, Section 13.10 of the Credit Agreement.

         2. The Assignor (a)  represents  that,  as of the date hereof,  (i) its
Commitment  Percentage  (without giving effect to assignments thereof which have
not yet become  effective)  under the  Credit  Agreement,  (ii) the  outstanding
balance of its Loans  (unreduced by any  assignments  thereof which have not yet
become  effective) under the Credit Agreement and (iii) the outstanding  balance
of  its  Commitment  Percentage  of  the  L/C  Obligations   (unreduced  by  any
assignments thereof which have not yet become effective),  are each set forth in
Section 2 of Schedule I hereto;  (b) makes no  representation  or  warranty  and
assumes  no  responsibility  with  respect  to  any  statements,  warranties  or
representations  made in or in connection with the Credit Agreement or any other
Loan Document or the execution, legality, validity, enforceability, genuineness,
sufficiency or value of the Credit Agreement or any other instrument or document
furnished  pursuant  thereto,  other  than  that the  Assignor  is the legal and
beneficial  owner of the interest  being  assigned by it hereunder and that such
interest is free and clear of any adverse claim;



<PAGE>



(c) makes no  representation  or  warranty  and assumes no  responsibility  with
respect to the financial condition of the Borrowers or their Subsidiaries or the
performance or observance by the Borrowers or their Subsidiaries of any of their
obligations  under the  Credit  Agreement  or any other Loan  Document;  and (d)
attaches the Revolving  Credit Note  delivered to it under the Credit  Agreement
and requests that the Borrowers exchange such Note for new Notes payable to each
of the Assignor and the Assignee as follows:

         Revolving Credit Note
         Payable to the Order of:                Principal Amount of Note:

         ------------------------                $--------------------

         ------------------------                $--------------------

         3.  The  Assignee  (a)  represents  and  warrants  that  it is  legally
authorized to enter into this  Assignment and  Acceptance;  (b) confirms that it
has received a copy of the Credit  Agreement,  together  with copies of the most
recent financial  statements  delivered pursuant to Section 7.1 thereof and such
other  documents and  information  as it has deemed  appropriate to make its own
credit analysis and decision to enter into this  Assignment and Acceptance;  (c)
agrees that it will, independently and without reliance upon the Assignor or any
other  Lender or the Agent 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 the Credit Agreement;  (d) confirms that it is
an Eligible Assignee;  (e) appoints and authorizes the Agent to take such action
as agent on its behalf and to exercise  such powers  under the Credit  Agreement
and the other Loan Documents as are delegated to the agent by the terms thereof,
together with such powers as are reasonably  incidental thereto; (f) agrees that
it will perform in accordance with their terms all the obligations  which by the
terms of the Credit  Agreement  and the other Loan  Documents are required to be
performed by it as a Lender;  and (g) agrees that it will keep  confidential all
non-public  information with respect to the Borrowers  obtained  pursuant to the
Loan Documents in accordance with Section 13.10(g) of the Credit Agreement.

         4. The effective date for this  Assignment  and Acceptance  shall be as
set forth in Section 1 of Schedule I hereto (the  "Effective  Date").  Following
the execution of this  Assignment  and  Acceptance,  it will be delivered to the
Agent for consent thereby and acceptance and recording in the Register.

         5. Upon such consents,  acceptance  and  recording,  from and after the
Effective  Date, (i) the Assignee  shall be a party to the Credit  Agreement and
the other  Loan  Documents  to which  Lenders  are  parties  and,  to the extent
provided in this Assignment and Acceptance, have the rights and obligations of a
Lender under each such  agreement,  and (ii) the Assignor  shall,  to the extent
provided  in this  Assignment  and  Acceptance,  relinquish  its  rights  and be
released  from its  obligations  under the Credit  Agreement  and the other Loan
Documents.

         6. Upon such consents,  acceptance  and  recording,  from and after the
Effective  Date,  the Agent shall make all  payments in respect of the  interest
assigned  hereby  (including  payments of  principal,  interest,  fees and other
amounts) to the Assignee. The Assignor and Assignee shall make


                                       2

<PAGE>



all appropriate  adjustments in payments for periods prior to the Effective Date
or with respect to the making of this assignment directly between themselves.

         7. THIS  ASSIGNMENT  AND  ACCEPTANCE  SHALL BE DEEMED TO BE A  CONTRACT
UNDER SEAL AND SHALL BE GOVERNED BY AND CONSTRUED IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE LAWS OF
THE STATE OF NORTH CAROLINA, WITHOUT REGARD TO CONFLICT OF LAW PRINCIPLES.

                                    ASSIGNOR


                                                 Commitment Percentage ____%


                                                 _______________________________



                                                 By:      ______________________
                                                 Name:    ______________________
                                                 Title:   ______________________


                                    ASSIGNEE


                                                 Commitment Percentage ____%


                                                 _______________________________



                                                 By:      ______________________
                                                 Name:    ______________________
                                                 Title:   ______________________



                                       3

<PAGE>



Acknowledged and Consented to:

CORNERSTONE REALTY INCOME TRUST,
INC.

                                                                [CORPORATE SEAL]

By:      _________________________________
Name:    _________________________________
Title:   _________________________________



Consented to and Accepted:

FIRST UNION NATIONAL BANK,
as Agent


By:      _________________________________
Name:    _________________________________
Title:   _________________________________



                                       4

<PAGE>





                                   Schedule I
                                       to
                            Assignment and Acceptance

1.       Effective Date                                                  ____,__

2.       Assignor's Interest
         Prior to Assignment

         (a)      Commitment Percentage of Assignor                     _____%

         (b)      Outstanding balance of Assignor's Loans               $_______

         (c)      Outstanding balance of
                  Assignor's Commitment Percentage
                  of the L/C Obligations                                $_______

3.       Assigned Interest
         (from Section 1)                                               _____%

4.       Assignee's Extensions of Credit
         After Effective Date

         (a)      Outstanding balance of
                  Assignee's Loans
                  (line 2(b) times line 3)                              $_______

         (b)      Outstanding balance of Assignee's
                  Commitment Percentage of L/C
                  Obligations (line 2(c) times line 3)                  $_______

         (c)      Assignee's Extensions of Credit
                  After Effective Date                                  $_______

5.       Retained Interest of Assignor after
         Effective Date

         (a)      Retained Interest (from Section 1)                    _____%

         (b)      Outstanding balance of Assignor's
                  Loans (line 2(b) times line 5(a))                     $_______

         (c)      Outstanding balance of Assignor's
                  Commitment Percentage of L/C
                  Obligations (line 2(c) times line 5(a))               $_______



<PAGE>



6.       Payment Amounts

         (a)      Payable by Assignee to Assignor                       $_______

         (b)      Payable by Assignor to Assignee                       $_______

7.       Payment Instructions

         (a)      If payable to Assignor,
                  to the account of Assignor to:

                  _______________________________
                  _______________________________
                  Routing No.: __________________
                  Account No.: __________________
                  Attn: _________________________
                  Reference: ____________________



                                       3

<PAGE>



         (b)      If payable to Assignee,
                  to the account of Assignee to:

                  _______________________________
                  _______________________________
                  Routing No.: __________________
                  Account No.: __________________
                  Attn: _________________________
                  Reference: ____________________



                                       4

<PAGE>




                                    EXHIBIT G
                                       to
                                Credit Agreement
                          dated as of October __, 1997,
                                  by and among
                     Cornerstone Realty Income Trust, Inc.,
                     each Additional Borrower party thereto,
                           the Lenders party thereto,
                                       and
                           First Union National Bank,
                                    as Agent

                          NOTICE OF ACCOUNT DESIGNATION

                                 Dated _________

First Union National Bank
One First Union Center, DC-6
301 South College Street
Charlotte, North Carolina  28288-0166
Attn:  Donna Hemenway

Ladies and Gentlemen:

         This Notice of Account  Designation  is delivered to you by Cornerstone
Realty Income Trust,  Inc., a corporation  organized  under the laws of Virginia
("Cornerstone"),  under  Section  2.2(b)  of the  Credit  Agreement  dated as of
October __, 1997 (as amended, restated,  supplemented or otherwise modified, the
"Credit  Agreement") by and among Cornerstone,  each Additional Borrower who may
become party thereto  (collectively,  with Cornerstone,  the  "Borrowers"),  the
Lenders party thereto (the  "Lenders"),  and First Union National Bank, as Agent
(the "Agent").

