HORTON D R INC /DE/
10-Q, 1998-08-06
OPERATIVE BUILDERS
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                                    FORM 10-Q

                       SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
                                Washington, D. C.


(Mark One)
 x  QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO  SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE
- --- ACT OF 1934
For the Quarterly Period Ended   June 30, 1998
                                ----------------
                                       OR

    TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE
    ACT OF 1934
For the Transition Period From                     To
                                ------------------     --------------------

Commission file number   1-14122
                        ---------
                                D.R. HORTON, INC.
             (Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)


            DELAWARE                                             75-2386963
- -------------------------------                              -------------------
(State or other jurisdiction of                               (I.R.S. Employer
 incorporation or organization)                              Identification No.)


1901 Ascension Blvd., Suite 100, Arlington, Texas                       76006
- -------------------------------------------------                     ----------
    (Address of principal executive offices)                          (Zip Code)


                                 (817) 856-8200
              ----------------------------------------------------
              (Registrant's telephone number, including area code)


              ----------------------------------------------------
              (Former name, former address and former fiscal year,
                         if changed since last report)

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required
to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during
the  preceding 12 months (or for such  shorter  period that the  registrant  was
required  to file  such  reports),  and  (2) has  been  subject  to such  filing
requirements for the past 90 days.

                                  Yes  X  No
                                      ---    ---


                      APPLICABLE ONLY TO CORPORATE ISSUERS:

Indicate the number of shares  outstanding  of each of the  issuer's  classes of
common stock, as of the latest practicable date.

      Common stock, $.01 par value -- 55,613,693 shares as of July 31, 1998
                                      ----------

                        This Report contains  18  pages.
                                             ----



<PAGE>



                                      INDEX

                                D.R. HORTON, INC.


PART I.  FINANCIAL INFORMATION.                                             Page


ITEM 1.  Financial Statements.

         Consolidated Balance Sheets--June 30, 1998 and September 30, 1997.    3

         Consolidated Statements of Income--Three Months and Nine Months 
                 Ended June 30, 1998 and 1997.                                 4

         Consolidated Statement of Stockholders' Equity--Nine Months 
                 Ended June 30, 1998.                                          5

         Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows--Nine Months Ended 
                 June 30, 1998 and 1997.                                       6

         Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.                         7-9

ITEM 2.  Management's Discussion and Analysis of Results of Operations
         and Financial Condition.                                          10-14


PART II. OTHER INFORMATION.

ITEM 2.  Changes in Securities.                                               15

ITEM 4.  Submission of Matters to a Vote of Security Holders.                 15

ITEM 5.  Other Information.                                                   16

ITEM 6.  Exhibits and Reports on Form 8-K.                                 16-17


SIGNATURES.                                                                   18



<PAGE>

                       D.R. HORTON, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
                           CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS


                                                       June 30,    September 30,
                                                         1998           1997
                                                      ----------   -------------
                                                           (In thousands)
                                                     (Unaudited)
                                     ASSETS

Homebuilding:
  Cash..............................................  $  112,747      $   78,228
  Inventories.......................................   1,291,283       1,024,268
  Property and equipment (net)......................      24,264          16,988
  Other assets......................................      66,473          56,420
  Excess of cost over net assets acquired (net).....      57,509          37,717
                                                      ----------      ----------
                                                       1,552,276       1,213,621
                                                      ----------      ----------
Financing:
  Mortgage loans held for sale......................      66,308          34,072
  Other assets......................................       3,284             630
                                                      ----------      ----------
                                                          69,592          34,702
                                                      ----------      ----------
                                                      $1,621,868      $1,248,323
                                                      ==========      ==========
                                   LIABILITIES

Homebuilding:
  Accounts payable and other liabilities............  $  214,274      $  165,309
                                                      ----------      ----------
  Notes payable:
     Financial institutions.........................     523,438         231,500
     8 3/8% senior notes due 2004, net..............     147,655         147,370
     10% senior notes due 2006, net.................     147,112         148,462
     6 7/8% convertible subordinated notes 
       due 2002, net................................      82,684          86,250
     Other..........................................       4,997          18,970
                                                      ----------      ----------
                                                         905,886         632,552
                                                      ----------      ----------
                                                       1,120,160         797,861
                                                      ----------      ----------
Financing:
  Other liabilities.................................       5,509             506
  Notes payable to financial institutions...........           -          18,188
                                                      ----------      ----------
                                                           5,509          18,694
                                                      ----------      ----------
                                                       1,125,669         816,555
                                                      ----------      ----------
  Minority interest.................................       3,632           3,902
                                                      ----------      ----------

                              STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY

  Preferred stock, $.10 par value, 30,000,000 
    shares authorized, no shares issued.............           -               -
  Common stock, $.01 par value, 100,000,000 shares
    authorized, 53,349,785 at June 30, 1998 and 
    52,749,527 at September 30, 1997, issued and
    outstanding.....................................         533             527
  Additional capital................................     275,886         268,631
  Retained earnings.................................     216,148         158,708
                                                      ----------      ----------
                                                         492,567         427,866
                                                      ----------      ----------
                                                      $1,621,868      $1,248,323
                                                      ==========      ==========

          See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.

                                       -3-

<PAGE>

                       D. R. HORTON, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
                        CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME


                                       Three Months           Nine Months
                                      Ended June 30,         Ended June 30,
                                   -------------------   ----------------------
                                     1998       1997       1998         1997
                                   --------   --------   ----------  ----------
                                   (In thousands, except net income per share)
                                                  (Unaudited)
Homebuilding:
Revenues
  Home sales....................   $606,161   $416,923   $1,472,591  $1,056,086
  Land/lot sales................      2,183     18,140        3,266      34,007
                                   --------   --------   ----------  ----------
                                    608,344    435,063    1,475,857   1,090,093
                                   --------   --------   ----------  ----------
Cost of sales
  Home sales....................    497,568    344,208    1,207,713     868,744
  Land/lot sales................      1,568     17,915        2,404      32,666
                                   --------   --------   ----------  ----------
                                    499,136    362,123    1,210,117     901,410
                                   --------   --------   ----------  ----------
Gross profit
  Home sales....................    108,593     72,715      264,878     187,342
  Land/lot sales................        615        225          862       1,341
                                   --------   --------   ----------  ----------
                                    109,208     72,940      265,740     188,683

Selling, general and 
 administrative expense.........     58,360     45,537      152,517     114,691
Interest expense................      4,136      2,976        9,204       7,587
Other (income)..................     (2,413)      (981)      (4,466)     (2,757)
                                   --------   --------   ----------  ----------
                                     49,125     25,408      108,485      69,162
                                   --------   --------   ----------  ----------
Financing:
Revenues........................      5,520      3,249       14,163       9,165
Selling, general and 
 administrative expense.........      3,900      2,586        9,690       7,087
Interest expense................        648        157        1,293         373
Other (income)..................       (704)      (323)      (1,758)       (897)
                                   --------   --------   ----------  ----------
                                      1,676        829        4,938       2,602
                                   --------   --------   ----------  ----------
Merger costs....................     11,917          -       11,917           -
                                   ========   ========   ==========  ==========
  INCOME BEFORE INCOME TAXES....     38,884     26,237      101,506      71,764
Provision for income taxes......     15,796     10,614       40,602      28,552
                                   --------   --------   ----------  ----------
    NET INCOME..................   $ 23,088   $ 15,623   $   60,904  $   43,212
                                   ========   ========   ==========  ==========
Net income per share:
    Basic.......................      $0.44      $0.30        $1.15       $0.87
    Diluted.....................      $0.39      $0.27        $1.02       $0.78
                                   ========   ========   ==========  ==========

Weighted average number of 
 shares of stock outstanding:
    Basic.......................     53,066     52,621       52,897      49,864
    Diluted.....................     62,241     61,199       62,178      58,504
                                   ========   ========   ==========  ==========

          See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.

                                       -4-

<PAGE>

                       D. R. HORTON, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
                 CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY




                                                                       Total
                                     Common  Additional  Retained  Stockholders'
                                      Stock    Capital   Earnings     Equity
                                     ------------------------------------------
                                                  (In thousands)
                                                    (Unaudited)

Balances at October 1, 1997           $527    $268,631   $158,708      $427,866

Net income.........................      -           -     60,904        60,904
Issuance under D.R. Horton, Inc.
  employee benefit plans...........      -         480          -           480
Exercise of stock options .........      2       1,906          -         1,908
Issuances pursuant to conversion 
  of 6 7/8% convertible debt.......      3       3,745          -         3,748
Issuance as partial consideration 
  for acquisition..................      1       1,124          -         1,125
Cash dividends.....................      -           -     (3,464)       (3,464)
                                     ------------------------------------------
Balances at June 30, 1998             $533    $275,886   $216,148      $492,567
                                     ==========================================























          See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.

                                       -5-

<PAGE>

                       D. R. HORTON, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
                      CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS

                                                              Nine Months
                                                             Ended June 30,
                                                         ----------------------
                                                           1998          1997
                                                         --------      --------
                                                             (In thousands)
                                                               (Unaudited)
OPERATING ACTIVITIES
 Net income..........................................    $ 60,904      $ 43,212
 Adjustments to reconcile net income to net 
  cash provided by operating activities:
    Depreciation and amortization....................       6,970         5,255
    Expense associated with issuance of stock
     under employee benefit plans....................         328           224
    Changes in operating assets and liabilities:
      Increase in inventories........................    (195,030)     (154,472)
      Increase in other assets.......................      (8,829)       (5,774)
      Increase in mortgage loans held for sale.......     (32,236)       (8,353)
      Increase in accounts payable 
       and other liabilities.........................      47,970         3,751
                                                         --------      --------
NET CASH USED IN OPERATING ACTIVITIES                    (119,923)     (116,157)
                                                         --------      --------
INVESTING ACTIVITIES
 Purchase of property and equipment..................      (8,725)       (6,016)
 Net cash paid for acquisitions......................     (33,091)      (43,498)
                                                         --------      --------
NET CASH USED IN INVESTING ACTIVITIES                     (41,816)      (49,514)
                                                         --------      --------
FINANCING ACTIVITIES
 Proceeds from notes payable.........................     356,901       211,905
 Repayment of notes payable..........................    (159,317)     (218,576)
 Issuance of senior notes payable....................           -       167,546
 Repurchase of stock.................................           -        (2,519)
 Issuance of common stock............................           -        39,979
 Proceeds from issuance of stock
  under employee benefit plans.......................       2,388         1,297
 Cash dividends paid.................................      (3,464)       (2,434)
                                                         --------      --------
 NET CASH PROVIDED BY FINANCING ACTIVITIES                196,508       197,198
                                                         --------      --------
        INCREASE (DECREASE) IN CASH                        34,769        31,527
Cash at beginning of period..........................      78,228        58,011
                                                         --------      --------
Cash at end of period................................    $112,997       $89,538
                                                         ========      ========
Supplemental cash flow information:
  Interest paid......................................    $ 11,712       $ 8,394
                                                         ========      ========
  Income taxes paid..................................    $ 41,020       $30,713
                                                         ========      ========


          See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.

                                       -6-
<PAGE>

                       D.R. HORTON, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

             NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Unaudited)

                                  June 30, 1998


NOTE A - BASIS OF PRESENTATION

The  accompanying  unaudited,  consolidated  financial  statements  include  the
accounts of D.R. Horton, Inc. (the "Company") and its subsidiaries. Intercompany
accounts and transactions have been eliminated in consolidation.  The statements
have been prepared in accordance with generally accepted  accounting  principles
for  interim  financial  information  and  the  instructions  to Form  10-Q  and
Regulation  S-X.  Accordingly,  they do not include all of the  information  and
footnotes  required by generally  accepted  accounting  principles  for complete
financial statements. In the opinion of management,  all adjustments (consisting
only of normal recurring accruals)  considered necessary for a fair presentation
have been included. Operating results for the three and nine month periods ended
June  30,  1998,  are not  necessarily  indicative  of the  results  that may be
expected for the year ending September 30, 1998.

Business - The Company is a national  builder  that is engaged  primarily in the
construction and sale of single-family housing in the United States. The Company
designs,  builds and sells single-family houses on lots developed by the Company
and  on  finished  lots  which  it  purchases,   ready  for  home  construction.
Periodically, the Company sells lots it has developed. The Company also provides
title agency and mortgage brokerage services to its homebuyers.

Merger - On April 20, 1998,  the Company and  Continental  Homes  Holding  Corp.
(Continental) consummated a merger pursuant to which Continental was merged into
the Company,  with 2.25 shares of the Company  common shares  exchanged for each
outstanding share of Continental.  Approximately 15,459,500 Horton common shares
were issued to effect the merger.  The merger with  Continental was treated as a
pooling of interests for accounting purposes.  Therefore,  all financial amounts
have been presented as if  Continental  and the Company had been combined at the
earliest period presented.

Results of operation - The results of operations for the separate  companies and
the combined  amounts prior to combination that are included in the consolidated
financial statements are:

                                                Six months ended
                                                    March 31,
                                             ----------------------
                                               1998          1997
                                             --------      --------
                                                (In thousands)
     Revenue (homebuilding activities):
       D.R. Horton, Inc.                     $508,603      $303,977
       Continental                            358,910       351,053
                                             --------      --------
       Combined                               867,513       655,030
                                             --------      --------
     Net income:
       D.R. Horton, Inc.                       22,574        13,498
       Continental                             15,242        14,091
                                             --------      --------
       Combined                              $ 37,816      $ 27,589
                                             ========      ========


NOTE B - MERGER COSTS

Costs  associated  with the merger  with  Continental  have been  charged to the
results of operations and consist  primarily of fees to third party  investment,
accounting and legal advisors.

NOTE C - NET INCOME PER SHARE

Basic net income per share for the three and nine month  periods  ended June 30,
1998 and 1997, is based on the weighted average number of shares of common stock
outstanding.  Diluted  net  income  per share is based on the  weighted  average
number  of  shares  of  common  stock  and  dilutive  common  stock  equivalents
outstanding.

                                       -7-
<PAGE>

                       D.R. HORTON, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

      NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Unaudited) - (Continued)

                                  June 30, 1998


NOTE D - PROVISIONS FOR INCOME TAXES

Deferred tax liabilities and assets,  arising from temporary differences between
the carrying amounts of assets and liabilities for financial  reporting purposes
and the amounts used for income tax purposes,  consist  primarily of differences
in depreciation,  warranty costs and inventory cost  capitalization  methods and
were, as of June 30, 1998, not material.

The provisions for income tax expense for the three and nine month periods ended
June 30, 1998 and 1997, are based on the effective tax rates  estimated to be in
effect for the respective  years.  The deferred  income tax provisions  were not
significant in either period.

The  difference  between  income tax  expense and tax  computed by applying  the
statutory Federal income tax rate to income before income taxes is due primarily
to the effect of applicable state income taxes.

NOTE E - INTEREST
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

                                             Three months ended   Nine months ended
                                                  June 30,             June 30,
                                             ------------------   -----------------
                                              1998        1997     1998       1997
                                             -------    -------   -------   -------
                                                          (In thousands)

<S>                                          <C>        <C>       <C>       <C>    
Capitalized interest, beginning of period    $38,058    $22,601   $28,952   $17,846
Interest incurred                             19,955     13,834    52,573    36,505
Interest expensed:
   Directly                                   (4,784)    (3,133)  (10,497)   (7,960)
   Amortized to cost of sales                (11,396)    (7,641)  (29,195)  (20,730)
                                             -------    -------   -------   -------
Capitalized interest, end of period          $41,833    $25,661   $41,833   $25,661
                                             =======    =======   =======   =======
</TABLE>


NOTE F - ACQUISITIONS

On  February  14,  1998,  D.R.  Horton,  Inc.  closed  the  acquisition  of  the
outstanding stock of C. Richard Dobson Builders,  Inc. (Dobson),  and certain of
its  affiliated  companies,  for  $23.4  million.   Dobson's  assets  (primarily
inventories) on that date approximated $64.3 million; its liabilities, including
$49.3 in notes payable paid at closing,  approximated $52.4 million.  In May and
June,  1998,  the Company  completed the  acquisition  of the  principal  assets
(approximately  $16.4 million,  primarily  inventories) of Mareli  Development &
Construction Co., Inc. (Mareli),  of Louisville,  Kentucky,  and RMP Properties,
Inc.  (RMP),  of Portland,  Oregon,  for $7.8 million in cash,  70,249 shares of
Horton common stock valued at $1.1 million,  and the assumption of approximately
$16.0 million in trade accounts and notes payable  associated  with the acquired
assets.  Mareli's and RMP's liabilities  included $13.5 million in notes payable
which were paid at closing. Operating results of the acquired entities since the
respective  dates of acquisition are included in the financial  statements as of
and for the  periods  ended June 30,  1998.  The  acquisitions  were  treated as
purchases for accounting purposes.

                                       -8-

<PAGE>

                       D.R. HORTON, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

      NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Unaudited) - (Continued)

                                  June 30, 1998


NOTE G - SUMMARIZED FINANCIAL INFORMATION

The  8  3/8%  and  10%  senior  notes  payable  are  fully  and  unconditionally
guaranteed,  on a joint and  several  basis,  by all the  Company's  direct  and
indirect subsidiaries other than certain inconsequential  subsidiaries.  Each of
the guarantors is a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Company. Summarized financial
information of the Company and its  subsidiaries  is presented  below.  Separate
financial statements and other disclosures concerning the guarantor subsidiaries
are not presented  because  management has determined that they are not material
to investors.

As of and for the periods ended:  (In thousands)
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

June 30, 1998 (Unaudited)

                               D.R. Horton,    Guarantor   Nonguarantor  Intercompany
                                   Inc.      Subsidiaries  Subsidiaries  Eliminations     Total
                               ------------  ------------  ------------  ------------  ------------
<S>                             <C>           <C>             <C>        <C>            <C>       
  Total assets...............   $1,206,583    $1,335,638      $110,484   ($1,030,837)   $1,621,868
  Total liabilities..........      975,922     1,086,243        92,183    (1,025,047)    1,129,301
  Revenues...................      239,556     1,226,200        24,264             -     1,490,020
  Gross profit...............       32,913       230,939         1,888             -       265,740
  Net income.................        1,657        57,287         1,960             -        60,904

<CAPTION>
June 30, 1997 (Unaudited)

                               D.R. Horton,    Guarantor   Nonguarantor  Intercompany
                                   Inc.      Subsidiaries  Subsidiaries  Eliminations     Total
                               ------------  ------------  ------------  ------------  ------------
<S>                               <C>           <C>            <C>         <C>          <C>       
  Total assets...............     $612,306      $901,706       $61,063     ($369,358)   $1,205,717
  Total liabilities..........      396,355       732,564        38,749      (368,473)      799,195
  Revenues...................      194,219       891,871        13,168             -     1,099,258
  Gross profit...............       38,534       149,380           769             -       188,683
  Net income.................        4,615        39,122          (525)            -        43,212

<CAPTION>
September 30, 1997

                               D.R. Horton,    Guarantor   Nonguarantor  Intercompany
                                   Inc.      Subsidiaries  Subsidiaries  Eliminations     Total
                               ------------  ------------  ------------  ------------  ------------
<S>                               <C>           <C>            <C>         <C>          <C>       
  Total assets...............     $620,636      $934,497       $66,666     ($373,476)   $1,248,323
  Total liabilities..........      396,853       751,672        44,573      (372,641)      820,457
  Revenues...................      286,568     1,269,391        24,750             -     1,580,709
  Gross profit...............       51,484       222,040         1,347             -       274,871
  Net income.................        4,248        59,373         1,341             -        64,962

</TABLE>

                                       -9-

<PAGE>

Item 2.
                     MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF
                  RESULTS OF OPERATIONS AND FINANCIAL CONDITION


RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

The  following  tables set forth certain  operating  and financial  data for the
Company's homebuilding activities:

                                            Percentages of Homebuilding Revenue
                                          --------------------------------------
                                               Three                   Nine
                                            Months Ended           Months Ended
                                              June 30,                June 30,
                                          ---------------         --------------
                                           1998     1997           1998    1997
                                          ------   ------         ------  ------
Cost and expenses:
  Cost of sales                            82.0%    83.2%          82.0%   82.7%
  Selling, general and 
    administrative expense                  9.6     10.5           10.3    10.5
  Interest expense                          0.7      0.7            0.6     0.7
                                          ------   ------         ------  ------
Total costs and expenses                   92.3     94.4           92.9    93.9
Other (income)                             (0.4)    (0.2)          (0.3)   (0.3)
                                          ------   ------         ------  ------
Income before income taxes                  8.1%     5.8%           7.4%    6.4%
                                          ======   ======         ======  ======



<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                      New sales contracts, net                                          Homes in
                                          of cancellations                   Home closings            sales backlog
                                   ------------------------------   ------------------------------   --------------
                                        Three           Nine            Three            Nine
                                    Months Ended    Months Ended     Months Ended    Months Ended        As of
                                       June 30,       June 30,         June 30,        June 30,         June 30,
                                   --------------  --------------   --------------  --------------   --------------
                                    1998    1997    1998    1997     1998    1997    1998    1997     1998    1997
                                   ------  ------  ------  ------   ------  ------  ------  ------   ------  ------

<S>                                 <C>     <C>     <C>     <C>      <C>     <C>     <C>     <C>      <C>     <C>
Mid-Atlantic (Maryland,
     New Jersey, North and
     South Carolina, Virginia)        748     272   1,695     572      595     280   1,267     547    1,032     353
Midwest (Illinois, Kansas,
     Kentucky, Minnesota,
     Missouri, Ohio)                  227     143     652     372      188     125     428     336      456     220
Southeast (Alabama,
     Florida, Georgia)
     Tennessee)                       658     561   2,004   1,098      743     487   1,810   1,026      914     647
Southwest (Arizona, New
     Mexico, Texas)                 1,988   1,615   5,276   4,115    1,652   1,265   4,519   3,703    2,784   2,192
West (California, Colorado,
     Nevada, Oregon, Utah)            790     538   2,311   1,344      751     524   1,688   1,274    1,373     651
                                   ------  ------  ------  ------   ------  ------  ------  ------   ------  ------
Totals                              4,411   3,129  11,938   7,501    3,929   2,681   9,712   6,886    6,559   4,063
                                   ======  ======  ======  ======   ======  ======  ======  ======   ======  ======
</TABLE>

                                      -10-
<PAGE>

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



Three Months Ended June 30, 1998 Compared to Three Months Ended June 30, 1997

Revenues from  homebuilding  activities in the three months ended June 30, 1998,
increased by 39.8%,  to $608.3  million,  from $435.1  million in the comparable
period of 1997,  despite a decline in land sales from $18.1  million in the 1997
period  to $2.2  million  in 1998.  The  number of homes  closed by the  Company
increased by 46.5%, to 3,929 homes in the three months ended June 30, 1998, from
2,681 in the same period of 1997.  Percentage  increases  in the number of homes
closed  ranging from 30.6% to 112.5% were achieved in the Company's  five market
regions.  The  increases  in both  revenues  and homes closed were due to strong
housing  demand,  the  Company's  entrance  into new  markets,  and the  results
achieved by C. Richard Dobson  Builders,  Inc.  (Dobson),  which was acquired in
February,  1998;  Mareli  Development & Construction Co. (Mareli) of Louisville,
Kentucky,  acquired in May, 1998; and RMP Development,  Inc., (RMP) of Portland,
Oregon, acquired in June, 1998. In markets where the Company operated during the
third fiscal quarters of both 1998 and 1997,  home closings  increased by 35.1%,
to 3,621 homes in the 1998 period.

The average  selling  price of homes  closed in the three  months ended June 30,
1998,  was $154,300,  down 0.8% over the $155,500  average  selling price in the
comparable period of 1997. The price mix of homes closed shifted downward during
the current  period,  offset in part by increases  in home  selling  prices made
possible by favorable real estate market conditions.

New net sales  contracts  increased  41.0%,  to 4,411 homes in the three  months
ended June 30,  1998,  from 3,129 homes in the three months ended June 30, 1997.
In markets in which the Company  operated  during the third  fiscal  quarters of
both 1998 and 1997, sales contracts were 4,126 homes in the current  three-month
period, a 31.9% increase over 1997.

The Company was operating in 511 subdivisions at June 30, 1998,  compared to 367
subdivisions at June 30, 1997. At June 30, 1998, the Company's  backlog of sales
contracts was 6,559 homes, a 61.4% increase over comparable  figures at June 30,
1997. In markets in which the Company  operated during the third fiscal quarters
of both 1998 and 1997,  the sales backlog at June 30, 1998,  was 6,007 homes,  a
47.8% increase over 1997.

Cost of sales  increased by 37.8%,  to $499.1  million in the three months ended
June 30,  1998,  from  $362.1  million  in the  comparable  period of 1997.  The
increase was primarily attributable to the increase in revenues. As a percentage
of revenues, cost of sales for the quarter decreased to 82.0% in 1998 from 83.2%
in 1997,  due primarily to increases in home selling prices beyond the increases
in home construction costs.

Selling,  general and administrative (SG&A) expense increased by 28.2%, to $58.4
million in the three  months  ended  June 30,  1998,  from $45.5  million in the
comparable  period of 1997.  As a percentage  of revenues,  SG&A expense for the
quarter decreased 0.9%, to 9.6% in 1998 from 10.5% in 1997. The decrease in SG&A
expenses as a percentage of revenues was primarily due to increased  revenues to
absorb the fixed  elements of overhead  and costs  associated  with  integrating
three 1997 acquisitions into the Company.

Interest  expense totalled $4.1 million in the three months ended June 30, 1998,
compared to $3.0 million in the comparable period of 1997. The Company follows a
policy  of  capitalizing  interest  only  on  inventory  under  construction  or
development. As a percentage of revenues, interest expense remained constant, at
0.7%, in the three months ended June 30, 1998, compared to the comparable period
of 1997.  Capitalized interest and other financing costs are included in cost of
sales at the time of home closings.

Other income,  which  consists  mainly of interest  income on funds  temporarily
invested,  increased  to $2.4  million in the three  months ended June 30, 1998,
from $1.0 million in the same period of 1997, due primarily to larger investable
balances.

                                      -11-

<PAGE>

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



Revenues from financing activities increased 69.9%, to $5.5 million in the three
months ended June 30, 1998, from $3.2 million in the comparable  period of 1997.
Income before income taxes from financing  activities  increased 102.2%, to $1.7
million  in the three  months  ended  June 30,  1998,  from $0.8  million in the
comparable  period of 1997.  The  increases in financing  activity  revenues and
income before taxes were due  primarily to the increased  volume of mortgage and
title services provided to the Company's homebuilding customers.

In the three months ended June 30, 1998,  the Company  expensed $11.9 million in
non-recurring  costs  associated  with the merger  with  Continental.  The costs
consisted  primarily  of fees to third party  investment,  accounting  and legal
advisors.

The provision for income taxes  increased  48.8%,  to $15.8 million in the three
months ended June 30, 1998, from $10.6 million in the comparable period of 1997,
due  primarily to the increase in taxable  income and an increase in the overall
estimated  income  tax  rate   anticipated  for  fiscal  1998,   caused  by  the
non-deductibility of certain merger costs.

Nine Months Ended June 30, 1998 Compared to Nine Months Ended June 30, 1997

Revenues  from  homebuilding  activities in the nine months ended June 30, 1998,
increased by 35.4%, to $1,475.9 million, from $1,090.1 million in the comparable
period of 1997,  despite a decline in land sales from $34.0  million in the 1997
period  to $3.3  million  in 1998.  The  number of homes  closed by the  Company
increased by 41.0%,  to 9,712 in the nine months ended June 30, 1998, from 6,886
in the same period of 1997.  Percentage  increases in homes closed  ranging from
22.0% to 131.6% were achieved in the Company's market regions.  In markets where
the Company  operated  during both  nine-month  periods  ended June 30, 1998 and
1997, home closings increased 26.3%, to 8,700 homes in the 1998 period.

The average  selling  price of homes  closed in the nine  months  ended June 30,
1998,  was $151,600,  a 1.2% decrease over the  comparable  period of 1997.  The
decrease  in  average  sales  price  was  attributable  to  differences  in  the
geographic  mix of markets in which homes were  closed.  Also,  the price mix of
homes closed  decreased  during the 1998 period,  offset in part by increases in
home selling prices made possible by favorable real estate market conditions.

New net sales  contracts  increased  59.2%,  to 11,938 homes for the nine months
ended June 30,  1998,  from 7,501 homes for the nine months ended June 30, 1997.
Percentage  increases  in new net sales  contracts  ranging from 28.2% to 196.3%
were  achieved in the  Company's  market  regions.  In markets where the Company
operated  during both  nine-month  periods  ended June 30, 1998 and 1997,  sales
contracts increased 43.3%, to 10,746 in the 1998 period.

Cost of sales increased by 34.2%,  to $1,210.1  million in the nine months ended
June 30,  1998,  from  $901.4  million  in the  comparable  period of 1997.  The
increase was partly attributable to the increase in revenues. As a percentage of
revenues,  cost of sales  decreased  to 82.0% in the nine months  ended June 30,
1998,  from 82.7% in the same period of 1997, due primarily to increases in home
selling prices beyond the increase in home construction costs.

Selling, general and administrative (SG&A) expense increased by 33.0%, to $152.5
million in the nine  months  ended June 30,  1998,  from  $114.7  million in the
comparable  period of 1997. As a percentage of revenues,  SG&A expense decreased
to 10.3% for the nine months ended June 30, 1998, from 10.5% for the same period
of 1997.  The decrease in SG&A expense as a percentage  of revenues is partially
due to increased revenues to absorb the fixed elements of overhead and the costs
associated with integrating the 1997 acquisitions into the Company.

Interest  expense  during the nine months  ended June 30, 1998  amounted to $9.2
million,  compared to $7.6 million in the comparable period of 1996. The Company
follows a policy of capitalizing  interest only on inventory under  construction
or development. As a percentage of revenues, interest expense declined slightly,
to 0.6% in the  nine  months  ended June 30,  1998,  from 0.7% in the comparable

                                      -12-

<PAGE>

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



period of 1997.  Capitalized  interest and other financing costs are included in
cost of sales at the time of home closings.

Other income,  which  consists  mainly of interest  income on funds  temporarily
invested, increased to $4.5 million in the nine months ended June 30, 1998, from
$2.8  million in the same period of 1997,  due  primarily  to larger  investable
balances.

Revenues from financing activities increased 54.5%, to $14.2 million in the nine
months ended June 30, 1998, from $9.2 million in the comparable  period of 1997.
Income before income taxes from financing  activities  increased  89.8%, to $4.9
million  in the nine  months  ended  June 30,  1998,  from $2.6  million  in the
comparable  period of 1997.  The  increases in financing  activity  revenues and
income before taxes were due  primarily to the increased  volume of mortgage and
title services provided to the Company's homebuilding customers.

In the nine months ended June 30, 1998,  the Company  expensed  $11.9 million in
non-recurring  costs  associated  with the merger  with  Continental.  The costs
consisted  primarily  of fees to third party  investment,  accounting  and legal
advisors.

The provision for income taxes  increased by 42.2%, to $40.6 million in the nine
months ended June 30, 1998, from $28.6 million in the comparable period of 1997,
due  primarily to the increase in taxable  income and an increase in the overall
estimated  income  tax  rate   anticipated  for  fiscal  1998,   caused  by  the
non-deductibility of certain merger costs.

FINANCIAL CONDITION, LIQUIDITY AND CAPITAL RESOURCES

At June 30, 1998, the Company had available cash and cash  equivalents of $112.7
million.  Inventories  (including finished homes,  construction in progress, and
developed  residential  lots and other land) at June 30, 1998,  had increased by
$267.0 million since September 30, 1997,  partly due to the  acquisitions of the
assets  (primarily  inventories) of Dobson,  Mareli,  and RMP.  Inventories also
increased  due to a general  increase in business  activity and the expansion of
operations in all of the Company's  market areas.  The inventory  increase,  the
merger with  Continental,  and the acquisitions of Dobson,  Mareli and RMP, were
financed  primarily by  borrowing  under the  revolving  credit  facility.  As a
result,  the Company's ratio of notes payable to total capital at June 30, 1998,
increased to 64.8% at June 30, 1998, compared to the September 30, 1997 level of
60.3%. The stockholders'  equity to total assets ratio decreased during the nine
months to 30.4% at June 30, 1998, from 34.3% at September 30, 1997.

During  fiscal  1998,  the  Company's  Board of  Directors  has  declared  three
quarterly  cash  dividends  of $.0225  per  common  share,  the last of which is
payable on August 14, 1998, to stockholders of record on August 3, 1998.

In February,  1998, the Company completed the acquisition of all the outstanding
capital stock of C. Richard Dobson Builders,  Inc. (Dobson),  and certain of its
affiliated companies, for $23.4 million. Dobson's assets, primarily inventories,
amounted to approximately  $64.3 million.  Total liabilities assumed amounted to
approximately  $52.4 million,  including  notes payable of $49.3 million,  which
were paid at closing. The Dobson acquisition was accounted for as a purchase.

On April 20, 1998, the Company closed its merger with Continental  Homes Holding
Corp.  (Continental).  In accordance with the terms of the merger  agreement,  a
total of 15,459,514 shares of D.R. Horton,  Inc. common stock were exchanged for
all of the Continental common stock outstanding, based upon an exchange ratio of
2.25.  At the time of the merger,  the Company  assumed  Continental's  existing
public debt, consisting of $150 million 10% senior notes due April 15, 2006, and
$86.1 million in 6 7/8% convertible subordinated notes due November 1, 2002. The
convertible notes may currently be exchanged for Horton common stock at the rate
of 94.73625 shares for each $1,000 principal  amount.  The convertible notes are
redeemable  in whole or in part at the  option of the  Company at any time on or
after  November 1, 1998, at  redemption  prices  decreasing  from  103.438%.  If

                                      -13-

<PAGE>

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


current  conditions  prevail until November 1, 1998, the Company intends to call
all the  convertible  notes  outstanding  at that  time.  As of June  30,  1998,
approximately  $3.7 million of  convertible  notes had been exchanged for common
stock.

On April 21, 1998,  the Company  increased and  restructured  its unsecured bank
credit  facility,  to  $825  million,  consisting  of a $775  million  four-year
revolving loan and a $50 million  four-year letter of credit  facility.  At June
30, 1998, the Company had outstanding  debt of $905.9  million,  of which $515.0
million  represented  advances  under the bank credit  facility.  Under the debt
covenants  associated with the restructured  credit facility,  at June 30, 1998,
the Company  had  additional  borrowing  capacity  of $345.2  million.  Mortgage
activities  are  presently  being  financed  through  borrowings  under the bank
revolving  credit  facility.  It  is  contemplated  that  a  separate  warehouse
financing facility for these activities will be in place in the future.

In May and June,  1998, the Company  completed the  acquisition of the principal
assets   (approximately   $16.4  million,   primarily   inventories)  of  Mareli
Development & Construction Co., Inc. (Mareli), of Louisville,  Kentucky, and RMP
Properties,  Inc. (RMP), of Portland,  Oregon,  for $7.8 million in cash, 70,249
shares of Horton  common stock valued at $1.1  million,  and the  assumption  of
approximately  $16.0 million in trade accounts and notes payable associated with
the acquired assets.  Mareli's and RMP's  liabilities  included $13.5 million in
notes payable which were paid at closing.

The Company's rapid growth and acquisition  strategy require significant amounts
of cash. It is anticipated that future home construction, lot and land purchases
and acquisitions will be funded through  internally  generated funds and new and
existing credit facilities. The Company maintains a universal shelf registration
statement with a capacity of $400 million.  Additionally,  a shelf  registration
has been filed for  10,000,000  shares of common  stock  issuable to effect,  in
whole or in part, possible future acquisitions. Market conditions will determine
when and whether the Company  will sell  additional  securities  using the shelf
registration   statements.   The  Company  continuously  evaluates  its  capital
structure and, in the future,  may seek to further  increase  unsecured debt and
obtain  additional  equity  to fund  ongoing  operations  as  well as to  pursue
additional growth opportunities.

Except for ordinary  expenditures for the construction of homes, the acquisition
of land and lots  for  development  and sale of  homes,  at June 30,  1998,  the
Company had no material commitments for capital expenditures.

Inflation

The Company, as well as the homebuilding  industry in general,  may be adversely
affected during periods of high inflation,  primarily because of higher land and
construction costs. Inflation also increases the Company's financing,  labor and
material costs. In addition, higher mortgage interest rates significantly affect
the affordability of permanent mortgage financing to prospective homebuyers. The
Company  attempts to pass through to its  customers  any  increases in its costs
through  increased  sales prices and, to date,  inflation has not had a material
adverse  effect on the Company's  results of  operations.  However,  there is no
assurance  that  inflation  will  not  have a  material  adverse  impact  on the
Company's future results of operations.