         The Agent is hereby  authorized  to disburse all Loan proceeds into the
following account(s):

                              [Insert name of bank/
                               ABA Routing Number/
                               and Account Number]



<PAGE>



         IN WITNESS WHEREOF,  the undersigned,  on behalf of the Borrowers,  has
executed this Notice of Account Designation this _____ day of _______, ____.


[CORPORATE SEAL]                           CORNERSTONE REALTY INCOME TRUST, INC.


                                           By:      ____________________________
                                           Name:    ____________________________
                                           Title:   ____________________________



                                       2

<PAGE>




                                    EXHIBIT H
                                       to
                                Credit Agreement
                          dated as of October __, 1997,
                                  by and among
                     Cornerstone Realty Income Trust, Inc.,
                     each Additional Borrower party thereto,
                           the Lenders party thereto,
                                       and
                           First Union National Bank,
                                    as Agent

                             Form of Lender Addition
                          and Acknowledgment Agreement

                                 Dated _________

         Reference is made to the Credit  Agreement dated as of October __, 1997
(as  amended,  restated,   supplemented,  or  otherwise  modified,  the  "Credit
Agreement") by and among  Cornerstone  Realty Income Trust,  Inc., a corporation
organized under the laws of Virginia  ("Cornerstone"),  each Additional Borrower
who may become party thereto (collectively,  with Cornerstone, the "Borrowers"),
the Lenders who are or may become party thereto  (collectively,  the "Lenders"),
First Union National Bank, as Agent ("First Union" or the "Agent").  Capitalized
terms defined in the Credit  Agreement and used herein without  definition shall
have the same meanings herein as in the Credit Agreement.

         The Borrowers and ___________ (the "[New or Current]  Lender") agree as
follows:

         1.  Subject to  Section  2.7 of the Credit  Agreement  and this  Lender
Addition  and  Acknowledgement  Agreement,  the  Borrowers  hereby  increase the
Aggregate  Commitment from $__________ to $__________ (such increased amount not
to exceed $200,000,000).  This Lender Addition and Acknowledgement  Agreement is
entered  into  pursuant  to,  and  authorized  by,  Section  2.7 of  the  Credit
Agreement.

         2. The  parties  hereto  acknowledge  and  agree  that,  as of the date
hereof, (a) the Commitment Percentage under the Credit Agreement (without giving
effect to  increases  in the  Aggregate  Commitment  which  have not yet  become
effective) of each Lender, including,  without limitation,  the [New or Current]
Lender,  (b) the Commitment under the Credit Agreement (without giving effect to
increases in the Aggregate  Commitment  which have not yet become  effective) of
each Lender, including, without limitation, the [New or Current] Lender, and (c)
the outstanding balances of the Loans (and the exposure under Letters of Credit)
under the Credit Agreement  (without giving effect to increases in the Aggregate
Commitment which have not yet become effective) made by each Lender,  including,
without limitation,  the [New or Current] Lender, are each set forth on Schedule
A-1 hereto.



<PAGE>



         3. The parties hereto  acknowledge  and agree that, as of the Effective
Date  (as  defined  below),  (a) the  Commitment  Percentage  under  the  Credit
Agreement of each Lender,  including,  without limitation,  the [New or Current]
Lender, (b) the Commitment under the Credit Agreement of each Lender, including,
without  limitation,  the  [New or  Current]  Lender,  and  (c) the  outstanding
balances  of the Loans (and the  exposure  under  Letters  of Credit)  under the
Credit Agreement made by each Lender, including, without limitation, the [New or
Current] Lender, are each set forth on Schedule A-2 hereto.

         4.  Attached  hereto is a revised  Schedule 1 to the Credit  Agreement,
revised to reflect the Commitment  and the Commitment  Percentage of each Lender
as of the Effective Date of this Lender Addition and Acknowledgement Agreement.

         5. The  Borrowers  acknowledge  that the amount of the  increase in the
Aggregate  Commitment,  together  with  all  other  increases  in the  Aggregate
Commitment  pursuant  to Section 2.7 of the Credit  Agreement  since the Closing
Date of the  Credit  Agreement,  shall not cause the  Aggregate  Commitment  (as
increased hereby and by any other increase in the Aggregate  Commitment pursuant
to Section 2.7) to exceed $200,000,000.

         6. [The Current Lender attaches the Revolving  Credit Note delivered to
it under the Credit  Agreement  and requests  that the  Borrowers  exchange such
Revolving  Credit Note for a new  Revolving  Credit Note  payable to the Current
Lender as follows:

         Revolving Credit Note
         Payable to the Order of:                    Principal Amount of Note:

         _____________________                       $____________________

                                       OR

         The New Lender requests that the Borrowers issue a new Revolving Credit
Note payable to the New Lender as follows:

         Revolving Credit Note
         Payable to the Order of:                    Principal Amount of Note:

         _____________________                       $____________________]

         7. The [New or Current]  Lender (i)  represents and warrants that it is
legally  authorized  to enter  into this  Lender  Addition  and  Acknowledgement
Agreement;  (ii) confirms  that it has received a copy of the Credit  Agreement,
together with copies of the most recent financial  statements delivered pursuant
to Section 7.1 thereof and such other documents and information as it has deemed
appropriate  to make its own credit  analysis  and  decision  to enter into this
Lender  Addition  and  Acknowledgement  Agreement;  (iii)  agrees  that it will,
independently  and without  reliance upon any other Lender or Agent 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
the Credit  Agreement;  (iv) confirms that it is meets the criteria set forth in
the


                                       2

<PAGE>



definition of Eligible Assignee;  (v) appoints and authorizes Agent to take such
action as agent on its  behalf  and to  exercise  such  powers  under the Credit
Agreement  and the other Loan  Documents  as are  delegated to such Agent by the
terms thereof,  together with such powers as are reasonably  incidental thereto;
(vi)  agrees  that it will  perform  in  accordance  with  their  terms  all the
obligations  which by the  terms of the  Credit  Agreement  and the  other  Loan
Documents are required to be performed by it as a Lender;  and (vii) agrees that
it will keep  confidential  all the information with respect to the Borrowers or
any guarantors  furnished to it by the Borrowers or any  guarantors  (other than
information  required or requested to be disclosed by it pursuant to  regulatory
requirements  or legal process);  information  requested by and disclosed to its
auditors,  accountants and attorneys,  provided that the [New or Current] Lender
shall use  commercially  reasonable  efforts to have such  Persons  enter into a
confidentiality  agreement  with respect to such  information;  and  information
generally available to the public or otherwise available to the [New or Current]
Lender on a nonconfidential basis).

         8. The Borrowers  represent and warrant that each term and condition of
Section 2.7 of the Credit  Agreement has been  satisfied in the manner set forth
in such Section 2.7.

         9. The  effective  date for this Lender  Addition  and  Acknowledgement
Agreement shall be __________ (the "Effective Date"). Following the execution of
this Lender Addition and Acknowledgement  Agreement, it will be delivered to the
Agent for the consent of the Agent and acceptance and recording in the Register.

         10. Upon such consents,  acceptance  and recording,  from and after the
Effective  Date,  the [New or  Current]  Lender  shall be a party to the  Credit
Agreement and the other Loan  Documents to which Lenders are parties and, to the
extent provided in this Lender Addition and Acknowledgement  Agreement, have the
rights and obligations of a Lender under each such agreement.

         11. Upon such consents,  acceptance  and recording,  from and after the
Effective  Date,  the Agent shall make all  payments in respect of the  interest
assigned  hereby  (including  payments of  principal,  interest,  fees and other
amounts) to the [New or Current] Lender.