Safe Harbor Statement

Certain  statements  contained herein, as well as statements made by the Company
in periodic press releases and oral statements  made by the Company's  officials
to analysts and  stockholders in the course of  presentations  about the Company
may be  construed  as  "Forward-Looking  Statements"  as defined in the  Private
Securities  Litigation  Reform Act of 1995. Such statements may involve unstated
risks,  uncertainties  and other factors that may cause actual results to differ
materially from those initially anticipated. Such risks, uncertainties and other
factors  include,  but are not limited to, the Company's  substantial  leverage,
changes in general economic and market conditions, changes in interest rates and
the  availability of mortgage  financing,  changes in costs and  availability of
material,  supplies and labor, general competitive conditions,  the availability
of capital and the ability to successfully effect acquisitions.

                                      -14-

<PAGE>

PART II.          OTHER INFORMATION

ITEM 2.           Changes in Securities.

         Certain new  indebtedness  and  limitations  on payment of dividends or
other  distributions  by the  Company  on  its  Common  Stock  were  created  in
connection  with its April 20, 1998  acquisition  of  Continental  Homes Holding
Corp. ("Continental").  As part of that acquisition,  the Company executed (i) a
First Supplemental Indenture, dated as of April 20, 1998, among the Company, the
Guarantors named therein and First Union Bank, as Trustee, assuming an Indenture
dated as of April 15,  1996,  between  Continental  and  First  Union  Bank,  as
Trustee, and Continental's  related 10% Senior Notes, due 2006, and (ii) a First
Supplemental  Indenture,  dated as of April 20,  1998,  between  the Company and
Manufacturers and Traders Trust Company, as Trustee, assuming an Indenture dated
as of November 1, 1995, between  Continental and Manufacturers and Traders Trust
Company, as Trustee, and Continental's  related 6-7/8% Convertible  Subordinated
Notes, due 2002. The Indenture,  and the Supplemental Indenture,  related to the
10% Senior  Notes  impose  limitations  on the  ability of the  Company  and its
subsidiaries  guaranteeing  the  assumed  notes to,  among other  things,  incur
indebtedness, make "Restricted Payments" (as defined, which includes payments of
dividends or other  distributions  on the Common Stock of the  Company),  effect
certain  "Asset  Sales" (as  defined),  enter  into  certain  transactions  with
affiliates,   merge  or  consolidate  with  any  person,   or  transfer  all  or
substantially all of their properties and assets.  These limitations are similar
to limitations  already existing by reason of the Company's 8-3/8% Senior Notes,
due  2004,  and  the  related  Indenture.   Other  information   concerning  the
acquisition of Continental has previously been reported in, and is described in,
the  Company's  Registration  Statement  on Form S-4  (Registration  Number 333-
44279) dated March 13, 1998 and the Company's current reports on Form 8-K, dated
April 14, 1998, April 20, 1998 (filed on April 21, 1998),  April 20, 1998 (filed
on May 4, 1998) and June 5, 1998 (filed on June 8, 1998).

         On June 8, 1998, the Company issued 70,249 shares (the "Shares") of its
Common Stock, $.01 par value, to RMP Properties,  Inc. ("RMP").  The shares were
valued at  $1,250,000  and were issued to RMP as partial  consideration  for the
assets of RMP.  Roger M.  Pollock  ("Pollock")  was the sole  owner of RMP.  The
Shares were issued in reliance upon the exemption from registration contained in
Section 4(2) of the  Securities  Act of 1933,  based on: the  sophistication  of
Pollock;  his  experience  in and knowledge of  homebuilding;  the fact that the
Company  provided  Pollock with copies of its most recent  Annual Report on Form
10-K and annual meeting proxy statement,  a Joint Proxy Statement and Prospectus
concerning the merger of Continental  into the Company and all filings under the
Securities  Exchange  Act of 1934 since the filing of the Form 10-K and provided
Pollock access to the Company's  executive officers to ask questions and receive
answers  concerning  the  Company;  and the facts that  Pollock gave the Company
investment representations concerning the Shares and that the Shares are subject
to transfer  restrictions  which are  reflected  in  restrictive  legends on the
certificate  for the Shares and stop  transfer  instructions  with the Company's
transfer agent for Common Stock.

ITEM 4.           Submission of Matters to a Vote of Security Holders.

         On April 20, 1998, the Company held a Special  Meeting of  Stockholders
(the  "Meeting").  At the Meeting,  the  stockholders  considered and approved a
proposal  to approve  and adopt the  Agreement  and Plan of Merger,  dated as of
December 18, 1997 (the "Merger Agreement"), between the Company and Continental,
providing  for, among other things,  the merger of Continental  into the Company
(the "Proposal").  The number of votes cast for and against the Proposal and the
number of abstentions were as follows:


        Votes For                Votes Against              Abstentions
       -----------               -------------              -----------
        32,142,409                  229,081                     9,641


                                       15

<PAGE>

ITEM 5.           Other Information.

         In  connection  with the  Company's  acquisition  of  Continental,  the
Company  assumed all of the  outstanding  stock options  granted by  Continental
pursuant to Continental's 1986 and 1988 Stock Incentive Plans.

         On April 21, 1998, the Company increased and restructured its unsecured
bank credit  facility to $825 million,  consisting of a $775 million four - year
revolving loan and a $50 million four-year letter of credit facility.

ITEM 6.           Exhibits and Reports on Form 8-K.

                  (a)      Exhibits.

                           4.1          Indenture  dated  as of April  15,  1996
                                        between   Continental  and  First  Union
                                        National    Bank,    as   Trustee,    is
                                        incorporated  herein by  reference  from
                                        Exhibit  4.1  to  Continental's   Annual
                                        Report on Form  10-K for the year  ended
                                        May 31, 1996. The Commission file number
                                        for Continental is 1-10700.

                           4.2          Indenture  dated as of  November 1, 1995
                                        between  Continental  and  Manufacturers
                                        and Traders Trust  Company,  as Trustee,
                                        is   incorporated   by  reference   from
                                        Exhibit 4.1 to  Continental's  Quarterly
                                        Report  on Form  10-Q  for  the  quarter
                                        ended  November 30, 1995. The Commission
                                        file number for Continental is 1-10700.

                           4.3          First Supplemental  Indenture,  dated as
                                        of April 20,  1998,  among the  Company,
                                        the  guarantors  named therein and First
                                        Union   National   Bank,   as   Trustee,
                                        relating  to  Continental's  10%  Senior
                                        Notes, due 2006, is incorporated  herein
                                        by  reference  from  Exhibit  4.5 to the
                                        Company's  Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q
                                        for the quarter ended March 31, 1998.

                           4.4          First Supplemental  Indenture,  dated as
                                        of April 20,  1998,  between the Company
                                        and   Manufacturers  and  Traders  Trust
                                        Company,   as   Trustee,   relating   to
                                        Continental's     6-7/8%     Convertible
                                        Subordinated   Notes,   due   2002,   is
                                        incorporated  herein by  reference  from
                                        Exhibit 4.6 to the  Company's  Quarterly
                                        Report  on Form  10-Q  for  the  quarter
                                        ended March 31, 1998.

                           10.1*        Master Loan and Inter-Creditor Agreement
                                        dated as of April 21,  1998,  among D.R.
                                        Horton, Inc., as Borrower;  NationsBank,
                                        N.A., Bank of America National Trust and
                                        Savings   Association,   Fleet  National
                                        Bank, Bank United, Comerica Bank, Credit
                                        Lyonnais   New  York   Branch,   Societe
                                        Generale,  Southwest  Agency,  The First
                                        National  Bank  of  Chicago,  PNC  Bank,
                                        National Association, Amsouth Bank, Bank
                                        One,  Arizona,  NA, First  American Bank
                                        Texas,  SSB,  Harris  Trust and  Savings
                                        Bank,  Sanwa  Bank  California,  Norwest
                                        Bank Arizona,  National  Association and
                                        Summit Bank, as Banks;  and NationsBank,
                                        N.A., as Administrative Agent.

                           10.2*        Indemnification    Agreement   for   new
                                        Director,  W.  Thomas  Hickcox.  (On the
                                        same date, an Indemnification  Agreement
                                        in  substantially   identical  form  was
                                        executed with Bradley S.  Anderson,  who
                                        was also elected a Director that day.)

                           10.3*        Continental  Homes  Holding  Corp.  1988
                                        Stock  Incentive  Plan (as  amended  and
                                        restated June 20, 1997).

                                       16

<PAGE>

                           10.4*        Restated Continental Homes Holding Corp.
                                        1986 Stock Incentive Plan, and the First
                                        Amendment thereto dated June 17, 1987.

                           10.5*        Form of Stock Option Agreement  pursuant
                                        to  Continental's  1986 and  1988  Stock
                                        Incentive Plans.

- ----------
*Filed herewith.


                  (b)      Reports on Form 8-K.

                           1.       On  April  14,  1998,  the  Company  filed a
                                    Current  Report on Form 8-K (Item 5),  which
                                    included  its  press  release  of that  date
                                    announcing the exchange ratio for the merger
                                    of Continental into the Company.

                           2.       On  April  21,  1998,  the  Company  filed a
                                    Current  Report on Form 8-K, dated April 20,
                                    1998 (Item 5), which  included its April 21,
                                    1998  press  release   announcing  that  the
                                    stockholders  of the Company and Continental
                                    had approved the merger of Continental  into
                                    the Company.

                           3.       On May 4, 1998,  the Company filed a Current
                                    Report on Form  8-K,  dated  April 20,  1998
                                    (Item 2), which provided further information
                                    concerning  the  acquisition  of Continental
                                    and  incorporated  by  reference   financial
                                    statements  of  Continental  and  pro  forma
                                    combined   financial   information  for  the
                                    Company and Continental.

                           4.       On June 8, 1998, the Company filed a Current
                                    Report  on Form  8-K,  dated  June  5,  1998
                                    (Items 5 and 7),  which  provided an updated
                                    description  of the  Company's  business  as
                                    combined  with   Continental,   as  well  as
                                    supplemental      consolidated     financial
                                    statements  of the  Company  for  the  three
                                    years   ended   September   30,   1997   and
                                    Management's   Discussion  and  Analysis  of
                                    Financial    Condition    and   Results   of
                                    Operations (Restated).

                                       17

<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 thereunto duly authorized.


                              D.R. HORTON, INC.



Date:  August 6, 1998         By /s/ David J. Keller
                                 -----------------------------------------------
                                 David J. Keller, on behalf of D.R. Horton, Inc.
                                 and as Executive Vice President, Treasurer
                                 and Chief Financial Officer
                                 (Principal Financial and Accounting Officer)


                                      -18-



                                                                    EXHIBIT 10.1
                    MASTER LOAN AND INTER-CREDITOR AGREEMENT
                                      among
                         D.R. HORTON, INC., as Borrower;

                               NATIONSBANK, N.A.,
             BANK OF AMERICA NATIONAL TRUST AND SAVINGS ASSOCIATION,
                              FLEET NATIONAL BANK,
                                  BANK UNITED,
                                 COMERICA BANK,
                        CREDIT LYONNAIS NEW YORK BRANCH,
                       SOCIETE GENERALE, SOUTHWEST AGENCY,
                       THE FIRST NATIONAL BANK OF CHICAGO,
                         PNC BANK, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION,
                      AMSOUTH BANK, BANK ONE, ARIZONA, NA,
                         FIRST AMERICAN BANK TEXAS, SSB,
                         HARRIS TRUST AND SAVINGS BANK,
                             SANWA BANK CALIFORNIA,
                   NORWEST BANK ARIZONA, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION
                                and SUMMIT BANK,
                                    as Banks;

                               NATIONSBANK, N.A.,
                     as Issuing Bank for Letters of Credit;

                      AMSOUTH BANK, BANK ONE, ARIZONA, NA,
                         PNC BANK, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION
                     and THE FIRST NATIONAL BANK OF CHICAGO,
                                  as Co-Agents;

                           BANK UNITED, COMERICA BANK,
                        CREDIT LYONNAIS NEW YORK BRANCH,
                     and SOCIETE GENERALE, SOUTHWEST AGENCY,
                               as Managing Agents;

                  FLEET NATIONAL BANK, as Documentation Agent;

             BANK OF AMERICA NATIONAL TRUST AND SAVINGS ASSOCIATION,
                              as Syndication Agent;

                                       and
                   NATIONSBANK, N.A., as Administrative Agent

                           Dated as of April 21, 1998

<PAGE>




                                TABLE OF CONTENTS
                                                                            Page

ARTICLE 1     DEFINITIONS......................................................1

ARTICLE 2     LOANS AND LETTERS OF CREDIT.....................................18

    2.1       Extension of Credit.............................................18
    2.2       Manner of Borrowing and Disbursement Under Loans................19
    2.3       Interest on Loans...............................................21
    2.4       Issuance and Administration of Letters of Credit................21
    2.5       Fees and Commissions on Loans and Letters of Credit.............26
    2.6       Notes, Loan and Letters of Credit Accounts......................27
    2.7       Repayment of Loans and Letters of Credit........................28
    2.8       Manner of Payment...............................................28
    2.9       Application of Payments.........................................29

ARTICLE 3     INVENTORY AND FUNDING AVAILABILITY..............................31

    3.1       Loan Funding Availability.......................................31

ARTICLE 4     LOAN DISBURSEMENTS AND LETTERS OF CREDIT........................33

    4.1       Prior to the First Disbursement or Letter of Credit.............33
    4.2       Subsequent Disbursements and Letters of Credit..................35

ARTICLE 5     BORROWER'S COVENANTS, AGREEMENTS,
              REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES..................................36

    5.1       Payment.........................................................36
    5.2       Performance.....................................................36
    5.3       Additional Information..........................................36
    5.4       Quarterly Financial Statements and Other Information............36
    5.5       Compliance Certificates.........................................36
    5.6       Annual Financial Statements and Information; Certificate
                 of No Default................................................36
    5.7       Financial and Inventory Covenants...............................37
    5.8       Other Financial Documentation...................................38
    5.9       Payment of Contractors..........................................38
    5.10      Inspection and Appraisal........................................38
    5.11      Fees and Expenses...............................................38
    5.12      Hazardous Substances............................................38
    5.13      Insurance.......................................................39
    5.14      Litigation......................................................40
    5.15      Reportable Event................................................40
    5.16      Secured Indebtedness............................................40

ARTICLE 6     DEFAULT AND REMEDIES............................................41

    6.1       Defaults........................................................41
    6.2       Remedies........................................................44
    6.3       Waivers.........................................................45


                                      - i -
<PAGE>


                                TABLE OF CONTENTS
                                   (continued)
                                                                            Page

    6.4       Cross-Default...................................................45
    6.5       No Liability of the Banks.......................................45

ARTICLE 7     THE ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT........................................46

    7.1       Appointment and Authorization...................................46
    7.2       Delegation of Duties............................................46
    7.3       Interest Holders................................................47
    7.4       Consultation with Counsel.......................................47
    7.5       Documents.......................................................47
    7.6       Administrative Agent and Affiliates.............................47
    7.7       Responsibility of the Administrative Agent......................47
    7.8       Action by Administrative Agent..................................48
    7.9       Notice of Default or Event of Default...........................48
    7.10      Responsibility Disclaimed.......................................49
    7.11      Indemnification.................................................49
    7.12      Credit Decision.................................................50
    7.13      Successor Administrative Agent..................................50
    7.14      Syndication Agent...............................................50
    7.15      Documentation Agent.............................................51
    7.16      Co-Agents.......................................................51

ARTICLE 8     GENERAL CONDITIONS..............................................51

    8.1       Benefit.........................................................51
    8.2       Assignment......................................................51
    8.3       Amendment and Waiver............................................52
    8.4       Additional Obligations and Amendments...........................53
    8.5       Consideration of Renewal........................................53
    8.6       Terms...........................................................53
    8.7       Governing Law and Jurisdiction..................................54
    8.8       Publicity.......................................................54
    8.9       Attorneys' Fees.................................................54
    8.10      Mandatory Arbitration...........................................55
    8.11      Invalidation of Provisions......................................56
    8.12      Execution in Counterparts.......................................56
    8.13      Captions........................................................56
    8.14      Notices.........................................................56
    8.15      Final Agreement.................................................62




                                     - ii -

<PAGE>

                                    EXHIBITS


Exhibit A  -  Form of Acquisition Carve Out Notice
Exhibit B  -  Commitment Ratios
Exhibit C  -  Form of Inventory Summary Report
Exhibit D  -  Form of Operational Carve Out Notice
Exhibit E  -  Form of Request for Advance
Exhibit F  -  Form of Request for Issuance of Letter of Credit
Exhibit G  -  Form of Letter of Credit Application
Exhibit H  -  Form of Quarterly Compliance Certificate
Exhibit I  -  Form of Assignment and Assumption Agreement



                                    SCHEDULES

Schedule 1.13  -  Multi-Level Pricing Grid/Fees
Schedule 1.55  -  Guarantors
Schedule 1.68  -  Prior Letters of Credit




<PAGE>



                    MASTER LOAN AND INTER-CREDITOR AGREEMENT


         THIS MASTER LOAN AND INTER-CREDITOR  AGREEMENT (this "Agreement") dated
as of the 21st day of April,  1998,  is entered  into by and among D.R.  HORTON,
INC., a Delaware corporation;  NATIONSBANK, N.A., BANK OF AMERICA NATIONAL TRUST
AND SAVINGS  ASSOCIATION,  FLEET NATIONAL BANK, BANK UNITED,  COMERICA BANK, THE
FIRST  NATIONAL  BANK OF CHICAGO,  CREDIT  LYONNAIS NEW YORK  BRANCH,  PNC BANK,
NATIONAL  ASSOCIATION,  AMSOUTH BANK, BANK ONE,  ARIZONA,  NA, SOCIETE GENERALE,
SOUTHWEST AGENCY, FIRST AMERICAN BANK TEXAS, SSB, HARRIS TRUST AND SAVINGS BANK,
SANWA BANK  CALIFORNIA,  NORWEST BANK ARIZONA,  NATIONAL  ASSOCIATION and SUMMIT
BANK, as banks;  NATIONSBANK,  N.A., as issuing bank for letters of credit; BANK
UNITED,  COMERICA BANK, CREDIT LYONNAIS NEW YORK BRANCH, THE FIRST NATIONAL BANK
OF CHICAGO and PNC BANK,  NATIONAL  ASSOCIATION,  as co-agents;  FLEET  NATIONAL
BANK,  as  documentation  agent;  BANK OF  AMERICA  NATIONAL  TRUST AND  SAVINGS
ASSOCIATION,  as  syndication  agent for the Banks;  and  NATIONSBANK,  N.A., as
administrative agent for the Banks and the Issuing Bank.

         IN  CONSIDERATION of the sum of TEN AND NO/100 DOLLARS ($10.00) in hand
paid by each party to the other and other good and valuable  consideration,  the
receipt  and  sufficiency  of  which  is  hereby  acknowledged  by  each  of the
undersigned, the undersigned hereby covenant and agree as follows:

                                    ARTICLE 1

                                   DEFINITIONS

         For the  purposes  of this  Agreement,  the words and phrases set forth
below shall have the following meanings:

         1.1  Acquisition.  Whether by purchase,  lease,  exchange,  issuance of
stock or other equity or debt securities,  merger,  reorganization  or any other
method,   (a)  any  acquisition  by  the  Borrower  or  any  of  its  Restricted
Subsidiaries  of Inventory,  (b) any  acquisition  by the Borrower or any of its
Restricted Subsidiaries  of any other Person,  which Person  shall then become a


                                      - 1 -

<PAGE>


Subsidiary  of the  Borrower  or  any  such  Restricted  Subsidiary  or (c)  any
acquisition by the Borrower or any of its Restricted  Subsidiaries of all or any
substantial part of the assets of any other Person.

         1.2 Acquisition Carve Out Notice. The written notice by the Borrower in
substantially  the  form  of  Exhibit  A  attached  hereto,   delivered  to  the
Administrative  Agent and the Banks not later than the end of the fiscal quarter
following the fiscal quarter in which an  Acquisition  is consummated  notifying
such Persons of the  election by the  Borrower to initiate a Financial  Covenant
Carve Out as a result of such Acquisition.  Contemporaneously  with the delivery
of an Acquisition  Carve Out Notice,  the Borrower shall deliver to the Managing
Agents a plan of action  reflecting that the Borrower will be in compliance with
the  covenants set forth in Sections  5.7(a),  (e) and (g) hereof on or prior to
the last day of the  applicable  Financial  Covenant  Carve Out and  failure  to
deliver  such plan of action  shall  render  such  Acquisition  Carve Out Notice
ineffective.

         1.3 Acquisition  Cost. If the subject  Developed Lot or Land Parcel was
purchased  individually,  the  Acquisition  Cost for such  Developed Lot or Land
Parcel  shall be the actual  purchase  price and closing  costs  approved by the
Administrative Agent and paid by the Borrower or its Restricted Subsidiaries for
the  acquisition  of such  individual  Developed  Lot or Land  Parcel  excluding
Administrative  Costs,  together with all applicable  Development  Costs. If the
subject  Developed  Lot or Land Parcel was part of a larger  group of  Developed
Lots or Land Parcels, the Acquisition Cost for such Developed Lot or Land Parcel
shall be the pro rata portion of the overall  actual  purchase price and closing
costs  approved by the  Administrative  Agent and paid by the  Borrower  and its
Restricted  Subsidiaries  for the  acquisition of such larger group of Developed
Lots or Land  Parcels  allocable  to the  subject  Developed  Lot or Land Parcel
excluding  Administrative  Costs,  together  with  a pro  rata  portion  of  all
applicable Development Costs.

         1.4 Acquisition  Suspension  Period.  An Acquisition  Suspension Period
shall occur upon  delivery by the Borrower to the  Administrative  Agent and the
Banks of an Acquisition Carve Out Notice and shall continue until the earlier to
occur of (a) the last day of the third fiscal quarter immediately  following the
fiscal quarter in which the Acquisition  giving rise to such  Acquisition  Carve
Out Notice was consummated, or (b) the last day of the Borrower's fiscal quarter
in which the Leverage Ratio  (determined in accordance  with Section 5.7 hereof)
exceeds 2.6 to 1.0. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the maximum Leverage Ratio as


                                      - 2 -

<PAGE>


of the last day of each fiscal quarter during an Acquisition  Suspension  Period
shall be 2.6 to 1.0, and failure to comply with such Leverage  Ratio shall be an
Event of Default.

         1.5 Adjusted  Tangible Net Worth.  With respect to the Borrower and its
Restricted  Subsidiaries on a consolidated basis, as of any date, the sum of (a)
Tangible  Net  Worth  and (b) the  lesser  of (i)  fifty  percent  (50%)  of the
aggregate  principal  amount of all  subordinated  debt of the  Borrower and its
Restricted  Subsidiaries  then  outstanding  and (ii)  twenty  percent  (20%) of
Tangible Net Worth.

         1.6  Administrative  Agent.  NationsBank,  N.A.,  in  its  capacity  as
Administrative Agent hereunder.

         1.7  Administrative  Costs. Costs and expenses incurred by the Borrower
or its Restricted  Subsidiaries in connection with (a) the marketing and selling
of Inventory  which is part of the Loan  Inventory  and (b) the  administration,
management  and operation of the  Borrower's  and its  Restricted  Subsidiaries'
businesses  (excluding,  without  limitation,  Interest Expense and fees payable
hereunder).

         1.8 Advance or Advances.  Amounts advanced by the Banks to the Borrower
pursuant to Article 2 hereof on the occasion of any  borrowing or in  connection
with draws under Letters of Credit.

         1.9 Affiliate.  Any Person (other than a Person whose sole relationship
with  the  Borrower  is as an  employee)  directly  or  indirectly  controlling,
controlled by, or under common  control with the Borrower.  For purposes of this
definition,  "control"  when used with respect to any Person means the direct or
indirect  beneficial  ownership of more than twenty  percent (20%) of the voting
securities  or voting  equity or  partnership  interests,  of such Person or the
power to direct or cause the  direction of the  management  and policies of such
Person, whether by contract or otherwise.

         1.10     Agreement.  This Master Loan and Inter-Creditor Agreement.

         1.11 Agreement  Date.  The date as of which the Borrower,  the Managing
Agents, the Co-Agents, the Issuing Bank and the Banks execute this Agreement.


                                      - 3 -

<PAGE>


         1.12  Applicable  Law.  In respect of any  Person,  all  provisions  of
constitutions,  statutes, rules, regulations,  and orders of governmental bodies
or regulatory agencies applicable to such Person, including, without limitation,
all orders and decrees of all courts and  arbitrators  in proceedings or actions
to which the Person in question is a party or by which it is bound.

         1.13 Applicable Margin. The interest rate margins set forth on Schedule
1.13  attached  hereto  applicable  to the Base Rate  determined  based upon the
Leverage  Ratio for the fiscal  quarter  end being  tested or the most  recently
completed  fiscal quarter for which financial  statements have been delivered or
the Borrower's S&P/Moody's Rating, as applicable. The Applicable Margin shall be
automatically adjusted as of the later to occur of the first day of the calendar
month in which (a) the Borrower's quarterly compliance certificate is due or (b)
the Borrower's  quarterly compliance  certificate is actually delivered.  At all
times during an Event of Default  hereunder,  the Applicable Margin shall be the
Applicable Margins set forth at Level VI of Schedule 1.13. In the event that the
Borrower  qualifies for more than one level of pricing,  the  Applicable  Margin
shall be based upon the highest  level (with Level I being the lowest level) for
which the Borrower is qualified.  The Applicable  Margin from the Agreement Date
until  the  first  adjustment  date as  provided  above  will be based  upon the
Leverage  Ratio for the most recently  completed  fiscal quarter of the Borrower
prior to the Agreement Date.

         1.14 Authorized Signatory. With respect to the Borrower, such personnel
of the  Borrower  as set  forth in an  incumbency  certificate  of the  Borrower
delivered  to the  Administrative  Agent  on the  Agreement  Date  (or any  duly
executed  incumbency   certificate  delivered  after  the  Agreement  Date)  and
certified therein as being duly authorized by the Borrower to execute documents,
agreements, and instruments on behalf of the Borrower.

         1.15  Available  Letter  of  Credit  Commitment.  As  of  any  date  of
determination,  the Letter of Credit Commitment less all then outstanding Letter
of Credit Obligations.

         1.16 Available Loan  Commitment.  As of any date of  determination,  an
amount  equal  to the  lesser  of (a) the  Loan  Commitment  or (b) (i) the Loan
Funding  Availability less (ii) the sum of (A) the principal amount of the Loans
then outstanding,  (B) all unreimbursed draws under any Letter of Credit and (C)
the then outstanding principal balances of all other Unsecured Indebtedness.


                                      - 4 -

<PAGE>


         1.17  Banks.  NationsBank,  N.A.;  Bank of America  National  Trust and
Savings  Association;  Fleet National Bank, Bank United,  Comerica Bank,  Credit
Lyonnais New York Branch, Societe Generale, Southwest Agency, The First National
Bank of  Chicago,  PNC  Bank,  National  Association,  AmSouth  Bank,  Bank One,
Arizona,  NA, First  American  Bank Texas,  SSB,  Harris Trust and Savings Bank,
Sanwa Bank  California,  Norwest Bank Arizona,  National  Association and Summit
Bank. An individual Bank is sometimes referred to as a "Bank."

         1.18 Base Rate.  The lesser of (a)(i) the New York  Federal  Funds Rate
plus (ii) the Applicable  Margin or (b) (i) the Three-Month  LIBOR plus (ii) the
Applicable Margin.

         1.19     Borrower.  D.R. Horton, Inc., a Delaware corporation.

         1.20 Business  Day. A day on which none of the Banks are  authorized or
required to be closed and foreign  exchange markets are open for the transaction
of business required for this Agreement in Atlanta, Georgia.

         1.21 Change of Control.  Either (i) any sale,  lease or other  transfer
(in one transaction or a series of transactions) of all or substantially  all of
the consolidated  assets of the Borrower and its Restricted  Subsidiaries to any
Person  (other than a Restricted  Subsidiary of the  Borrower),  provided that a
transaction  where the holders of all classes of Common  Equity of the  Borrower
immediately prior to such transaction own,  directly or indirectly,  50% or more
of  all  classes  of  Common  Equity  of  such  Person  immediately  after  such
transaction shall not be a Change of Control;  (ii) a "person" or "group" within
the meaning of Section  13(d) of the  Exchange  Act (other than the  Borrower or
Donald R. Horton, his wife, children or grandchildren,  or Terrill J. Horton, or
any trust or other entity formed or  controlled  by Donald R. Horton,  his wife,
children or grandchildren, or Terrill J. Horton)) becomes the "beneficial owner"
(as  defined  in Rule  13d-8  under the  Exchange  Act) of Common  Equity of the
Borrower  representing more than 50% of the voting power of the Common Equity of
the Borrower; (iii) Continuing Directors cease to constitute at least a majority
of the Board of  Directors  of the  Borrower;  or (iv) the  stockholders  of the
Borrower  approve any plan or proposal for the liquidation or dissolution of the
Borrower,  provided that a liquidation  or  dissolution of the Borrower which is
part of a  transaction  that does not  constitute a Change of Control  under the
proviso contained in clause (i) above shall not constitute a Change of Control.


                                      - 5 -

<PAGE>


         1.22 Change of Management. Donald R. Horton shall cease to serve either
as (a) Chairman of the Board of  Directors  of the Borrower or (b)  President or
other chief executive officer of the Borrower.

         1.23 Closed Sales. For any calculation period,  sales of Developed Lots
containing  Dwellings  which have been closed by the Borrower and all Restricted
Subsidiaries.  Closed Sales shall include  Developed Lots  containing  Dwellings
owned by any Person which is or becomes a Restricted  Subsidiary before or after
the Agreement Date for which sales have closed during the applicable calculation
period.  Closed Sales shall include closings attributable to acquisitions by the
Borrower and/or by its Restricted  Subsidiaries or when substantially all assets
owned by any Person were acquired by the Borrower and/or Restricted Subsidiaries
before or after the Agreement Date.

         1.24 Co-Agents. AmSouth Bank, Bank One, Arizona, NA, PNC Bank, National
Association  and The First  National  Bank of Chicago,  in their  capacities  as
Co-Agents hereunder.

         1.25     Code.  The Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended.

         1.26  Commitments.  The aggregate amount of the Loan Commitment and the
Letter of Credit Commitment.

         1.27  Commitment  Ratios.  The  percentages  in  which  the  Banks  are
severally  bound to  satisfy  any of the Loan  Commitment,  the Letter of Credit
Commitment  or the  Commitments  as set forth on Exhibit B  attached  hereto and
incorporated herein.

         1.28 Common Equity.  With respect to any Person,  capital stock of such
Person that is  generally  entitled to (i) vote in the  election of directors of
such  Person,  or (ii) if such Person is not a  corporation,  vote or  otherwise
participate in the selection of the governing body, partners, managers or others
that will control the management or policies of such Person.

         1.29 Construction Costs. All costs accepted by the Administrative Agent
actually incurred by the Borrower or its Restricted Subsidiaries with respect to
the  construction  of a  Dwelling  as  of  the  date  of  determination  by  the


                                      - 6 -

<PAGE>


Administrative  Agent,  excluding (a) projected costs and costs for materials or
labor not yet delivered to, provided to or  incorporated  into such Dwelling and
(b) Administrative Costs.

         1.30  Continental  Homes  Merger.  The  merger  of  the  Borrower  with
Continental Homes Holding Corp., a Delaware corporation.

         1.31  Continental  Homes Merger Date. The date on which the Continental
Homes Merger is consummated.

         1.32  Continuing  Director.  A director  who either was a member of the
board  of  directors  of the  Borrower  on the  Agreement  Date or who  became a
director  of the  Borrower  subsequent  to such  date  and  whose  election,  or
nomination for election by the Borrower's  stockholders,  was duly approved by a
majority of the  Continuing  Directors on the board of directors of the Borrower
at the time of such  approval,  either by a specific  vote or by approval of the
proxy  statement  issued  by the  Borrower  on  behalf  of the  entire  board of
directors  of the  Borrower in which such  individual  is named as nominee for a
director.

         1.33  Default.  Any of the  events  specified  in Section  6.1  hereof,
provided that any  requirement  for notice or lapse of time,  or both,  has been
satisfied.

         1.34 Default Rate. A simple per annum interest rate equal to the sum of
the Base Rate, plus two hundred basis points (2.00%).

         1.35  Developed  Lots.  Subdivision  lots owned by the  Borrower or its
Restricted  Subsidiaries,  subject to a recorded  plat,  which the  Borrower has
designated  and the  Administrative  Agent has  accepted to be included  and are
included as "Developed Lots" in the calculation of the Loan Funding Availability
(exclusive  of any  Dwelling  Lot).  An  individual  Developed  Lot is sometimes
referred to herein as a "Developed Lot."

         1.36 Development Costs. All costs accepted by the Administrative  Agent
and  actually  incurred by the  Borrower and its  Restricted  Subsidiaries  with
respect to the  development  of a Land Parcel into a Developed  Lot or Developed
Lots as of the date of determination by the Administrative Agent,  excluding (a)
projected  costs and costs for materials or labor not yet delivered to, provided
to or incorporated into such parcel of land and (b) Administrative Costs.


                                      - 7 -

<PAGE>


         1.37  Documentation  Agent.  Fleet  National  Bank,  in its capacity as
Documentation Agent hereunder.

         1.38 Dwelling. A house which the Borrower or any Restricted  Subsidiary
has  constructed or is constructing on a Developed Lot which has been designated
as a Dwelling Lot.

         1.39 Dwelling Lots. Developed Lots with Dwellings which the Borrower or
any  Restricted  Subsidiary  has  designated  and the  Administrative  Agent has
accepted to be included and are included as "Dwelling  Lots" in the  calculation
of the Loan Funding Availability.  The term "Dwelling Lot" includes the Dwelling
located thereon. An individual Dwelling Lot is sometimes referred to herein as a
"Dwelling Lot."

         1.40  EBITDA.   With  respect  to  the  Borrower  and  all   Restricted
Subsidiaries,  earnings for the preceding twelve (12) calendar months (including
without limitation dividends from Unrestricted  Subsidiaries including,  without
limitation,  net income (or loss) of any Person that  accrued  prior to the date
that such Person  becomes a Restricted  Subsidiary  or is merged with or into or
consolidated  with the Borrower or any of its  Restricted  Subsidiaries)  before
interest incurred, state and federal income taxes paid, franchise taxes paid and
depreciation and amortization,  all in accordance with GAAP plus, for the twelve
(12)  calendar  month period  following  the  Continental  Homes Merger Date, an
amount  not to exceed  $15,000,000  (to  adjust  for costs  associated  with the
Continental Homes Merger) plus non-cash write downs of any assets.

         1.41 ERISA. The Employee  Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, as in
effect on the Agreement Date and as such Act may be amended thereafter from time
to time.

         1.42 ERISA Affiliate. (a) Any corporation which is a member of the same
controlled group of corporations  (within the meaning of Code Section 414(b)) as
is the Borrower,  (b) any other trade or business  (whether or not incorporated)
under  common  control  (within the  meaning of Code  Section  414(c))  with the
Borrower, (c) any other corporation,  partnership or other organization which is
a member of an  affiliated  service  group  (within the meaning of Code  Section
414(m)) with the  Borrower,  or (d) any other entity  required to be  aggregated
with the Borrower pursuant to regulations under Code Section 414(o).


                                      - 8 -

<PAGE>


         1.43 Event of Default.  Any event  specified  in Section 6.1 hereof and
any other  event  which  with any  passage of time or giving of notice (or both)
would constitute such event a Default.

         1.44    Exchange Act.  The Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended.

         1.45 Facility Fee. Those certain fees paid by the Borrower to the Banks
pursuant to Section 2.5(b) hereof.

         1.46 Federal Funds  Effective  Rate. As of any date, the "Federal Funds
Effective  Rate" for each  relevant  month as published  in the Federal  Reserve
Statistical  Release  H.15 (519),  as published by the Board of Governors of the
Federal Reserve System, or any successor  publication  published by the Board of
Governors of the Federal Reserve System.

         1.47  Financial  Covenant  Carve Out. The  Borrower's  compliance  with
either Sections  5.7(a),  (e) and (g) hereof during any  Acquisition  Suspension
Period or with Section 5.7(a) hereof during any  Operational  Suspension  Period
shall be  suspended;  provided,  however,  that there  shall be no more than one
Financial  Covenant Carve Out in any period of twelve (12) consecutive  calendar
months  beginning  with the month in which the Financial  Covenant Carve Out was
elected, and provided,  further,  however,  that no Financial Covenant Carve Out
shall commence  unless the Borrower was in compliance with all covenants for not
less than one full  fiscal  quarter  immediately  preceding  any such  Financial
Covenant Carve Out Notice.

         1.48 Fixed Charges. The aggregate consolidated interest incurred of the
Borrower and its Restricted  Subsidiaries  for the most recently  completed four
(4) fiscal quarters for which results have been reported to the Banks.

         1.49 Force Majeure  Delay.  A delay to the  development  of a Lot Under
Development  or a delay to the  construction  of a  Dwelling  which is caused by
fire,  earthquake or other Acts of God, strike,  lockout,  acts of public enemy,
riot, insurrection,  or governmental regulation of the sale or transportation of
materials,   supplies  or  labor,  provided  that  the  Borrower  furnishes  the
Administrative  Agent with written notice of any such delay within ten (10) days
from the  commencement  of any such  delay and  provided  that the period of the
Force Majeure Delay shall not exceed the period of delay caused by such event.


                                      - 9 -

<PAGE>


         1.50 Funded Notes  Payable.  As of any date,  the  aggregate  principal
amounts then  outstanding of all Indebtedness for Money Borrowed of the Borrower
and its  Restricted  Subsidiaries,  or any of them,  in  favor of any  financial
services  providers  or  any  seller  of  real  property,   including,   without
limitation, all pari passu public debt, subordinated debt or convertible debt of
the Borrower and its Restricted Subsidiaries, or any of them.

         1.51  Funding  Period.  A  period  commencing  on the  day  immediately
following the date that the Loan Funding Availability is established pursuant to
Section  3.1(c) hereof by the  Administrative  Agent and ending on the date that
the Loan Funding  Availability  next is  established  pursuant to Section 3.1(c)
hereof by the Administrative Agent.

         1.52 GAAP. As in effect as of the Agreement  Date,  generally  accepted
accounting principles consistently applied.

         1.53  Governmental  Authority.  Any nation or government,  any state or
other  political  subdivision  thereof  and  any  entity  exercising  executive,
legislative,  judicial,  regulatory or administrative functions of or pertaining
to government.

         1.54  Guaranty  or  Guaranteed.  As  applied to an  obligation  (each a
"primary  obligation"),  shall  mean and  include  (a) any  guaranty,  direct or
indirect, in any manner, of any part or all of such primary obligation,  and (b)
any agreement, direct or indirect, contingent or otherwise, the practical effect
of which is to assure in any way the  payment  or  performance  (or  payment  of
damages  in the  event of  non-performance)  of any part or all of such  primary
obligation,   including,  without  limiting  the  foregoing,  any  reimbursement
obligations as to amounts drawn down by beneficiaries of outstanding  letters of
credit,  and any obligation of such Person (the "primary  obligor"),  whether or
not contingent,  (i) to purchase any such primary  obligation or any property or
asset  constituting  direct or indirect  security  therefor,  (ii) to advance or
supply funds (1) for the purchase or payment of such primary  obligation  or (2)
to  maintain  working  capital,  equity  capital  or the net  worth,  cash flow,
solvency  or other  balance  sheet or income  statement  condition  of any other
Person, (iii) to purchase property, assets, securities or services primarily for
the purpose of assuring  the owner or holder of any  primary  obligation  of the
ability of the primary  obligor with respect to such primary  obligation to make
payment thereof or (iv) otherwise to assure or hold harmless the owner or holder
of such primary obligation against loss in respect thereof.



                                     - 10 -

<PAGE>


         1.55  Guarantors.  Those  Persons set forth on Schedule  1.55  attached
hereto,  together with each additional  Restricted Subsidiary of Borrower as may
from time to time  deliver a Guaranty of the Loans and  Letters of Credit  which
Guaranty is accepted by the Administrative Agent.

         1.56 Indebtedness. With respect to any specified Person, (a) all items,
except items of (i)  shareholders'  and partners'  equity,  (ii) capital  stock,
(iii)  surplus,   (iv)  general  contingency  or  deferred  tax  reserves,   (v)
liabilities for deposits and (vi) deferred income, which in accordance with GAAP
would be included in  determining  total  liabilities  as shown on the liability
side of a balance sheet of such Person,  (b) all direct or indirect  obligations
secured  by any Lien to which  any  property  or asset  owned by such  Person is
subject,  whether or not the obligation secured thereby shall have been assumed,
and (c) all  reimbursement  obligations  with respect to outstanding  letters of
credit.

         1.57  Indebtedness  for Money  Borrowed.  With respect to any specified
Person, all money borrowed by such Person and Indebtedness  represented by notes
payable by such Person and drafts accepted representing  extensions of credit to
such Person,  all  obligations  of such Person  evidenced by bonds,  debentures,
notes, or other similar instruments,  all Indebtedness of such Person upon which
interest  charges are  customarily  paid,  and all  Indebtedness  of such Person
issued or assumed as full or  partial  payment  for real  property  or  services
(excluding  trade  payables  and  accruals  incurred in the  ordinary  course of
business),  whether or not any such notes, drafts,  obligations, or Indebtedness
represent  Indebtedness  for money  borrowed.  For purposes of this  definition,
interest  which is accrued but not paid on the  original  due date or within any
applicable cure or grace period as provided by the underlying  contract for such
interest shall be deemed Indebtedness for Money Borrowed.

         1.58 Interest Expense. In respect of any period, an amount equal to the
sum of the interest  incurred during such period based on a stated interest rate
with  respect  to  Indebtedness  for  Money  Borrowed  of the  Borrower  and its
Restricted Subsidiaries on a consolidated basis.

         1.59  Inventory.  All  real and  personal  property,  improvements  and
fixtures owned by the Borrower or the Restricted Subsidiaries, including but not
limited  to all Land  Parcels,  Lots  Under  Development,  Development  Lots and
Dwelling Lots.



                                     - 11 -

<PAGE>


         1.60 Inventory Summary Report.  The monthly written summary of the Loan
Inventory,  in  substantially  the form of  Exhibit  C  attached  hereto,  to be
prepared by the Borrower and submitted to the Administrative Agent in accordance
with Section 3.1(c) hereof.

         1.61 Issuing Bank.  NationsBank,  N.A. (or any  successor  Issuing Bank
appointed in accordance with the provisions of this Agreement), as issuer of the
Letters of Credit.

         1.62 Land Parcels.  Parcels of land owned by the Borrower or any of its
Restricted  Subsidiaries  which  are,  as of  the  date  of  determination,  not
scheduled for  commencement of development into Developed Lots during the twelve
(12) calendar months immediately  following such date of determination and which
the Borrower has  designated as "Land  Parcels".  An  individual  Land Parcel is
sometimes referred to as a "Land Parcel."

         1.63  Letter  of  Credit  Banks.  NationsBank,  N.A.,  Bank of  America
National Trust and Savings Association and Fleet National Bank.

         1.64 Letter of Credit Commitment. The obligation of the Issuing Bank to
issue Letters of Credit  hereunder  pursuant to the terms hereof in an aggregate
face amount not to exceed $50,000,000 at any time outstanding.

         1.65 Letter of Credit Bank Commitment  Ratio.  The percentages in which
the Letter of Credit Banks are severally bound to reimburse the Issuing Bank for
draws  under  Letters of Credit  pursuant to the terms  hereof,  as set forth on
Exhibit B attached hereto and incorporated herein.

         1.66  Letter of  Credit  Obligations.  At any  time,  the sum of (a) an
amount equal to the aggregate undrawn and unexpired amount (including the amount
to which any such  Letter  of Credit  can be  reinstated  pursuant  to the terms
hereof) of the then outstanding Letters of Credit and (b) an amount equal to the
aggregate drawn, but unreimbursed, drawings on any Letters of Credit.

         1.67 Letter of Credit  Reserve  Account.  An interest  bearing  account
maintained by the Administrative  Agent for the benefit of the Issuing Bank, the
proceeds of which are  maintained  as cash  collateral  for the Letter of Credit



                                     - 12 -

<PAGE>


Obligations.  The amount of funds in the Letter of Credit Reserve  Account shall
not exceed the then  outstanding  Letter of Credit  Obligations,  and any excess
shall be applied as set forth in Section 2.9 hereof.  All funds in the Letter of
Credit   Reserve   Account  shall  be  invested  in  such   investments  as  the
Administrative  Agent, in its sole and absolute  discretion,  deems appropriate.
The Borrower  hereby  acknowledges  and agrees that any interest  earned on such
funds shall be retained by the Administrative Agent as additional collateral for
the Letter of Credit  Obligations.  Upon  satisfaction  in full of all Letter of
Credit Obligations,  the Administrative Agent shall pay any amounts then held in
such account to the Borrower.

         1.68 Letters of Credit. Letters of credit issued for the account of the
Borrower  to  support  obligations  of the  Borrower  or any of its  Affiliates,
including  but not limited to earnest  money  payments  under option  contracts,
project   completion   performance  or  project   maintenance  (but  not  credit
enhancement),  including,  without limitation, those Letters of Credit issued by
the  Issuing  Bank  prior to the  Agreement  Date and more  fully  described  on
Schedule  1.68  attached  hereto.  An  individual  Letter of Credit is sometimes
referred to as a "Letter of Credit."

         1.69 Leverage  Ratio.  As of the last day of each fiscal quarter of the
Borrower,  the ratio of (a) the Net Funded Notes Payable of the Borrower and its
Restricted  Subsidiaries  on a  consolidated  basis on such date to (b) Adjusted
Tangible  Net  Worth  of the  Borrower  and  its  Restricted  Subsidiaries  on a
consolidated basis for the fiscal quarter end being tested.

         1.70 Lien. With respect to any property,  any mortgage,  lien,  pledge,
assignment,   charge,  security  interest,  title  retention  agreement,   levy,
execution, seizure, attachment, garnishment, or other encumbrance of any kind in
the nature of any of the foregoing in respect of such  property,  whether or not
choate, vested, or perfected.

         1.71 Loan Commitment.  The several  obligations of the Banks to advance
funds in the aggregate sum of up to $775,000,000 to the Borrower pursuant to the
terms hereof as such  obligations  may be reduced from time to time  pursuant to
the terms hereof.

         1.72 Loan Documents.  This  Agreement,  the Notes and any and all other
documents  evidencing  the  Notes  or the  Letters  of  Credit  or  executed  in
connection therewith as the same may be amended, substituted, replaced, extended
or renewed from time to time.


                                     - 13 -

<PAGE>


         1.73 Loan Funding  Availability.  The amount of Unsecured  Indebtedness
and  unreimbursed  draws under Letters of Credit which the Borrower may incur as
established  pursuant to Section  3.1 hereof,  at any  applicable  time,  by the
Administrative Agent based on the Loan Inventory.

         1.74  Loan  Inventory.  Lots  Under  Development,  Developed  Lots  and
Dwelling  Lots  which  are not  encumbered  by a Lien or Liens  (other  than any
Permitted  Encumbrance)  and which  have been  designated  by the  Borrower  and
accepted by the Administrative  Agent as "Loan Inventory" to be utilized for the
purpose of calculating the Loan Funding Availability.

         1.75 Loans. Collectively, amounts advanced by the Banks to the Borrower
under the Loan Commitment  pursuant to the terms of this Agreement and evidenced
by the Notes.

         1.76 Lots Under Development.  Land Parcels which are, as of the date of
determination,  being  developed  into Developed Lots or which are scheduled for
the  commencement of development into Developed Lots within twelve (12) calendar
months after the date of  determination,  and which the Borrower has  designated
and the  Administrative  Agent has  accepted to be included  and are included as
"Lots Under Development" in the calculation of the Loan Funding Availability. An
individual  Lot Under  Development  is  sometimes  referred  to as a "Lot  Under
Development."

         1.77 Majority Banks. At any time,  Banks the total of whose  Commitment
Ratios  with  respect to the  Commitments  exceeds  fifty  percent  (50%) of the
aggregate Commitment Ratios with respect to the Commitments of Banks entitled to
vote hereunder.

         1.78 Managing Agents.  Bank United,  Comerica Bank, Credit Lyonnais New
York  Branch and  Societe  General,  Soutwest  Agency,  in their  capacities  as
Managing Agents.

         1.79 Maturity Date.  April 21, 2002, or such earlier date as payment of
the  Loans  and the  Letter  of  Credit  Obligations  shall be due  (whether  by
acceleration or otherwise) as the same may be extended under Section 8.5 hereof.

         1.80  Models.  A  Dwelling  Lot  containing  a  dwelling  unit which is
designated  by the Borrower as a model unit for use in marketing  and  promoting
the sale of Dwelling Lots.

                                     - 14 -

<PAGE>


         1.81  Moody's  Rating.  At any time,  with  respect to any Person,  the
rating in effect at such time assigned by Moody's  Investors  Service,  Inc. for
the long term senior unsecured debt of such Person.

         1.82 Net Funded Notes Payable.  As of any date, Funded Notes Payable on
such date minus the  Borrower's and the  Restricted  Subsidiaries'  unrestricted
cash and cash equivalents on such date in excess of $15,000,000.

         1.83 Net Total  Liabilities.  At any  time,  Total  Liabilities  of the
Borrower and its Restricted  Subsidiaries  less cash and cash equivalents of the
Borrower and its Restricted Subsidiaries.

         1.84 New York  Federal  Funds  Rate.  For any day,  the rate per  annum
(rounded  upward,  if  necessary,  to the  nearest  1/16th  of 1%)  equal to the
weighted  average of the rates on  overnight  Federal  funds  transactions  with
members of the Federal  Reserve System arranged by Federal funds brokers on such
day, as  published  by the Federal  Reserve Bank of New York on the Business Day
next succeeding such day.

         1.85 Notes.  The promissory  notes by the Borrower one each in favor of
each of the Banks evidencing such Bank's pro rata share of the Loans, as well as
any  promissory   note  or  notes  issued  by  the  Borrower  in   substitution,
replacement,  extension,  amendment  or renewal of any such  promissory  note or
notes. An individual  Note held by a Bank is sometimes  referred to as a "Note."
The combined face amount of the Notes may not exceed SEVEN HUNDRED  SEVENTY-FIVE
MILLION AND NO/100 DOLLARS ($775,000,000.00).

         1.86  Obligations.  (a) All payment and performance  obligations of the
Borrower  and  all  other  obligors  to the  Banks,  the  Issuing  Bank  and the
Administrative Agent under this Agreement and the other Loan Documents,  as they
may be amended  from time to time,  or as a result of making the Loans,  and (b)
the obligation to pay an amount equal to the amount of any and all damages which
the Borrower is obligated to pay pursuant to the Loan Documents to, or on behalf
of, the Banks, the Issuing Bank, the Co-Agents and the Managing  Agents,  or any
of them,  which they may suffer by reason of a breach by any of the  Borrower or
any other obligor of any obligation,  covenant,  or undertaking  with respect to
this Agreement or any other Loan Document.


                                     - 15 -

<PAGE>


         1.87 Operational  Carve Out Notice.  The written notice by the Borrower
in  substantially  the  form of  Exhibit  D  attached  hereto  delivered  to the
Administrative  Agent and the Banks  within  sixty (60) days from the end of the
fiscal  quarter for which this  election is made  notifying  such Persons of the
election by the Borrower to initiate a Financial  Covenant Carve Out as a result
of normal  operational  performance.  Contemporaneously  with the delivery of an
Operational Carve Out Notice,  the Borrower shall provide to the Managing Agents
a plan of action reflecting that the Borrower will be in compliance with Section
5.7(a) hereof on or prior to the last day of the applicable  Financial  Covenant
Carve Out,  and the  failure to deliver  such plan of action  shall  render such
Operational Carve Out Notice ineffective.

         1.88 Operational  Suspension  Period. An Operational  Suspension Period
shall occur upon  delivery by the Borrower to the  Administrative  Agent and the
Banks of an Operational Carve Out Notice and shall continue until the earlier to
occur of (a) the last day of the second fiscal quarter immediately following the
fiscal quarter for which such Operational Carve Out Notice was delivered, or (b)
the last day of the Borrower's  fiscal quarter on which the Leverage Ratio is to
be  determined  in  accordance  with  Section  5.7  hereof,  if on such date the
Leverage Ratio (determined in accordance with Section 5.7 hereof) exceeds 2.5 to
1.0.  Notwithstanding the foregoing, the maximum Leverage Ratio for the Borrower
during an Operational  Suspension Period shall be 2.5. to 1.0 at the end of each
fiscal  quarter of the Borrower,  and failure to comply with such Leverage Ratio
shall be an Event of Default.

         1.89 Overnight  Federal Funds Rate. The rate on overnight Federal funds
transactions  with  members of the Federal  Reserve  System  arranged by Federal
funds  brokers,  as  published  for such day by the Federal  Reserve Bank of New
York.

         1.90 Permitted Encumbrances.  Liens, encumbrances,  easements and other
matters which (a) are in favor of the Managing Agents, the Co-Agents,  the Banks
and the Issuing Bank to secure the Obligations,  (b) are on real estate for real
estate  taxes not yet  delinquent,  (c) are for taxes,  assessments,  judgments,
governmental  charges  or  levies or claims  the  non-payment  of which is being
diligently  contested  in good faith by  appropriate  proceedings  and for which
adequate  reserves have been set aside on the Borrower's books (but only so long
as no  foreclosure,  distraint sale or similar  proceedings  have been commenced
with respect thereto and remain unstayed for a period of thirty (30)  days after


                                     - 16 -

<PAGE>


their  commencement),  (d) are in favor of  carriers,  warehousemen,  mechanics,
laborers and  materialmen  incurred in the ordinary  course of business for sums
not yet  past due or being  diligently  contested  in good  faith  (if  adequate
reserves are being  maintained  by the Borrower with respect  thereto),  (e) are
incurred  in the  ordinary  course  of  business  in  connection  with  worker's
compensation and unemployment  insurance,  or (f) are easements,  rights-of-way,
restrictions or similar  encumbrances on the use of real property which does not
interfere  with the ordinary  conduct of business of the Borrower or  materially
detract from the value of such real property.

         1.91 Person. An individual, corporation, partnership, limited liability
company, trust, or unincorporated organization, or a government or any agency or
political subdivision thereof.

         1.92 Plan. An employee  benefit plan within the meaning of Section 3(3)
of ERISA maintained by or contributed to by the Borrower or any ERISA Affiliate.

         1.93  Reconciliation  Date.  Two (2) Business Days after the Borrower's
receipt of notice  from the  Administrative  Agent  pursuant  to Section  3.1(d)
hereof that the outstanding principal balance of the Unsecured Indebtedness plus
unpaid draws under Letters of Credit exceeds the Loan Funding Availability.

         1.94  Reportable  Event.  Shall have the  meaning  set forth in Section
4043(b) of ERISA.

         1.95  Request for  Advance.  Any  certificate  signed by an  Authorized
Signatory of the Borrower  requesting an Advance  hereunder  which will increase
the  aggregate  amount  of the Loans  outstanding,  which  certificate  shall be
denominated a "Request for Advance," and shall be in  substantially  the form of
Exhibit E attached hereto.  Each Request for Advance shall,  among other things,
(a) specify the date of the Advance,  which shall be a Business Day, (b) specify
the amount of the Advance,  (c) state that there shall not exist, on the date of
the requested Advance and after giving effect thereto,  a Default or an Event of
Default,  and (d)  state  that all  conditions  precedent  to the  making of the
Advance have been satisfied.

         1.96 Request for Issuance of Letter of Credit.  Any certificate  signed
by an  Authorized  Signatory  of the Borrower  requesting  that the Issuing Bank

                                     - 17 -

<PAGE>


issue a Letter of Credit hereunder,  which certificate shall be in substantially
the form of Exhibit F  attached  hereto,  and shall,  among  other  things,  (a)
specify the stated  amount of the Letter of Credit,  (b)  specify the  effective
date for the issuance of the Letter of Credit  (which shall be a Business  Day),
(c) specify the date on which the Letter of Credit is to expire  (which shall be
a Business  Day), (d) specify the Person for whose benefit such Letter of Credit
is to be issued,  (e) specify other relevant terms of such Letter of Credit, (f)
be accompanied by a completed letter of credit application substantially similar
to Exhibit G attached hereto or otherwise in form and substance  satisfactory to
the  Issuing  Bank,  and (g) state  that there  shall not exist,  on the date of
issuance of the requested  Letter of Credit and after giving effect  thereto,  a
Default or an Event of Default.

         1.97  Restricted  Subsidiary.  Any Subsidiary of the Borrower which has
been  designated  as a Restricted  Subsidiary by the Borrower and from which the
Administrative Agent is required to receive a duly executed Subsidiary Guaranty,
including, without limitation, the Guarantors.

         1.98 S&P Rating. At any time, with respect to any Person, the rating in
effect at such time assigned by Standard and Poor's Ratings Group, a division of
McGraw Hill, Inc., for the long term senior unsecured debt of such Person.

         1.99 S&P/Moody's  Rating. At any time, with respect to any Person,  the
ratings in effect at such time assigned by Standard and Poor's  Ratings Group, a
division of McGraw Hill, and Moody's Investors  Service,  Inc. for the long term
senior unsecured debt of such Person.

         1.100  Speculative  Lot. Any Dwelling  Lots having a fully or partially
constructed  dwelling unit thereon  which  Dwelling Lot is not subject to a bona
fide  contract for the sale of such  Dwelling  Lot to a third  party,  excluding
Developed Lots containing Dwellings used as Models.

         1.101  Subsidiary.  As applied to any Person,  (a) any  corporation  of
which  fifty  percent  (50%)  or  more  of the  outstanding  stock  (other  than
directors'  qualifying  shares) having ordinary voting power to elect a majority
of its board of directors, regardless of the existence at the time of a right of
the  holders  of any class or  classes  of  securities  of such  corporation  to
exercise such  voting power  by reason  of the happening  of any contingency, or


                                     - 18 -

<PAGE>


any  partnership  of  which  fifty  percent  (50%)  or more  of the  outstanding
partnership  interests,  is at the time owned by such Person,  or by one or more
Subsidiaries of such Person,  or by such Person and one or more  Subsidiaries of
such Person,  and (b) any other entity which is  controlled  or  susceptible  to
being controlled by such Person,  or by one or more Subsidiaries of such Person,
or by such  Person  and one or more  Subsidiaries  of such  Person.  Unless  the
context  otherwise  requires,  "Subsidiaries"  as used  herein  shall  mean  the
Subsidiaries of the Borrower.

         1.102 Subsidiary  Guaranty.  A guaranty agreement in form and substance
satisfactory  to the  Administrative  Agent  whereunder a Restricted  Subsidiary
guarantees  the  full  and  faithful  payment  and  performance  of  all  of the
Obligations of the Borrower hereunder and under the other Loan Documents.

         1.103  Super-Majority  Banks.  At any  time,  Banks  the total of whose
Commitment  Ratios with respect to the  Commitments  exceeds  sixty-six  and two
thirds percent (66-2/3%) of the aggregate  Commitment Ratios with respect to the
Commitments of Banks entitled to vote hereunder.

         1.104    Syndication Agent.  Bank of America National Trust and Savings
Association, in its capacity as Syndication Agent hereunder.

         1.105  Tangible  Assets.  The  difference  between  total assets of the
Borrower  and its  Restricted  Subsidiaries  and all  intangible  assets  of the
Borrower and its Restricted  Subsidiaries,  all as determined in accordance with
GAAP.

         1.106  Tangible  Net  Worth.  With  respect  to the  Borrower  and  its
Restricted  Subsidiaries,  the net  worth  of the  Borrower  and its  Restricted
Subsidiaries,  as defined under GAAP,  less all  "intangible  assets" created by
Acquisitions and operations subsequent to March 1, 1998. Any non-cash writedowns
of assets  after  March 1, 1998 will flow  through the income  statement  of the
Borrower and its Restricted Subsidiaries such that its effect on net income will
be included  when  determining  the amount of net income when used to  determine
Tangible Net Worth.

         1.107 Third Party Notes  Payable.  With respect to the Borrower and its
Restricted Subsidiaries,  all Indebtedness for Money Borrowed other than (a) the


                                     - 19 -

<PAGE>


Obligations  and publicly issued  Indebtedness  for Money Borrowed which is pari
passu with the Obligations, (b) non-recourse Indebtedness, (c) Indebtedness owed
to the  seller of any  Inventory  acquired  by the  Borrower  or its  Restricted
Subsidiaries,   (d)  Indebtedness  which  is  structurally  subordinate  to  the
Obligations or which is  convertible  into equity at the option of the Borrower,
(e) Indebtedness for earnest money and (f) notes payable for insurance  premiums
and capitalized lease obligations.

         1.108  Three-Month  LIBOR. As of any date of  determination,  a rate of
interest  per annum equal to the three (3) month London  Interbank  Offered Rate
for deposits in United States dollars (rounded to two decimal places) in amounts
comparable to the outstanding  principal  amount of the Loans then  outstanding,
which interest rate is set forth in the Wall Street Journal (Eastern Edition) on
the next Business  Day;  provided,  however,  if more than one such offered rate
appears in the Wall Street Journal (Eastern Edition),  the applicable rate shall
be the highest thereof.

         1.109 Total Liabilities.  All items required by GAAP to be set forth as
"liabilities"  on the Borrower's and its Restricted  Subsidiaries'  consolidated
balance sheet.

         1.110 Unrestricted Subsidiaries. Subsidiaries of the Borrower which are
not Restricted Subsidiaries.

         1.111 Unsecured  Indebtedness.  Indebtedness  for Money Borrowed of the
Borrower  and its  Restricted  Subsidiaries  which is not secured in whole or in
part by any Lien except  Permitted  Encumbrances  (excluding  capitalized  lease
obligations, notes payable for insurance premiums, non-recourse promissory notes
for  seller   financing  and  promissory  notes  issued  as  earnest  money  for
contracts).

         Each  definition  of an agreement in this Article 1 shall  include such
agreement as modified, amended, or supplemented from time to time with the prior
written consent of the Majority Banks, except as provided in Section 8.3 hereof,
and except  where the context  otherwise  requires,  definitions  imparting  the
singular  shall  include  the  plural and vice  versa.  Except  where  otherwise
specifically  restricted,  reference to a party to a Loan Document includes that
party and its successors and assigns. All terms used herein which are defined in
Article 9 of the  Uniform  Commercial  Code in effect in the State of Georgia on

                                     - 20 -

<PAGE>


the date hereof and which are not otherwise  defined  herein shall have the same
meanings herein as set forth therein.

         All accounting  terms used herein without  definition  shall be used as
defined under GAAP as of the Agreement Date.


                                    ARTICLE 2

                           LOANS AND LETTERS OF CREDIT

         2.1 Extension of Credit . Subject to the terms and  conditions  of, and
in reliance upon the  representations  and warranties made in this Agreement and
the other Loan  Documents,  the Banks agree,  severally in accordance with their
respective  Commitment Ratios, and not jointly, to extend credit to the Borrower
in an aggregate principal amount not to exceed $775,000,000 and the Issuing Bank
agrees to issue Letters of Credit on behalf of the Borrower in an aggregate face
amount not to exceed $50,000,000, all as provided below:

                  (a) The  Loans.  Subject to the terms and  conditions  of this
Agreement and provided  that there is no Default or Event of Default,  the Banks
agree,  severally in accordance with their Commitment Ratios with respect to the
Loan Commitment,  and not jointly,  upon the terms and subject to the conditions
of this  Agreement,  to lend and re-lend to the Borrower,  prior to the Maturity
Date,  amounts which in the aggregate at any one time  outstanding do not exceed
the Available Loan Commitment.  Advances under the Loan Commitment may be repaid
and reborrowed from time to time on a revolving basis as set forth herein.

                  (b) The Letters of Credit. Subject to the terms and conditions
of this Agreement and provided that there is no Default or Event of Default, the
Issuing  Bank agrees to issue  Letters of Credit for the account of the Borrower
pursuant to Section 2.4 hereof in an  aggregate  amount for the  Borrower at any
one time not to exceed the Available Letter of Credit Commitment.

                  (c) Use of Loan Proceeds.  The Administrative Agent, the Banks
and the Borrower  agree that the proceeds of the Loans shall be used for general


                                     - 21 -

<PAGE>


corporate purposes, including, without limitation, working capital support, home
construction,   lot  acquisition,  lot  development,  land  acquisition,   asset
acquisitions and stock acquisitions.

         2.2      Manner of Borrowing and Disbursement Under Loans .

                  (a) Advances. The Borrower shall give the Administrative Agent
irrevocable  written  notice for  Advances  under the Loans not later than 12:00
noon (Eastern time) on the day  immediately  preceding the date of the requested
Advance in the form of a Request for Advance, or notice by telephone or telecopy
followed  immediately  by a Request for  Advance;  provided,  however,  that the
failure by the Borrower to confirm any notice by  telephone  or telecopy  with a
Request for  Advance  shall not  invalidate  any notice so given.  Each  Advance
hereunder  shall be in  principal  amounts  of not  less  than  $100,000  and in
integral  multiples of $100,000.  Subsequent to the initial Advance of the Loans
made on the Agreement Date, the Borrower may not request, in the aggregate, more
than (i) two (2)  Advances in any calendar  month plus (ii) four (4)  additional
Advances in any twelve (12) calendar  month period.  In any event,  the Borrower
may not request,  in the aggregate,  more than twenty-eight (28) Advances in any
twelve (12) calendar month period.

                  (b)  Notification  of Banks.  Upon  receipt  of a Request  for
Advance or notice by  telephone  or  telecopy,  the  Administrative  Agent shall
promptly notify each Bank by telephone or telecopy of the requested Advance, the
date on which the  Advance  is to be made,  the  amount of the  Advance  and the
amount of such Bank's portion of the  applicable  Advance based upon such Bank's
Commitment  Ratio in respect to such Loan. Each Bank shall, not later than 12:00
noon (Eastern time) on the date specified in such notice,  make available to the
Administrative Agent at the Administrative Agent's office, or at such account as
the  Administrative  Agent  shall  designate,  the amount of its  portion of the
applicable Advance in immediately available funds.

                  (c)  Disbursement.  Prior to 2:00 p.m.  (Eastern  time) on the
date of an Advance  hereunder,  the Administrative  Agent shall,  subject to the
satisfaction of the conditions set forth in this Agreement, disburse the amounts
made available to the Administrative Agent by the Banks in immediately available
funds  by (i)  transferring  the  amounts  so made  available  by wire  transfer
pursuant to the  instructions  of the  Borrower,  or (ii) in the absence of such
instructions,  crediting  the  amounts so made  available  to the account of the
Borrower  maintained  with  the  Administrative  Agent  or an  affiliate  of the


                                     - 22 -

<PAGE>


Administrative Agent. Unless the Administrative Agent shall have received notice
from a Bank  prior to the  date of any  Advance  that  such  Bank  will not make
available  to the  Administrative  Agent  such  Bank's  ratable  portion of such
Advance,  and so long as notice has been  given as  provided  in Section  2.2(b)
hereof, the Administrative Agent may assume that such Bank has made such portion
available  to the  Administrative  Agent  on the  date of such  Advance  and the
Administrative  Agent may,  in its sole  discretion  and in  reliance  upon such
assumption,  without any  obligation  hereunder to do so, make  available to the
Borrower  on such date a  corresponding  amount.  If and to the extent such Bank
shall not have so made such  ratable  portion  available  to the  Administrative
Agent, such Bank agrees to repay to the Administrative Agent forthwith on demand
such corresponding  amount together with interest thereon, for each day from the
date such amount is made available to the Borrower until the date such amount is
repaid to the  Administrative  Agent for the first two (2) days that such amount
is not repaid,  at the Overnight  Federal Funds Rate,  and,  thereafter,  at the
Overnight  Federal  Funds Rate plus four  percent  (4%) per annum.  If such Bank
shall repay to the Administrative  Agent such corresponding  amount, such amount
so repaid shall  constitute  such Bank's portion of the  applicable  Advance for
purposes  of this  Agreement.  If such Bank does not  repay  such  corresponding
amount  immediately  upon  the  Administrative   Agent's  demand  therefor,  the
Administrative Agent may notify the Borrower, and the Borrower shall immediately
pay such  corresponding  amount to the Administrative  Agent,  together with all
interest  accrued  thereon and on the same terms and conditions  that would have
applied to such Advance had such Bank funded its portion  thereof.  Any payments
received by the  Administrative  Agent following such demand shall be applied in
repayment of amounts owed to the  Administrative  Agent  hereunder  prior to any
other  application.  The  failure of any Bank to fund its portion of any Advance
shall not relieve any other Bank of its  obligation,  if any,  hereunder to fund
its respective portion of the Advance on the date of such borrowing, but no Bank
shall be responsible  for any such failure of any other Bank. In the event that,
at any time when this  Agreement is not in Default,  a Bank for any reason fails
or refuses to fund its portion of an Advance, then, until such time as such Bank
has funded its portion of such Advance, or all other Banks have received payment
in full (whether by repayment or  prepayment)  of the principal and interest due
in respect of such Advance,  such  non-funding  Bank shall (i) be  automatically
deemed to have  transferred to the Bank serving as  Administrative  Agent all of
such  non-funding  Bank's right to vote  regarding  any issue on which voting is
required or advisable under this Agreement or any other Loan Document,  and (ii)
not be entitled  to receive  payments  of  principal,  interest or fees from the
Borrower in respect of such Advances which such Bank failed to make.


                                     - 23 -

<PAGE>


         2.3      Interest on Loans .

                  (a) Prior to  Default.  Interest on Loans shall be computed on
the  basis of a  hypothetical  year of 360 days for the  actual  number  of days
elapsed  during each  calendar  month and shall be payable at a simple  interest
rate equal to the Base Rate times the principal balance outstanding from time to
time  under  the  Notes  for the  number  of days  such  principal  amounts  are
outstanding  during such calendar month.  Interest then outstanding shall be due
and payable in arrears as provided in Section 2.7 hereof.

                  (b)  Upon  Default.   Upon  the   occurrence  and  during  the
continuance of a Default,  the  Super-Majority  Banks shall have the option (but
shall not be required to give prior notice thereof to the Borrower to accelerate
the maturity of the Loans or to exercise any other rights or remedies  hereunder
in  connection  with the  exercise  of this  right)  to charge  interest  on the
outstanding  principal balance of the Loans at the Default Rate from the date of
such  Default.  Such  interest  shall be payable on the earliest of demand,  the
first (1st)  Business Day of the next  calendar  month or the Maturity  Date and
shall accrue until the earlier of (i) waiver or cure (to the satisfaction of the
Super-Majority Banks) of the Default, (ii) agreement by the Super-Majority Banks
to rescind the  charging of interest at the Default  Rate,  or (iii)  payment in
full of the Obligations.

         2.4      Issuance and Administration of Letters of Credit .

                  (a) Subject to the terms and  conditions  hereof,  the Issuing
Bank, on behalf of the Letter of Credit Banks, and in reliance on the agreements
of the Letter of Credit Banks set forth in subsection  (d) below,  hereby agrees
to issue one or more Letters of Credit up to an  aggregate  face amount equal to
the Available Letter of Credit Commitment,  provided,  however, that the Issuing
Bank  shall  have no  obligation  to issue any  Letter of Credit if a Default or
Event of Default would be caused thereby; and provided further, however, that at
no time  shall the total  Letter of  Credit  Obligations  outstanding  hereunder
exceed  $50,000,000.  Each  Letter of Credit  shall (1) be  denominated  in U.S.
dollars,  and (2) expire no later than the Maturity Date. A Letter of Credit may
contain  provisions for automatic  renewal  provided that no Default or Event of
Default  exists  on the  renewal  date or would be caused  by such  renewal  and
provided  further  that the new  expiration  date  does not  extend  beyond  the
Maturity Date. Each Letter of Credit shall be subject to the Uniform Customs and
Practices for Documentary Credits and, to the extent not inconsistent therewith,


                                     - 24 -

<PAGE>


the laws of the State of Georgia and shall be in a form reasonably acceptable to
the Issuing Bank.  The Issuing Bank shall not at any time be obligated to issue,
or cause to be issued,  any  Letter of Credit if such  issuance  would  conflict
with, or cause the Issuing Bank to exceed any limits  imposed by, any Applicable
Law. If a Letter of Credit provides that it is  automatically  renewable  unless
notice is given by the  Issuing  Bank that it will not be  renewed,  the Issuing
Bank shall not be bound to give a notice of non-renewal unless directed to do so
by the  Letter of Credit  Banks at least  thirty  (30) days prior to the date on
which such notice of non-renewal is required to be delivered to the  beneficiary
of the applicable  Letter of Credit pursuant to the terms thereof.  The Borrower
hereby agrees that upon the Maturity Date (whether by reason of  acceleration or
otherwise)  at the  request of the  Administrative  Agent,  the  Borrower  shall
deposit in an interest  bearing account with the  Administrative  Agent, as cash
collateral for the Obligations,  an amount equal to the maximum amount currently
or at any time thereafter  available to be drawn on all  outstanding  Letters of
Credit, and the Borrower hereby grants to the  Administrative  Agent (for itself
and on behalf of the Issuing  Bank) a security  interest in all such cash.  Upon
receipt  of the cash  collateral  referred  to in the  preceding  sentence,  the
obligations  of the Letter of Credit  Banks under this  Section 2.4 shall cease;
provided that, if for any reason,  all or any part of such cash  collateral must
be surrendered or disgorged by the  Administrative  Agent, then such obligations
shall  be   automatically   reinstated.   The  terms  hereof  shall  govern  the
reimbursement obligation of the Borrower with respect to the Letters of Credit.