         12. The  representations  and  warranties  of the  Borrowers  under the
Credit  Agreement  and the other  Loan  Documents  are true and  correct  in all
material  respects as of the date hereof,  both before and after  giving  effect
this Lender Addition and Acknowledgement Agreement.

         13. THIS LENDER ADDITION AND ACKNOWLEDGEMENT  AGREEMENT SHALL BE DEEMED
TO BE A CONTRACT UNDER SEAL AND SHALL BE GOVERNED BY AND CONSTRUED IN ACCORDANCE
WITH THE LAWS OF THE STATE OF NORTH CAROLINA,  WITHOUT REGARD TO CONFLICT OF LAW
PRINCIPLES.


                            [Signature Page Follows]

                                       3

<PAGE>



                                          BORROWER:

                                          CORNERSTONE REALTY INCOME TRUST, INC.

[CORPORATE SEAL]
                                          By:      ____________________________
                                          Name:    ____________________________
                                          Title:   ____________________________


                                          [OTHER BORROWERS]


[CORPORATE SEAL]
                                          By:      ____________________________
                                          Name:    ____________________________
                                          Title:   ____________________________




<PAGE>



                                          [NEW OR CURRENT] LENDER:

                                          [NAME OF CURRENT LENDER OR NEW LENDER]

                                          Commitment $__________
                                          Commitment Percentage ____%

                                          By:      ____________________________
                                          Name:    ____________________________
                                          Title:   ____________________________


<PAGE>



Acknowledged and Consented to:


                                          FIRST UNION NATIONAL BANK, as Agent


                                          By:      ____________________________
                                          Name:    ____________________________
                                          Title:   ____________________________


<PAGE>



                                  Schedule A-1
                                       to
                  Lender Addition and Acknowledgement Agreement

                             Lenders and Commitments
                             (as of the date hereof)


A.       Commitment Percentage of Each Lender.

         1.       First Union National Bank                         __________%

         2.       AmSouth Bank                                      __________%

         3.       Crestar Bank                                      __________%

         4.       Fleet National Bank                               __________%

         5.       Guaranty Federal Bank                             __________%

         6.       Signet Bank                                       __________%



<PAGE>



B.       Commitment of Each Lender.

         1.       First Union National Bank                         $__________

         2.       AmSouth Bank                                      $__________

         3.       Crestar Bank                                      $__________

         4.       Fleet National Bank                               $__________

         5.       Guaranty Federal Bank                             $__________

         6.       Signet Bank                                       $__________



                                       2

<PAGE>



C.       Outstanding Balance of the Loans of Each Lender.

         1.       First Union National Bank                         $__________

         2.       AmSouth Bank                                      $__________

         3.       Crestar Bank                                      $__________

         4.       Fleet National Bank                               $__________

         5.       Guaranty Federal Bank                             $__________

         6.       Signet Bank                                       $__________



                                       3

<PAGE>



D.       Letter of Credit Exposure of each Lender.

         1.       First Union National Bank                         $__________

         2.       AmSouth Bank                                      $__________

         3.       Crestar Bank                                      $__________

         4.       Fleet National Bank                               $__________

         5.       Guaranty Federal Bank                             $__________

         6.       Signet Bank                                       $__________


                                       4

<PAGE>




                                  Schedule A-2
                                       to
                  Lender Addition and Acknowledgement Agreement

                             Lenders and Commitments
                           (as of the Effective Date)


A.       Commitment Percentage of Each Lender.

         1.       First Union National Bank                         __________%

         2.       AmSouth Bank                                      __________%

         3.       Crestar Bank                                      __________%

         4.       Fleet National Bank                               __________%

         5.       Guaranty Federal Bank                             __________%

         6.       Signet Bank                                       __________%



<PAGE>



B.       Commitment of Each Lender.

         1.       First Union National Bank                         $__________

         2.       AmSouth Bank                                      $__________

         3.       Crestar Bank                                      $__________

         4.       Fleet National Bank                               $__________

         5.       Guaranty Federal Bank                             $__________

         6.       Signet Bank                                       $__________


                                       2

<PAGE>



C.       Outstanding Balance of the Loans of Each Lender.

         1.       First Union National Bank                         $__________

         2.       AmSouth Bank                                      $__________

         3.       Crestar Bank                                      $__________

         4.       Fleet National Bank                               $__________

         5.       Guaranty Federal Bank                             $__________

         6.       Signet Bank                                       $__________



                                       3

<PAGE>



D.       Letter of Credit Exposure of each Lender.

         1.       First Union National Bank                         $__________

         2.       AmSouth Bank                                      $__________

         3.       Crestar Bank                                      $__________

         4.       Fleet National Bank                               $__________

         5.       Guaranty Federal Bank                             $__________

         6.       Signet Bank                                       $__________


                                       4

<PAGE>




                                   Schedule 1
                                       to
                                Credit Agreement

                             Lenders and Commitments
                                                                      Commitment
                                                     Commitment       Percentage

1.       First Union National Bank                   $_________       _________%
         One First Union Center, DC-6
         301 South College Street
         Charlotte, NC 28288-0166
         Attention:  Donna Hemenway
         Telephone No.: (704) 383-0281
         Telecopy No.:  (704) 382-0288

2.       AmSouth Bank                                $_________       _________%
         1900 5th Avenue North
         Birmingham, AL  35203
         Attention:   Arthur J. Sharbel
                      Vice President
         Telephone No.: (205) 581-7647
         Telecopy No.:  (205) 326-4075

3.       Crestar Bank                                $_________       _________%
         919 East Main Street, 8th Floor
         Richmond, VA 23219
         Attention:  Richard Dickinson
         Telephone No.: (804) 782-5956
         Telecopy No.:  (804) 782-7986

4.       Fleet National Bank                         $_________       _________%
         111 Westminster Street, RI MO 215
         Providence, RI  02903
         Attention:   Jim McLaughlin
                      Vice President
         Telephone No.: (401) 278-3247
         Telecopy No.:  (401) 278-5166

5.       Guaranty Federal Bank                       $_________       _________%
         8333 Douglas Avenue, Suite 1000
         Dallas, TX  75225
         Attention:  Roger Davis
         Telephone No.: (214) 360-2849
         Telecopy No.:  (214) 360-1661


<PAGE>



6.       Signet Bank                                 $_________       _________%
         7799 Leesburg Pike
         Falls Church, VA  22043
         Attention:  Kevin McCollough
         Telephone No.: (703) 714-5145
         Telecopy No.:  (703) 506-0284


                                       2

<PAGE>




                                    EXHIBIT I
                                       to
                                Credit Agreement
                          dated as of October __, 1997,
                                  by and among
                     Cornerstone Realty Income Trust, Inc.,
                     each Additional Borrower party thereto,
                           the Lenders party thereto,
                                       and
                           First Union National Bank,
                                    as Agent

                            Form of Joinder Agreement

         THIS JOINDER  AGREEMENT,  dated as of the ____ day of __________,  ____
(the "Agreement),  to the Credit Agreement  referred to below is entered into by
and among Cornerstone Realty Income Trust,  Inc., a corporation  organized under
the laws of Virginia  ("Cornerstone"),  each  Additional  Borrower party thereto
(collectively,  with Cornerstone,  the "Borrowers"),  ___________, a corporation
organized  under the laws of _________  and a  Subsidiary  of  Cornerstone  (the
"Company"), such lenders party thereto (the "Lenders"), and FIRST UNION NATIONAL
BANK, a national banking association, as Agent (the "Agent").

                              Statement of Purpose

         The  Borrowers,  the  Lenders  and the Agent are  parties to the Credit
Agreement  dated as of October __, 1997 (as  supplemented  hereby and as further
amended, restated, supplemented or otherwise modified, the "Credit Agreement").

         Pursuant to [insert description of agreement or transaction relating to
creation of New Subsidiary]. In connection therewith, the Company is required to
execute,  among  other  documents,  a  joinder  agreement  in order to  become a
Borrower under the Credit Agreement.