                  (b) The  Borrower  may  from  time to time  request  that  the
Issuing Bank issue a Letter of Credit. The Borrower shall execute and deliver to
the  Administrative  Agent and the Issuing Bank a Request for Issuance of Letter
of Credit for each Letter of Credit to be issued by the Issuing Bank,  not later
than 12:00 noon  (Eastern  time) on the fifth (5th)  Business Day  preceding the
date on which the  requested  Letter of Credit is to be issued,  or such shorter
notice as may be  acceptable to the Issuing Bank and the  Administrative  Agent.
Upon receipt of any such  Request for  Issuance of Letter of Credit,  subject to
satisfaction  of all  conditions  precedent  thereto  as set forth in  Article 4
hereof,  the Issuing  Bank shall  process such Request for Issuance of Letter of
Credit  and  the  certificates,  documents  and  other  papers  and  information
delivered  to it in  connection  therewith  in  accordance  with  its  customary
procedures and shall promptly issue the Letter of Credit requested thereby.  The
Issuing  Bank shall  furnish a copy of such Letter of Credit to the Borrower and
the Administrative  Agent following the issuance thereof. The Borrower shall pay
or  reimburse  the  Issuing  Bank on demand for normal and  customary  costs and

                                     - 25 -

<PAGE>


expenses  incurred by the Issuing Bank in effecting  payment under,  amending or
otherwise administering the Letters of Credit.

                  (c) At such time as the Administrative Agent shall be notified
by the Issuing Bank that the beneficiary under any Letter of Credit has drawn on
the same, the  Administrative  Agent shall promptly notify the Borrower and each
Letter of Credit Bank, by telephone or telecopy,  of the amount of the draw and,
in the case of each Letter of Credit Bank,  such Letter of Credit Bank's portion
of such draw amount as calculated  in accordance  with its Letter of Credit Bank
Commitment Ratio.

                  (d) The Borrower  hereby agrees to  immediately  reimburse the
Issuing  Bank for amounts  paid by the Issuing  Bank in respect of draws under a
Letter of Credit issued at the Borrower's  request.  In order to facilitate such
repayment,  the Borrower hereby irrevocably requests the Letter of Credit Banks,
and the  Letter  of  Credit  Banks  hereby  severally  agree,  on the  terms and
conditions  of this  Agreement  (other than as provided in Article 2 hereof with
respect to the amounts  of, the timing of requests  for,  and the  repayment  of
Advances hereunder),  with respect to any drawing under a Letter of Credit prior
to the  occurrence  of an event  described  in clauses (e) or (f) of Section 6.1
hereof,  to make an Advance  hereunder on each day on which a draw is made under
any Letter of Credit and in the amount of such draw,  and to pay the proceeds of
such Advance  directly to the Issuing Bank to reimburse the Issuing Bank for the
amount paid by it upon such draw. Each Letter of Credit Bank shall pay its share
of such  Advance by paying its  portion  of such  Advance to the  Administrative
Agent in  accordance  with Section  2.2(c)  hereof and its Letter of Credit Bank
Commitment  Ratio,  without  reduction  for any set-off or  counterclaim  of any
nature  whatsoever  and  regardless  of whether  any Default or Event of Default
(other than with respect to an event  described in clauses (e) or (f) of Section
6.1  hereof)  then  exists or would be caused  thereby.  If at any time that any
Letters of Credit are outstanding, any of the events described in clauses (e) or
(f) of Section 6.1 hereof shall have  occurred,  then each Letter of Credit Bank
shall,  automatically  upon the  occurrence  of any such event and  without  any
action on the part of the Issuing Bank, the Borrower,  the Administrative Agent,
the Banks or the  Letter  of  Credit  Banks,  be  deemed  to have  purchased  an
undivided  participation  in the face  amount  of all  Letters  of  Credit  then
outstanding  in an amount equal to such Letter of Credit Bank's Letter of Credit
Bank  Commitment  Ratio,  and each Letter of Credit Bank shall,  notwithstanding
such Default, upon a drawing under any Letter of Credit,  immediately pay to the
Administrative  Agent  for the  account  of the  Issuing  Bank,  in  immediately
available funds, the amount of such Letter of Credit Bank's  participation  (and

                                     - 26 -

<PAGE>


the  Issuing  Bank  shall   deliver  to  such  Letter  of  Credit  Bank  a  loan
participation  certificate dated the date of the occurrence of such event and in
the amount of such  Letter of Credit  Bank's  Letter of Credit  Bank  Commitment
Ratio).  The  disbursement  of funds in connection with a draw under a Letter of
Credit  pursuant to this Section shall be subject to the terms and conditions of
Section  2.2(c)  hereof.  The  obligation  of each Letter of Credit Bank to make
payments to the  Administrative  Agent,  for the account of the Issuing Bank, in
accordance  with this  Section 2.4 shall be absolute  and  unconditional  and no
Letter of Credit Bank shall be relieved of its obligations to make such payments
by reason of  noncompliance  by any other Person with the terms of the Letter of
Credit or for any other reason. The Administrative Agent shall promptly remit to
the Issuing Bank the amounts so received  from the Letter of Credit  Banks.  Any
overdue amounts payable by any of the Letter of Credit Banks to the Issuing Bank
in respect of a draw under any Letter of Credit shall bear interest,  payable on
demand, for the first two (2) days of such non-payment, at the Overnight Federal
Funds Rate,  and,  thereafter,  at the  Overnight  Federal  Funds Rate plus four
percent (4%).

                  (e) The  obligation of the Borrower to reimburse the Letter of
Credit Banks for Advances made to reimburse the Issuing Bank for draws under any
Letters of Credit shall be absolute, unconditional and irrevocable, and shall be
paid  strictly  in  accordance  with  the  terms  of this  Agreement  under  all
circumstances   whatsoever,   including,   without  limitation,   the  following
circumstances:

                         (i)  Any lack of validity or enforceability of any Loan
         Document;

                        (ii)  Any  amendment  or  waiver  of or  consent  to any
         departure from any or all of the Loan Documents;

                       (iii) Any improper use which may be made of any Letter of
         Credit  or  any  improper  acts  or  omissions  of any  beneficiary  or
         transferee of any Letter of Credit in connection therewith;

                        (iv) The existence of any claim, set-off, defense or any
         right which the Borrower  may have at any time against any  beneficiary
         or any transferee of any Letter of Credit (or Persons for whom any such
         beneficiary or any such transferee may be acting) or any Bank or Letter
         of Credit  Bank  (other  than the  defense  of  payment to such Bank or
         Letter of Credit Bank in accordance  with the terms of  this Agreement)


                                     - 27 -

<PAGE>


         or  any  other  Person  (other  than  the  Issuing  Bank),  whether  in
         connection with any Letter of Credit,  any transaction  contemplated by
         any Letter of Credit, this Agreement,  any other Loan Document,  or any
         unrelated transaction;

                         (v) Any  statement  or any  other  documents  presented
         under  any  Letter  of  Credit  proving  to  be  insufficient,  forged,
         fraudulent  or invalid in any respect or any  statement  therein  being
         untrue or  inaccurate  in any respect  whatsoever,  provided  that such
         payment  shall  not  have  constituted   gross  negligence  or  willful
         misconduct of the Issuing Bank;

                        (vi) The  insolvency of any Person issuing any documents
         in connection with any Letter of Credit;

                       (vii) Any breach of any  agreement  between the  Borrower
         and any beneficiary or transferee of any Letter of Credit;

                      (viii) Any irregularity in the underlying transaction with
         respect to which any Letter of Credit is issued, including any fraud by
         the beneficiary or any transferee of such Letter of Credit; or

                        (ix) Any other circumstances  arising from causes beyond
         the control of the Issuing Bank.

                  (f) Each  Letter of Credit Bank shall be  responsible  for its
pro rata share  (based on such  Letter of Credit  Bank's  Letter of Credit  Bank
Commitment  Ratio)  of any  and all  reasonable  out-of-pocket  costs,  expenses
(including  reasonable  legal fees) and  disbursements  which may be incurred or
made by the Issuing Bank in  connection  with the  collection of any amounts due
under, the  administration  of, or the presentation or enforcement of any rights
conferred by any Letter of Credit, the Borrower's or any guarantor's obligations
to reimburse or otherwise, excluding, however, any such expenses incurred by the
Issuing Bank as a result of the willful  misconduct  or gross  negligence of the
Issuing Bank in determining whether a request presented under a Letter of Credit
complies with the terms of the Letter of Credit. In the event the Borrower shall
fail to pay such  expenses of the Issuing Bank within ten (10) days after demand
for payment by the Issuing Bank,  each Letter of Credit Bank shall thereupon pay

                                     - 28 -

<PAGE>


to the Issuing  Bank its pro rata share  (based on such Letter of Credit  Bank's
Letter of Credit Bank  Commitment  Ratio) of such expenses  within five (5) days
from the date of the Issuing  Bank's notice to the Letter of Credit Banks of the
Borrower's  failure  to pay;  provided,  however,  that if the  Borrower  or any
guarantor shall thereafter pay such expense, the Issuing Bank will repay to each
Letter of Credit  Bank the  amounts  received  from such  Letter of Credit  Bank
hereunder.  The Borrower hereby irrevocably  requests the Letter of Credit Banks
and the Letter of Credit Banks hereby severally agree subject to compliance with
the terms and conditions hereof (other than as provided in Article 2 hereof with
respect to the amounts of and the timing of requests for Advances hereunder), to
make an Advance to the Issuing Bank, on behalf of the Borrower for reimbursement
of expenses under this Section 2.4(f).

                  (g) The  Borrower  agrees  that each  Advance by the Letter of
Credit Banks to reimburse  the Issuing Bank for draws under any Letter of Credit
or for  expenses  as  provided  in  Section  2.4(f)  hereof,  shall  be  payable
immediately on the date of such Advance and shall bear interest at the Base Rate
until paid in full or at the Default Rate following the occurrence of a Default.

                  (h)  The  Borrower  agrees  that it will  indemnify  and  hold
harmless the Administrative  Agent, the Issuing Bank, each Letter of Credit Bank
and each other  Bank and each of their  respective  employees,  representatives,
officers  and  directors  from  and  against  any and all  claims,  liabilities,
obligations,  losses (other than loss of profits), damages, penalties,  actions,
judgments,  suits,  costs,  expenses  or  disbursements  of any  kind or  nature
whatsoever (including reasonable attorneys' fees, but excluding taxes) which may
be imposed on, incurred by or asserted  against the  Administrative  Agent,  the
Issuing  Bank,  any such  Letter  of  Credit  Bank or any  such  Bank in any way
relating  to or arising out of the  issuance of a Letter of Credit,  except that
the Borrower shall not be liable to the Administrative  Agent, the Issuing Bank,
any such Letter of Credit Bank or any such Bank for any portion of such  claims,
liabilities, obligations, losses, damages, penalties, actions, judgments, suits,
costs, expenses, or disbursements resulting from the gross negligence or willful
misconduct of the  Administrative  Agent,  the Issuing Bank,  any such Letter of
Credit Bank or such Bank,  as the case may be, or any such claims,  liabilities,
obligations,  losses,  damages,  penalties,  actions,  judgments,  suits, costs,
expenses  or  disbursements  arising  solely  out  of a  controversy  among  the
Administrative  Agent,  the  Issuing  Bank,  the Letter of Credit  Banks and the
Banks,  or any of them.  This Section  2.4(h) shall survive  termination of this
Agreement.

                                     - 29 -

<PAGE>


         2.5      Fees and Commissions on Loans and Letters of Credit.

                  (a)  Administration  Fee.  The  Borrower  agrees to pay to the
Administrative  Agent, for its administrative  services as administrative  agent
for the Banks and the Issuing Bank  hereunder,  a fee of  $50,000.00  per annum.
Such fee shall be due and payable on the Agreement Date and on each  anniversary
of the  Agreement  Date,  and shall be fully earned when due and  non-refundable
when paid. In the event that  following the payment of an annual  administration
fee,  all  obligations  of the  Borrower  hereunder  shall be fully and  finally
performed and this Agreement shall be terminated  prior to the next  anniversary
of the  Agreement  Date, a pro rata portion of such fee shall be refunded to the
Borrower, based upon the time remaining to the next anniversary of the Agreement
Date.

                  (b) Facility Fee on Loans.  The Borrower  agrees to pay to the
Administrative  Agent for the  benefit of the Banks,  in  accordance  with their
respective  Commitment  Ratios,  a facility fee for each calendar  quarter based
upon the  S&P/Moody's  Rating  or the  Leverage  Ratio,  as  applicable,  of the
Borrower and its  Restricted  Subsidiaries  in an amount equal to the applicable
Facility Fee amount set forth on Schedule 1.13 attached hereto multiplied by the
Loan Commitment on the last day of the applicable calendar quarter. The Facility
Fee shall be due and payable  quarterly in arrears on the eighteenth  (18th) day
of each  February,  May,  August  and  November  for the  immediately  preceding
calendar quarter and on the Maturity Date. The first payment of the Facility Fee
shall be due and payable on August 18, 1998, based on the S&P/Moody's  Rating or
the Leverage Ratio, as applicable,  as of June 30, 1998, for the period from the
Agreement  Date through June 30, 1998.  All Facility  Fees shall be fully earned
when due and non-refundable when paid.

                  (c) Letter of Credit Fees.  The Borrower  agrees to pay to the
Administrative  Agent (i) for the benefit of the Issuing  Bank and the Letter of
Credit Banks,  a fee on the stated amount of any  outstanding  Letters of Credit
from the date of  issuance  through the  expiration  date of each such Letter of
Credit in an amount equal to  seven-tenths  of one percent (0.7%) per annum (the
"Letter  of Credit  Fees")  and (ii) for the  benefit of the  Issuing  Bank,  an
issuing  fee in the amount of $100 for each Letter of Credit  (which  additional
amount shall be due and payable on the date of issuance and renewal). The Letter
of Credit Fees shall be  calculated on the basis of a  hypothetical  year of 360
days for the actual number of days elapsed, shall be due and payable on the date
of issuance and renewal of each Letter of Credit, and shall be fully earned when

                                     - 30 -

<PAGE>


due and non-refundable when paid. The Administrative Agent shall, promptly after
receipt  of the  Letter of Credit  Fees,  distribute  such fee to the  Letter of
Credit  Banks  in  accordance  with  their  respective  Letter  of  Credit  Bank
Commitment Ratios.

         2.6      Notes, Loan and Letters of Credit Accounts.

                  (a) The Loans shall be repayable in accordance  with the terms
and provisions set forth herein,  and shall be evidenced by the Notes. Each Bank
shall be issued a Note payable to the order of such Bank in accordance  with the
respective  Commitment  Ratio of such  Bank.  The  Notes  shall be issued by the
Borrower  to each of the Banks  and  shall be duly  executed  and  delivered  by
Authorized Signatories.

                  (b) Each Bank and each Letter of Credit Bank,  as the case may
be,  may open and  maintain  on its  books  in the name of the  Borrower  a loan
account with  respect to the Loans and  interest  thereon and a letter of credit
account with respect to its obligations pursuant to Letters of Credit. Each Bank
which opens such  accounts  in respect of the Loans  shall debit the  applicable
loan  account for the  principal  amount of each  Advance made by it and accrued
interest thereon, and shall credit such loan account for each payment on account
of principal of or interest on the Loans. Each Letter of Credit Bank which opens
such  accounts  in respect of the Letters of Credit  shall debit the  applicable
account for the amount of each Advance made by it and accrued interest  thereon,
and shall  credit such  account  for each  payment on account of  principal  and
interest of Letter of Credit Advances.  The records of each Bank and each Letter
of Credit Bank,  as the case may be, with respect to the accounts  maintained by
it shall be prima facie  evidence of the Loans and Letter of Credit  Obligations
and accrued interest thereon, but the failure to maintain such records shall not
impair the obligation of the Borrower to repay Indebtedness hereunder.

                  (c) The Administrative  Agent and Issuing Bank may maintain in
accordance  with  their  usual  practice  records  of  account   evidencing  the
Indebtedness  of the Borrower  resulting  from Advances under the Loans and each
drawing  under a Letter of Credit.  In any legal action or proceeding in respect
of this  Agreement,  the  entries  made in such  record  shall  be  prima  facie
evidence, absent manifest error, of the existence and amounts of the obligations
of the Borrower  therein  recorded.  Failure of the Issuing Bank to maintain any
such  record  shall not  excuse the  Borrower  from the  obligation  to pay such
Indebtedness.  To the extent  that the  records of the  Administrative  Agent or


                                     - 31 -

<PAGE>


Issuing  Bank  conflict  with the  records of the Banks  maintained  pursuant to
Section 2.6(b) above,  absent manifest error, the records of the  Administrative
Agent or Issuing Bank, as the case may be, shall control.

                  (d) Each Advance from the Banks under this Agreement  shall be
made pro rata on the basis of their respective applicable Commitment Ratios.

                  (e) Each Advance made on account of drawing  under  Letters of
Credit  shall be made pro rata by the  Letter  of  Credit  Banks on the basis of
their respective Letter of Credit Bank Commitment Ratios.

         2.7      Repayment of Loans and Letters of Credit .

                  (a) Interest. The Borrower shall pay, on the eighteenth (18th)
calendar  day of each month,  all  interest on the Loans which has accrued as of
the first (1st) calendar day of such month,  commencing on the eighteenth (18th)
calendar day of the first (1st) full  calendar  month  following  the  Agreement
Date.

                  (b) Letters of Credit. The Borrower shall repay all draws upon
the Letters of Credit  immediately upon the Issuing Bank's demand therefor.  The
Borrower  shall make certain  other  payments in respect of the Letter of Credit
Obligations as provided in Sections 2.4(a), 2.4(g) and 3.1 hereof.

                  (c) Reconciliation of Loan Inventory. The Borrower shall repay
certain  portions  of the  outstanding  principal  of the Loans and  accrued and
unpaid interest thereon upon the reconciliation of the Loan Funding Availability
against the outstanding principal balance under the Notes as provided in Section
3.1 hereof.

                  (d) Maturity. In addition to the foregoing, a final payment of
all Obligations then outstanding shall be due and payable by the Borrower on the
Maturity Date.

         2.8      Manner of Payment.

                  (a) Each payment (including any prepayment) by the Borrower on
account of the principal of or interest on the Loans, fees, and any other amount

                                     - 32 -

<PAGE>


owed to the Banks or the Administrative  Agent under this Agreement,  the Notes,
or the other  Loan  Documents  shall be made not later  than 1:00 p.m.  (Eastern
time) on the date  specified for payment under this Agreement or such other Loan
Document  to  the   Administrative   Agent  to  an  account  designated  by  the
Administrative  Agent,  for the account of the Banks,  the  Issuing  Bank or the
Administrative  Agent,  as the case may be, in lawful money of the United States
of  America  in  immediately  available  funds.  Any  payment  received  by  the
Administrative Agent after 12:00 noon (Eastern time) shall be deemed received on
the next Business Day for purposes of interest accrual. In the case of a payment
for the account of a Bank or the Issuing Bank,  then,  subject to the provisions
of  Section  2.9 of this  Agreement,  the  Administrative  Agent  will  promptly
thereafter  distribute  the amount so received in like funds to such Bank or the
Issuing  Bank. If the  Administrative  Agent shall not have received any payment
from the Borrower as and when due, the Administrative Agent will promptly notify
the  Banks  and,  if  appropriate,   the  Issuing  Bank,  accordingly,  and  the
Administrative Agent shall not be obligated to make any distributions under this
Section 2.8.

                  (b) If any payment  under this  Agreement  or any of the Notes
shall be specified  to be made upon a day which is not a Business  Day, it shall
be made on the next  succeeding  day which is a Business Day, and such extension
of time shall in such case be included in computing  interest and fees,  if any,
in connection with such payment.

                  (c) The  Borrower  may not make  payments,  in the  aggregate,
under this Agreement (excluding any payments  specifically  required pursuant to
the terms of this  Agreement)  more than (i) two (2) times in any calendar month
plus (ii) four (4) additional times in any twelve (12) calendar month period. In
any event, the Borrower may not make, in the aggregate,  more than  twenty-eight
(28) payments  (excluding  any payments  specifically  required  pursuant to the
terms of this Agreement)  under this Agreement in any twelve (12) calendar month
period.

                  (d) The Borrower agrees to pay principal,  interest, fees, and
all  other  amounts  due  hereunder  or under  the  Notes  and  Letter of Credit
Obligations without set-off or counterclaim or any deduction whatsoever.

                  (e)  The  Borrower  agrees  that it will  indemnify  and  hold
harmless  each  Bank and each of their  respective  employees,  representatives,
officers  and  directors  from  and  against  any and all  claims,  liabilities,

                                     - 33 -

<PAGE>


obligations,  losses (other than loss of profits), damages, penalties,  actions,
judgments,  suits,  costs,  expenses  or  disbursements  of any  kind or  nature
whatsoever (including reasonable attorneys' fees, but excluding taxes) which may
be imposed on, incurred by or asserted  against such Bank in any way relating to
or arising out of the making of the Loans, except that the Borrower shall not be
liable to such Bank for any portion of such  claims,  liabilities,  obligations,
losses,  damages,  penalties,  actions,  judgments,  suits, costs,  expenses, or
disbursements  resulting from the gross negligence or willful  misconduct of the
such  Bank  or any  such  claims,  liabilities,  obligations,  losses,  damages,
penalties,  actions,  judgments, suits, costs, expenses or disbursements arising
solely out of a controversy  among the Banks.  This Section 2.4(h) shall survive
termination of this Agreement.

         2.9 Application of Payments.  Unless otherwise specifically provided in
this Agreement or the other Loan Documents,  payments made to the Administrative
Agent,  the Letter of Credit  Banks or the Banks,  or any of them,  or otherwise
received by the  Administrative  Agent, the Letter of Credit Banks or the Banks,
or  any  of  them  (from  realization  on  collateral  for  the  Obligations  or
otherwise), shall be applied (subject to Section 2.2(c) hereof) in the following
order to the extent such Obligations are then due and payable hereunder:  First,
to the costs and expenses,  if any, incurred by the Administrative  Agent or the
Banks, or any of them, in the collection of such amounts under this Agreement or
any of the other Loan Documents,  including,  without limitation, any reasonable
costs incurred in connection  with the sale or disposition of any collateral for
the Obligations;  Second, pro rata among the  Administrative  Agent, the Issuing
Bank and the  Banks  based on the  total  amount  of fees  then due and  payable
hereunder or under any other Loan Document and to any other fees and commissions
then due and  payable by the  Borrower to the Banks,  the  Issuing  Bank and the
Administrative  Agent under this Agreement or any Loan Document;  Third,  to any
due and unpaid interest which may have accrued on the Loans,  pro rata among the
Banks  based  on the  outstanding  principal  amount  of the  Loans  outstanding
immediately  prior to such  payment;  Fourth,  to any amounts  outstanding  with
respect to draws under Letters of Credit;  Fifth, to any unpaid principal of the
Loans,  pro rata  among the  Banks  based on the  principal  amount of the Loans
outstanding  immediately prior to such payment; Sixth, to the extent any Letters
of Credit are then  outstanding,  for deposit into the Letter of Credit  Reserve
Account;  Seventh,  to any other  Obligations not otherwise  referred to in this
Section  2.9  until all such  Obligations  are paid in full;  Eighth,  to actual
damages incurred by the Administrative  Agent, the Issuing Bank or the Banks, or
any of them,  by reason of any breach  hereof or of any other Loan  Documents by

                                     - 34 -

<PAGE>


the Borrower or a Restricted Subsidiary; and Ninth, upon satisfaction in full of
all   Obligations,   to  the   Borrower  or  as   otherwise   required  by  law.
Notwithstanding  the foregoing,  after the occurrence and during the continuance
of a Default or an Event of Default,  payments with respect to items Fourth, and
Fifth in the immediately preceding sentence shall be applied to such items based
upon the ratio of the  Obligations  under  each of such  items to the  aggregate
Obligations  under all of such  items.  If any Bank  shall  obtain  any  payment
(whether  involuntary or otherwise) on account of the Loans made by it in excess
of its ratable share of the Loans then  outstanding and such Bank's share of any
expenses, fees and other items due and payable to it hereunder,  such Bank shall
forthwith purchase a participation in the Loans from the other Banks as shall be
necessary  to cause such  purchasing  Bank to share the excess  payment  ratably
based on the applicable Commitment Ratios with each of them; provided,  however,
that if all or any portion of such excess  payment is thereafter  recovered from
such  purchasing  Bank, such purchase from each Bank shall be rescinded and such
Bank shall repay to the purchasing Bank the purchase price to the extent of such
recovery.  The Borrower agrees that any Bank so purchasing a participation  from
another Bank  pursuant to this Section may, to the fullest  extent  permitted by
law,  exercise all its rights of payment with respect to such  participation  as
fully as if such Bank were the direct  creditor of the Borrower in the amount of
such participation so long as the Obligations are not increased.


                                    ARTICLE 3

                       INVENTORY AND FUNDING AVAILABILITY

         3.1 Loan  Funding  Availability.  At the  designated  times  set  forth
herein, the Administrative Agent shall establish a Loan Funding Availability for
the Loan Inventory and other Unsecured Indebtedness.

                  (a) Calculation of Loan Funding Availability. The Loan Funding
Availability shall be equal to the sum of "A" plus "B" plus "C"; provided,  that
during any period that the  Borrower  does not have (i) an S&P Rating of BBB- or
better or (ii) a Moody's Rating of Baa3 or better,  the sum of "A" and "B" shall
not exceed (A) prior to the  effectiveness  of any Acquisition  Carve Out, fifty
percent (50%) of the Loan Funding  Availability and (B) during the effectiveness
of any  Acquisition  Carve Out,  sixty-seven  percent  (67%) of any Loan Funding
Availability.

                                     - 35 -

<PAGE>


                           A =  seventy-five  percent  (75%)  of the  sum of all
Acquisition  Costs for all Lots Under Development which are included in the Loan
Inventory.  If, after a parcel of land is  designated  a Lot Under  Development,
development  of such parcel  ceases for thirty (30) calendar days or more (other
than  by  reason  of  a  Force  Majeure   Delay),   at  the  discretion  of  the
Administrative  Agent,  the Loan  Funding  Availability  for such  parcel may be
reduced to an amount determined by the Administrative Agent (which amount can be
zero)  until  development  of such  Lot  Under  Development  is  resumed  to the
satisfaction of the Administration Agent.

                           B =  seventy-five  percent  (75%)  of the  sum of all
Acquisition Costs for all Developed Lots included in the Loan Inventory.

                           C = one  hundred  percent  (100%)  of the  sum of all
Acquisition  Costs and Construction  Costs for all Dwelling Lots included in the
Loan Inventory.

                  (b)  Designation  of Land  Parcels,  Lots  Under  Development,
Developed Lots and Dwelling Lots. On or before the fifteenth (15th) calendar day
of each calendar month, the Borrower shall deliver to the  Administrative  Agent
an  Inventory  Summary  Report  in the form  attached  hereto  as  Exhibit C and
incorporated  herein.  The Inventory Summary Report shall reflect Inventory that
the  Borrower   desires  to  have  designated  as  Loan   Inventory.   Upon  the
Administrative   Agent's   receipt  of  the  Inventory   Summary   Report,   the
Administrative Agent may conduct inspections or reviews of the subject Inventory
that  the  Administrative  Agent  deems  appropriate,  at  the  expense  of  the
Administrative  Agent except as hereinafter  expressly provided.  Based upon the
information in the Inventory Summary Report and the other  information  compiled
by the Administrative  Agent, the Administrative  Agent shall determine,  in its
discretion,  whether a Lot Under Development,  Developed Lot or Dwelling Lot not
previously  designated as part of the Loan Inventory shall be designated part of
the Loan Inventory and, if so, whether such Lot Under Development, Developed Lot
or Dwelling Lot shall be  designated a Lot Under  Development,  Developed Lot or
Dwelling Lot.

                  (c)  Periodic  Establishment  of  Loan  Funding  Availability.
Within  two  (2)  business  days of the  Administrative  Agent's  receipt  of an
Inventory  Summary  Report,  the  Administrative  Agent shall establish the Loan
Funding  Availability based on the Report delivered to the Administrative  Agent
and information compiled by the Administrative  Agent. In the event the Borrower

                                     - 36 -

<PAGE>


does not submit the  Inventory  Summary  Report in the time and manner set forth
above or furnish sufficient  information to the  Administrative  Agent to enable
the  Administrative  Agent to  establish a new Loan  Funding  Availability,  the
Administrative Agent will establish a Loan Funding Availability based on some or
all of the previous  information  submitted to the  Administrative  Agent by the
Borrower  in  the  immediately   preceding  Inventory  Summary  Report  and  the
information  compiled by the  Administrative  Agent, as required  hereunder,  in
connection therewith,  as the case may be, or other information available to the
Administrative Agent.

                  (d)  Reconciliation.  In  the  event  that  the  Loan  Funding
Availability  for a particular  Funding Period is less than the then outstanding
principal amount of all Unsecured Indebtedness and unpaid draws under Letters of
Credit, the Administrative Agent shall notify the Borrower thereof. On or before
the  Reconciliation  Date, the Borrower shall (i) (A) pay to the  Administrative
Agent a  principal  payment to be applied  to the Loans and unpaid  draws  under
Letters of Credit and/or (B) provide to the  Administrative  Agent evidence that
the  principal  amount of other  Unsecured  Indebtedness  has been reduced in an
aggregate amount sufficient to eliminate the excess of the outstanding principal
amount of the  Unsecured  Indebtedness  and unpaid draws under Letters of Credit
over  the Loan  Funding  Availability,  together  with any  accrued  and  unpaid
interest  on such  excess or (ii)  provide a revised  Inventory  Summary  Report
designating  sufficient  additional  Inventory (which shall be acceptable to the
Administrative  Agent,  in its  discretion)  as Loan Inventory to cause the Loan
Funding  Availability  to equal  or  exceed  the  outstanding  principal  of all
Unsecured Indebtedness and unpaid draws under Letters of Credit.

                  (e)   Removal/Disapproval   of  Inventory   for  Loan  Funding
Availability.  If, at any time,  the  Administrative  Agent  determines,  in its
reasonable discretion, that any part of the Loan Inventory is not acceptable for
inclusion in the calculation of the Loan Funding  Availability as a result of an
unforeseen  material adverse change in the condition of such portion of the Loan
Inventory or as a result of the existence of hazardous wastes or materials in or
on any  Inventory  which are in violation  of any  warranty,  representation  or
covenant of the Loan Documents regarding such hazardous wastes or materials, the
Administrative  Agent may exclude  such portion of the Loan  Inventory  from the
calculation of the Loan Funding Availability. If, after such exclusion, the then
outstanding  principal  amount under  Unsecured  Indebtedness  (and unpaid draws
under  Letters  of  Credit)  would  exceed the Loan  Funding  Availability,  the
Borrower  shall  pay to the  Administrative  Agent  on the  Reconciliation  Date
immediately following the exclusion of such Loan Inventory,  a principal payment

                                     - 37 -

<PAGE>


on the Loans (or provide to the  Administrative  Agent evidence  satisfactory to
the Administrative Agent that other Unsecured  Indebtedness has been reduced) or
unpaid draws under Letters of Credit in an amount  sufficient to eliminate  such
excess  of  the  aggregate   outstanding  principal  balance  of  the  Unsecured
Indebtedness  (and unpaid  draws under  Letters of Credit) over the Loan Funding
Availability, together with accrued and unpaid interest on such excess.

                  (f) Release of Guaranties. Contemporaneously with the delivery
of an  Inventory  Summary  Report,  the  Borrower may request the release of any
Restricted  Subsidiary from the Subsidiary Guaranty.  In the event that the Loan
Funding Availability established by the Administrative Agent pursuant to Section
3.1(e) hereof,  without  consideration of any Inventory owned by such Restricted
Subsidiary,  is equal to or greater than the amount otherwise  required pursuant
to Section 3.1(d) hereof, then the Administrative Agent shall, upon receipt of a
certificate  from the Borrower  that no Default  exists  before and after giving
effect to such release,  release such Restricted  Subsidiary from the Subsidiary
Guaranty.


                                    ARTICLE 4

                    LOAN DISBURSEMENTS AND LETTERS OF CREDIT

         4.1 Prior to the First  Disbursement  or  Letter  of  Credit.  Prior to
requesting the first disbursement under the Loans or Letter of Credit hereunder,
the Borrower  shall  deliver all of the  following  items to the  Administrative
Agent,  in form and substance  satisfactory  to the  Administrative  Agent.  The
Administrative  Agent and the Banks shall have no  obligation  to make the first
disbursement  hereunder  and the Issuing Bank shall have no  obligation to issue
the first  Letter  of Credit  hereunder  until all of these  items  have been so
executed and/or delivered to the Administrative Agent.

                  (a)  Notes and  Subsidiary  Guaranty.  A Note by the  Borrower
payable to the order of each Bank. A Subsidiary  Guaranty from the Guarantors in
favor of the Banks and Administrative Agent.

                  (b) Taxpayer  Identification  Number.  The Borrower's  federal
taxpayer identification number.

                                     - 38 -

<PAGE>


                  (c) Authority Documents of Borrower. Articles of Incorporation
of the Borrower  certified by the office of the  Secretary of State in which the
Borrower is incorporated;  Bylaws of the Borrower certified by an officer of the
Borrower;  Certificate of Existence of the Borrower issued by the state in which
the Borrower is incorporated;  Incumbency Certificate of the Borrower reflecting
the Authorized  Signatories;  Corporate resolutions of the Borrower certified by
an officer of the  Borrower  and  authorizing  the  Borrower  to enter into this
Agreement and execute all related documents and Loan Documents applicable to the
Loans; and documentation  evidencing the Borrower's qualification to do business
for each  state in which any part of the Loan  Inventory  owned by  Borrower  is
located certified by the office of the Secretary of State of such state.

                  (d) Attorney's Opinion.  The written opinion of the Borrower's
counsel (or  special  counsel to the  Administrative  Agent) in form and content
acceptable  to the  Administrative  Agent  and  which  addresses  the  following
matters:

                        (i) Existence,  Due  Authorization  and  Execution.  The
         Borrower is duly organized and existing as a corporation and is in good
         standing  and  qualified  to do business  under the laws of  Borrower's
         state of incorporation and that the Loan Documents evidencing the Loans
         have been properly executed by the persons author ized to do so;

                       (ii)  Enforceability.  The Loan Documents are enforceable
         against the Borrower in accordance with their terms; and

                      (iii)  Miscellaneous.  As to  such  other  matters  as the
         Administrative Agent or the Banks may reasonably request.

                  Such  opinions may be qualified to the extent of the knowledge
of such counsel based upon reasonable investigation.

                  (e)      [RESERVED]

                  (f) Request  for Advance or Letter of Credit.  The Request for
Advance that the Borrower is required to deliver  pursuant to Section 2.2 hereof
or the Request for Issuance of Letter of Credit that the Borrower is required to

                                     - 39 -

<PAGE>


deliver in connection with any issuance of a Letter of Credit hereunder,  as the
case may be.

                  (g) Other Documents.  Other documents that the  Administrative
Agent may reasonably require.

                  (h) Fees.  Payment  of all fees and  expenses  payable  on the
Agreement  Date to the Banks,  the Letter of Credit Banks,  the Issuing Bank and
the Administrative Agent.

                  (i) Insurance.  Certificate(s) of insurance  required pursuant
to Section 5.13 hereof.

                  (j)  Environmental   Indemnity  Agreement.   An  environmental
indemnity  agreement by the Borrower in favor of the  Administrative  Agent, the
Issuing Bank and the Banks whereby the Borrower indemnifies such Persons against
any and all environmental matters with respect to the Loan Inventory.

                  (k) Continental  Homes.  Executed merger agreement between the
Borrower and Continental  Homes,  including evidence in form satisfactory to the
Administrative  Agent that the merger of Continental  Homes with the Borrower is
effective.

         4.2 Subsequent Disbursements and Letters of Credit. Prior to requesting
subsequent  disbursements under the Loans (subsequent to the first disbursement)
or Letters of Credit hereunder  (subsequent to the first Letter of Credit),  the
Borrower  shall  execute  and  deliver  to the  Administrative  Agent all of the
following items, in form and substance satisfactory to the Administrative Agent.
The Administrative  Agent and the Banks shall have no obligation to make further
disbursements  or issue  additional  Letters of Credit  until all of these items
have been properly executed and delivered to the Administrative Agent.

                  (a) Inventory  Summary  Report.  The Inventory  Summary Report
that the Borrower is required to deliver pursuant to Section 3.1(b) hereof.

                  (b) Request  for  Advance.  The  Request for Advance  that the
Borrower is  required  to deliver  pursuant to Section 2.2 hereof or the Request
for  Issuance  of Letter of Credit  that the  Borrower is required to deliver in
connection  with any issuance of a Letter of Credit  hereunder,  as the case may
be.

                                     - 40 -

<PAGE>


                  (c)  Other   Documents.   Such   other   documents   that  the
Administrative Agent may reasonably require.