         NOW  THEREFORE,  in  consideration  of the  premises and other good and
valuable consideration, the parties hereto hereby agree as follows:

         1.01     Joinder of Company.

         (a)  Joinder.  Pursuant to Section  8.17 of the Credit  Agreement,  the
Company hereby agrees that it is a Borrower  under the Credit  Agreement as if a
signatory  thereof on the Closing Date, and the Company shall comply with and be
subject  to and have the  benefit of all of the  terms,  conditions,  covenants,
agreements and  obligations  set forth  therein.  The Company hereby agrees that
each reference to a "Borrower" or the  "Borrowers"  in the Credit  Agreement and
other Loan Documents shall include the Company. The Company acknowledges that it
has received a copy of the Credit Agreement and that it has read and understands
the terms thereof.



<PAGE>



         (b)  Schedules.  Attached  hereto are updated  copies of each  Schedule
referenced in the Credit Agreement  revised to include all information  required
to be provided therein with respect to (and only with respect to) the Company.

         2.01 Effectiveness.  This Agreement shall become effective upon receipt
by the Agent of (i) an originally executed Note for each Lender jointly executed
by each Borrower and the Company in exchange for the Notes issued on the Closing
Date or the date of the most recent Joinder  Agreement,  as applicable,  (ii) an
originally executed counterpart hereof and (iii) any other agreement or document
delivered in accordance with Section 8.17 (including,  without  limitation,  any
Security Document required to be executed thereunder).

         3.01     General Provisions.

         (a) Representations and Warranties.  Each Borrower hereby confirms that
each representation and warranty made by it under the Loan Documents is true and
correct in all  material  respects  as of the date hereof and that no Default or
Event of Default  has  occurred  or is  continuing  under the Credit  Agreement,
except for any deviations  from such  representations  and warranties  expressly
permitted  by  the  Credit   Agreement  and  except  for  any  waivers  of  such
representations and warranties granted by the Required Lenders in writing.  Each
such Borrower  hereby  represents  and warrants that as of the date hereof there
are no  claims  or  offsets  against  or  defenses  or  counterclaims  to  their
respective obligations under the Credit Agreement or any other Loan Document.

         (b) Limited Effect. Except as supplemented hereby, the Credit Agreement
and each other Loan Document  shall  continue to be, and shall  remain,  in full
force and effect.  This Agreement  shall not be deemed (i) to be a waiver of, or
consent to, or a  modification  or amendment  of, any other term or condition of
the Credit Agreement or (ii) to prejudice any right or rights which the Agent or
Lenders may now have or may have in the future under or in  connection  with the
Credit  Agreement or the Loan Documents or any of the  instruments or agreements
referred to therein, as the same may be amended or modified from time to time.

         (c) Costs and  Expenses.  The  Borrowers  hereby  jointly and severally
agree to pay or  reimburse  the Agent for all of its  reasonable  and  customary
out-of-pocket  costs and expenses  incurred in connection with the  preparation,
negotiation and execution of this Agreement including,  without limitation,  the
reasonable fees and disbursements of counsel.

         (d) Counterparts.  This Agreement may be executed by one or more of the
parties  hereto  in  any  number  of  separate  counterparts  and  all  of  said
counterparts  taken  together  shall be  deemed to  constitute  one and the same
instrument.

         (e)  Definitions.  All  capitalized  terms used and not defined  herein
shall have the meanings given thereto in the Credit Agreement.


                                       2

<PAGE>



         (f) Governing Law. THIS  AGREEMENT  SHALL BE GOVERNED BY, AND CONSTRUED
AND  INTERPRETED IN ACCORDANCE  WITH,  THE LAWS OF THE STATE OF NORTH  CAROLINA,
WITHOUT REFERENCE TO THE CONFLICTS OR CHOICE OF LAW PRINCIPLES THEREOF.




                            [Signature Page Follows]




                                       3

<PAGE>





         IN WITNESS WHEREOF the  undersigned  hereby causes this Agreement to be
executed and delivered as of the date first above written.

                                           BORROWERS:

[CORPORATE SEAL]                           CORNERSTONE REALTY INCOME TRUST, INC.


                                           By:      ____________________________
                                           Name:    ____________________________
                                           Title:   ____________________________


[CORPORATE SEAL]                           [OTHER BORROWERS]


                                           By:      ____________________________
                                           Name:    ____________________________
                                           Title:   ____________________________


[CORPORATE SEAL]                           [COMPANY]


                                           By:      ____________________________
                                           Name:    ____________________________
                                           Title:   ____________________________



<PAGE>



                                           AGENT:

                                           FIRST UNION NATIONAL BANK, as Agent


                                           By:      ____________________________
                                           Name:    ____________________________
                                           Title:   ____________________________




<PAGE>



                                           LENDERS:

                                           FIRST UNION NATIONAL BANK, as Lender


                                           By:      ____________________________
                                           Name:    ____________________________
                                           Title:   ____________________________



<PAGE>



                                           [ADDITIONAL LENDERS]


                                           By:      ____________________________
                                           Name:    ____________________________
                                           Title:   ____________________________






                                                                     Exhibit 4.2


                                Joinder Agreement

         THIS JOINDER AGREEMENT, dated as of the 31st day of December, 1997 (the
"Agreement"),  to the Credit Agreement  referred to below is entered into by and
among Cornerstone Realty Income Trust,  Inc., a corporation  organized under the
laws  of  Virginia  ("Cornerstone"),  each  Additional  Borrower  party  thereto
(collectively,  with  Cornerstone,  the  "Borrowers"),  CRIT-NC,  LLC, a limited
liability  company  organized  under the laws of Virginia  and a  Subsidiary  of
Cornerstone  (the "Company"),  such lenders party thereto (the  "Lenders"),  and
FIRST  UNION  NATIONAL  BANK,  a  national  banking  association,  as Agent (the
"Agent").

                              Statement of Purpose

         The  Borrowers,  the  Lenders  and the Agent are  parties to the Credit
Agreement  dated as of October 30, 1997 (as  supplemented  hereby and as further
amended, restated, supplemented or otherwise modified, the "Credit Agreement").

         Pursuant to an Operating  Agreement  dated as of December 9, 1997,  the
Company  has been  formed to hold  title to all  Properties  currently  owned by
Cornerstone  and  located  in the  State of North  Carolina.  The  Company  is a
Wholly-Owned  Subsidiary of Cornerstone  and  Cornerstone is the sole member and
manager of the Company. As a Subsidiary of Cornerstone,  the Company is required
under the terms of the Credit  Agreement  to execute  and  deliver,  among other
documents, a joinder to the Credit Agreement.

         NOW  THEREFORE,  in  consideration  of the  premises and other good and
valuable consideration, the parties hereto hereby agree as follows:

         1.01     Joinder of Company.

         (a)  Joinder.  Pursuant to Section  8.17 of the Credit  Agreement,  the
Company hereby agrees that it is a Borrower  under the Credit  Agreement as if a
signatory  thereof on the Closing Date, and the Company shall comply with and be
subject  to and have the  benefit of all of the  terms,  conditions,  covenants,
agreements and  obligations  set forth  therein.  The Company hereby agrees that
each reference to a "Borrower" or the  "Borrowers"  in the Credit  Agreement and
other Loan Documents shall include the Company. The Company acknowledges that it
has received a copy of the Credit Agreement and that it has read and understands
the terms thereof.

         (b)  Schedules.  Attached  hereto are updated  copies of each  Schedule
referenced in the Credit Agreement  revised to include all information  required
to be provided therein with respect to (and only with respect to) the Company.

         2.01 Effectiveness.  This Agreement shall become effective upon receipt
by the Agent of (i) an originally executed Note for each Lender jointly executed
by each Borrower and the Company in exchange for the Notes issued on the Closing
Date or the date of the most recent Joinder  Agreement,  as applicable,  (ii) an
originally executed  counterpart hereof executed by the Borrower,  the Agent and
the  Required  Lenders and (iii) any other  agreement  or document  delivered

<PAGE>

in accordance with Section 8.17  (including,  without  limitation,  any Security
Document required to be executed thereunder).