                                    ARTICLE 5

                        BORROWER'S COVENANTS, AGREEMENTS,
                         REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES

         The Borrower makes the following covenants, agreements, representations
and warranties with respect to the Loan Documents and the obligations thereunder
to the Banks:

         5.1 Payment.  The Borrower shall pay when due all sums owing under this
Agreement, the Notes and the other Loan Documents executed by the Borrower.

         5.2 Performance.  The Borrower shall perform all Obligations under this
Agreement, the Notes and the other Loan Documents executed by the Borrower.

         5.3 Additional Information. On request of the Administrative Agent, the
Borrower shall deliver to the  Administrative  Agent and/or the Issuing Bank any
documents or information  with respect to the Inventory that the  Administrative
Agent  and/or  the  Issuing  Bank  may  reasonably  require  including,  without
limitation, surveys and acquisition closing documentation.

         5.4  Quarterly  Financial  Statements  and  Other  Information.  Within
forty-five  (45) days after the last day of each  quarter in each fiscal year of
the Borrower,  except the last quarter in each such fiscal year of the Borrower,
the  Borrower  shall  deliver to the  Administrative  Agent the Form 10-Q of the
Borrower as filed with the Securities and Exchange  Commission.  Within ten (10)
days from the date of filing,  the Borrower shall provide to the  Administrative
Agent a copy of every other report filed by the Borrower with the Securities and
Exchange  Commission  under  the  Exchange  Act and a copy of each  registration
statement  filed by the Borrower  with the  Securities  and Exchange  Commission
pursuant to the Securities Act of 1933.

         5.5 Compliance  Certificates.  Within forty-five (45) days from the end
of each  fiscal  quarter of the  Borrower,  the  Borrower  shall  provide to the

                                     - 41 -

<PAGE>


Administrative  Agent a  certificate  signed by an  Authorized  Signatory of the
Borrower  in  the  form  attached   hereto  as  Exhibit  H  setting  forth  such
calculations  required to establish  whether the Borrower was in compliance with
Section 5.7 hereof and setting forth a list of all Guarantors as of the last day
of such fiscal quarter.

         5.6 Annual  Financial  Statements  and  Information;  Certificate of No
Default.  Within one hundred (100) days after the end of each fiscal year of the
Borrower,  the Borrower shall deliver to the Administrative  Agent the Form 10-K
of the Borrower as filed with the Securities and Exchange  Commission,  together
with the audited consolidated  financial statements of the Borrower (which shall
be prepared by an independent accounting firm of recognized standing).

         5.7 Financial and Inventory Covenants. Until the Obligations are repaid
in full, the Borrower shall adhere to the following  financial  covenants (after
giving effect to any Financial  Covenant Carve Out), all on a consolidated basis
with  the  Restricted  Subsidiaries  and  determined  as of the last day of each
fiscal quarter of the Borrower:

                  (a) The Borrower  shall maintain at all times a Leverage Ratio
of not more than 2.25 to 1.

                  (b) The  Borrower  shall  maintain at all times a ratio of (i)
EBITDA to (ii) Fixed Charges of not less than 2.50 to 1.0.

                  (c) As of the Agreement  Date and continuing  thereafter,  the
Borrower shall maintain at all times a Tangible Net Worth of not less than three
hundred million and no/100 dollars  ($300,000,000.00),  plus fifty percent (50%)
of annual net profits  for such fiscal  year,  plus fifty  percent  (50%) of any
capital paid into the Borrower  (other than stock issued in  connection  with an
employee stock  ownership plan, an employee stock option plan, an employee stock
purchase plan or for an acquisition).

                  (d) The  Borrower  shall not at any time  permit  Third  Party
Notes Payable to be greater than twenty  percent  (20%) of Tangible  Assets on a
consolidated basis;  provided,  however, that this amount shall not be operative
during any period in which the Borrower  maintains  (i) an S&P Rating of BBB- or
better or (ii) a Moody's Rating of Baa3 or better.

                                     - 42 -

<PAGE>


                  (e) The total number of Speculative Lots owned by the Borrower
and its Restricted Subsidiaries at any given time shall not exceed fifty percent
(50%) of all Closed Sales during the immediately  preceding twelve (12) calendar
months; provided,  however, that this total amount shall not be operative during
any period in which the Borrower  maintains  (i) an S&P Rating of BBB- or better
or (ii) a  Moody's  Rating of BAA3 or  better.  Models  shall not be  considered
"Speculative Lots" for purposes of this Section 5.7(e).

                  (f)      [INTENTIONALLY OMITTED]

                  (g) The costs of Developed Lots, Lots Under  Development,  and
Land Parcels  owned by the Borrower and all  Restricted  Subsidiaries  as of the
date of  determination  shall not exceed one hundred fifty percent (150%) of the
net  worth  (as  defined  under  GAAP)  of  the  Borrower  and  all   Restricted
Subsidiaries,  plus fifty percent (50%) of the aggregate principal amount of all
subordinated  debt of the Borrower and its  Restricted  Subsidiaries;  provided,
however,  such  fifty  percent  (50%) does not exceed  twenty  percent  (20%) of
Tangible Net Worth.

         5.8 Other  Financial  Documentation.  The Borrower shall provide to the
Administrative  Agent such other  financial  information  as the  Administrative
Agent  may  reasonably  request  from time to time to  clarify  or  amplify  the
information  required to be  furnished  to the  Administrative  Agent under this
Agreement.

         5.9 Payment of Contractors.  The Borrower shall pay in a timely manner,
and shall cause its Restricted  Subsidiaries to pay in a timely manner,  any and
all  contractors  and  subcontractors  who conduct work in or on the  Inventory,
subject to the right of the  Borrower to contest any amount in dispute,  so long
as the contesting of such amount is pursued  diligently  and in good faith.  The
Borrower  will advise the  Administrative  Agent in writing  immediately  if the
Borrower or any of its Restricted  Subsidiaries receives any written notice from
any contractor(s),  subcontractor(s) or material furnisher(s) to the effect that
said contractor(s) or material  furnisher(s) have not been paid for any labor or
materials  furnished  to or in the  Inventory  and such  outstanding  payment or
payments are  individually or collectively  equal to or greater than one million
and no/100  dollars  ($1,000,000.00)  per  subdivision  or fourteen  million and
no/100 dollars ($14,000,000.00) in the aggregate. The Borrower will further make
available to the  Administrative  Agent, for inspection and copying,  on demand,


                                     - 43 -

<PAGE>


any  contracts,  bills of sale,  statements,  receipted  vouchers or agreements,
under which the  Borrower  claims title to any  materials,  fixtures or articles
used in the development of the Loan Inventory or construction of improvements on
the Loan Inventory including, without limitation, the Dwellings.

         5.10   Inspection  and   Appraisal.   The  Borrower  shall  permit  the
Administrative Agent and the Banks and their authorized agents to enter upon the
Inventory  during  normal  working  hours and as often as they  desire,  for the
purpose of inspecting or appraising  the Loan Inventory or the  construction  of
the Dwellings.

         5.11 Fees and Expenses.  The Borrower shall pay when due all commitment
and renewal fees and external legal fees incurred by the Administrative Agent in
connection with the making of the Loans.

         5.12 Hazardous Substances.  The Borrower warrants and represents to the
Administrative  Agent,  Issuing  Bank  and the  Banks  that to the best of their
knowledge  and belief and based on  environmental  assessments  of the Inventory
commissioned   by  the  Borrower,   except  to  the  extent   disclosed  to  the
Administrative  Agent in  environmental  assessments or other writings or to the
extent  that  it  would  not  materially  and  adversely   affect  the  use  and
marketability of any Inventory,  the Inventory has not been and is not now being
used in violation of any federal, state or local environmental law, ordinance or
regulation,  that no proceedings  have been  commenced,  or notice(s)  received,
concerning any alleged  violation of any such  environmental  law,  ordinance or
regulation,  and that the Inventory is free of hazardous or toxic substances and
wastes,  contaminants,  oil, radioactive or other materials the removal of which
is required or the  maintenance of which is restricted,  prohibited or penalized
by any federal, state or local agency,  authority or governmental unit except as
set forth in the site assessments.  The Borrower covenants that it shall neither
permit  any such  materials  to be  brought  on to the  Inventory,  nor shall it
acquire  real  property  to be added to the Loan  Inventory  upon which any such
materials exist,  except to the extent disclosed to the Administrative  Agent in
environmental  assessments  or other writings or to the extent that it would not
materially and adversely affect the use and marketability of any Inventory;  and
if such materials are so brought or found located thereon,  such materials shall
be  immediately  removed,  with  proper  disposal,  to the  extent  required  by
applicable  environmental  laws,  ordinances and  regulations,  and all required
environmental  cleanup procedures shall be diligently undertaken pursuant to all
such laws,  ordinances  and  regulations.  The Borrower  further  represents and

                                     - 44 -

<PAGE>


warrants that the Borrower will promptly  transmit to the  Administrative  Agent
and the  Banks  copies  of any  citations,  orders,  notices  or other  material
governmental  or other  communications  received  with respect to any  hazardous
materials,  substances,  wastes or other  environmentally  regulated  substances
affecting the Inventory.  Notwithstanding  the  foregoing,  there shall not be a
default of this provision should the Borrower store or use minimal quantities of
the aforesaid  materials,  provided that:  such substances are of a type and are
held only in a  quantity  normally  used in  connection  with the  construction,
occupancy or operation of comparable buildings or residential developments (such
as cleaning  fluids and supplies  normally  used in the day to day  operation of
residential  developments),  such substances are being held,  stored and used in
complete and strict compliance with all applicable laws, regulations, ordinances
and  requirements,  and the indemnity set forth below shall always apply to such
substances,  and it shall continue to be the  responsibility  of the Borrower to
take all remedial  actions  required under and in accordance with this Agreement
in the event of any unlawful release of any such substance.

         5.13  Insurance.  The Borrower shall keep the Inventory  comprising the
Loan Inventory  insured by responsible  insurance  companies in such amounts and
against  such  risks as is  customary  for  owners  of  similar  businesses  and
properties  in the same general  areas in which the Borrower and its  Restricted
Subsidiaries  operate or, to the customary  extent (and in a manner  approved by
the Administrative Agent) the Borrower may be self insured. All insurance herein
provided  for shall be in form and with  companies  reasonably  approved  by the
Administrative  Agent.  The  Borrower  shall  also  maintain  general  liability
insurance,  workman's  compensation  insurance,  automobile  insurance  for  all
vehicles  owned by them  and any  other  insurance  reasonably  required  by the
Administrative Agent, to the extent commercially available at a reasonable cost.
On the Agreement Date, the Borrower shall deliver to the Administrative  Agent a
copy of a certificate of insurance  evidencing the insurance required hereunder.
In addition,  on the date of delivery of each report  required by Section 3.1(b)
hereof,  the  Borrower  shall  certify  to the  Administrative  Agent  that  all
insurance policies required to be maintained  hereunder remain in full force and
effect.

         5.14   Litigation.   The  Borrower   warrants  and  represents  to  the
Administrative  Agent,  the Issuing Bank and the Banks that as of the  Agreement
Date,  neither the  Borrower  nor any  Restricted  Subsidiary  is a party to any
litigation having a reasonable  probability of being adversely determined to the
Borrower or any Restricted  Subsidiary  which,  if adversely  determined,  would
impair the ability of the Borrower to carry on its business substantially as now
conducted or contemplated  or would  materially  adversely  affect the financial
condition, business or operations of the Borrower.


                                     - 45 -

<PAGE>


         5.15  Reportable  Event.  Promptly  after Borrower  receives  notice or
otherwise  becomes aware thereof,  the Borrower shall notify the  Administrative
Agent of the occurrence of any  Reportable  Event with respect to any Plan as to
which the Pension Benefit Guaranty  Corporation has not by regulation waived the
requirement of Section  4043(a) of ERISA that it be notified  within thirty (30)
days of the occurrence of such event  (provided that the Borrower shall give the
Administrative Agent notice of any failure to meet the minimum funding standards
of Section 412 of the Code or Section 302 of ERISA,  regardless  of the issuance
of any waivers in accordance with Section 412(d) of the Code.

         5.16 Secured Indebtedness. The Borrower shall not, and shall not permit
any of its Restricted Subsidiaries to, incur or permit to exist any Indebtedness
which (a) is secured  in whole or in part by any of the  Inventory  (other  than
Permitted  Encumbrances) or (b) contains any provision requiring the Borrower or
any Restricted Subsidiary to grant to the lender thereunder any Lien at a future
date or upon the  occurrence of any subsequent  event;  except that the Borrower
and its Restricted  Subsidiaries may incur (i) Indebtedness in favor of a seller
of  Inventory  to  the  Borrower  which  is  secured  solely  by  the  Inventory
contemporaneously acquired from such seller, (ii) Indebtedness secured solely by
the Borrower's  headquarters  building located in Arlington,  Texas or any other
office  building owned by the Borrower or any Restricted  Subsidiary,  and (iii)
Indebtedness secured by any clubhouse located in any development of the Borrower
or any Restricted Subsidiary.


                                    ARTICLE 6

                              DEFAULT AND REMEDIES

         6.1  Defaults.  Each  of the  following  shall  constitute  a  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  or
non-governmental body:

                  (a) Any  representation  or warranty made under this Agreement
shall prove incorrect or misleading in any material  respect when made or deemed
to have been made;

                                     - 46 -

<PAGE>


                  (b)  The  Borrower   shall  default  in  the  payment  of  any
principal,  interest or other monetary  amounts  payable  hereunder or under the
Notes,  or any of them, or under the other Loan Documents  which payment default
(other than  payment due on the Maturity  Date) is not cured within  thirty (30)
calendar days of Borrower's receipt of notice from the Administrative Agent;

                  (c)  The  Borrower   shall  default  in  the   performance  or
observance of any other  agreement or covenant  contained in this  Agreement not
specifically  referred  to  elsewhere  in this  Section  6.1,  and such Event of
Default shall not be cured to the Majority Banks'  satisfaction  within a period
of  ninety  (90)  days  from the  date the  Borrower  receives  notice  from the
Administrative Agent with respect thereto;

                  (d) There shall occur any Event of Default in the  performance
or observance of any  agreement or covenant or breach of any  representation  or
warranty contained in any of the Loan Documents (other than this Agreement or as
otherwise  provided in this  Section 6.1 of this  Agreement)  or any  Subsidiary
Guaranty,  which shall not be cured to the Majority Banks'  satisfaction  within
the applicable cure period, if any, provided for in such Loan Document or ninety
(90) days from the date the  Borrower  receives  notice from the  Administrative
Agent with respect thereto if no cure period is provided in such Loan Document;

                  (e) There  shall be  entered  a decree or order for  relief in
respect of the Borrower or any of its Restricted  Subsidiaries under Title 11 of
the United States Code, as now  constituted or hereafter  amended,  or any other
applicable federal or state bankruptcy law or other similar law, or appointing a
receiver,  liquidator,  assignee, trustee, custodian,  sequestrator,  or similar
official  of the  Borrower  or any of  its  Restricted  Subsidiaries,  or of any
substantial part of their respective  properties,  or ordering the winding-up or
liquidation   of  the  affairs  of  the  Borrower  or  any  of  its   Restricted
Subsidiaries,  or an involuntary petition shall be filed against the Borrower or
any of its Restricted  Subsidiaries,  and a temporary stay entered, and (i) such
petition and stay shall not be diligently  contested,  or (ii) any such petition
and stay shall  continue  undismissed  for a period of thirty  (30)  consecutive
days;

                  (f) The Borrower or any of its Restricted  Subsidiaries  shall
file a petition,  answer, or consent seeking relief under Title 11 of the United
States Code, as now constituted or hereafter  amended,  or any other  applicable

                                     - 47 -

<PAGE>


federal or state bankruptcy law or other similar law, make an assignment for the
benefit of  creditors,  or the  Borrower or any of its  Restricted  Subsidiaries
shall consent to the  institution of proceedings  thereunder or to the filing of
any such petition or to the  appointment  or taking of possession of a receiver,
liquidator,  assignee,  trustee,  custodian,   sequestrator,  or  other  similar
official  of the  Borrower  or any of  its  Restricted  Subsidiaries,  or of any
substantial part of their respective  properties,  or the Borrower or any of its
Restricted  Subsidiaries  shall fail generally to pay their  respective debts as
they become due, or the  Borrower or any of its  Restricted  Subsidiaries  shall
take any corporate or partnership action to authorize any such action;

                  (g) A final judgment shall be entered by any court against the
Borrower or any of its  Restricted  Subsidiaries  for the payment of money which
exceeds  $1,000,000.00,  which judgment is not covered by insurance or a warrant
of attachment or execution or similar  process shall be issued or levied against
property of the Borrower or any of its Restricted  Subsidiaries which,  together
with  all  other  such  property  of the  Borrower  or  any  of  its  Restricted
Subsidiaries  subject to other such process,  exceeds in value  $1,000,000.00 in
the aggregate,  and if, within thirty (30) days after the entry,  issue, or levy
thereof,  such  judgment,  warrant,  or  process  shall  not have  been  paid or
discharged or bonded or stayed  pending  appeal,  or if, after the expiration of
any such stay,  such judgment,  warrant,  or process shall not have been paid or
discharged;

                  (h) (1) There  shall be at any time any  "accumulated  funding
deficiency,"  as defined in ERISA or in Section 412 of the Code, with respect to
any Plan; or (2) a trustee shall be appointed by a United States  District Court
to  administer  any Plan;  or the Pension  Benefit  Guaranty  Corporation  shall
institute  proceedings to terminate any Plan; or (3) any of the Borrower and its
ERISA  Affiliates  shall incur any  liability  to the Pension  Benefit  Guaranty
Corporation in connection  with the  termination of any Plan; or (4) any Plan or
trust  created  under any Plan of any of the Borrower  and its ERISA  Affiliates
shall engage in a non-exempt  "prohibited  transaction" (as such term is defined
in Section 406 of ERISA or Section  4975 of the Code)  which  would  subject the
Borrower  or  any  ERISA   Affiliate  to  the  tax  or  penalty  on  "prohibited
transactions"  imposed by Section 502 of ERISA or Section 4975 of the Code;  and
by reason of any or all of the events  described  in clauses (1) through (4), as
applicable,  the Borrower shall have incurred or is likely to incur liability in
excess of $2,000,000.00 in the aggregate;

                                     - 48 -

<PAGE>


                  (i) All or any portion of any Loan Document  shall at any time
and for any reason be declared by a court of  competent  jurisdiction  in a suit
with respect to such Loan Document to be null and void, or a proceeding shall be
commenced by any governmental authority involving a legitimate dispute or by the
Borrower or any of its Restricted  Subsidiaries,  having  jurisdiction  over the
Borrower  or  any of its  Restricted  Subsidiaries,  seeking  to  establish  the
invalidity or unenforceability thereof (exclusive of questions of interpretation
of any provision thereof), or the Borrower or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries
shall deny that it has any liability or obligation  for the payment of principal
or interest purported to be created under any Loan Document;

                  (j)      There shall occur any Change of Control;

                  (k)  Except  for  conveyances  of all or any  part of the Loan
Inventory  between the Borrower and the Guarantors there occurs any sale, lease,
conveyance,  assignment,  pledge, encumbrance, or transfer of all or any part of
the Loan  Inventory  or any  interest  therein,  voluntarily  or  involuntarily,
whether by  operation of law or  otherwise,  except (i) in  accordance  with the
terms of this  Agreement,  (ii) for  execution  of  contracts  with  prospective
purchasers, (iii) for Permitted Encumbrances, and (iv) in the ordinary course of
business; or

                  (l) Except in the normal course of Borrower's  development  of
inventory into Developed Lots and construction of Dwellings thereon, without the
prior written consent of Administrative  Agent,  Borrower grants any easement or
dedication, files any plat, condominium declaration, or restriction or otherwise
encumbers  all or any  portion of the Loan  Inventory,  or seeks or permits  any
zoning  reclassification or variance,  unless such action is expressly permitted
by the Loan Documents or does not affect any Inventory which is part of the Loan
Inventory.

Notwithstanding anything contained herein to the contrary, the occurrence of any
of the foregoing shall not be a Default or an Event of Default hereunder if: (i)
the occurrence  pertains only to specific  parcel(s)  within the Loan Inventory;
and (ii) the affected  parcel(s) is (are) removed from the Loan  Inventory on or
before ten (10) days in the case of a monetary  occurrence  and thirty (30) days
in the  case of a  non-monetary  occurrence  after  the  occurrence  or,  if the
Borrower is entitled to notice and cure,  within the applicable  notice and cure
period. In the event that any such parcel is a Lot Under Development,  Developed
Lot or Dwelling Lot,  then the Loan Funding  Availability  shall be  immediately

                                     - 49 -

<PAGE>


calculated  excluding  such  parcel.  If,  as the  result of such  removal,  the
outstanding principal balance under all Unsecured Indebtedness together with any
unreimbursed  draws  under  Letters  of Credit  would  exceed  the Loan  Funding
Availability,  the  Borrower  shall pay (X) to the  Administrative  Agent on the
Reconciliation Date immediately following the removal of such Inventory from the
Loan  Inventory,  a principal  payment on the Loans in an amount  sufficient  to
eliminate  such excess of the  aggregate  outstanding  principal  balance of all
Unsecured  Indebtedness and unreimbursed  draws under Letters of Credit over the
Loan Funding  Availability,  together  with any due and unpaid  interest on such
excess  or  (Y)  add  additional  Inventory  to the  Loan  Inventory  (which  is
acceptable  to the  Administrative  Agent) in an amount  sufficient to cause the
Loan Funding  Availability to equal or exceed the Loans and  unreimbursed  draws
under Letters of Credit.

         6.2  Remedies  .  If  a  Default  shall  have  occurred  and  shall  be
continuing:

                  (a) With the  exception  of a Default  specified  in  Sections
6.1(e), (f) or (g) hereof, the Administrative Agent shall at the request, or may
with the  consent,  of the  SuperMajority  Banks,  by notice to the Borrower (i)
declare the Notes, all interest thereon and all other amounts payable under this
Agreement  and the  other  Loan  Documents  to be  forthwith  due  and  payable,
whereupon the Notes,  all such interest and all such amounts shall become and be
forthwith  due and  payable,  without  presentment,  demand,  protest or further
notice of any kind,  all of which are hereby  expressly  waived by the Borrower,
(ii)  terminate  the  Commitments,  and (iii)  require the  Borrower to, and the
Borrower shall thereupon,  deposit in the Letter of Credit Reserve  Account,  an
amount equal to the maximum  amount  currently or at any time  thereafter  to be
drawn on all outstanding  Letters of Credit,  and the Borrower hereby pledges to
the  Administrative  Agent,  the Letter of Credit Banks and the Issuing Bank and
grants  to them a  security  interest  in,  all such  cash as  security  for the
Obligations.

                  (b) Upon the  occurrence of a Default under  Sections  6.1(e),
(f) or (g)  hereof,  the  Commitments  shall  automatically  terminate  and such
principal,  interest  (including without  limitation,  interest which would have
accrued  but for the  commencement  of a case or  proceeding  under the  federal
bankruptcy laws),  Letter of Credit  Obligations and other amounts payable under
this Agreement or the Notes shall thereupon and  concurrently  therewith  become
due and payable, all without any action by the Administrative Agent, the Issuing
Bank or the Banks or the holders of the Notes,  and the Borrower shall thereupon
forthwith deposit in the Letter of Credit Reserve Account an amount equal to all

                                     - 50 -

<PAGE>



outstanding  Letter of Credit  Obligations,  all  without  presentment,  demand,
protest or other notice of any kind, all of which are expressly waived, anything
in this  Agreement  or in the  Notes to the  contrary  notwithstanding,  and the
Borrower hereby pledges to the Administrative  Agent, the Letter of Credit Banks
and the Issuing  Bank,  and grants to the  Administrative  Agent,  the Letter of
Credit  Banks and the  Issuing  Bank a  security  interest  in, all such cash as
security for the Obligations.

                  (c) The  Administrative  Agent,  with the  concurrence  of the
Super-Majority  Banks, shall exercise all of the post-default  rights granted to
it and to them under the Loan Documents or under Applicable Law.

                  (d) The rights and remedies of the  Administrative  Agent, the
Issuing Bank and the Banks hereunder shall be cumulative, and not exclusive.

         6.3 Waivers. Neither a waiver of any Default or Event of Default by the
Borrower  hereunder  nor  any  representation  by a  Bank  or  Banks  as to  the
nonoccurrence  or  nonexistence  thereof  shall be  implied  from  any  delay or
omission  by any one or all of the Banks to notify  the  Borrower  thereof or to
take  action on account  of such  Default  or Event of  Default,  and no express
waiver  shall  affect  any  Default  or Event of  Default  other than the matter
specified in the waiver and it shall be  operative  only for the time and to the
extent therein stated.  Waivers of any covenants,  terms or conditions contained
herein  must be in  writing  and  shall  not be  construed  as a  waiver  of any
subsequent breach of the same covenant, term or condition. Any one or all of the
Banks'  consent or approval to or of any act by the Borrower  requiring  further
consent  or  approval  shall not be deemed  to waive or render  unnecessary  the
consent or approval to or of any  subsequent  or similar  act. Any one or all of
the Banks'  exercise  of any right or remedy or  hereunder  shall not in any way
constitute a cure or waiver of a Default or an Event of Default,  or  invalidate
any act done  pursuant to any notice of the  occurrence of a Default or an Event
of  Default,  or  prejudice  the Banks in the  exercise  of any of their  rights
hereunder  or under  the  Notes or any  other  Loan  Documents,  unless,  in the
exercise of said  rights,  the Banks  realize all amounts owed to them under the
Notes and other Loan Documents.

         6.4 Cross-Default. All of the Notes and other Loan Documents are "cross
defaulted"  such that (a) the occurrence of an Event of Default under any one of
the Loan Documents shall constitute an Event of Default under this Agreement and

                                     - 51 -

<PAGE>


all of the Loan  Documents and (b) the  occurrence of a Default under any one of
the Loan  Documents  shall  constitute a Default under this Agreement and all of
the other Loan Documents.

         6.5      No Liability of the Banks.

                  (a) Construction  and/or  Development.  None of the Banks, the
Administrative  Agent or the  Issuing  Bank shall be liable to any party for (i)
the development of or construction  upon any of the Inventory,  (ii) the failure
to develop or  construct or protect  improvements  on the  Inventory,  (iii) the
payment  of any  expense  incurred  in  connection  with the  development  of or
construction  upon the Inventory,  (iv) the performance or nonperformance of any
other obligation of the Borrower or any Restricted Subsidiary, or (v) the Banks'
or the  Administrative  Agent's  exercise of any remedy  available  to them.  In
addition,  the Banks shall not be liable to the  Borrower or any third party for
the  failure of the Banks or their  authorized  agents to  discover or to reject
materials  or  workmanship  during the course of the Banks'  inspections  of the
Inventory.

                  (b) Dwelling  Lots. In addition to 6.5(a)  above,  none of the
Banks, the Administrative Agent or the Issuing Bank shall be liable to any party
for (i) the  construction  or completion of the  Dwellings,  (ii) the failure to
construct,  complete or protect the Dwellings,  (iii) the payment of any expense
incurred  in  connection  with  the  construction  of the  Dwellings,  (iv)  the
performance  or  nonperformance  of any other  obligation of the Borrower or any
Restricted Subsidiary,  or (v) the Banks' or the Administrative Agent's exercise
of any remedy  available to them. In addition,  the Banks shall not be liable to
the Borrower or any third party for the failure of the Banks or their authorized
agents to discover or to reject  materials or  workmanship  during the course of
the Banks' inspections of the Dwelling Lots.

                  (c) Other  Banks.  The  obligations  of each Bank  under  this
Agreement  are  separate  and  independent  such  that no  action,  inaction  or
responsibility of one Bank shall be imputed to the remaining Banks. The Borrower
hereby waives any claim or demand  against each Bank as to the action,  inaction
or responsibility of another.

                                     - 52 -

<PAGE>


                                    ARTICLE 7

                            THE ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT.

         7.1  Appointment  and  Authorization.   Each  Bank  hereby  irrevocably
appoints and  authorizes,  and hereby agrees that it will require any transferee
of any of its interest in its Loans and in its Notes  irrevocably to appoint and
authorize,  the  Administrative  Agent to take such  actions as its agent on its
behalf and to  exercise  such powers  hereunder  as are  delegated  by the terms
hereof, together with such powers as are reasonably incidental thereto.  Neither
the  Administrative  Agent nor any of its  directors,  officers,  employees,  or
agents  shall be liable to any Bank (or any  transferee  thereof) for any action
taken or omitted to be taken by it or them  hereunder or in connection  herewith
(including,  without limitation,  the granting or withholding of approval of any
matter), except for its or their own gross negligence or willful misconduct. The
Banks  hereby  each  acknowledge  and agree that the  Administrative  Agent may,
absent  actual  knowledge  to the  contrary,  rely  upon  certifications  of the
Borrower  with respect to Inventory,  financial  covenant  compliance,  covenant
compliance  and all matters  related  thereto.  The  Administrative  Agent shall
endeavor to exercise  its rights and  responsibilities  under this  Agreement in
accordance with its usual practices for borrowers  similar to the Borrower,  but
the Administrative Agent shall not be liable to the Banks with respect to errors
or  omissions  with respect to the  foregoing  unless they are the result of the
gross negligence or willful misconduct of the Administrative Agent.

         7.2 Delegation of Duties. The  Administrative  Agent may execute any of
its duties under the Loan Documents by or through  agents or attorneys  selected
by it using  reasonable  care  and  shall  be  entitled  to  advice  of  counsel
concerning all matters pertaining to such duties. The Administrative Agent shall
not be responsible to any Bank for the negligence or misconduct of any agents or
attorneys selected by it with reasonable care.

         7.3 Interest Holders.  The Administrative Agent may treat each Bank, or
the Person  designated  in the last notice filed with the  Administrative  Agent
under this  Section  7.3, as the holder of all of the  interests of such Bank in
its Loans and in its Notes until written notice of transfer, signed by such Bank
(or the Person  designated  in the last  notice  filed  with the  Administrative
Agent) and by the Person designated in such written notice of transfer,  in form
and substance  satisfactory to the  Administrative  Agent, shall have been filed
with the Administrative Agent.

                                     - 53 -

<PAGE>


         7.4 Consultation  with Counsel.  The  Administrative  Agent may consult
with  legal  counsel  selected  by it and  shall  not be  liable to any Bank (or
transferee  thereof)  for any action  taken or  suffered  by it in good faith in
reliance thereon.

         7.5  Documents.  The  Administrative  Agent  shall  be under no duty to
examine, inquire into, or pass upon the validity,  effectiveness, or genuineness
of this  Agreement,  any Note, or any  instrument,  document,  or  communication
furnished  pursuant  hereto or in connection  herewith,  and the  Administrative
Agent shall be entitled to assume that they are valid,  effective,  and genuine,
have been signed or sent by the proper parties, and are what they purport to be.

         7.6 Administrative  Agent and Affiliates . The Administrative Agent and
its affiliates may accept deposits from,  administer depository accounts for and
generally engage in any kind of business with the Borrower or any Affiliates of,
or Persons doing business with, the Borrower,  without any obligation to account
to any Bank (or any transferee thereof) therefor.

         7.7  Responsibility  of  the  Administrative   Agent.  The  duties  and
obligations  of the  Administrative  Agent under this  Agreement  are only those
expressly  set  forth  in this  Agreement.  The  Administrative  Agent  shall be
entitled  to assume  that no  Default or Event of Default  has  occurred  and is
continuing unless it has actual knowledge, or has been notified by the Borrower,
of such fact and has either determined that a Default or an Event of Default has
occurred or has been notified by a Bank that such Bank  considers that a Default
or an Event of  Default  has  occurred  and is  continuing,  and such Bank shall
specify in detail the nature thereof in writing.  The Administrative Agent shall
not be liable  hereunder to any Bank (or any transferee  thereof) for any action
taken or omitted  to be taken  except  for its own gross  negligence  or willful
misconduct. The Administrative Agent shall provide each Bank with copies of such
documents received from the Borrower as such Bank may reasonably request.

         7.8      Action by Administrative Agent.

                  (a) Except for action  requiring  the approval of the Majority
Banks, the Super-Majority  Banks or all Banks, the Administrative Agent shall be
entitled to use its  discretion  with respect to exercising  or refraining  from

                                     - 54 -

<PAGE>


exercising  any rights  which may be vested in it by, and with respect to taking
or  refraining  from  taking any action or actions  which it may be able to take
under or in respect of, this Agreement,  unless the  Administrative  Agent shall
have been instructed by the Majority Banks or the  Super-Majority  Banks, as the
case may be, to exercise or refrain  from  exercising  such rights or to take or
refrain from taking such action,  provided that the  Administrative  Agent shall
not exercise  any rights  under  Section  6.2(a) of this  Agreement  without the
request of the Majority Banks or the  SuperMajority  Banks,  as the case may be.
The Administrative Agent shall incur no liability to any Bank (or any transferee
thereof) under or in respect of this Agreement with respect to anything which it
may do or refrain from doing in the reasonable exercise of its judgment or which
may seem to it to be necessary or desirable in the circumstances, except for its
gross negligence or willful misconduct.

                  (b) The Administrative  Agent shall not be liable to the Banks
or to any Bank in acting or  refraining  from  acting  under this  Agreement  in
accordance  with the  instructions  of the Majority Banks or the  Super-Majority
Banks,  as the case may be, and any action  taken or failure to act  pursuant to
such instructions shall be binding on all Banks.

                  (c) The Borrower shall have the right to rely upon actions and
representations  of the  Administrative  Agent in the  performance of its duties
hereunder  (including,  without  limitation,  representations  with  respect  to
amendments or waivers pursuant to Section 8.3 hereof), without regard to whether
such actions or representations  are actually  authorized by the Banks or any of
them and  without  seeking  confirmation  or  ratification  of such  actions  or
representations.

         7.9  Notice of  Default  or Event of  Default.  In the  event  that the
Administrative  Agent or any Bank shall acquire actual knowledge,  or shall have
been notified in writing, of any Default or Event of Default, the Administrative
Agent or such Bank shall promptly notify the Banks and the Administrative Agent,
and the Administrative Agent shall take such action and assert such rights under
this Agreement as the Majority  Banks or  Super-Majority  Banks (as  applicable)
shall request in writing,  and the Administrative  Agent shall not be subject to
any  liability  by reason of its acting  pursuant  to any such  request.  If the
Majority Banks or Super-Majority Banks (as applicable) shall fail to request the
Administrative  Agent to take action or to assert rights under this Agreement in
respect  of any  Default or Event of  Default  within ten (10) days (or  shorter
period as set forth in such  notice)  after  their  receipt of the notice of any
Default or  Event of  Default from  the  Administrative  Agent, or shall request

                                     - 55 -

<PAGE>


inconsistent  action  with  respect  to such  Default or Event of  Default,  the
Administrative  Agent may,  but shall not be  required  to, take such action and
assert such rights (other than rights under Article 6 hereof) as it deems in its
discretion to be advisable for the protection of the Banks,  except that, if the
Majority  Banks or  Super-Majority  Banks (as  applicable)  have  instructed the
Administrative  Agent not to take such action or assert such right,  in no event
shall the Administrative Agent act contrary to such instructions.

         7.10  Responsibility  Disclaimed.  The  Administrative  Agent,  in  its
capacity as Administrative  Agent, shall be under no liability or responsibility
whatsoever as Administrative Agent:

                  (a) To the  Borrower  or  any  other  Person  or  entity  as a
consequence of any failure or delay in performance by or any breach by, any Bank
or Banks of any of its or their obligations under this Agreement;

                  (b) To any Bank or Banks,  as a consequence  of any failure or
delay in performance  by, or any breach by, the Borrower or any other obligor of
any of its  obligations  under  this  Agreement  or the Notes or any other  Loan
Document; or

                  (c) To any Bank or Banks for any statements,  representations,
or warranties in this  Agreement,  or any other  document  contemplated  by this
Agreement or any information provided pursuant to this Agreement, any other Loan
Document,  or any other  document  contemplated  by this  Agreement,  or for the
validity,  effectiveness,  enforceability, or sufficiency of this Agreement, the
Notes,  any other Loan  Document,  or any other  document  contemplated  by this
Agreement.

         7.11  Indemnification.  The Banks agree to indemnify the Administrative
Agent (to the extent not reimbursed by the Borrower) pro rata according to their
respective  Commitment  Ratios,  from  and  against  any  and  all  liabilities,
obligations,  losses,  damages,  penalties,  actions,  judgments,  suits, costs,
expenses  (including  fees and  expenses of experts,  agents,  consultants,  and
counsel), or disbursements of any kind or nature whatsoever which may be imposed
on,  incurred  by,  or  asserted  against  the  Administrative  Agent in any way
relating to or arising out of this  Agreement,  any other Loan Document,  or any
other document  contemplated by this Agreement or any action taken or omitted by
the Administrative Agent under this Agreement,  any other Loan Document,  or any

                                     - 56 -

<PAGE>


other  document  contemplated  by this  Agreement,  except that no Bank shall be
liable  to the  Administrative  Agent  for  any  portion  of  such  liabilities,
obligations,  losses,  damages,  penalties,  actions,  judgments,  suits, costs,
expenses,  or  disbursements  resulting  from the gross  negligence  or  willful
misconduct  of the  Administrative  Agent.  The  provisions of this Section 7.11
shall survive the termination of this Agreement.