         3.01     General Provisions.

         (a) Representations and Warranties.  Each Borrower hereby confirms that
each representation and warranty made by it under the Loan Documents is true and
correct in all  material  respects  as of the date hereof and that no Default or
Event of Default  has  occurred  or is  continuing  under the Credit  Agreement,
except for any deviations  from such  representations  and warranties  expressly
permitted  by  the  Credit   Agreement  and  except  for  any  waivers  of  such
representations and warranties granted by the Required Lenders in writing.  Each
such Borrower  hereby  represents  and warrants that as of the date hereof there
are no  claims  or  offsets  against  or  defenses  or  counterclaims  to  their
respective obligations under the Credit Agreement or any other Loan Document.

         (b) Limited Effect. Except as supplemented hereby, the Credit Agreement
and each other Loan Document  shall  continue to be, and shall  remain,  in full
force and effect.  This Agreement  shall not be deemed (i) to be a waiver of, or
consent to, or a  modification  or amendment  of, any other term or condition of
the Credit Agreement or (ii) to prejudice any right or rights which the Agent or
Lenders may now have or may have in the future under or in  connection  with the
Credit  Agreement or the Loan Documents or any of the  instruments or agreements
referred to therein, as the same may be amended or modified from time to time.

         (c) Costs and  Expenses.  The  Borrowers  hereby  jointly and severally
agree to pay or  reimburse  the Agent for all of its  reasonable  and  customary
out-of-pocket  costs and expenses  incurred in connection with the  preparation,
negotiation and execution of this Agreement including,  without limitation,  the
reasonable fees and disbursements of counsel.

         (d) Counterparts.  This Agreement may be executed by one or more of the
parties  hereto  in  any  number  of  separate  counterparts  and  all  of  said
counterparts  taken  together  shall be  deemed to  constitute  one and the same
instrument.

         (e)  Definitions.  All  capitalized  terms used and not defined  herein
shall have the meanings given thereto in the Credit Agreement.

         (f) Governing Law. THIS  AGREEMENT  SHALL BE GOVERNED BY, AND CONSTRUED
AND  INTERPRETED IN ACCORDANCE  WITH,  THE LAWS OF THE STATE OF NORTH  CAROLINA,
WITHOUT REFERENCE TO THE CONFLICTS OR CHOICE OF LAW PRINCIPLES THEREOF.

         (g)  Approval by  Required  Lenders.  By their  execution  hereof,  the
Required Lenders evidence their consent to the transactions  contemplated hereby
including  without  limitation (i) the creation of the Company as a Wholly-Owned
Subsidiary  of  Cornerstone,  (ii)  Cornerstone's  investment in the Company and
(iii) the  transfer by  Cornerstone  to the Company of each  Property  currently
owned by Cornerstone and located in the State of North Carolina.


                                       2
<PAGE>

         (h) Revised  Schedule  1.1(a) to Credit  Agreement.  The parties hereto
acknowledge  the attached  Schedule 1.1(a) to the Credit  Agreement,  revised to
reflect the merger of Signet Bank with and into First  Union  National  Bank and
the combined Commitments of such Lenders.

         (i) Fax Transmission.  A facsimile,  telecopy or other  reproduction of
this  Agreement may be executed by one or more parties  hereto,  and an executed
copy  of this  Agreement  may be  delivered  by one or more  parties  hereto  by
facsimile or similar  instantaneous  electronic  transmission device pursuant to
which  the  signature  of or on  behalf  of such  party  can be  seen,  and such
execution and delivery shall be considered valid,  binding and effective for all
purposes.  At the  request of any party  hereto,  all  parties  hereto  agree to
execute an  original of this  Agreement  as well as any  facsimile,  telecopy or
other reproduction hereof.


                            [Signature Pages Follow]



                                       3

<PAGE>


         IN WITNESS WHEREOF the  undersigned  hereby causes this Agreement to be
executed and delivered as of the date first above written.

                                 BORROWERS:

[CORPORATE SEAL]                 CORNERSTONE REALTY INCOME TRUST, INC.


                                 By:      /s/ Stanley J. Olander, Jr.
                                          --------------------------------------
                                 Name:    Stanley J. Olander, Jr.
                                          --------------------------------------
                                 Title:   Vice President and CFO
                                          --------------------------------------



[CORPORATE SEAL]                 CRIT-NC, LLC



                                 By: CORNERSTONE  REALTY INCOME TRUST, INC., its
                                     sole Member/Manager

                                     By: /s/ Stanley J. Olander, Jr.
                                        ----------------------------------------
                                     Name: Stanley J. Olander, Jr.
                                          --------------------------------------
                                     Title:  Vice President and CFO
                                           -------------------------------------



<PAGE>



                                            AGENT:

                                            FIRST UNION NATIONAL BANK, as Agent


                                            By:      /s/ John A. Schissel
                                                     ---------------------------
                                            Name:    John A. Schissel
                                                     ---------------------------
                                            Title:   VP
                                                     ---------------------------



<PAGE>



                                        LENDERS:

                                        FIRST UNION NATIONAL BANK


                                        By:      /s/ John A. Schissel
                                                 -------------------------------
                                        Name:    John A. Schissel
                                                 -------------------------------
                                        Title:   VP
                                                 -------------------------------


                                        AMSOUTH BANK


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


                                        CRESTAR BANK


                                        By:      /s/ Richard D. Dickinson
                                                 -------------------------------
                                        Name:    Richard D. Dickinson
                                                 -------------------------------
                                        Title:   Senior Vice President
                                                 -------------------------------


                                        FLEET NATIONAL BANK


                                        By:      /s/ James B. McLaughlin
                                                 -------------------------------
                                        Name:    James B. McLaughlin
                                                 -------------------------------
                                        Title:   Vice President
                                                 -------------------------------


                                        GUARANTY FEDERAL BANK, F.S.B.


                                        By:    /s/ Lesa B. Balsley
                                               ---------------------------------
                                        Name:  Lesa B. Balsley
                                               ---------------------------------
                                        Title: Division Manager/Vice President
                                               ---------------------------------


<PAGE>



                       Schedule 1.1(a):  LENDERS AND COMMITMENTS


                                                  COMMITMENT
                                                  AND COMMITMENT
LENDER                                            PERCENTAGE


First Union National Bank                         $65,000,000
One First Union Center, DC-6                         37.14%
301 South College Street
Charlotte, North Carolina  28288-0166
Attention:  John Schissel
Telephone No.:  (704) 383-8763
Telecopy No.:   (704) 383-7989

AmSouth Bank                                      $35,000,000
1900 5th Avenue North                                20.00%
Birmingham, AL  35203
Attention:  Arthur J. Sharbel
            Vice President
Telephone No.:  (205) 581-7647
Telecopy No.:   (205) 326-4075

Crestar Bank                                      $25,000,000
919 East Main Street, 8th Floor                      14.29%
Richmond, VA  23219
Attention:  Richard Dickinson
Telephone No.:  (804) 782-5956
Telecopy No.:   (804) 782-7986

Fleet National Bank                               $20,000,000
111 Westminster Street, RI MO215                     11.43%
8th Floor
Providence, RI  02903
Attention:  Jim McLaughlin
            Vice President
Telephone No.:  (401) 278-3247
Telecopy No.:   (401) 278-5166

Guaranty Federal Bank, F.S.B.                     $30,000,000
8333 Douglas Avenue, Suite 1000                      17.14%
Dallas, TX  75225
Attention:  Roger Davis
Telephone No.:  (214) 360-2849
Telecopy No.:   (214) 360-1661


<PAGE>


                                 SCHEDULE 1.1(b)

                                       TO

                                CREDIT AGREEMENT


                                 REFINANCED DEBT

     None.


<PAGE>



                                 SCHEDULE 6.1(a)

                                       TO

                                CREDIT AGREEMENT


                 JURISDICTIONS OF ORGANIZATION AND QUALIFICATION

     The Company is organized and  authorized to do business in Virginia and has
submitted an application  to transact  business as a foreign  limited  liability
company in North Carolina.

     There are no Subsidiaries of the Company.