         7.12 Credit  Decision.  Each Bank represents and warrants to each other
and to the Administrative Agent that:

                  (a) In making its decision to enter into this Agreement and to
make Advances it has independently  taken whatever steps it considers  necessary
to evaluate the financial  condition and affairs of the Borrower and that it has
made an independent credit judgment, and that it has not relied upon information
provided by the Administrative Agent; and

                  (b) So long as any  portion  of the  Loans or Letter of Credit
Obligations  remains  outstanding,  it will continue to make its own independent
evaluation of the financial condition and affairs of the Borrower.

         7.13 Successor  Administrative  Agent.  Subject to the  appointment and
acceptance  of a successor  Administrative  Agent  (which shall be any Bank or a
commercial Issuing Bank organized under the laws of the United States of America
or any political  subdivision thereof which has combined capital and reserves in
excess of $250,000,000) as provided below, the  Administrative  Agent may resign
at any time by giving  written  notice thereof to the Banks and the Borrower and
may be  removed  at any time  for  cause by the  Majority  Banks.  Upon any such
resignation  or removal,  the  Majority  Banks shall have the right to appoint a
successor  Administrative Agent. If no successor Administrative Agent shall have
been  so  appointed  by  the  Majority  Banks,  and  shall  have  accepted  such
appointment  within thirty (30) days after the retiring  Administrative  Agent's
giving of notice of resignation  or the Majority  Banks' removal of the retiring
Administrative  Agent, then the retiring  Administrative Agent may, on behalf of
the Banks,  appoint a successor  Administrative Agent which shall be any Issuing
Bank or a  commercial  bank  organized  under the laws of the  United  States of
America or any  political  subdivision  thereof  which has combined  capital and
reserves in excess of  $250,000,000.  Upon the acceptance of any  appointment as
Administrative  Agent  hereunder  by  a  successor  Administrative  Agent,  such

                                     - 57 -

<PAGE>


successor Administrative Agent shall thereupon succeed to and become vested with
all the rights,  powers,  privileges,  duties,  and  obligations of the retiring
Administrative  Agent,  and, after fully performing its obligations  pursuant to
Section  2.8  hereof  as  to  all   payments   received  by  it,  the   retiring
Administrative  Agent  shall be  discharged  from  its  duties  and  obligations
hereunder.  After any retiring  Administrative  Agent's  resignation  or removal
hereunder as  Administrative  Agent,  the  provisions of this Section 7.13 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 the Administrative Agent.

         7.14 Syndication  Agent. The Syndication  Agent shall have no duties or
obligations  under this Agreement or the other Loan Documents in its capacity as
Syndication Agent.

         7.15 Documentation  Agent. The Documentation Agent shall have no duties
or obligations  under this Agreement or the other Loan Documents in its capacity
as Documentation Agent.

         7.16 Co-Agents. The Co-Agents shall have no duties or obligations under
this Agreement or the other Loan Documents in their capacities as Co-Agents.


                                    ARTICLE 8

                               GENERAL CONDITIONS

         8.1  Benefit.  This  Agreement  is made and  entered  into for the sole
protection  and benefit of the  Administrative  Agent,  the Issuing Bank and the
Banks and the Borrower,  their  successors  and assigns,  and no other person or
persons other than the Borrower  shall have any right of action hereon or rights
to the Loan proceeds at any time. None of the Administrative  Agent, the Issuing
Bank or the Banks shall (a) owe any duty  whatsoever  to any  claimant for labor
performed  or material  furnished in  connection  with the  construction  of any
Dwelling  or  improvement  on any  Inventory,  or (b) owe any duty to apply  any
undisbursed portion of the Loan to the payment of any claim, or (c) owe any duty
to  exercise  any  right or power of the Banks  hereunder  or  arising  from any
Default by the Borrower.

                                     - 58 -

<PAGE>


         8.2 Assignment. The terms hereof shall be binding upon and inure to the
benefit of the heirs,  successors,  assigns, and personal representatives of the
parties  hereto;  provided,  however,  that the  Borrower  shall not assign this
Agreement or any of its rights,  interests,  duties or obligations  hereunder or
any Loan  proceeds or other monies to be advanced  hereunder in whole or in part
without the prior written consent of the Banks and any such assignment  (whether
voluntary  or by operation  law)  without said consent  shall be void and render
automatically  terminated  any  obligation of any Bank  hereunder to advance any
further monies  pursuant to this Agreement or any other Loan Document.  Any Bank
may assign its rights and obligations  under this  Agreement,  the Notes and any
other Loan  Documents,  in whole or in part, to any other Person,  provided that
all of the provisions hereof shall continue in full force and effect and, in the
event  of such  assignment,  such  Bank  shall  thereafter  be  relieved  of all
liability  hereunder with respect to actions or omissions of such Bank occurring
thereafter,  but only to the extent of the  interest  so  assigned  and any Loan
disbursements  made by any assignee(s) shall be deemed made in pursuance and not
in  modification  hereof and shall be evidenced by the  applicable  Note and any
other Loan Documents. Notwithstanding the foregoing subject to the last sentence
of this Section 8.2, (i) with the prior  written  consent of the  Administrative
Agent only (which consent shall not be unreasonably withheld), a Bank may assign
not less than one hundred percent (100%) of its interest, rights and obligations
hereunder, and (ii) without the prior written consent of all of the other Banks,
no Bank shall have the right to assign any  portion of its  interest,  rights or
obligations  hereunder  to any other  Person  unless (a) such  assignment  is in
compliance with clause (i) of this sentence,  or (b) in all other cases, (1) the
assignee  shall assume all of the  obligations  of the assigning Bank under this
Agreement,  to the extent of the  interest so assigned  and (2)  following  such
assignment,  each of the assigning  Bank and the assignee  shall maintain a Loan
Commitment  of  not  less  than  twenty-five   million  dollars   ($25,000,000).
Notwithstanding anything in this Section 8.2 to the contrary, any Bank may enter
into  participation  agreements with any other Person, so long as such agreement
does not confer any rights under this Agreement,  any other Loan Document or the
Subsidiary  Guaranty to any purchaser thereof,  or relieve such Bank from any of
its  Obligations  under this  Agreement  (it being  understood  that all actions
hereunder shall be conducted as if no such participation had been granted).  All
assignments  permitted  hereunder  shall be made pursuant to an  Assignment  and
Assumption  Agreement in substantially the form of Exhibit I attached hereto. No
Managing Agent may assign any portion of its Loans or Loan Commitment  hereunder
without the prior written  consent of all Managing  Agents (which  consent shall
not be unreasonably withheld).

                                     - 59 -

<PAGE>


         8.3  Amendment and Waiver.  Neither this  Agreement nor any term hereof
may be amended orally, nor may any provision hereof be waived orally but only by
an  instrument  in writing  signed by the Majority  Banks and, in the case of an
amendment, also by the Borrower, except that in the event of:

                  (a) any (i) amendment or waiver having a duration of more than
ninety  (90)  days or  (ii)  direction  to the  Administrative  Agent  regarding
termination  of the  Commitments,  acceleration,  or exercise of  remedies,  any
action may be made only by an instrument in writing signed by the Super-Majority
Banks;

                  (b) (i)  any  change  in the  timing  of,  or the  amount  of,
payments  of  fees  due  hereunder  or in  the  method  of  calculating  funding
availability,  (ii) any waiver of any Event of Default due to the failure by the
Borrower to pay any sum due  hereunder,  (iii) any amendment of this Section 8.3
or of the  definitions of Majority Banks or  Super-Majority  Banks,  or (iv) the
release of any Guarantor  other than in connection  with the  conversion of such
Guarantor to an  Unrestricted  Subsidiary or in accordance  with Section  3.1(f)
hereof,  any  amendment or waiver may be made only by an  instrument  in writing
signed by each of the Banks;

                  (c) (i) any change in the amount of the Loan Commitment,  (ii)
any change in the timing of or the amount of payments of principal,  interest or
fees due with respect to the Loans or any change in the rate of interest applied
thereto,  any  change  may be made only by an  instrument  signed by each of the
Banks; and

Any  amendment to  accomplish  any of the  foregoing  must also be signed by the
Borrower.  Each Bank  hereby  acknowledges  and agrees  that a  response  to any
request  for action by the  Administrative  Agent  shall be made within ten (10)
days from the receipt of such  request  and that the  failure to respond  within
such period  shall be deemed to be an  acceptance  by such Bank of the course of
action recommended by the Administrative Agent.

         8.4 Additional Obligations and Amendments.  The Banks shall be under no
obligation to extend any loans to the Borrower  other than as  specifically  set
forth in this  Agreement.  Each  Bank  agrees  that it will not  enter  into any
financing  agreement  with the  Borrower or any of its  Restricted  Subsidiaries
without the consent of all of the Banks.

                                     - 60 -

<PAGE>


         8.5 Consideration of Renewal. The Banks agree that no later than thirty
(30)  calendar  days  prior  to  each   anniversary   of  the  Agreement   Date,
representatives  of the Banks will consult with each other to determine  whether
the Banks are  willing,  in their sole and  absolute  discretion,  to extend the
Maturity  Date for a period of not more than one (1) calendar year from the then
current Maturity Date.  Notwithstanding  the foregoing,  if there has occurred a
Change of Management,  the Banks shall not have any obligation to consult, as to
any  proposed  extension  of the  Maturity  Date,  with any Bank  which  has not
approved, in writing, such Change of Management. The Administrative Agent shall,
within a reasonable  period of time thereafter,  advise the Borrower whether the
Banks are willing to so extend the Maturity  Date. If the Banks and the Borrower
agree to so extend the  Maturity  Date,  such  agreement  shall be  evidenced by
appropriate  amendments  to the  Loan  Documents,  executed  by  all  applicable
parties.  In the event that any Bank does not agree to extend the Maturity Date,
the Maturity  Date then in effect with respect to such Bank's Loans shall remain
unchanged,  and the  Borrower  in its  sole  discretion  may (a)  repay  in full
(together with all accrued  interest and fees with respect  thereto) such Bank's
Loans,  without respect to any other provisions  herein, or (b) may require such
Bank to assign without  recourse or warranty  one-hundred  percent (100%) of its
Loans,  Loan  Commitment  and, in the case of Letter of Credit Banks,  Letter of
Credit  Commitment  (and such Bank hereby  agrees to so assign) to a replacement
bank  designated by the Borrower (and  acceptable to the  Administrative  Agent)
which assignment shall be effective upon receipt by such Bank of payment in full
of all Loans then  outstanding,  Letter of Credit  Obligations,  and accrued and
unpaid interest and fees then outstanding to such Bank. Notwithstanding anything
to the contrary  contained herein,  any such replacement bank assuming such Loan
Commitment  and/or  Letter of Credit  Commitment  shall assume not less than one
hundred percent (100%) of such assigning Bank's Loan Commitment and/or Letter of
Credit Commitment.

         8.6 Terms.  Whenever the context and  construction  require,  all words
used in the  singular  number  herein  shall be  deemed to have been used in the
plural,  and vice versa, and the masculine gender shall include the feminine and
neuter and the neuter shall include the masculine and feminine.

         8.7 Governing Law and  Jurisdiction.  This Agreement shall be construed
in accordance with the laws of the State of Georgia,  and such laws shall govern
the interpretation, construction and enforcement hereof. For the purposes of any
legal action or proceeding brought by the Administrative Agent or the Banks with


                                     - 61 -

<PAGE>


respect to this Agreement or the Loan Documents, the Borrower hereby irrevocably
submits to the  jurisdiction  and venue of the Superior  Court of Fulton County,
Georgia,  and hereby  irrevocably  designates and appoints CT Corporate  System,
1201 Peachtree Street, N.E., Atlanta, Georgia 30361, as its authorized agent for
service of process in the State of Georgia.  The Borrower also hereby submits to
the non-exclusive jurisdiction and venue of the United States District Court for
the Northern District of Georgia for any action,  suit or proceeding arising out
of or relating to this Agreement or the Loan Documents. The Administrative Agent
and the Banks  shall for all  purposes  be  entitled  to treat such  designee of
Borrower  as the  authorized  agent to receive  for or on its behalf  service of
writs or summons or other legal process in Georgia;  delivery of such service to
such  authorized  agent shall be deemed to be made when  delivered  or mailed by
certified mail addressed to such authorized  agent,  with a copy to the Borrower
at the address of the Borrower last known to the  Administrative  Agent, sent by
overnight delivery service. In the event that, for any reason, such agent or its
successor  shall no longer serve as agent of the Borrower to receive  service of
process in the State of Georgia,  the Borrower shall establish a successor so to
serve, and shall advise the Administrative  Agent thereof,  so that at all times
Borrower  will  maintain an agent to receive  service of process in the State of
Georgia on its behalf with respect to this Agreement and the Loan Documents.  In
the event that,  for any reason,  service of legal process cannot be made in the
manner described above,  such service may be made in such other manner permitted
by law. The Borrower  hereby  irrevocably  waives any  objection it might now or
hereafter be entitled to make with  respect to the venue of any suit,  action or
proceeding  arising out of or relating to this  Agreement and the Loan Documents
which is brought in the  Superior  Court of Fulton  County,  Georgia  or, at the
election of the  Administrative  Agent,  in the United States District Court for
the Northern District of Georgia, and the Borrower hereby irrevocably waives any
right to claim  that any such  suit,  action or  proceeding  brought in any such
court has been brought in an incorrect forum.

         8.8 Publicity.  Subject to the Borrower's approval,  the Administrative
Agent shall have the right to  incorporate  the names of the Banks into  signage
placed upon the Loan Inventory. Each Bank shall have the right to secure printed
publicity  through newspaper and other media concerning the Inventory and source
of financing.

         8.9  Attorneys'  Fees.  The Borrower shall pay on demand all attorneys'
fees and other costs and expenses actually incurred by the Managing Agents,  the
Co-Agents, the Issuing Bank and the Banks, or any of them, in the enforcement of

                                     - 62 -

<PAGE>


or preservation of the Banks', the Administrative  Agent's or the Issuing Bank's
rights under this  Agreement  and the other Loan  Documents.  To the full extent
permitted by  applicable  law, the Borrower  agrees to pay interest on any fees,
costs or expenses  due to the  Administrative  Agent,  the Issuing  Bank and the
Banks, or any of them, under this Section 8.9 which are not paid when due at the
Default Rate. In the event that any Loan Document contains a provision regarding
enforcement or  preservation of rights which is different from this Section 8.9,
this Section 8.9 shall control.

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

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

                  (b)  Reservation  of Rights.  Nothing  in this Loan  Agreement
shall be  deemed  to (i) limit the  applicability  of any  otherwise  applicable
statutes  of  limitation  or  repose  and any  waivers  contained  in this  Loan
Agreement;  or (ii) be a waiver by a Bank or Banks of the protection afforded to
it or them by 12 U.S.C.  Sec. 91 or any  substantially  equivalent state law; or
(iii) limit the right of a Bank or Banks (A) to exercise self help remedies such
as  (but not limited to)  setoff,  or  (B) to obtain from a court provisional or

                                     - 63 -

<PAGE>


ancillary  remedies such as injunctive  relief or the appointment of a receiver.
The  Administrative  Agent  may  (or at the  direction  of the  Majority  Banks)
exercise such self help remedies (including, without limitation,  remedies under
Section 6.2 hereof),  or obtain such  provisional or ancillary  remedies before,
during or after the pendency of any arbitration  proceeding  brought pursuant to
this  Loan  Agreement.  Neither  the  exercise  of self  help  remedies  nor the
institution or maintenance of provisional or ancillary remedies shall constitute
a waiver of the right of any party, including the claimant in any such action to
arbitrate  the merits of the  controversy  or claim  occasioning  resort to such
remedies.

         No  provision  in  this  Agreement  or  any  Loan  Documents  regarding
submission  to  jurisdiction  and/or  venue in any court is intended or shall be
construed to be in derogation of the provisions in this Agreement.

         8.11  Invalidation of Provisions.  In the event that any one or more of
the   provisions  of  this  Agreement  is  deemed  invalid  by  a  court  having
jurisdiction over this Agreement or other similar authority,  the Administrative
Agent, the Issuing Bank and the Banks may, in their sole  discretion,  terminate
this Agreement in whole or in part.

         8.12  Execution  in  Counterparts.  This  Agreement  may be executed in
multiple counterparts,  each of which shall be deemed to be an original, but all
of which shall constitute one and the same instrument.

         8.13  Captions.  The captions  herein are inserted  only as a matter of
convenience and for reference and in no way define,  limit or describe the scope
of this Agreement or the intent of any provision hereof.

         8.14  Notices.  All  notices,  requests,  consents,  demands  and other
communications  required or which any party  desires to give  hereunder or under
any other Loan Document shall, unless other specifically  provided in such other
Loan Document,  be deemed  sufficiently given or furnished if (a) in writing and
delivered by personal delivery, by courier, or by registered or certified United
States mail,  postage  prepaid,  addressed to the party to whom  directed at the
addresses  specified below (unless changed by similar notice in writing given by
the  particular  party  whose  address  is to be  changed),  (b) by  telex  with
confirmation  thereof in writing by sender pursuant to subsection (a) above, (c)
facsimile to the facsimile number specified below with  confirmation  thereof in


                                     - 64 -

<PAGE>


writing by sender pursuant to subsection (a) above, or (d) by oral communication
with  confirmation  thereof  in  writing  by the  notifying  party  pursuant  to
subsection   (a)  above  within   three  (3)  business   days  after  such  oral
communication.  Any such  notice or  communication  shall be deemed to have been
given and to be  effective  either at the time of personal  delivery  or, in the
case of  courier  or mail,  as of the date of first  attempted  delivery  at the
address  and in the  manner  provided  herein,  or, in the case of  telex,  when
transmitted (answerback confirmed),  or, in the case of facsimile,  upon receipt
or,  in the  case of oral  communication,  upon  the  effectiveness  of  written
confirmation as hereinabove provided.  Notwithstanding the foregoing,  no notice
of change of address shall be effective except upon receipt.  This Section shall
not be  construed  in any way to affect or impair any waiver of notice or demand
provided  in any Loan  Document  or to require  giving of notice or demand to or
upon any person in any situation or for any reason.

         BORROWER:

         D. R. Horton, Inc.
         1901 Ascension Boulevard
         Suite 100
         Arlington, Texas 76006
         Attn:    David J. Keller
                       and
                  Ted I. Harbour
         Facsimile No.: (817) 856-8249
         Telephone No.: (817) 856-8200


         AS ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT, AS ISSUING BANK AND AS A BANK:

         NationsBank, N.A.
         70 Mansell Court
         Roswell, Georgia 30076
         Attn:  Henry A. Dyer
         Facsimile No.: (770) 642-1261
         Telephone No.: (770) 552-3559


                                     - 65 -

<PAGE>


         With copy to:

         Powell, Goldstein, Frazer & Murphy
         16th Floor
         191 Peachtree St. N.E.
         Atlanta, Georgia  30303
         Attn:  Douglas S. Gosden
         Facsimile No.: (404) 572-6999
         Telephone No.: (404) 572-6600


         AS SYNDICATION AGENT AND AS A BANK:

         Bank of America National Trust and Savings Association
         40 East 52nd Street
         6th Floor
         New York, New York  10022
         Attn:    Robert Dowling, Vice President
         Facsimile No.: (714) 260-5639
         Telephone No.: (212) 836-5651


         AS DOCUMENTATION AGENT AND AS A BANK:

         Fleet National Bank
         111 Westminster Street
         Suite 800
         Providence, Rhode Island  02903
         Attn:  Patrick Burns
         Facsimile No.: (401) 278-5961
         Telephone No.: (401) 278-5914


                                     - 66 -

<PAGE>


         AS A MANAGING AGENT AND AS A BANK:

         Bank United
         3200 S.W. Freeway
         Suite 2000
         Houston, Texas  77027
         Attn:  Carolynn Alexander
         Facsimile No.: (713) 543-6928
         Telephone No.: (713) 543-7955


         AS A MANAGING AGENT AND AS A BANK:

         Comerica Bank
         1 Detroit Center
         500 Woodward Avenue
         Detroit, Michigan  48226-3256
         Attn:  Dave Campell
         Facsimile No.: (313) 222-9295
         Telephone No.: (313) 222-9306


         AS A MANAGING AGENT AND AS A BANK:

         Credit Lyonnais New York Branch
         2200 Ross Avenue
         Suite 4400 West
         Dallas, Texas  75201
         Attn:  Sam Hill
         Facsimile No.: (214) 220-2323
         Telephone No.: (214) 220-2300


                                     - 67 -

<PAGE>


         AS A MANAGING AGENT AND AS A BANK

         Societe Generale, Southwest Agency
         2001 Ross Avenue
         Suite 4800
         Dallas, Texas  75201
         Attn:  David Oldani
         Facsimile No.: (214) 979-1104
         Telephone No.: (214) 979-2736



         AS A CO-AGENT AND AS A BANK

         AmSouth Bank
         Commercial Real Estate, 9th Floor
         1900 5th Avenue North
         Birmingham, Alabama  35203
         Attn:  Ronny Hudspeth
         Facsimile No.: (205) 326-4075
         Telephone No.: (205) 307-4227


         AS A CO-AGENT AND AS A BANK

         Bank One, Arizona, N.A.
         201 N. Central
         19th Floor
         Phoenix, Arizona  85004
         Attn:  Jennifer Pescatore
         Facsimile No.: (602) 221-4435
         Telephone No.: (602) 221-2402


                                     - 68 -

<PAGE>


         AS A CO-AGENT AND AS A BANK:

         PNC Bank, National Association
         Two Tower Center
         18th Floor
         East Brunswick, New Jersey  08816
         Attn:  Douglas G. Paul
         Facsimile No.: (732) 220-3755
         Telephone No.: (732) 220-3566


         AS A CO-AGENT AND AS A BANK:

         The First National Bank of Chicago
         Real Estate Finance
         One First National Plaza
         Suite 0151
         Chicago, Illinois  60670-0151
         Attn:  Gregory A. Gilbert, Vice President
         Facsimile No.: (312) 732-1117
         Telephone No.: (312) 732-2107


         BANKS:

         First American Bank Texas, SSB
         The Princeton Tower
         14651 Dallas Parkway
         Suite 400
         Dallas, Texas  75240
         Attn:  William L. Kinard
         Facsimile No.: (972) 419-3394
         Telephone No.: (972) 419-3413


                                     - 69 -

<PAGE>


         Harris Trust and Savings Bank
         111 West Monroe
         Chicago, Illinois  60603
         Attn:  Greg Bins
         Facsimile No.: (312) 461-2968
         Telephone No.: (312) 461-2203


         Sanwa Bank California
         Real Estate Industries
         4041 MacArthur Boulevard
         Suite 100
         Newport Beach, California  92660
         Attn:  Russ Wakeham
         Facsimile No.: (714) 852-1510
         Telephone No.: (714) 632-6007


         Norwest Bank Arizona, National Association
         Commercial Real Estate Department
         3300 N. Central Avenue, 2nd Floor
         Phoenix, Arizona  85012
         Attn:  Kevin Kosan
         Facsimile No.: (602) 248-3661
         Telephone No.: (602) 248-3655

         Summit Bank
         3 Valley Square, Suite 280
         512 Township Line Road
         Blue Bell, Pennsylvania  19422
         Attn: Brian Daniel
         Facsimile No.: (215) 619-4840
         Telephone No. (215) 619-4832

         8.15     Final Agreement.  THE WRITTEN LOAN DOCUMENTS REPRESENT

                                     - 70 -

<PAGE>


THE FINAL  AGREEMENT  BETWEEN THE PARTIES HERETO AND MAY NOT BE  CONTRADICTED BY
EVIDENCE OF PRIOR,  CONTEMPORANEOUS OR SUBSEQUENT ORAL AGREEMENTS OF THE PARTIES
HERETO.

              [THE REMAINDER OF THIS PAGE INTENTIONALLY LEFT BLANK]


                                     - 71 -

<PAGE>


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

BORROWER:                              D.R. HORTON, INC., a Delaware corporation

Date of Execution:
   April 21, 1998                      By:/s/ David J. Keller
- ---------------------                     --------------------------------------
                                       Title:  Chief Financial Officer
                                             -----------------------------------

ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT,
SYNDICATION AGENT,
DOCUMENTATION AGENT,                   NATIONSBANK, N.A., as Administrative
MANAGING AGENTS,                       Agent, Issuing Bank and as a Bank
CO-AGENTS AND BANKS:

                                       By:/s/ Henry A. Dyer, Jr.
Date of Execution:                        --------------------------------------
   April 21, 1998                      Title:  Senior Vice President
- ---------------------                        -----------------------------------


                                       BANK OF AMERICA NATIONAL TRUST
                                       AND SAVINGS ASSOCIATION, as
                                       Syndication Agent and as a Bank
Date of Execution:

   April 21, 1998                      By:/s/ Robert Dowling
- ---------------------                     --------------------------------------
                                       Title:  Vice President
                                             -----------------------------------


                                       FLEET NATIONAL BANK, as Documentation
                                       Agent and as a Bank
Date of Execution:

   April 20, 1998                      By:/s/ Patrick Burns
- ---------------------                     --------------------------------------
                                       Title:  Vice President
                                             -----------------------------------
<PAGE>



                                       BANK UNITED, as a Managing Agent and as a
                                       Bank
Date of Execution:

  April 21, 1998                       By:/s/ Carolynn Alexander
- ---------------------                     --------------------------------------
                                       Title:  
                                             -----------------------------------


                                       COMERICA BANK, as a Managing Agent and
                                       as a Bank
Date of Execution:

  April 20, 1998                       By:/s/ David J. Campbell
- ---------------------                     --------------------------------------
                                       Title:  Vice President
                                             -----------------------------------

                                       CREDIT LYONNAIS NEW YORK BRANCH,
                                       as a Managing Agent and as a Bank
Date of Execution:

  April 21, 1998                       By:/s/ Robert Ivosevich
- ---------------------                     --------------------------------------
                                       Title:  Senior Vice President
                                             -----------------------------------



<PAGE>



                                       SOCIETE GENERALE, SOUTHWEST
                                       AGENCY, as a Managing Agent and a Bank
Date of Execution:

  April 21, 1998                       By:/s/ David C. Oldani
- ---------------------                     --------------------------------------
                                       Title:  Assistant Treasurer
                                             -----------------------------------

Date of Execution:

  April 21, 1998                       By:/s/ Christopher J. Speltz
- ---------------------                     --------------------------------------
                                       Title:  V.P. and Manager
                                             -----------------------------------

                                       AMSOUTH BANK, as a Co-Agent and a Bank
Date of Execution:

  April 21, 1998                       By:/s/ Ronny Hudspeth
- ---------------------                     --------------------------------------
                                       Title:  Vice President
                                             -----------------------------------

                                       BANK ONE, ARIZONA, NA, as a Co-Agent
                                       and a Bank
Date of Execution:

  April 21, 1998                       By:/s/ Jenny Pescatore
- ---------------------                     --------------------------------------
                                       Title:  Vice President
                                             -----------------------------------


                                       PNC BANK, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, as
                                       a Co-Agent and as a Bank
Date of Execution:

  April 21, 1998                       By:/s/ Douglas G. Paul
- ---------------------                     --------------------------------------
                                       Title:  Vice President
                                             -----------------------------------

<PAGE>


                                       THE FIRST NATIONAL BANK OF
                                       CHICAGO, as a Co-Agent and as a Bank
Date of Execution:

  April 21, 1998                       By:/s/ Lynn Braun
- ---------------------                     --------------------------------------
                                       Title:  Corporate Banking Officer
                                             -----------------------------------


                                       FIRST AMERICAN BANK TEXAS, SSB, as a
                                       Bank
Date of Execution:

  April 21, 1998                       By:/s/ William L. Kinard
- ---------------------                     --------------------------------------
                                       Title:  Vice President
                                             -----------------------------------


                                       HARRIS TRUST AND SAVINGS BANK, as a
                                       Bank
Date of Execution:

  April 21, 1998                       By:/s/ Gregory M. Bins
- ---------------------                     --------------------------------------
                                       Title:  Vice President
                                             -----------------------------------


                                       SANWA BANK CALIFORNIA, as a Bank
Date of Execution:

  April 21, 1998                       By:/s/ Russ Wakeham
- ---------------------                     --------------------------------------
                                       Title:  Vice President
                                             -----------------------------------

<PAGE>


                                       NORWEST BANK ARIZONA, NATIONAL
                                       ASSOCIATION, as a Bank
Date of Execution:

  April 21, 1998                       By:/s/ Kevin Kosan
- ---------------------                     --------------------------------------
                                       Title:  Vice President
                                             -----------------------------------


                                       SUMMIT BANK, as a Bank
Date of Execution:

  April 21, 1998                       By:/s/ Brian D. Daniel
- ---------------------                     --------------------------------------
                                       Title:  Vice President, Regional Manager
                                             -----------------------------------


<PAGE>
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

                                  SCHEDULE 1.13

                            Multi-Level Pricing Grid


====================================================================================================================
                                                                                                     Facility Fee
              Leverage Ratio or S&P/Moody's Rating as of                                              (multiply
          the quarter end or most recently completed quarter               Applicable Margin        Commitments by)
===================================================================  ==========  ===============  ==================
                                                                      LIBOR +    Federal Funds +
<S>          <C>                                                      <C>           <C>                 <C>     
Level I         less than 1.00 to 1.00 and better than BBB- or Baa3   37.5 bps       52.5 bps           12.5 bps
Level II     1.0 or greater but not to exceed 1.25 and BBB- or Baa3   57.5 bps       72.5 bps           17.5 bps
Level III                  greater than 1.25 but not to exceed 1.75     75 bps       90.0 bps           20.0 bps
Level IV                   greater than 1.75 but not to exceed 2.00     90 bps      105.0 bps           25.0 bps
Level V                    greater than 2.00 but not to exceed 2.25    105 bps      120.0 bps           30.0 bps
Level VI                   greater than 2.25 but not to exceed 2.60    125 bps      140.0 bps           30.0 bps
===================================================================  ==========  ===============  ==================
</TABLE>


<PAGE>



                                         SCHEDULE 1.55

                                          Guarantors

DRHI, Inc., a Delaware corporation
D.R. Horton, Inc. - Minnesota, a Delaware corporation
Meadows I, Ltd., a Delaware corporation
Meadows II, Ltd., a Delaware corporation
Meadows IX, Ltd., a New Jersey corporation
Meadows X, Ltd., a New Jersey corporation
D.R. Horton Denver Management Company, Inc., a Colorado corporation
D.R. Horton Management Company, Ltd., a Texas limited partnership
D.R. Horton, Inc. - Sacramento, a California corporation
D.R. Horton Sacramento Management Company, Inc., a California corporation
D.R. Horton Los Angeles Holding Company, Inc., a California corporation
D.R. Horton, Inc. - Albuquerque, a Delaware corporation
D.R. Horton, Inc. - Birmingham, an Alabama corporation
D.R. Horton, Inc. - Denver, a Delaware corporation
D.R. Horton, Inc. - Greensboro, a Delaware corporation
D.R. Horton, Inc. - New Jersey, a New Jersey corporation
D.R. Horton Los Angeles Management Company,  Inc., a California corporation 
D.R. Horton San Diego Holding Company, Inc., a California corporation 
D.R. Horton San Diego Management  Company,  Inc., a California corporation  
D.R. Horton-Texas, Ltd., a Texas limited partnership
DRH Construction, Inc., a Delaware corporation
SGS Communities at Grande Quay, L.L.C., a New Jersey limited liability company 
D.R. Horton,  Inc. - Torrey, a Delaware corporation 
S.G. Torrey Atlanta, Ltd., a Georgia corporation 
C. Richard Dobson Builders, Inc., a Virginia corporation 
Land Development, Inc., a Virginia corporation 
Continental Homes of Florida, Inc., a Florida corporation 
KDB Homes, Inc., a Delaware corporation 
Continental Homes, Inc., a Delaware corporation 
L&W Investments, Inc., a California corporation 
Continental Ranch, Inc., a Delaware corporation 
CHTEX of Austin, Inc., a Delaware corporation
CH Investments  of Texas II,  Inc.,  a Delaware  corporation
CHI Construction Company, an Arizona company  
Continental Homes of Austin, L.P., a Texas limited partnership  
Continental Homes of San Antonio, L.P., a Texas limited partnership
Continental Homes of Dallas, L.P., a Texas limited partnership
DRH New Mexico Construction, Inc., a Delaware corporation
DRH Tucson Construction, Inc., a Delaware corporation




                                                                    Exhibit 10.2


                            INDEMNIFICATION AGREEMENT


                  This Indemnification Agreement ("Agreement") is made as of the
20th  day  of  April,  1998,  by and  between  D.R.  Horton,  Inc.,  a  Delaware
corporation  (the "Company"),  and W. Thomas Hickcox,  a director and officer of
the Company (the "Indemnitee").

                                    RECITALS

                  A. The  Indemnitee  has been elected as a director and officer
of the  Company  and  the  Company  desires  the  Indemnitee  to  serve  in such
capacities.  The Indemnitee is willing,  subject to certain conditions including
without  limitation  the  execution  and  performance  of this  Agreement by the
Company, to serve in such capacities.
                  B. In addition to the  indemnification to which the Indemnitee
is  entitled  under  the  certificate  of  incorporation  of  the  Company  (the
"Certificate"),  the Company may in its  discretion  obtain at its sole  expense
insurance protecting its officers and directors including the Indemnitee against
certain losses arising out of actual or threatened actions, suits or proceedings
to which  such persons  may be made  or threatened  to be made parties.  If such

                                       -1-

<PAGE>


insurance is obtained, there can be no assurance that such insurance will not be
cancelled by the insurer or that the Company will elect not to continue or renew
such insurance.
                  Accordingly, and in order to induce the Indemnitee to serve in
his present capacities, the Company and Indemnitee agree as follows:
                  1. Continued Service:  The Indemnitee will serve as a director
of the Company so long as he is duly elected and  qualified in  accordance  with
the  bylaws of the  Company  (the  "Bylaws")  or until he  resigns in writing in
accordance  with  applicable law and will continue to serve as an officer of the
Company at the pleasure of its Board of Directors (the "Board") so long as he is
duly  appointed  or  elected  by the Board or until he  resigns  in  writing  in
accordance with applicable law.
                  2. Initial  Indemnity.  (a) The Company  shall  indemnify  the
Indemnitee  when he was or is a party or is threatened to be made a party to any
pending,  threatened or completed  action,  suit or  proceeding,  whether civil,
administrative,  investigative  or  criminal  (other than an action by or in the
name of the  Company),  by reason of the fact that he is or was or had agreed to
become a director or officer of the Company,  or is or was serving or had agreed
to serve at the written request of  the Company as a director, officer, employee

                                       -2-

<PAGE>


or agent of another  corporation,  partnership,  joint  venture,  trust or other
enterprise, in any such case owned or controlled by the Company, or by reason of
any action alleged to have been taken or omitted in such  capacity,  against any
and all costs,  charges and expenses,  including without limitation,  attorneys'
and others' fees and expenses,  judgments,  fines and amounts paid in settlement
actually and reasonably  incurred by the Indemnitee in connection  therewith and
any appeal  therefrom if the  Indemnitee  acted in good faith and in a manner he
reasonably  believed  to be in or not  opposed  to  the  best  interests  of the
Company,  and,  with  respect  to any  criminal  action  or  proceeding,  had no
reasonable  cause to believe his conduct was unlawful.  The  termination  of any
action, suit or proceeding by judgment, order, settlement,  conviction or upon a
plea of nolo  contendere  or its  equivalent  shall  not,  of  itself,  create a
presumption  that the  Indemnitee  did not  satisfy  the  foregoing  standard of
conduct to the extent applicable thereto.
                  (b) The Company shall  indemnify the Indemnitee when he was or
is a party or is  threatened  to be made a party to any  threatened,  pending or
completed  action,  suit or  proceeding  by or in the  right of the  Company  to
procure a judgment in its favor by reason of the fact  that he is  or was or had

                                       -3-

<PAGE>


agreed to become a director or officer of the  Company,  or is or was serving or
had  agreed  to serve at the  written  request  of the  Company  as a  director,
officer, employee or agent of another corporation,  partnership,  joint venture,
trust or other enterprise,  in any such case owned or controlled by the Company,
against costs,  charges and expenses (including  attorneys' and others' fees and
expenses) actually and reasonably incurred by him in connection with the defense
or settlement thereof or any appeal therefrom if he acted in good faith and in a
manner he reasonably  believed to be in or not opposed to the best  interests of
the Company and except that no  indemnification  shall be made in respect of any
claim, issue or matter as to which the Indemnitee shall have been adjudged to be
liable to the  Company  unless and only to the extent that the Court of Chancery
or the  court in  which  such  action,  suit or  proceeding  was  brought  shall
determine upon  application  that,  despite the adjudication of liability but in
view  of all the  circumstances  of the  case,  the  Indemnitee  is  fairly  and
reasonably  entitled to indemnity for such expenses  which the Court of Chancery
or such other court shall deem proper.

                                       -4-

<PAGE>


                  (c) To the extent that the Indemnitee  has been  successful on
the merits or otherwise, including without limitation the dismissal of an action
without prejudice,  in defense of any action,  suit or proceeding referred to in
Sections  2(a) or 2(b)  hereof  or in  defense  of any  claim,  issue or  matter
therein, he shall be indemnified against costs,  charges and expenses (including
attorneys' and others' fees and expenses)  actually and  reasonably  incurred by
him in connection therewith.
                  (d) Any  indemnification  under  Sections 2(a) or 2(b) (unless
ordered  by a court)  shall be made by the  Company  only as  authorized  in the
specific case upon a  determination  in accordance  with Section 4 hereof or any
applicable provision of the Certificate,  Bylaws, other agreement, resolution or
otherwise. Such determination shall be made (i) by the Board, by a majority vote
of a quorum consisting of directors who were not parties to such action, suit or
proceeding or (ii) if such a quorum of disinterested  directors is not available
or so directs,  by independent legal counsel  (designated in the manner provided
below in this subsection (d)) in a written opinion or (iii) by the  stockholders
of  the  Company  (the  "Stockholders").  Independent  legal  counsel  shall  be
designated  by vote  of a majority  of  the  disinterested  directors; provided,

                                       -5-

<PAGE>


however, that if the Board is unable or fails to so designate,  such designation
shall be made by the  Indemnitee  subject to the approval of the Company  (which
approval shall not be unreasonably  withheld).  Independent  legal counsel shall
not be any person or firm who,  under the applicable  standards of  professional
conduct  then  prevailing,  would have a conflict of  interest  in  representing
either the Company or the Indemnitee in an action to determine the  Indemnitee's
rights under this  Agreement.  The Company agrees to pay the reasonable fees and
expenses of such  independent  legal counsel and to indemnify fully such counsel
against costs,  charges and expenses (including  attorneys' and others' fees and
expenses)  actually and reasonably  incurred by such counsel in connection  with
this Agreement or the opinion of such counsel pursuant hereto.
                  (e) All expenses  (including  attorneys'  and others' fees and
expenses) incurred by the Indemnitee in his capacity as a director or officer of
the Company in defending a civil or criminal action, suit or proceeding shall be
paid by the Company in advance of the final disposition of such action,  suit or
proceeding in the manner prescribed by Section 4(b) hereof.
                  (f)  The  Company   shall  not  adopt  any  amendment  to  the
Certificate or Bylaws the effect of which would be to deny, diminish or encumber

                                       -6-

<PAGE>


the Indemnitee's  rights to indemnity  pursuant to the Certificate,  Bylaws, the
General  Corporation  Law of the State of  Delaware  (the  "DGCL")  or any other
applicable  law as applied to any act or failure to act occurring in whole or in
part  prior to the date (the  "Effective  Date")  upon which the  amendment  was
approved by the Board or the Stockholders, as the case may be. In the event that
the Company shall adopt any amendment to the Certificate or Bylaws the effect of
which is to so deny,  diminish or encumber the Indemnitee's rights to indemnity,
such  amendment  shall apply only to acts or failures to act occurring  entirely
after the Effective Date thereof unless the Indemnitee shall have voted in favor
of such  adoption  as a  director  or holder of record of the  Company's  voting
stock, as the case may be.
                  3. Additional Indemnification.  (a) Pursuant to Section 145(f)
of the DGCL,  without  limiting any right which the Indemnitee may have pursuant
to  Section 2 hereof,  the  Certificate,  the  Bylaws,  the DGCL,  any policy of
insurance  or  otherwise,   but  subject  to  the  limitations  on  the  maximum
permissible  indemnity  which may exist under  applicable law at the time of any
request for  indemnity  hereunder  determined  as  contemplated  by Section 3(a)
hereof,  the Company shall indemnify the Indemnitee  against any amount which he
is or becomes legally obligated to pay relating  to or  arising out of any claim

                                       -7-

<PAGE>


made  against  him  because  of any act,  failure to act or neglect or breach of
duty,  including  any  actual  or  alleged  error,  misstatement  or  misleading
statement,  which he commits,  suffers, permits or acquiesces in while acting in
his  capacity as a director of the  Company,  or, at the written  request of the
Company,  as a  director,  officer,  employee  or agent of another  corporation,
partnership, joint venture, trust or other enterprise, in any such case owned or
controlled by the Company.  The payments  which the Company is obligated to make
pursuant to this Section 3 shall include without limitation damages,  judgments,
settlements and charges, costs, expenses, expenses of investigation and expenses
of defense of legal actions, suits, proceedings or claims and appeals therefrom,
and expenses of appeal, attachment or similar bonds; provided, however, that the
Company  shall not be  obligated  under this Section 3(a) to make any payment in
connection with any claim against the Indemnitee:
                           (i) to the extent of any fine or similar governmental
                  imposition  which the Company is prohibited by applicable  law
                  from paying which results in a final, nonappealable order; or


                                       -8-

<PAGE>


                           (ii) to the extent based upon or  attributable to the
                  Indemnitee  gaining in fact a personal  profit to which he was
                  not legally  entitled,  including without  limitation  profits
                  made from the  purchase and sale by the  Indemnitee  of equity
                  securities of the Company which are recoverable by the Company
                  pursuant to Section  16(b) of the  Securities  Exchange Act of
                  1934, and profits arising from transactions in publicly traded
                  securities   of  the  Company   which  were  effected  by  the
                  Indemnitee  in  violation of Section  10(b) of the  Securities
                  Exchange  Act  of  1934,   including  Rule  l0b-5  promulgated
                  thereunder.
The determination of whether the Indemnitee shall be entitled to indemnification
under  this  Section  3(a) may be,  but  shall  not be  required  to, be made in
accordance with Section 4(a) hereof. If that  determination is so made, it shall
be binding upon the Company and the Indemnitee for all purposes.
                  (b) Expenses  (including  without  limitation  attorneys'  and
others' fees and  expenses)  incurred by  Indemnitee  in defending any actual or
threatened civil or criminal action, suit,  proceeding or claim shall be paid by
the  Company in  advance  of the final  disposition  thereof  as  authorized  in
accordance with Section 4(b) hereof.

                                       -9-

<PAGE>


                  4.  Certain  Procedures   Relating  to   Indemnification   and
Advancement  of Expenses.  (a) Except as otherwise  permitted or required by the
DGCL,  for purposes of pursuing  his rights to  indemnification  under  Sections
2(a), 2(b) or 3(a) hereof, as the case may be, the Indemnitee may, but shall not
be  required  to,  (i)  submit to the Board a sworn  statement  of  request  for
indemnification  substantially in the form of Exhibit 1 attached hereto and made
a part hereof (the "Indemnification  Statement") averring that he is entitled to
indemnification  hereunder;  and (ii) present to the Company reasonable evidence
of all indemnification amounts for which payment is requested.  Submission of an
Indemnification  Statement  to the Board  shall  create a  presumption  that the
Indemnitee is entitled to  indemnification  under  Sections  2(a),  2(b) or 3(a)
hereof,  as the case may be,  and the Board  shall be deemed to have  determined
that the  Indemnitee  is  entitled  to such  indemnification  unless  within  30
calendar days after submission of the Indemnification  Statement the Board shall
determine by vote of a majority of the  directors at a meeting at which a quorum
is present,  based upon clear and convincing  evidence  (sufficient to rebut the
foregoing presumption) and the Indemnitee shall have received notice within such
period in writing of such  determination  that the Indemnitee is not so entitled

                                      -10-

<PAGE>


to indemnification,  which notice shall disclose with particularity the evidence
in support of the Board's determination.  The foregoing notice shall be sworn to
by all  persons  who  participated  in  the  determination  and  voted  to  deny
indemnification.  The  provisions  of  this  Section  4(a)  are  intended  to be
procedural   only  and  shall  not  affect  the  right  of  the   Indemnitee  to
indemnification under this Agreement and any determination by the Board that the
Indemnitee  is not  entitled  to  indemnification  and any  failure  to make the
payments requested in the Indemnification Statement shall be subject to judicial
review as provided in Section 6 hereof.
                  (b)  For   purposes  of   determining   whether  to  authorize
advancement of expenses  pursuant to Section 2(e) hereof,  the Indemnitee  shall
submit to the Board a sworn  statement  of request for  advancement  of expenses
substantially  in the form of Exhibit 2 attached  hereto and made a part  hereof
(the  "Undertaking"),  averring  that  (i) he has  reasonably  incurred  or will
reasonably  incur  actual  expenses  in  defending  an actual  civil or criminal
action, suit, proceeding or claim and (ii) he undertakes to repay such amount if
it shall  ultimately be determined  that he is not entitled to be indemnified by
the Company  under this  Agreement  or  otherwise.  For  purposes of  requesting
advancement of expenses pursuant to Section 3(b) hereof, the Indemnitee may, but

                                      -11-

<PAGE>


shall not be required to, submit an Undertaking or such other form of request as
he  determines  to be  appropriate  (an "Expense  Request").  Upon receipt of an
Undertaking  or Expense  Request,  as the case may be, the Board shall within 10
calendar  days  authorize  immediate  payment  of  the  expenses  stated  in the
Undertaking  or Expense  Request,  as the case may be,  whereupon  such payments
shall  immediately  be made by the  Company.  No  security  shall be required in
connection  with any  Undertaking  or Expense  Request  and any  Undertaking  or
Expense Request shall be accepted without reference to the Indemnitee's  ability
to make repayment.
                  5. Subrogation;  Duplication of Payments.  (a) In the event of
payment under this  Agreement,  the Company shall be subrogated to the extent of
such  payment  to all of the rights of  recovery  of the  Indemnitee,  who shall
execute all papers  required  and shall do  everything  that may be necessary to
secure such  rights,  including  the  execution of such  documents  necessary to
enable the Company effectively to bring suit to enforce such rights.
                  (b) The Company  shall not be liable  under this  Agreement to
make any payment in connection with any claim made against the Indemnitee to the

                                      -12-

<PAGE>


extent the Indemnitee has actually received payment (under any insurance policy,
the  Certificate,  the Bylaws or  otherwise)  of the amounts  otherwise  payable
hereunder.
                  6. Enforcement. (a) If a claim for indemnification made to the
Company  pursuant to Section 4 hereof is not paid in full by the Company  within
30 calendar  days after a written  claim has been  received by the Company,  the
Indemnitee may at any time thereafter  bring suit against the Company to recover
the unpaid amount of the claim.
                  (b) In any action brought under Section 6(a) hereof,  it shall
be a defense to a claim for  indemnification  pursuant to Sections  2(a) or 2(b)
hereof (other than an action brought to enforce a claim for expenses incurred in
defending  any  proceeding  in  advance  of  its  final  disposition  where  the
Undertaking,  if any is required,  has been  tendered to the  Company)  that the
Indemnitee has not met the standards of conduct which make it permissible  under
the DGCL for the Company to indemnify the Indemnitee for the amount claimed, but
the burden of proving such defense shall be on the Company.  Neither the failure
of  the  Company  (including  the  Board,   independent  legal  counsel  or  the
Stockholders) to have made a determination  prior to commencement of such action
that indemnification of the Indemnitee is proper in the circumstances because he

                                      -13-

<PAGE>


has met the applicable  standard of conduct set forth in the DGCL, nor an actual
determination by the Company (including the Board,  independent legal counsel or
the  Stockholders)  that the Indemnitee has not met such applicable  standard of
conduct,  shall be a defense  to the  action or  create a  presumption  that the
Indemnitee has not met the applicable standard of conduct.
                  (c) It is the intent of the Company that the Indemnitee not be
required to incur the expenses  associated  with the  enforcement  of his rights
under this  Agreement by litigation  or other legal action  because the cost and
expense  thereof would  substantially  detract from the benefits  intended to be
extended to the Indemnitee  hereunder.  Accordingly,  if it should appear to the
Indemnitee  that the Company  has failed to comply  with any of its  obligations
under the  Agreement  or in the event that the Company or any other person takes
any action to declare the Agreement  void or  unenforceable,  or institutes  any
action,  suit or proceeding designed (or having the effect of being designed) to
deny, or to recover from, the Indemnitee the benefits intended to be provided to
the Indemnitee hereunder, the Company irrevocably authorizes the Indemnitee from
time to time to retain  counsel of his choice,  at the expense of the Company as
hereafter  provided,   to  represent  the  Indemnitee  in  connection  with  the
initiation or defense of any  litigation  or other legal  action,  whether by or

                                      -14-

<PAGE>


against  the  Company or any  director,  officer,  stockholder  or other  person
affiliated  with the Company,  in any  jurisdiction.  Regardless  of the outcome
thereof,  the Company shall pay and be solely responsible for any and all costs,
charges and expenses,  including without limitation  attorneys' and others' fees
and  expenses,  reasonably  incurred  by the  Indemnitee  (i) as a result of the
Company's  failure to perform this Agreement or any provision thereof or (ii) as
a result of the Company or any person  contesting the validity or enforceability
of this Agreement or any provision thereof as aforesaid.
                  7.  Merger or  Consolidation.  In the event  that the  Company
shall  be  a  constituent  corporation  in  a  consolidation,  merger  or  other
reorganization,  the  Company,  if it shall not be the  surviving,  resulting or
other corporation  therein,  shall require as a condition thereto the surviving,
resulting or acquiring  corporation  to agree to indemnify the Indemnitee to the
full  extent  provided  in Section 3 hereof.  Whether or not the  Company is the
resulting,  surviving  or acquiring  corporation  in any such  transaction,  the
Indemnitee  shall also stand in the same  position  under  this  Agreement  with
respect to the  resulting,  surviving or acquiring  corporation as he would have
with respect to the Company if its separate existence had continued.

                                      -15-

<PAGE>


                  8.   Nonexclusivity   and  Severability.   (a)  The  right  to
indemnification  provided by this Agreement  shall not be exclusive of any other
rights to which the Indemnitee may be entitled  under the  Certificate,  Bylaws,
the DGCL, any other statute,  insurance policy,  agreement, vote of Stockholders
or of directors or otherwise, both as to actions in his official capacity and as
to actions in another  capacity  while holding such office,  and shall  continue
after the Indemnitee has ceased to be a director, officer, employee or agent and
shall inure to the benefit of his heirs, executors and administrators.
                  (b) If any provision of this  Agreement or the  application of
any  provision   hereof  to  any  person  or   circumstances  is  held  invalid,
unenforceable  or otherwise  illegal,  the  remainder of this  Agreement and the
application  of such  provision to other persons or  circumstances  shall not be
affected,  and the provision so held to be invalid,  unenforceable  or otherwise
illegal  shall be reformed to the extent (and only to the extent)  necessary  to
make it enforceable, valid and legal.
                  9.  Governing  Law.  This  Agreement  shall be governed by and
construed in accordance  with the laws of the State of Delaware,  without giving
effect to the principles of conflict of laws thereof.

                                      -16-

<PAGE>


                  10. Modification; Survival. This Agreement contains the entire
agreement of the parties  relating to the subject matter hereof.  This Agreement
may be modified only by an instrument in writing signed by both parties  hereto.
The  provisions  of this  Agreement  shall  survive  the death,  disability,  or
incapacity of the Indemnitee or the termination of the Indemnitee's service as a
director  of the  Company  and shall  inure to the  benefit of the  Indemnitee's
heirs, executors and administrators.
                  11. Certain Terms. For purposes of this Agreement,  references
to "other  enterprises"  shall include  employee  benefit  plans;  references to
"fines"  shall include any excise taxes  assessed on Indemnitee  with respect to
any employee  benefit  plan;  and  references  to "serving at the request of the
Company" shall include any service as a director,  officer, employee or agent of
the Company which  imposes  duties on, or involves  services by, the  Indemnitee
with respect to an employee  benefit plan, its  participants  or  beneficiaries;
references  to the  masculine  shall  include the  feminine;  references  to the
singular shall include the plural and vice versa; and if the Indemnitee acted in
good faith and in a manner he  reasonably  believed to be in the interest of the
participants and beneficiaries of an employee benefit plan he shall be deemed to

                                      -17-

<PAGE>


have acted in a manner "not  opposed to the best  interests  of the  Company" as
referred to herein.
                  IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have duly executed this
Agreement as of the date first above written.

                                       D.R. HORTON, INC.


                                       By /s/ Donald R. Horton
                                          --------------------------------------
                                          Donald R. Horton
                                          President


                                          /s/ W. Thomas Hickcox
                                          --------------------------------------
                                          W. Thomas Hickcox








                                      -18-

<PAGE>


                                    Exhibit 1




                            INDEMNIFICATION STATEMENT


STATE OF TEXAS                      ss.
                                    ss.   SS.
COUNTY OF TARRANT                   ss.


                  I, ______________________________,  being first duly sworn, do
depose and say as follows:
                  1. This Indemnification Statement is submitted pursuant to the
Indemnification Agreement, dated as of ____________________, 199__, between D.R.
Horton, Inc., a Delaware corporation (the "Company"), and the undersigned.
                  2. I am requesting  indemnification  against  charges,  costs,
expenses (including attorneys' and others' fees and expenses),  judgments, fines
and amounts paid in settlement, all of which (collectively,  "Liabilities") have
been or will be  incurred  by me in  connection  with an  actual  or  threatened
action,  suit,  proceeding or claim to which I am a party or am threatened to be
made a party.
                  3. With  respect to all  matters  related to any such  action,
suit,   proceeding  or  claim,  I  am  entitled  to  be  indemnified  as  herein
contemplated pursuant to the aforesaid Indemnification Agreement.
                  4. Without limiting any other rights which I have or may have,
I am requesting indemnification against Liabilities which

                                                       -19-

<PAGE>




have or may arise out of 
                         -------------------------------------------------------

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

- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------.


                                                --------------------------------
                                                Name:



         Subscribed  and  sworn to  before  me, a Notary  Public in and for said
County and State, this _____ day of _________________, 19___.





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

[Seal]



                  My commission expires the ______ day of _____________________,
19___.



                                      -20-

<PAGE>



                                    Exhibit 2




                                   UNDERTAKING



STATE OF TEXAS                      ss.
                                    ss.   SS
COUNTY OF TARRANT                   ss.



                  I,  ___________________________,  being  first  duly  sworn do
depose and say as follows:
                  1.   This   Undertaking   is   submitted   pursuant   to   the
Indemnification  Agreement,  dated as of  ____________________,  199___, between
D.R. Horton, Inc., a Delaware corporation (the
"Company"), and the undersigned.
                  2. I am requesting  advancement of certain costs,  charges and
expenses  which I have  incurred or will incur in defending an actual or pending
civil or criminal action, suit, proceeding or claim.
                  3. I hereby undertake to repay this advancement of expenses if
it shall  ultimately be determined  that I am not entitled to be  indemnified by
the Company under the aforesaid Indemnification Agreement or otherwise.
                  4. The costs,  charges and expenses for which  advancement  is
requested are, in general, all expenses related to 
                                                   -----------------------------

                                      -21-

<PAGE>

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

- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------.


                                                --------------------------------
                                                Name:


         Subscribed  and  sworn to  before  me, a Notary  Public in and for said
County and State, this ______ day of ___________________, 19___.


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


[Seal]


         My commission expires the _______ day of __________________, 19___.


















                                      -22-


                                                                    EXHIBIT 10.3

                         CONTINENTAL HOMES HOLDING CORP.
                            1988 STOCK INCENTIVE PLAN
                     (As amended and restated June 20, 1997)

1.   Purposes:

     The purposes of the  Continental  Homes Holding Corp.  1988 Stock Incentive
Plan (the  "Plan")  are (a) to  provide  incentives  to those key  employees  of
Continental  Homes Holding Corp.  (the  "Company")  and its  subsidiaries  whose
performance will contribute to the long-term  success and growth of the Company,
(b) to strengthen the ability of the Company to attract and retain  employees of
high  competence,  (c) to increase the  identity of interests of such  employees
with those of the Company's  stockholders,  and (d) to help build loyalty to the
Company through recognition and the opportunity for stock ownership.

2.   Elements of the Plan

     The Plan provides the Company's  Board of Directors  (the "Board") with the
discretion to grant or award participants  incentives  relating to the Company's
common stock  utilizing (a) incentive  stock  options,  (b)  nonqualified  stock
options  which  may  be  coupled  with  stock  appreciation  rights  and/or  (c)
restricted stock. These benefits may be granted to participants singly or in any
combination which the Board deems appropriate.

3.   Shares Subject to the Plan

     The maximum aggregate number of shares as to which awards or options may at
any time be granted  under this Plan shall be 1,000,000  shares of common stock,
par value  $.01 per share  (the  "Common  Shares"),  subject  to  adjustment  in
accordance  with Section 9 hereof.  Such Common Shares may be either  authorized
but unissued shares or shares  previously  issued and reacquired by the Company.
If and to the extent  options  granted under the Plan  terminate,  expire or are
canceled without having been exercised, or if any shares of restricted stock are
forfeited,  the shares  subject to such option or award shall again be available
for purposes of the Plan.  The maximum  number of Common  Shares with respect to
which  stock  options  or  stock  appreciation  rights  may  be  granted  to any
participant  during any fiscal  year shall be  100,000.  The  maximum  number of
Common  Shares which may be issued under the Plan as  restricted  stock shall be
100,000.

4.   Plan Administration

     The Plan shall be administered by the Board. The Board may delegate this or
any other  authority  granted to it hereunder to a committee which shall consist
of at least  three  members  of the Board  (the  "Stock  Incentive  Committee").
Members of the Stock Incentive Committee shall be eligible to participate in the
Plan, so long as grants to such members are ratified by the  Company's  Board of
Directors other than the members of such Committee (any references herein to the
"Board"  shall be  deemed to refer to  either  the Board or the Stock  Incentive
Committee  if  the  Board  has  delegated   administrative   authority  to  such
Committee).  The  Board  shall  have the sole  authority  to  determine  (a) the
employees to whom options and awards  shall be granted  under the Plan;  (b) the
type,  size and terms of the options  and awards to be granted to each  employee
selected;  (c) the time when options and awards will be granted and the duration
of the exercise  period;  and (d) any other matters  arising under the Plan. The
Board shall have full power and authority to  administer  and interpret the Plan
and to adopt or amend such rules,  regulations,  agreements and  instruments for
implementing  the Plan and for conduct of its business as it deems  necessary or


<PAGE>


advisable.  The Board's  interpretations of the Plan and all determinations made
by the Board  pursuant to the powers vested in it hereunder  shall be conclusive
and binding on all persons  having any interest in the Plan or in any options or
awards granted hereunder.

     A majority of the Board shall  constitute a quorum for purposes of meetings
which may be held at such times and places and on such notice as the Board deems
appropriate.  All actions and  determinations  of the Board shall be made by not
less than a majority  of its  members and may be made at a meeting or by written
consent in lieu of a meeting.

5.   Eligibility for Participation

     Officers,  directors  and  other  key  employees  of  the  Company  or  any
subsidiary (as defined in Section  424(f) of the Internal  Revenue Code of 1986,
as amended (the "Code")),  of the Company (a "Subsidiary")  shall be eligible to
participate  in the Plan (the  "Participants").  Nothing  contained in this Plan
shall be construed to limit the right of the Company or any  Subsidiary to grant
options  otherwise than under this Plan in connection with the  acquisition,  by
purchase, lease, merger, consolidation,  or otherwise, of the business or assets
of any corporation, firm or association,  including options granted to employees
thereof who become employees of the Company or a Subsidiary, or for other proper
corporate purposes.

6.   Granting of Options

     (a) As of the  effective  date set forth in Section  23  hereof,  the Board
shall  have the right to grant  Participants  options  that are  intended  to be
"Incentive  Stock  Options"  within the meaning of Section 422 of the Code until
the tenth  anniversary  of the date on which the Board  approved the Plan and/or
other stock options on the terms and conditions set forth herein  ("Nonqualified
Stock Options") or any  combination of Incentive Stock Options and  Nonqualified
Stock  Options.  The Purchase  price of each Common Share to an Incentive  Stock
Option  shall be the Fair Market  Value (as  hereinafter  defined) of a share of
such stock on the date the Incentive Stock Option is granted, provided, however,
that any Incentive  Stock Option granted to a Participant who owns more than 10%
of the total combined voting power of all classes of stock of the Company or any
Subsidiary (a "10% Stockholder") shall not be less than 110% of such Fair Market
Value.  The purchase price of each Common Share subject to a Nonqualified  Stock
Option shall be determined by the Board on or before the date such  Nonqualified
Stock  Option is granted,  but may not be less than 85% of the Fair Market Value
of the Common  Shares on the date of grant.  For  purposes  of this  Plan,  Fair
Market Value shall be deemed to be equal to the last reported sales price on the
applicable date, or if no sales price is available for such date, the average of
the  closing  bid and asked  prices  for such  date,  on (i) the New York  Stock
Exchange ("NYSE"),  if the Common Shares are then listed on such exchange,  (ii)
if the Common Shares are not listed on the NYSE, on the principal national stock
exchange on which the Common  Shares are then listed,  or (iii) if not listed on
any national stock exchange, as reported by NASDAQ. If the Common Shares are not
then  listed on any  national  stock  exchange  or  reported by NASDAQ (or if no
current bid and asked price is  available),  then the Fair Market Value shall be
determined in any reasonable manner approved by the Board.

     (b) The aggregate Fair Market Value (determined as of the date of grant) of
the  Common  Shares  subject  to  Incentive  Stock  Options  that  first  become
exercisable  by a Participant  in any calendar year under this Plan or any other
plan maintained by the Company or any Subsidiary may not exceed $100,000.

     (c) The Board may  prescribe  such other terms as it deems  desirable or as
may be necessary  to qualify the options  granted  hereunder as Incentive  Stock
Options  under the  provisions  of Section  422 of the Code.  The Board may also
authorize acceleration of the exercise of an option or installment thereof.


<PAGE>


7.   Term of Options

     Unless the option  agreement  pursuant to which  options  are granted  (the
"Option  Agreement")  provides  otherwise,  options  granted  hereunder shall be
exercisable  for a term of ten  years  from the date of grant  (the  "Expiration
Date");  provided,  however,  that any Incentive  Stock Option  granted to a 10%
Stockholder  may not be exercisable  for a term of more than five years from the
date of grant.

8.   Exercise of Options

     (a) Unless the Board provides  otherwise and such provision is reflected in
the  terms  of  the  Option  Agreement,  Incentive  Stock  Options  will  become
exercisable  in  installments  on a  cumulative  basis at a rate of  twenty-five
percent (25%) each year beginning on the first anniversary of the date of grant.
No Nonqualifed  Stock Option will become  exercisable  prior to six months after
the  date  of  grant;   thereafter,   Nonqualified  Stock  Options  will  become
exercisable  at such time and for such number of Common Shares as the Board,  in
its sole discretion, shall determine.

     (b)  Unless  the  option  agreement  provides  otherwise,  options  granted
hereunder shall be exercisable for cash or any other property  (including Common
Shares or promissory  notes) deemed  acceptable by the Board;  provided that, in
the case of payment by a promissory  note, the Participant  shall pay in cash or
other  property an amount  equal to at least the par value of the Common  Shares
being purchased, and, if the option is an Incentive Stock Option, the note shall
bear a sufficient  rate of interest so that the exercise  price for the purposes
of the Code shall be no less than the Fair  Market  Value of the  Common  Shares
being purchased.

     (c) Except as otherwise  provided herein, no option may be exercised at any
time,  unless  the  holder  is  then a  regular  employee  of the  Company  or a
Subsidiary and has continuously remained an employee at all times (other than on
an absence  for an  approved  leave of  absence or service in the Armed  Forces)
since the date of grant of such option.

     (d) Options shall be exercised by a Participant  giving  written  notice of
such  exercise to the Company,  provided  that an option may not be exercised at
any one time as to less than 100 Common Shares ( or such number of Common Shares
as to which the  option is then  exercisable  if less than 100).  No  fractional
shares,  or cash in lieu  thereof  shall be issued  under this Plan or under any
option granted hereunder.

     (e) An Incentive  Stock Option shall be exercisable  during a Participant's
lifetime only by the Participant,  or if the Participant has become disabled, by
his legal representative.

9.   Adjustments for Certain Events

     The total number of Common Shares available for options or awards under the
Plan and option rights (both as to the number of Common Shares and the per share
option  price) shall be  appropriately  adjusted for any increase or decrease in
the  number of  outstanding  Common  Shares  resulting  from  payment of a stock
dividend on the Common Shares, a subdivision or combination of Common Shares, or
a reclassification  of the Common Shares, and (in accordance with the provisions
contained  in the next  paragraph)  in the  event of a  recapitalization  of the
Company or a consolidation or merger in which the Company shall be the surviving
corporation.

     After any merger of one or more  corporations into the Company in which the
Company shall be the surviving  corporation,  or after any  consolidation of the
Company  and one or more  corporations,  or after  any  recapitalization  of the
Company,  each Participant  shall, at no additional cost, be entitled,  upon any
exercise  of  his  option,  to  receive  (subject  to  any  required  action  by
stockholders), in lieu of the number of shares as


<PAGE>


to which such option shall then be so exercised,  the number and class of shares
of stock or other securities to which such Participant  would have been entitled
pursuant to the terms of the agreement of merger or consolidation or the plan of
recapitalization   if  at  the  time  of  such   merger  or   consolidation   or
recapitalization  such  Participant  had been a holder  of record of a number of
Common  Shares  equal to the number of shares as to which such option shall then
be so exercised. Comparable rights shall accrue to each Participant in the event
of successive  recapitalizations,  mergers,  or  consolidations of the character
described above.

     In the event of any sale of all or  substantially  all of the assets of the
Company,  or any merger of the Company  into  another  corporation  in which the
Company is not the surviving corporation,  or any merger in which the holders of
capital stock of the Company receive cash or other consideration in exchange for
their  shares,  or any  dissolution  or  liquidation  of the  Company or, in the
discretion of the Board, any  consolidation or other  reorganization in which it
is impossible or  impracticable  to continue in effect options granted under the
Plan, the Company shall, at least 20 days prior to the scheduled closing of such
event, send a written notice to each Participant by registered or certified mail
or personal delivery stating that if such Participant's  option is not exercised
by the close of business on the business day  immediately  preceding the date of
the scheduled closing of such event it shall terminate and the Board may, in its
discretion,  determine  (and if it does so the Company's  notice shall so state)
that options  granted  under the Plan shall be  exercisable  in full during such
20-day  period;  provided that the Company has given the foregoing  notice,  any
portion  of such  Participant's  option  remaining  unexercised  at the close of
business on such day shall terminate  unless the closing of such event shall not
occur (whether it occurs on the scheduled  date or a later date),  in which case
the Company's notice shall be of no further effect.  However,  the Board may, in
its  discretion,  require  instead,  if any  corporation  acquiring the stock or
assets of the  Company or into which the  Company  merged is willing and able to
assume all outstanding options granted under the Plan and such options shall not
thereby lose their  character as Incentive  Stock Options,  that such options to
the extent not previously  exercised shall be assumed by such other  corporation
and the preceding sentence shall not apply.

     The foregoing  adjustments  and the manner of  application of the foregoing
provisions  shall be  determined by the Board in its sole  discretion.  Any such
adjustment may provide for the  elimination of any fractional  share which might
otherwise  become subject to an option,  and,  provided that any such adjustment
with respect to an Incentive  Stock Option in connection  with a transaction  to
which Section  424(a) of the Code applies  shall be done in accordance  with the
provisions  of such  Section  424(a)  unless the Board  specifically  determines
otherwise.

10.  Exercise on Termination of Employment

     (a) Incentive Stock Options

     Except as provided in the next sentence,  if a Participant  ceases to be an
employee any unexercised Incentive Stock Option shall terminate. If prior to the
Expiration Date a Participant ceases to be an employee by reason of (i) death or
disability  within the meaning of Section 22 (e)(3) of the Code,  he (or, in the
event of the  Participant's  death, his estate) may exercise any Incentive Stock
Options  he  holds  for a period  of one year  after  the date of  cessation  of
employment  or (ii)  termination  by the Company  other than "for cause," he may
exercise any Incentive Stock Options he holds for a period of three months after
the date of cessation  of  employment,  in either case,  to the extent that such
options  were  exercisable  at the  date  of  such  cessation.  Thereafter,  any
unexercised   portion  of  the  option  shall  terminate.   Notwithstanding  the
foregoing,  in no event shall Incentive  Stock Options be exercisable  after the
Expiration  Date. For purposes of this Plan,  termination "for cause" shall mean
cessation  of  employment  due to (i) the  Participant's  failure to perform his
duties,  (ii) the commission by the participant of an act of gross dishonesty or
willful and deliberate  disloyalty in connection with this employment,  or (iii)
the conviction of the Participant of any felony,  whether or not involving or in
connection with his employment.


<PAGE>


     (b) Nonqualified Stock Options

     (i) If a Participant  ceases to be an employee by reason of his  retirement
at or after age 65,  permanent and total disability (as determined by the Board)
or termination by the Company other than "for cause", any unexercised portion of
his  Nonqualified  Stock Option shall expire three months after such retirement,
disability  or  termination,  as the case may be, and during such three  months'
period,  the Participant  shall have the same rights to exercise the unexercised
portion of his  Nonqualified  Stock Option as he would have had if he were still
an employee of the Company.  Notwithstanding  the  foregoing,  in no event shall
Nonqualified Stock Options be exercisable after the Expiration Date.

     (ii)If,  prior  to the  expiration  of any  Nonqualified  Stock  Option,  a
Participant shall die while an employee of the Company,  any unexercised portion
of such option  shall  expire one year after his death and during such  one-year
period his legal representative, heirs or legatees shall have the same rights to
exercise the unexercised portion of the option as the Participant would have had
if he were still an employee of the Company.  Notwithstanding the foregoing,  in
no event shall  nonqualifed  Stock Options be  exercisable  after the Expiration
Date.

     (iii)Except as provided in clauses (i) and (ii) of this Section 10(b), if a
Participant ceases employment for any reason prior to the Expiration Date of any
Nonqualified  Stock  Option,  the  unexercised  portion  of  such  option  shall
automatically terminate, unless the Board in its sole discretion shall determine
otherwise.

11.  Stock Appreciation Rights

     (a) Concurrently with each grant of a Nonqualified  Stock Option under this
Plan, the Board may grant a Participant a "Stock Appreciation Right" which shall
provide the  Participant the right to receive cash or, subject to the provisions
of Section  11(c)  hereof,  Common  Shares or a  combination  of cash and Common
Shares in lieu of the purchase of Common  Shares under such option.  Such rights
shall only be granted in conjunction with Nonqualified Stock Options and may not
be granted alone.

     (b) The amount to which a  Participant  shall be entitled upon the exercise
of any Stock  Appreciation  Right shall be  determined  by  multiplying  (i) the
number of Common  Shares with respect to which the Stock  Appreciation  Right is
exercised by (ii) the amount, if any, by which the Fair Market Value of a Common
Share  on  the  exercise  date  exceeds  the  exercise   price  of  the  related
Nonqualified  Stock Option.  Subject to the  provisions of Section 11(c) hereof,
such amount shall be paid, in either cash,  Common Shares  (valued at their Fair
Market  Value on the date the Stock  Appreciation  Rights are  exercised),  or a
combination of cash and Common Shares,  in the manner  specified by the Board in
its sole discretion.

     (c) Unless the Board, in its sole  discretion,  provides  otherwise,  Stock
Appreciation Rights shall be exercisable upon the same conditions as the related
Nonqualifed  Stock Option is  exercisable  under Sections 7, 8 and 10(b) hereof;
provided,  however,  that a Participant wishing to exercise a Stock Appreciation
Right shall give written notice of such exercise to the Board stating the number
of a  Nonqualified  Stock  Options  and Stock  Appreciation  Rights he wishes to
exercise at such time and the form of payment for the Stock Appreciation  Rights
he wishes to receive. The Board, in its sole discretion, shall determine whether
to honor the  Participant's  request to receive  cash upon the  exercise  of his
Stock  Appreciation  Rights.  The  Board  (i) may  condition  exercise  of Stock
Appreciation  Rights on the  Participant's  written agreement to hold all Common
Shares  received  upon exercise of the related  Nonqualified  Stock Option for a
period  of one  year,  (ii) in the case of any  Participant  whose  status  as a
director,  officer or  shareholder of the Company would subject him to liability
for "short swing" profits  pursuant to Section 16(b) of the Securities  Exchange
Act of 1934,  as amended,  to the extent  then in force,  shall limit the period


<PAGE>


during which Stock  Appreciation  Rights may be exercised  (in whole or in part)
for cash to the extent  necessary to exempt the  exercise of Stock  Appreciation
Rights  for cash from such  liability  and (iii) may  impose  any other  term or
condition on exercise which the Board deems appropriate.