<PAGE>



                                 SCHEDULE 6.1(b)

                                       TO

                                CREDIT AGREEMENT


                         SUBSIDIARIES AND CAPITALIZATION

     There are no Subsidiaries of the Company.

     The following describes the capitalization of the Company as of the date of
the Agreement:


             AUTHORIZED                         OWNERSHIP OF LLC
              CLASS OF                              MEMBERSHIP
              INTEREST                              INTEREST
     LLC Membership Interest                      100% owned by
                                                Cornerstone Realty
                                                Income Trust, Inc.



<PAGE>



                                 SCHEDULE 6.1(i)

                                       TO

                                CREDIT AGREEMENT


                                   ERISA PLANS

     None.



<PAGE>



                                 SCHEDULE 6.1(m)

                                       TO

                                CREDIT AGREEMENT


                   LABOR AND COLLECTIVE BARGAINING AGREEMENTS

     None.



<PAGE>



                                 SCHEDULE 6.1(r)

                                       TO

                                CREDIT AGREEMENT


                         DEBT AND CONTINGENT OBLIGATIONS

     None.


<PAGE>



                                 SCHEDULE 6.1(s)

                                       TO

                                CREDIT AGREEMENT


                                   LITIGATION

     None.



<PAGE>



                                  SCHEDULE 10.3

                                       TO

                                CREDIT AGREEMENT


                                 EXISTING LIENS

     None.



<PAGE>


                                  SCHEDULE 10.4

                                       TO

                                CREDIT AGREEMENT


                    EXISTING LOANS, ADVANCES AND INVESTMENTS

     None.








                                                                     Exhibit 4.3


                   AMENDED AND RESTATED REVOLVING CREDIT NOTE

         This is one of a series of notes  which  amend and  restate  but do not
         extinguish the obligations  under those certain  Revolving Credit Notes
         executed in connection  with the Credit  Agreement  dated as of October
         30, 1997 by and among  Cornerstone  Realty  Income  Trust,  Inc.,  each
         Additional Borrower party thereto,  the Lenders party thereto and First
         Union National Bank, as Agent.

$65,000,000                                                    December 31, 1997

         FOR VALUE RECEIVED,  the undersigned,  CORNERSTONE REALTY INCOME TRUST,
INC., a corporation  organized under the laws of Virginia  ("Cornerstone"),  and
CRIT-NC,  LLC, a limited  liability company organized under the laws of Virginia
("CRIT-NC",  and together with Cornerstone,  the "Borrowers") hereby jointly and
severally promise to pay to the order of FIRST UNION NATIONAL BANK (the "Bank"),
at the times,  at the place and in the manner  provided in the Credit  Agreement
hereinafter  referred to, the principal sum of up to Sixty-Five  Million Dollars
($65,000,000),  or, if less, the aggregate  unpaid principal amount of all Loans
disbursed  by the Bank under the 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 IV of the Credit Agreement.

         This Note is the Note  referred to in, and is entitled to the  benefits
of, the Credit  Agreement  dated as of October 30, 1997 (as  amended,  restated,
supplemented  or otherwise  modified,  the "Credit  Agreement") by and among the
Borrowers,  each Additional Borrower that may become party thereto,  the lenders
(including  the Bank) party  thereto (the  "Lenders")  and First Union  National
Bank, as Agent (the "Agent"). The 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 Borrowers agree to pay on demand all 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 IS MADE AND  DELIVERED  IN THE STATE OF NORTH  CAROLINA  AND
SHALL BE CONSTRUED IN  ACCORDANCE  WITH AND GOVERNED BY THE LAWS OF THE STATE OF
NORTH CAROLINA.

         The Debt  evidenced  by this Note is senior in right of  payment to all
Subordinated Debt referred to in the Credit Agreement.

                            [Signature Page Follows]


<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.

                                      CORNERSTONE REALTY INCOME TRUST, INC.

[CORPORATE SEAL]

                                      By:/s/ Stanley J. Olander, Jr.
                                         ---------------------------------------
                                      Name: Stanley J. Olander, Jr.
                                           -------------------------------------
                                      Title: Vice President and CFO
                                            ------------------------------------



                                      CRIT-NC, LLC

                                      By: CORNERSTONE REALTY INCOME TRUST, INC.,
                                          its sole Member/Manager

                                          By:/s/ Stanley J. Olander, Jr.
                                             -----------------------------------
                                          Name:  Stanley J. Olander, Jr.
                                               ---------------------------------
                                          Title: Vice President and CFO
                                                --------------------------------


<PAGE>

                   AMENDED AND RESTATED REVOLVING CREDIT NOTE

         This is one of a series of notes  which  amend and  restate  but do not
         extinguish the obligations  under those certain  Revolving Credit Notes
         executed in connection  with the Credit  Agreement  dated as of October
         30, 1997 by and among  Cornerstone  Realty  Income  Trust,  Inc.,  each
         Additional Borrower party thereto,  the Lenders party thereto and First
         Union National Bank, as Agent.

$35,000,000                                                    December 31, 1997

         FOR VALUE RECEIVED,  the undersigned,  CORNERSTONE REALTY INCOME TRUST,
INC., a corporation  organized under the laws of Virginia  ("Cornerstone"),  and
CRIT-NC,  LLC, a limited  liability company organized under the laws of Virginia
("CRIT-NC",  and together with Cornerstone,  the "Borrowers") hereby jointly and
severally  promise  to pay to the order of  AMSOUTH  BANK (the  "Bank"),  at the
times,  at the  place  and in  the  manner  provided  in  the  Credit  Agreement
hereinafter  referred to, the principal sum of up to Thirty-Five Million Dollars
($35,000,000),  or, if less, the aggregate  unpaid principal amount of all Loans
disbursed  by the Bank under the 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 IV of the Credit Agreement.

         This Note is the Note  referred to in, and is entitled to the  benefits
of, the Credit  Agreement  dated as of October 30, 1997 (as  amended,  restated,
supplemented  or otherwise  modified,  the "Credit  Agreement") by and among the
Borrowers,  each Additional Borrower that may become party thereto,  the lenders
(including  the Bank) party  thereto (the  "Lenders")  and First Union  National
Bank, as Agent (the "Agent"). The 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 Borrowers agree to pay on demand all 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 IS MADE AND  DELIVERED  IN THE STATE OF NORTH  CAROLINA  AND
SHALL BE CONSTRUED IN  ACCORDANCE  WITH AND GOVERNED BY THE LAWS OF THE STATE OF
NORTH CAROLINA.

         The Debt  evidenced  by this Note is senior in right of  payment to all
Subordinated Debt referred to in the Credit Agreement.

                            [Signature Page Follows]


<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.

                                      CORNERSTONE REALTY INCOME TRUST, INC.

[CORPORATE SEAL]

                                      By:/s/ Stanley J. Olander, Jr.
                                         ---------------------------------------
                                      Name: Stanley J. Olander, Jr.
                                           -------------------------------------
                                      Title: Vice President and CFO
                                            ------------------------------------


                                      CRIT-NC, LLC

                                      By: CORNERSTONE REALTY INCOME TRUST, INC.,
                                          its sole Member/Manager



                                          By:/s/ Stanley J. Olander, Jr.
                                             -----------------------------------
                                          Name:  Stanley J. Olander, Jr.
                                               ---------------------------------
                                          Title:  Vice President and CFO
                                                --------------------------------


<PAGE>



                   AMENDED AND RESTATED REVOLVING CREDIT NOTE

         This is one of a series of notes  which  amend and  restate  but do not
         extinguish the obligations  under those certain  Revolving Credit Notes
         executed in connection  with the Credit  Agreement  dated as of October
         30, 1997 by and among  Cornerstone  Realty  Income  Trust,  Inc.,  each
         Additional Borrower party thereto,  the Lenders party thereto and First
         Union National Bank, as Agent.

$25,000,000                                                    December 31, 1997

         FOR VALUE RECEIVED,  the undersigned,  CORNERSTONE REALTY INCOME TRUST,
INC., a corporation  organized under the laws of Virginia  ("Cornerstone"),  and
CRIT-NC,  LLC, a limited  liability company organized under the laws of Virginia
("CRIT-NC",  and together with Cornerstone,  the "Borrowers") hereby jointly and
severally  promise  to pay to the order of  CRESTAR  BANK (the  "Bank"),  at the
times,  at the  place  and in  the  manner  provided  in  the  Credit  Agreement
hereinafter  referred to, the principal sum of up to Twenty-Five Million Dollars
($25,000,000),  or, if less, the aggregate  unpaid principal amount of all Loans
disbursed  by the Bank under the 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 IV of the Credit Agreement.

         This Note is the Note  referred to in, and is entitled to the  benefits
of, the Credit  Agreement  dated as of October 30, 1997 (as  amended,  restated,
supplemented  or otherwise  modified,  the "Credit  Agreement") by and among the
Borrowers,  each Additional Borrower that may become party thereto,  the lenders
(including  the Bank) party  thereto (the  "Lenders")  and First Union  National
Bank, as Agent (the "Agent"). The 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 Borrowers agree to pay on demand all 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 IS MADE AND  DELIVERED  IN THE STATE OF NORTH  CAROLINA  AND
SHALL BE CONSTRUED IN  ACCORDANCE  WITH AND GOVERNED BY THE LAWS OF THE STATE OF
NORTH CAROLINA.

         The Debt  evidenced  by this Note is senior in right of  payment to all
Subordinated Debt referred to in the Credit Agreement.

                            [Signature Page Follows]


<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.

                                      CORNERSTONE REALTY INCOME TRUST, INC.

[CORPORATE SEAL]

                                      By:/s/ Stanley J. Olander, Jr.
                                         ---------------------------------------
                                      Name: Stanley J. Olander, Jr.
                                           -------------------------------------
                                      Title: Vice President and CFO
                                            ------------------------------------


                                      CRIT-NC, LLC

                                      By: CORNERSTONE REALTY INCOME TRUST, INC.,
                                          its sole Member/Manager


                                          By:/s/ Stanley J. Olander, Jr.
                                             -----------------------------------
                                          Name: Stanley J. Olander, Jr.
                                               ---------------------------------
                                          Title:  Vice President and CFO
                                                --------------------------------


<PAGE>


                   AMENDED AND RESTATED REVOLVING CREDIT NOTE

         This is one of a series of notes  which  amend and  restate  but do not
         extinguish the obligations  under those certain  Revolving Credit Notes
         executed in connection  with the Credit  Agreement  dated as of October
         30, 1997 by and among  Cornerstone  Realty  Income  Trust,  Inc.,  each
         Additional Borrower party thereto,  the Lenders party thereto and First
         Union National Bank, as Agent.

$20,000,000                                                    December 31, 1997

         FOR VALUE RECEIVED,  the undersigned,  CORNERSTONE REALTY INCOME TRUST,
INC., a corporation  organized under the laws of Virginia  ("Cornerstone"),  and
CRIT-NC,  LLC, a limited  liability company organized under the laws of Virginia
("CRIT-NC",  and together with Cornerstone,  the "Borrowers") hereby jointly and
severally  promise to pay to the order of FLEET  NATIONAL BANK (the "Bank"),  at
the times,  at the place and in the  manner  provided  in the  Credit  Agreement
hereinafter  referred  to, the  principal  sum of up to Twenty  Million  Dollars
($20,000,000),  or, if less, the aggregate  unpaid principal amount of all Loans
disbursed  by the Bank under the 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 IV of the Credit Agreement.

         This Note is the Note  referred to in, and is entitled to the  benefits
of, the Credit  Agreement  dated as of October 30, 1997 (as  amended,  restated,
supplemented  or otherwise  modified,  the "Credit  Agreement") by and among the
Borrowers,  each Additional Borrower that may become party thereto,  the lenders
(including  the Bank) party  thereto (the  "Lenders")  and First Union  National
Bank, as Agent (the "Agent"). The 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 Borrowers agree to pay on demand all 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 IS MADE AND  DELIVERED  IN THE STATE OF NORTH  CAROLINA  AND
SHALL BE CONSTRUED IN  ACCORDANCE  WITH AND GOVERNED BY THE LAWS OF THE STATE OF
NORTH CAROLINA.

         The Debt  evidenced  by this Note is senior in right of  payment to all
Subordinated Debt referred to in the Credit Agreement.

                            [Signature Page Follows]


<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.

                                      CORNERSTONE REALTY INCOME TRUST, INC.

[CORPORATE SEAL]


                                      By:/s/ Stanley J. Olander, Jr.
                                         ---------------------------------------
                                      Name: Stanley J. Olander, Jr.
                                           -------------------------------------
                                      Title: Vice President and CFO
                                            ------------------------------------


                                      CRIT-NC, LLC

                                      By: CORNERSTONE REALTY INCOME TRUST, INC.,
                                          its sole Member/Manager



                                      By:/s/ Stanley J. Olander, Jr.
                                         ---------------------------------------
                                      Name: Stanley J. Olander, Jr.
                                           -------------------------------------
                                      Title: Vice President and CFO
                                            ------------------------------------



<PAGE>


                   AMENDED AND RESTATED REVOLVING CREDIT NOTE

         This is one of a series of notes  which  amend and  restate  but do not
         extinguish the obligations  under those certain  Revolving Credit Notes
         executed in connection  with the Credit  Agreement  dated as of October
         30, 1997 by and among  Cornerstone  Realty  Income  Trust,  Inc.,  each
         Additional Borrower party thereto,  the Lenders party thereto and First
         Union National Bank, as Agent.

$30,000,000                                                    December 31, 1997

         FOR VALUE RECEIVED,  the undersigned,  CORNERSTONE REALTY INCOME TRUST,
INC., a corporation  organized under the laws of Virginia  ("Cornerstone"),  and
CRIT-NC,  LLC, a limited  liability company organized under the laws of Virginia
("CRIT-NC",  and together with Cornerstone,  the "Borrowers") hereby jointly and
severally  promise to pay to the order of GUARANTY  FEDERAL  BANK,  F.S.B.  (the
"Bank"),  at the times,  at the place and in the manner  provided  in the 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 Bank  under the  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 IV of the Credit Agreement.

         This Note is the Note  referred to in, and is entitled to the  benefits
of, the Credit  Agreement  dated as of October 30, 1997 (as  amended,  restated,
supplemented  or otherwise  modified,  the "Credit  Agreement") by and among the
Borrowers,  each Additional Borrower that may become party thereto,  the lenders
(including  the Bank) party  thereto (the  "Lenders")  and First Union  National
Bank, as Agent (the "Agent"). The 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 Borrowers agree to pay on demand all 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 IS MADE AND  DELIVERED  IN THE STATE OF NORTH  CAROLINA  AND
SHALL BE CONSTRUED IN  ACCORDANCE  WITH AND GOVERNED BY THE LAWS OF THE STATE OF
NORTH CAROLINA.

         The Debt  evidenced  by this Note is senior in right of  payment to all
Subordinated Debt referred to in the Credit Agreement.

                            [Signature Page Follows]


<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.

                                      CORNERSTONE REALTY INCOME TRUST, INC.

[CORPORATE SEAL]


                                      By:/s/ Stanley J. Olander, Jr.
                                         ---------------------------------------
                                      Name: Stanley J. Olander, Jr.
                                           -------------------------------------
                                      Title: Vice President and CFO
                                            ------------------------------------



                                      CRIT-NC, LLC

                                      By: CORNERSTONE REALTY INCOME TRUST, INC.,
                                          its sole Member/Manager


                                      By:/s/ Stanley J. Olander, Jr.
                                         ---------------------------------------
                                      Name: Stanley J. Olander, Jr.
                                           -------------------------------------
                                      Title: Vice President and CFO
                                            ------------------------------------






                            COMMONWEALTH OF VIRGINIA
                          STATE CORPORATION COMMISSION

                         ARTICLES OF ORGANIZATION FOR A
                            LIMITED LIABILITY COMPANY

                                  CRIT-NC, LLC


     Pursuant  to ss.  13.1-1010  of  Chapter  12 of  Title  13.1 of the Code of
Virginia, the undersigned states as follows:

     1. The name of the limited liability company is CRIT-NC, LLC.

     2. The address of the initial registered office in Virginia is c/o McGuire,
Woods,  Battle &  Boothe,  L.L.P.,  One  James  Center,  901 East  Cary  Street,
Richmond, Virginia 23219, which is located in the City of Richmond.