     (d) The exercise of any Stock Appreciation Right shall reduce the number of
Common Shares subject to the related Nonqualified Stock Option.

12.  Restricted Stock Awards

     (a) The Board shall have the authority to award Participants  Common Shares
which shall be restricted as provided herein to avoid  immediate  taxation under
the Code.

     (b)Such restricted stock may not be sold, transferred or otherwise disposed
of and shall not be pledged or otherwise  hypothecated by a Participant,  except
as provided  below.  As a condition to the receipt of any Common Shares  awarded
under this Plan,  a  Participant  shall  execute  and  deliver to the Company an
instrument in writing,  in form approved by the Board,  wherein he agrees to the
above restrictions and the legending of the certificates representing his Common
Shares with respect  thereto.  Notwithstanding  such  restrictions,  however,  a
Participant  shall be entitled to receive all dividends  declared on and to vote
any Common  Shares  held by him and to all other  rights of a  stockholder  with
respect thereto.

     (c) If a Participant  terminates his employment for any reason,  his rights
with respect to any Common Shares which remain restricted  hereunder shall be as
provided in a written agreement between the Participant and the Company relating
to the award and forfeiture of shares hereunder.

     (d)  Subject to  subsection  (c) hereof or to the  extent  provided  in any
written  agreement between the Participant and the Company relating to the award
of Common Shares hereunder, the restrictions set forth in this Section 12 on the
sale,  transfer or other disposition and on the pledge or other hypothecation of
Common Shares  awarded under this Plan shall lapse ratably over a period of five
years from the date of award.

13.  Forfeiture of Benefits

     Notwithstanding  any other provision of this Plan, no payment of any unpaid
award shall be made,  and any and all  unexercised  options and all rights under
the Plan of a  Participant  who  received  such  award or  option  grant (or his
designated  beneficiary  or legal  representatives)  to the  payment or exercise
thereof,  shall be forfeited  if, prior to the time of such payment or exercise,
the Participant shall (i) be employed by a competitor of, or shall be engaged in
any activity in  competition  with, the Company  without the Company's  consent,
(ii)  divulge   without  the  Company's   consent  any  secret  or  confidential
information  belonging to the Company,  or (iii) engage in any other  activities
which  would  constitute  grounds  for  termination  "for  cause," as defined in
Section 10 of this Plan.

14.  Payments on Death

     If a Participant dies before receiving full payment of all amounts to which
he is entitled under this Plan, the remaining payments shall be paid when due to
his  designated   beneficiary,   as  designated  in  such  Participant's  Option
Agreement, or, in the absence of such designation, to his estate.

15.  Transferability of Options and Awards

     A Participant's  rights and interest under the Plan (including the right to
payment of unpaid installments of awards or the exercise of unexercised options)


<PAGE>


may not be assigned or transferred except, in the case of a Participant's death,
to the person or persons to whom the option shall have been  transferred by will
or the laws of descent and distribution.

16.  Amendment and Termination

     The Board may at any time and from time to time terminate,  modify or amend
the Plan in any  respect;  provided,  however,  that  unless  also  approved  or
ratified by a vote of the holders of the outstanding shares of the capital stock
of the Company  entitled to a majority of the voting power of the  Company,  any
such modification or amendment shall not (subject, however, to the provisions of
Section 9 hereof);  (i) increase the maximum  number of Common  Shares for which
options and awards may be granted  under the Plan;  (ii) reduce the option price
at which  options may be granted;  (iii) extend the period  during which options
may be granted or exercised beyond the times originally prescribed;  (iv) change
the persons  eligible to  participate in the Plan; or (v) increase the number of
options or awards that may be granted to a Participant  or  materially  increase
the  benefits  accruing to  Participants  under the Plan.  No such  termination,
modification  or  amendment  may  affect the  rights of a  Participant  under an
outstanding option or the grantee of an award. Nevertheless, with the consent of
the Participant affected, the Committee may amend outstanding options and awards
in a manner not inconsistent with the terms of the Plan.

17.  Funding of Plans

     This Plan shall be unfunded. The Company shall not be required to establish
any  special  or  separate  fund or to make any other  segregation  of assets to
assure the payment of any option or award under this Plan and payment of options
and  awards  shall  be  subordinate  to  the  claims  of the  Company's  general
creditors. In no event shall interest be paid or accrued on any option or award,
including unpaid installments of options or awards.

18.  Rights of Participant

     No  Participant or other person shall have any claim or right to be granted
an option or award  under this  Plan.  Neither  this Plan nor any  action  taken
hereunder  shall be construed as giving any Participant any right to be retained
in the employ of the Company.

19.  Rights as a Stockholder

     A  Participant  or a  transferee  of an  option  shall  have no rights as a
stockholder  with  respect to any Common  Share  covered by his option  until he
shall  have  become  the  holder of record of such  share,  and except for stock
dividends  as  provided  in Section 9 hereof,  no  adjustment  shall be made for
dividends  (ordinary  or  extraordinary,  whether in cash,  securities  or other
property)  or  distributions  or other rights in respect of such share for which
the  record  date is prior to the date on which he shall  become  the  holder of
record thereof.

20.  Agreements with Participants

     Each award or grant made  under this Plan shall be  evidenced  by a written
instrument containing such terms and conditions as the Board shall approve. Each
such  agreement  shall  provide  that,  as a  condition  to the  award  or grant
evidenced  thereby,  the  Participant  agrees that the Company  shall arrange to
deduct from any payments of any kind otherwise due to the  Participant  from the
Company or a Subsidiary,  the aggregate amount of federal,  state or local taxes
of any kind required by law to be withheld with respect  thereto,  or if no such
payments are due or become due to the  Participant,  that the Participant  shall


<PAGE>


pay to the Company,  or make arrangements  satisfactory to the Company regarding
the payment to it of, the aggregate amount of such taxes.

21.  Requirements for Issuance of Shares

     No Common Shares shall be issued or transferred  hereunder unless and until
all legal  requirements  applicable  to the  issuance or transfer of such shares
have been complied with to the  satisfaction of the Board.  The Board shall have
the right to condition  any award or the  issuance of Common  Shares made to any
Participant  hereunder on such  Participant's  undertaking  in writing to comply
with such restrictions on his subsequent disposition of such shares as the Board
shall deem necessary or advisable as a result of any applicable law,  regulation
or official  interpretation  thereof, and certificates  representing such shares
may be legended to reflect any such restrictions.

22.  Headings

     Section headings are for reference only. In the event of a conflict between
a title and the content of a Section, the content of the Section shall control.

23.  Effective Date and Designation of the Board

     Subject to the  approval  of the  Company's  stockholders  entitled to vote
hereon,  this Plan shall be effective as of September 1, 1988 and shall continue
in effect thereafter until terminated or suspended by the Board.






                                                                    EXHIBIT 10.4

                                    RESTATED

                         CONTINENTAL HOMES HOLDING CORP.

                            1986 STOCK INCENTIVE PLAN

1.       Purposes
         The purposes of the 1986 Stock  Incentive  Plan (the "Plan") are (i) to
provide  incentives to those key employees whose  performance will contribute to
the  long-term  success  and growth of  Continental  Homes  Holding  Corp.  (the
"Company"),  (ii) to strengthen the ability of the Company to attract and retain
employees  of high  competence,  (iii) to increase  the identity of interests of
such employees with those of the Company's stockholders,  and (iv) to help build
loyalty  to the  Company  through  recognition  and the  opportunity  for  stock
ownership.
2.       Elements of the Plan
          The Plan provides the Company's  Board of Directors (the "Board") with
the  discretion  to grant  or  award  participants  incentives  relating  to the
Company's common stock, par value $.10 per share ("Common Stock"), utilizing (1)
incentive  stock options,  (2)  nonqualified  stock options which may be coupled
with stock  appreciation  rights and/or (3) restricted stock. These benefits may
be granted to participants  singly or in any  combination  which the Board deems
appropriate.
3.       Shares Subject to the Plan
         The maximum  aggregate  number of shares as to which  awards or options
may at any time be granted  under  this Plan  shall be 200,000  shares of Common
Stock,  subject to adjustment  after the effective  date set forth in Section 24
hereof as  provided  in Section 22 hereof.  Such  shares of Common  Stock may be
either   authorized  but  unissued  shares,  or  shares  previously  issued  and
reacquired by the Company.  If and to the extent options  granted under the Plan
terminate,  expire or are  canceled  without  having been  exercised,  or if any

                                        1
<PAGE>


shares of restricted  stock are forfeited,  the shares subject to such option or
award shall again be available for purposes of the Plan.
4.       Plan Administration
         The Plan shall be  administered  by the Board.  The Board may  delegate
this or any other  authority  granted to it hereunder to a committee which shall
consist of at least  three  members of the Board  (the  "Incentive  Compensation
Committee"). No member of the Incentive Compensation Committee shall be eligible
to  participate  in the  Plan,  if  authority  to  administer  the Plan has been
delegated to the Committee (any references herein to the "Board" shall be deemed
to refer to either  the Board or the  Incentive  Compensation  Committee  if the
Board has delegated administrative authority to such committee). The Board shall
have the sole  authority  to  determine  (a) the  employees  to whom options and
awards  shall be  granted  under the Plan;  (b) the type,  size and terms of the
awards to be made to each  employee  selected;  (c) the time when awards will be
granted  and the  duration of the  exercise  period;  and (d) any other  matters
arising  under the Plan.  The Board  shall  have  full  power and  authority  to
administer and interpret the Plan and to adopt or amend such rules, regulations,
agreements  and  instruments  for  implementing  the Plan and for conduct of its
business as it deems necessary or advisable.  The Board's interpretations of the
Plan and all  determinations  made by the Board pursuant to the powers vested in
it hereunder  shall be conclusive and binding on all persons having any interest
in the Plan or in any awards granted hereunder.
         A majority  of the Board  shall  constitute  a quorum for  purposes  of
meetings  which may be held at such times and  places and on such  notice as the
Board deems  appropriate.  All actions and  determinations of the Board shall be
made by not less than a majority  of its members and may be made at a meeting or
by written consent in lieu of a meeting. 
5.       Eligibility for Participation

                                        2

<PAGE>


         Officers and other key employees of the Company or any  subsidiary  (as
defined in Section 425(f) of the Internal Revenue Code, as amended (the "Code"))
of the Company (a  "Subsidiary")  shall be eligible to  participate  in the Plan
(the  "Participants").  A director of the Company or any  Subsidiary  who is not
also an  employee  of the  Company  or a  Subsidiary  will  not be  eligible  to
participate  in the Plan.  Nothing  contained in this Plan shall be construed to
limit the right of the Company or any Subsidiary to grant options otherwise than
under this Plan in connection with the acquisition,  by purchase, lease, merger,
consolidation,  or otherwise, of the business or assets of any corporation, firm
or  association,  including  options  granted to  employees  thereof  who become
employees  of the  Company  or a  Subsidiary,  or  for  other  proper  corporate
purposes. 

6.       Granting of Options
         (a)  The Board  shall have the right to grant  Participants  "Incentive
Stock Options" within the meaning of Section 422A of the Code and/or other stock
options  on the  terms and  conditions  set forth  herein  ("Nonqualified  Stock
Options") or any combination of Incentive Stock Options and  Nonqualified  Stock
Options.  The  purchase  price  of each  share of  Common  Stock  subject  to an
Incentive  Stock  Option shall be the fair market value of a share of such stock
on the date the Incentive Stock option is granted,  provided,  however, that any
Incentive  Stock Option  granted to a Participant  who owns more than 10% of the
total  combined  voting  power of all  classes  of stock of the  Company  or any
Subsidiary  shall not be less than 110% of such fair market value.  The purchase
price of each share of Common Stock subject to a Nonqualified Stock Option shall
be determined by the Board on or before the date such Nonqualified  Stock Option
is granted,  but may not be less than 85% of the fair market value of the shares
of Common Stock on the date of grant. The fair market value of a share of Common
Stock on any date  shall be its  closing  price on such date (or,  if no closing

                                        3

<PAGE>


price is so reported,  the average of the "bid" and "ask" prices) as reported in
the Wall Street Journal or other comparable source identified by the Board.
         (b) The  aggregate  fair  market  value  (determined  as of the date of
grant) of the  shares of Common  Stock for which a  Participant  may be  granted
Incentive  Stock  Options in any calendar year under this Plan or any other plan
maintained  by the Company or any  Subsidiary  may not exceed  $100,000 plus any
"unused limit  carryover"  applicable to such year.  Such unused limit carryover
shall be determined in accordance with the provisions of Section  422A)(c)(4) of
the Code.
         (c) The Board may prescribe  such other terms as it deems  desirable or
as may be necessary to qualify the grant of Incentive  Stock  Options  under the
provisions  of  Section  422A  of  the  Code.   The  Board  may  also  authorize
acceleration of the exercise of an option or installment thereof.
         (d) The Board may grant at any time new  Incentive  Stock  Options to a
Participant who has previously received Incentive Stock Options or other options
whether  such  prior   Incentive  Stock  Options  or  other  options  are  still
outstanding, have previously been exercised in whole or in part, or are canceled
in connection  with the issuance of new Incentive  Stock  Options.  However,  no
Incentive  Stock Option shall be  exercisable  by a  Participant  while there is
outstanding any Incentive Stock Option previously granted to such Participant to
purchase  shares of Common Stock in the Company,  until such option is exercised
in full or expires by reason of lapse of time.
7.       Term of Options
         Unless  the option agreement pursuant to which options are granted (the
"Option  Agreement")  provides  otherwise,  options  granted  hereunder shall be
exercisable  for a term of ten  years  from the date of grant  (the  "Expiration
Date").

                                        4

<PAGE>


8.       Exercise of Options
         (a) Unless the Option  Agreement  provides  otherwise,  options granted
hereunder shall be exercisable for cash (or any other property (including shares
of Common Stock or promissory notes) deemed acceptable by the Board). Unless the
Board  provides  otherwise  and such  provision is reflected in the terms of the
Option   Agreement,   Incentive   Stock  Options  will  become   exercisable  in
installments,  on a cumulative basis at a rate of twenty-five percent (25%) each
year,  beginning at the first  anniversary of the date of grant. No Nonqualified
Stock  Option  will  become  exercisable  prior to six months  after the date of
grant;  thereafter,  Nonqualified  Stock Options will become exercisable at such
time and for such  number of shares of Common  Stock as the  Board,  in its sole
discretion,  shall  determine.  No fractional  shares,  or cash in lieu thereof,
shall be issued under this Plan or under any option granted hereunder. Except as
otherwise  provided herein,  no option may be exercised at any time,  unless the
holder  is then a  regular  employee  of the  Company  or a  Subsidiary  and has
continuously  remained an employee at all times (other than on an absence for an
approved  leave of absence or  service  in the Armed  Forces)  since the date of
grant of such option.
         (b) Options shall be exercised by a Participant  giving  written notice
of such exercise to the Company, provided that an option may not be exercised at
any one time as to less  than 100  shares of  Common  Stock  (or such  number of
shares of Common Stock as to which the option is then  exercisable  if less than
100).
         (c)  An  Incentive   Stock  Option  shall  be   exercisable   during  a
Participant's lifetime only by the Participant.
         (d)  Options shall be  exercisable  for cash or its equivalent in value
acceptable to the Company at the time of exercise.

                                        5

<PAGE>


9.       Merger, etc.
         In the  event of a  corporate  merger  or  consolidation  in which  the
Company is the  surviving  corporation,  or the  acquisition  by the  Company of
property  or  stock  of  another  corporation  or any  reorganization  or  other
transaction  qualifying  under Section  425(a) of the Code,  the Board may, with
respect to outstanding options under this Plan (1) permit the immediate exercise
of such  options,  whether or not such  options are then  exercisable  under the
terms of this Plan or (2) in accordance  with the  provisions of that Section of
the Code,  substitute  for such  options,  options  under a plan of the acquired
corporation,  provided that (a) the excess of the aggregate fair market value of
the shares of Common stock subject to option  immediately after the substitution
over the  aggregate  option  price of such  shares is not more than the  similar
excess immediately before such substitution and (b) the new option does not give
the  Participant  additional  benefits,  including any extension of the exercise
period.

                                        6

<PAGE>


10.      Exercise on Termination of Employment
         (a)      Incentive Stock Options
                  If a  Participant  ceases  to be an  employee  (other  than by
reason of death or  disability  within the meaning of Section  105(d)(4)  of the
Code),  any unexercised  portion of his Incentive Stock Option shall  terminate.
If, prior to the Expiration Date, a Participant shall cease to be an employee by
reason of death or  disability  within the meaning of Section  105(d)(4)  of the
Code, he (or, in the event of the Participant's  death, his estate) may exercise
any Incentive  Stock Options he holds for a period of one year after the date of
cessation of  employment  to the extent that it was  exercisable  at the time of
such  cessation.  Thereafter,  any  unexercised  portion  of  the  option  shall
terminate.  In no event shall  Incentive  Stock  Options be exercised  after the
Expiration Date.
         (b)      Nonqualified Stock Options
                  (i)  If a  Participant  terminates  employment  prior  to  the
expiration  of a  Nonqualified  Stock Option by reason of his  retirement  at or
after age 65 or permanent and total disability (as determined by the Board), any
unexercised  portion of his Nonqualified  Stock Option shall expire three months
after such  retirement or disability,  as the case may be, and during such three
months'  period,  the  Optionee  shall  have the same  rights  to  exercise  the
unexercised  portion of his Nonqualified Stock Option as he would have had if he
were still an employee of the Company.
                  (ii) If, prior to the  expiration of any  Non-qualified  Stock
Option,  a  Participant  shall  die  while  an  employee  of  the  Company,  any
unexercised  portion of such  option  shall  expire one year after his death and
during such one-year period his legal  representatives,  heirs or legatees shall
have the same rights to exercise  the  unexercised  portion of the option as the
Participant would have had if he were still an employee of the Company.

                                        7

<PAGE>


                  (iii)  Except  as  provided  in  clauses  (i) and (ii) of this
Section 10(b),  if a Participant  terminates  employment for any reason prior to
the expiration of any Nonqualified Stock Option, the unexercised portion of such
option shall  automatically  terminate,  unless the Board in its sole discretion
shall determine otherwise.
         11.      Stock Appreciation Rights
                  (a) Concurrently with each  Nonqualified  Stock Option granted
under this Plan, the Board may grant a Participant a "Stock  Appreciation Right"
which shall  provide the  Participant  the right to receive  cash in lieu of the
purchase of shares of Common Stock under such option.  Such rights shall only be
granted in conjunction  with  Nonqualified  Stock Options and may not be granted
alone.
                  (b) The amount to which a  Participant  shall be entitled upon
the exercise of any Stock  Appreciation Right shall be determined by multiplying
(i) the  number  of  shares  of Common  Stock  with  respect  to which the Stock
Appreciation  Right is exercised  by (ii) the amount,  if any, by which the fair
market  value of a share  of  Common  Stock on the  exercise  date  exceeds  the
exercise price of the related Nonqualified Stock Option.
                  (c)  Unless  the  Board,  in its sole  discretion  ,  provides
otherwise,  Stock  Appreciation  Rights  shall  be  exercisable  upon  the  same
conditions  as the  related  Nonqualified  Stock  Option  is  exercisable  under
Sections  7, 8 and  10(b)  hereof.  The  Board,  in its sole  discretion,  shall
determine whether to honor the Participant's  exercise of his Stock Appreciation
Rights. The Board (i) may condition exercise of Stock Appreciation Rights on the
Participant's written agreement to hold all shares of Common Stock received upon
exercise of the related Nonqualified Stock Option for a period of one year, (ii)
in the case of any Participant whose status as a director, officer or

                                        8

<PAGE>


stockholder  of the Company  would  subject him to liability  for "short  swing"
profits  pursuant to Section  16(b) of the  Securities  Exchange Act of 1934, as
amended,  to the extent then in force, shall limit the period during which Stock
Appreciation  Rights  may be  exercised  (in  whole or in part)  for cash to the
extent  necessary to exempt the exercise of Stock  Appreciation  Rights for cash
from such liability and (iii) may impose any other term or condition on exercise
which the Board deems appropriate.
                  (d) The exercise of any Stock  Appreciation Right shall reduce
the number of shares of Common Stock subject to the related  Nonqualified  Stock
Option.
12.      Restricted Stock Awards
                  (a) The Board shall have the  authority to award  Participants
shares of Common  Stock which shall be  restricted  as provided  herein to avoid
immediate taxation under the Code.
                  (b) Such  restricted  stock  may not be sold,  transferred  or
otherwise  disposed of and shall not be pledged or otherwise  hypothecated  by a
Participant,  except as provided  below.  As a  condition  to the receipt of any
shares of Common stock awarded under this Plan, a Participant  shall execute and
deliver to the Company an instrument in writing,  in form approved by the Board,
wherein  he  agrees  to  the  above   restrictions  and  the  legending  of  the
certificates  representing  his  shares of Common  Stock with  respect  thereto.
Notwithstanding  such restrictions,  however, a Participant shall be entitled to
receive all dividends declared on and to vote any shares of Common Stock held by

                                        9

<PAGE>


him and to all other rights of a stockholder with respect thereto.
                  (c) If a Participant terminates his employment for any reason,
his rights with respect to any shares of Common  Stock which  remain  restricted
hereunder  shall be as provided in a written  agreement  between the Participant
and the Company relating to the award and forfeiture of shares hereunder.
                  (d) Subject to subsection (c) hereof or to the extent provided
in any written agreement between the Participant and the Company relating to the
award of shares of Common Stock  hereunder,  the  restrictions set forth in this
Section 12 on the sale, transfer or other disposition and on the pledge or other
hypothecation  of shares of Common  Stock  awarded  under this Plan shall  lapse
ratably over a period of five years from the date of award.  
13.      Forfeiture of Benefits
         Notwithstanding  any other  provision  of this Plan,  no payment of any
unpaid  award shall be made and any and all  unexercised  options and all rights
under the Plan of  Participant  who received  such award or option grant (or his
designated  beneficiary  or legal  representatives)  to the  payment or exercise
thereof  shall be  forfeited  if, prior to the time of such payment or exercise,
the Participant shall (i) be employed by a competitor of, or shall be engaged in
any activity in competition with the Company without the Company's consent, (ii)
divulge   without  the  consent  of  the  Company  any  secret  or  confidential
information  belonging to the Company,  or (iii) engage in any other  activities
which would constitute grounds for his discharge by the Company for cause.


                                       10

<PAGE>


14.      Payments on Death
         If a former  Participant  whose  employment  has been  terminated  dies
before  receiving full payment of all amounts to which he is entitled under this
Plan,  the  remaining  payments  shall  be  paid  when  due  to  his  designated
beneficiary or, in the absence of such designation, to his estate.
15.      Transferability of Options and Awards
         A  Participant's  rights and interests  under the Plan  (including  the
right to payment of unpaid installments of awards or the exercise of unexercised
options)  may  not  be  assigned  or  transferred  except,  in  the  case  of  a
Participant's  death, to his designated  beneficiary as provided in the Plan or,
in the  absence  of  such  designation,  by  will or the  laws  of  descent  and
distribution. 
16.      Amendment and Termination
         The Board may at any time and from  time to time  terminate,  modify or
amend the Plan in any respect;  provided,  however, that unless also approved or
ratified by a vote of the majority of the holders of the  outstanding  shares of
the capital stock of the Company entitled to vote thereon, any such modification
or amendment shall not (subject, however, to the provisions of Sections 9 and 22
hereof):  (i)  increase  the maximum  number of shares of Common Stock for which
options and awards may be granted  under the Plan;  (ii) reduce the option price
at which  options may be granted;  (iii) extend the period  during which options
may be granted or exercised beyond the times originally prescribed;  (iv) change
the persons  eligible to  participate in the Plan; or (v) increase the number of
options or awards  that may be granted to a  Participant.  No such  termination,
modification  or  amendment  may  affect  the  rights  of an  Optionee  under an
outstanding option or the grantee of an award. Nevertheless, with the consent of
the Participant affected, the Board may amend outstanding options or awards in a
manner not inconsistent with the terms of the Plan.

                                       11

<PAGE>


17.      Funding of Plans
          This Plan shall be  unfunded.  The  Company  shall not be  required to
establish  any  special or  separate  fund or to make any other  segregation  of
assets to assure the  payment of any award under this Plan and payment of awards
shall be subordinate  to the claims of the Company's  general  creditors.  In no
event  shall  interest  be  paid  or  accrued  on any  award,  including  unpaid
installments of awards.
18.      Rights of Participants
         No  Participant  or other  person  shall  have any claim or right to be
granted  an award  under  this  Plan.  Neither  this Plan nor any  action  taken
hereunder shall be construed as giving any Participant any rights to be retained
in the employ of the Company.
19.      Withholding of Taxes
         The  Company  shall  have the right to deduct  from all awards  paid in
cash any  federal,  state or local taxes  required  by law to be  withheld  with
respect to such cash  awards and, in the case of awards paid in shares of Common
Stock,  the Participant or other person  receiving such shares shall be required
to pay to the Company the amount of any such taxes which the Company is required
to withhold with respect to such stock awards.
20.      Agreements with Participants
         Each  award  or grant made  under  this Plan  shall be  evidenced  by a
written  instrument  containing  such terms and  conditions  as the Board  shall
approve.
21.      Requirements for Issuance of Shares
         No shares of Common Stock shall be issued or  transferred  upon payment
of  any  award  payable  hereunder  unless  and  until  all  legal  requirements
applicable to the issuance or transfer or such shares have been complied with to

                                       12

<PAGE>


the  satisfaction of the Board.  The Board shall have the right to condition any
award or issuance of shares of Common Stock made to any Participant hereunder on
such  Participant's  undertaking in writing to comply with such  restrictions on
his  subsequent  disposition of such shares as the Board shall deem necessary or
advisable  as  a  result  of  any   applicable   law,   regulation  or  official
interpretation  thereof,  and  certificates  representing  such  shares  may  be
legended to reflect any such restrictions.
22.      Effect of Certain Changes
         (a) If there is any  change in the  number  of  shares of Common  Stock
through the declaration of stock dividends,  or through the declaration of stock
dividends,   or  through   recapitalization   resulting  in  stock  splits,   or
combinations  or exchanges of such shares,  the number of shares of Common Stock
available  for  options  or awards  and the  number of such  shares  covered  by
outstanding  options or awards,  and the price per share of such  options or the
applicable  market  value of awards,  shall be  proportionately  adjusted by the
Board to reflect any  increase  or  decrease  in the number of issued  shares of
Common Stock; provided,  however, that any fractional shares resulting from such
adjustment shall be eliminated.
          (b) In the event of a dissolution or liquidation of the Company, or in
the event of any corporate  separation or division,  including,  but not limited
to, split-up, split-off or spin-off, or any merger or consolidation in which the
Company is not the surviving  corporation or in which the outstanding  shares of
Common Stock are converted  into a right to receive cash,  the Board may provide
that the holder of each option or award then exercisable shall have the right to
exercise such option (at its then option price) or award solely for the kind and
amount  of  shares  of  stock  and  other  securities,  property,  cash  or  any
combination thereof receivable upon such dissolution, liquidation,  or corporate

                                       13

<PAGE>


separation  or division by a holder of the number of shares of Common  Stock for
which such option or award might have been exercised  immediately  prior to such
dissolution,  liquidation, or corporate separation or division; or the Board may
provide,  in the alternative,  that each option and award granted under the Plan
shall terminate as of a date to be fixed by the Board;  provided,  however, that
not less than thirty (30) days  preceding such  termination  (i) to exercise the
options as to all or any part of the  shares of Common  Stock  covered  thereby,
including shares of Common Stock as to which such options would not otherwise be
exercisable,  and (ii) to exercise any or all of such awards,  including  awards
which would not otherwise be exercisable.
23.      Headings
         Section  headings are for  reference  only.  In the event of a conflict
between a title and the content of a Section,  the content of the Section  shall
control.
24.      Effective Date and Designation of the Board
         Subject to the approval of the Company's stockholders,  this Plan shall
be effective as of May 31, 1986 and shall  continue in effect  thereafter  until
terminated or suspended by the Board.

                                       14

<PAGE>


                                      FIRST
                                AMENDMENT TO THE
                  1986 RESTATED CONTINENTAL HOMES HOLDING CORP.
                              STOCK INCENTIVE PLAN
                 -----------------------------------------------



         WHEREAS,  Continental Homes Holding Corp. (the "Company") maintains the
Restated  1986 Stock  Incentive  Plan,  a copy of which is attached  hereto (the
"Plan"); and
         WHEREAS,  the Tax  Reform  Act of 1986 (the  "1986  Act")  amended  the
requirements under the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 (the "Code"), pertaining to
"incentive stock options;" and
         WHEREAS,  the Company desires to amend the Plan as hereinafter provided
in order to assure the continued  qualification  of options under the Plan under
Section 422A of the Code;
         NOW, THEREFORE, the Plan is hereby amended,  effective as of January 1,
1987, as follows:
                                      FIRST
         Section  6(b)  of the Plan is hereby amended to read in its entirety as
         follows:
                  "(b) The aggregate  fair  market  value  (determined as of the
         date of grant) of the shares of Common Stock subject to Incentive Stock
         Options  granted on or after January 1, 1987 that are  exercisable  for
         the first  time by any  Participant  in any  calendar  year  (under all
         incentive stock option plans of the Company and any  Subsidiary)  shall
         not exceed $100,000."

                                     SECOND
         Section  6(d) of the  Plan is  hereby  amended  by  deleting  the  last
         sentence thereof.


                                        1

<PAGE>


                                      THIRD
         Section 10(a) of the Plan is hereby amended by  substituting  reference
         to "Section 22(e)(3)" for the reference to "Section 10.5(d)(4)," as the
         latter appears in the third and seventh line thereof.
                                     FOURTH
         Except as amended herein, the Plan is hereby ratified and confirmed and
         shall  continue  in full  force and  effect.  This  Amendment  shall be
         effective as of January 1, 1987.

         IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Company has executed this Amendment as evidence
of its adoption this 17th day of June, 1987.
                     ----

                                          CONTINENTAL HOMES HOLDING CORP.

                                          By:/s/ Donald R. Loback     
                                             -----------------------------------

                                        2



                                                                    EXHIBIT 10.5

                      NON-QUALIFIED STOCK OPTION AGREEMENT



         ____________________  (the "Participant") and Continental Homes Holding
Corp., a Delaware corporation (the "Company"), agree:

         1. This Non-Qualified  Stock Option Agreement  evidences a stock option
granted under the Continental Homes Holding Corp. 1986/1988 Stock Incentive Plan
(the  "Plan"),  the terms and  provisions  of which are  incorporated  herein by
reference.

         2. Subject to the terms of the Plan and this  Agreement,  the committee
of the  Board of  Directors  of the  Company  which  administers  the Plan  (the
"Committee")  hereby grants the  Participant as of  _________________  an option
(the  "Option"),  to  purchase  all or any part of  ____________  shares  of the
Company's  common stock, par value of $.01 per share ("Common Stock") at a price
of ____________ per share (the "Option  Price"),  which is the fair market value
per share of the Common Stock on the date of grant specified above.

         3.  (a) The  Option  evidenced  by this  Agreement  shall  commence  on
____________,  shall be  exercisable  beginning  twelve months after the date of
grant of the Option, and subject to the provisions of paragraph (c) below, shall
terminate  on  ____________  (the  "Expiration   Date").  The  Option  shall  be
exercisable  by the Optionee in cumulative  installments  of twenty five percent
(25%) of the shares covered by the Option, as follows:


                                                     CUMULATIVE
                                                      NUMBER OF
                                                    SHARES AS TO
                                                  WHICH THE OPTION
                     DATE                          IS EXERCISABLE
    On or after
               -----------------           --------------------------------
    On or after
               -----------------           --------------------------------
    On or after
               -----------------           --------------------------------
    On or after
               -----------------           --------------------------------

                  (b) During this  period,  the Option may be exercised in whole
or part from time to time,  provided that the Option may not be exercised at any
one time as to less than 100  shares  (or such  number of shares as to which the
Option is then exercisable if less than 100).

                  (c) To the  extent  that an  Option is not  exercised  when it
becomes  initially  exercisable,  it shall be carried forward and be exercisable
until the expiration of the term of such Option.


<PAGE>


                  (d) Except as provided,  in clauses (i) and (ii) below, if the
Participant ceases to be an employee of the Company,  any unexercised portion of
his Option shall automatically terminate.

                  (i) In the  Event  that a  Participant  terminates  employment
         prior to the  Expiration  Date by reason of  retirement at or after age
         65, any  unexercised  portion of his Option  shall  expire three months
         after  such  retirement,  and  during  such  three  months'  period the
         Participant  shall have the same rights to exercise  the portion of his
         Option as he would have had if he were an employee of the Company.

                  (ii) If prior to the Expiration Date a Participant shall cease
         to be an employee  by reason of death or  disability,  any  unexercised
         portion  of his  Option  shall  expire  12  months  after  his death or
         disability,  and during such 12 month period he (or in the event of the
         Participant's death, his estate or the person who acquires the right to
         exercise  such  option by  bequest or  inheritance  or by reason of his
         death) may exercise any unexercised portion of his Option to the extent
         it was  exercisable  at the  time of such  cessation.  Thereafter,  any
         unexercised portion of the Option shall expire.

In no event shall the Option be exercised after the Expiration Date.

         4. The Option  shall be exercised  by written  notice  delivered to the
Secretary  of the  Company  at the  Company's  principal  office in  Scottsdale,
Arizona.  The notice shall  specify the number of shares for which the Option is
being  exercised  and,  if the  Option is being  exercised  for  cash,  shall be
accompanied  by a check,  cash or money order in the full amount of the purchase
price.

         5.       (a) The Option shall be nontransferable except, in the case of
the Participant's  death, to his designated  beneficiary as provided in the Plan
or, in the  absence  of such  designation,  by will or the laws of  descent  and
distribution, and shall be exercisable during the Participant's lifetime only by
him.

                  (b) Except as  otherwise  provided  in this  Agreement  or the
Plan, the Option may not be exercised,  unless the Participant is then a regular
employee of the Company and has  continuously  remained an employee at all times
(other  than on an absence  for an  approved  leave of absence or service in the
Armed Forces) since the date of grant of the Option.

                  (c)  Notwithstanding  any other provision of this Agreement or
the Plan, the  Participant (or his  beneficiary or legal  representative)  shall
forfeit any  unexercised  part of the Option and all rights under this Agreement
or the Plan to the exercise thereof if, prior to the time of such exercise,  the
Participant shall (i) be employed by a competitor of, or shall be engaged in any
activity in competition  with the Company  without the Company's  consent,  (ii)
divulge any secret or confidential  information belonging to the Company without
the  Company's  consent,  or (iii)  engage in any other  activities  which would
constitute grounds for his discharge by the Company for cause.


<PAGE>


                  (d) Nothing  contained in this  Agreement or in the Plan shall
confer upon the  Participant  any right to be employed by, or to be continued in
the employ of, the Company or interfere in any way with the right of the Company
to terminate his employment at any time.

         6.       (a) In the event of a corporate  merger or  consolidation,  or
the  acquisition  by the Company of property or stock of another  corporation or
any  reorganization or other transaction  qualifying under Section 425(a) of the
Code, the Committee may (1) permit the immediate exercise of the Option, whether
or not the Option is then exercisable  under the terms of this Agreement and the
Plan or (2) in accordance  with the  provisions of the Code,  substitute for the
Option,  an option under a plan of the acquired  corporation,  provided that (a)
the excess of the  aggregate  fair market value of the shares  subject to option
immediately  after the  substitution  over the  aggregate  option  price of such
shares is not more than the similar excess  immediately before such substitution
and (b) the new  option  does  not  give the  Participant  additional  benefits,
including any extension of the Expiration Date.

                  (b) If there is any  change in the  number of shares of Common
Stock through the declaration of stock  dividends,  or through  recapitalization
resulting in stock  splits,  or  combinations  or exchanges of such shares,  the
number of such  shares  covered  by the  Option,  and the price per share of the
Option,  shall be  proportionately  adjusted  by the  Committee  to reflect  any
increase or decrease in the number of issued  shares of Common  Stock;  provided
however,  that any fractional  shares  resulting from such  adjustment  shall be
eliminated.

                  (c)  In the  event  of a  dissolution  or  liquidation  of the
Company, or in the event of any corporate separation or division, including, but
not limited to, split-up,  split-off or spin-off, the Committee may provide that
the  Participant  shall  have the right to  exercise  the  Option if it was then
exercisable  (at its then option price) solely for the kind and amount of shares
of  stock  and  other  securities,  property,  cash or any  combination  thereof
receivable  upon such  dissolution,  liquidation,  or  corporate  separation  or
division  