     3. A. The  registered  agent's name is Martin B.  Richards,  whose business
address is identical with the address of the registered office.

         B. The registered  agent is an individual who is a resident of Virginia
and a member of the Virginia State Bar.

     4. The post office address of the principal office of the limited liability
company is c/o  Cornerstone  Realty  Income Trust,  Inc.,  306 East Main Street,
Richmond, Virginia 23219.

     5.  Signature of Organizer:        /s/ Martin B. Richards
                                        -------------------------
                                        Name: Martin B. Richards
                                        Dated: December 8, 1997



                                        1



                               OPERATING AGREEMENT
                                       OF
                                  CRIT-NC, LLC


     This OPERATING AGREEMENT of CRIT-NC, LLC (the "LLC") is made as of December
9, 1997,  between  Cornerstone  Realty Income Trust, Inc. (the "Member") and the
LLC.


                                    ARTICLE I
                        FORMATION, PURPOSES, AND MEMBERS

     1.1 FORMATION.  The Member  acknowledges the formation of the LLC under the
Virginia  Limited  Liability  Company  Act (as  amended  from time to time,  the
"Act").

     1.2 PURPOSE; OPERATIONS.

         (A) BUSINESS PURPOSE. The purpose of the LLC is to engage in any lawful
business  specified  by the  Member.  Without  limiting  the  generality  of the
foregoing, the LLC shall own and operate certain residential apartment complexes
in North Carolina,  and may do all things incidental or related to, or necessary
or convenient for, the accomplishment of the foregoing.

         (B) LIMITED LIABILITY.  No Member, Manager (as defined below), or agent
of the LLC shall have any personal  obligation  for any  liabilities  of the LLC
solely by reason of being a Member,  Manager,  or agent,  except as  provided by
law.

         (C) NAMES.  The LLC may conduct  business  under its own name and under
such assumed names as it deems appropriate or convenient.

         (D) QUALIFICATIONS IN OTHER JURISDICTIONS.  If required by law, the LLC
shall  promptly  qualify or register to transact  business in all  jurisdictions
other than Virginia in which it conducts business.

     1.3 MEMBERS.  Members shall include only the undersigned initial Member and
any Member subsequently  admitted in writing to the LLC. The name, address,  and
Membership Interest of the initial Member are listed on Exhibit A.


                                   ARTICLE II
                                   MANAGEMENT

     2.1  MANAGEMENT  BY MEMBER.  The LLC shall be managed  by the  Member.  The
Member shall have full  responsibility for and all rights and powers relating to
managing the

                                       -1-

<PAGE>



business  and affairs of the LLC.  The Member may, but shall not be required to,
delegate any of its rights, powers, and duties to a manager or managers (whether
one or more,  the  "Manager").  Any Manager may be given such title or titles as
shall be specified by the Member.

     2.2  POWERS OF  MEMBER.  The Member may act on behalf of the LLC in all the
matters described in Section 13.1-1009 of the Act.


                                   ARTICLE III
                            REIMBURSEMENT OF EXPENSES

     3.1  EXPENSES;   REIMBURSEMENT.   The  LLC  shall  bear  all  expenses  and
liabilities incurred with respect to the organization, operation, and management
of the LLC. A Member or Manager shall be entitled to reimbursement  from the LLC
for any LLC expenses or liabilities incurred by the Member or Manager,  provided
that the  expenses or  liabilities  did not arise as a result of the Member's or
Manager's willful misconduct or a knowing violation of the criminal law.


                                   ARTICLE IV
                         CONTRIBUTIONS AND DISTRIBUTIONS

     4.1  CONTRIBUTIONS.  The Member  has  contributed  to the LLC the  property
described  on Exhibit A in exchange  for all of the  interests  in the LLC.  The
Member is not obligated to make any additional capital  contributions to the LLC
but may, in its discretion, make additional capital contributions to the LLC.

     4.2  DISTRIBUTIONS.  The Member may distribute to the Members,  annually or
more  frequently,  cash and non-cash  assets not required for LLC  operations or
reserves.


                                    ARTICLE V
                                   DISSOLUTION

     5.1 EVENTS OF  DISSOLUTION.  The LLC shall  dissolve only upon the first to
occur of:

         (A) ELECTION OF MEMBER.  The written election of the Member to dissolve
the LLC; or

         (B) DISPOSITION OF ASSETS. The sale, transfer,  or other disposition of
substantially all of the non-cash assets of the LLC.

     5.2 WINDING UP. Upon the  dissolution  of the LLC, the Member shall wind up
the affairs of the LLC. The Member shall determine the time,  manner,  and terms
of any sale or sales

                                       -2-

<PAGE>



of LLC property  pursuant to such winding up,  having due regard to the activity
and the condition of the LLC and relevant market and economic conditions.

     5.3 CERTIFICATE OF  CANCELLATION.  Upon completion of the winding up of the
LLC, the LLC shall  terminate and a Certificate of  Cancellation  shall be filed
with  the  Virginia  State  Corporation  Commission,  together  with  any  other
documents required to effectuate the termination.


                                   ARTICLE VI
                           ADMINISTRATIVE PROVISIONS

     6.1  OFFICES.   The  initial  principal  office,   registered  office,  and
registered  agent  shall be as set forth in the  Articles of  Organization.  The
Member may change the principal office, the registered office, or the registered
agent at any time.

     6.2 INFORMATION AND RECORDS.  The Member shall keep full and accurate books
of account,  records,  and supporting  documents at the principal  office of the
LLC. Upon reasonable notice,  any designated  representative of the Member shall
have access to such books,  records,  and documents during  reasonable  business
hours and may inspect and make copies of any of them at the Member's expense.


                                   ARTICLE VII
                                  MISCELLANEOUS

     7.1 AMENDMENT. This Agreement may only be amended by the written consent of
the sole  Member,  or, if  additional  Members are  admitted,  by the  unanimous
written consent of the Members.

     7.2 DEFINITIONS.  Unless the context otherwise requires,  the terms used in
this Agreement shall have the same definitions set forth in the Act.

     7.3 GOVERNING  LAW. This  Agreement  shall be governed by the Act and other
applicable laws of the  Commonwealth  of Virginia,  without giving effect to its
conflicts of laws rules.


                                       -3-

<PAGE>





     IN WITNESS WHEREOF,  the Member and the LLC have executed this Agreement as
of the date indicated above.


                                      The Member:
                                      Cornerstone Realty Income Trust, Inc.
                                               
                                               /s/ Stanley J. Olander, Jr.
                                      By:      ___________________________
                                               Stanley J. Olander, Jr.
                                               Chief Financial Officer


                                      The LLC:
                                      CRIT-NC, LLC

                                      By: Cornerstone Realty Income Trust, Inc.,
                                          Sole Member

                                               /s/ Stanley J. Olander, Jr.
                                      By:      ___________________________
                                               Stanley J. Olander, Jr.
                                               Chief Financial Officer


                                       -4-

<PAGE>


                                    EXHIBIT A
                                     TO THE
                               OPERATING AGREEMENT
                                       OF
                                  CRIT-NC, LLC


<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                   Capital
Name and Business                               Contribution
Address of                                                                                     Percentage
Member                            Description                  Contribution Date                Interest
- ------                            -----------                  -----------------                --------
<S>                                  <C>                        <C>                               <C> 
Cornerstone Realty Income            $1,000                     December 9, 1997                  100%
 Trust, Inc.
306 East Main Street
Richmond, Virginia 23219
</TABLE>



                                       -5-



© 2022 IncJournal is not affiliated with or endorsed by the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission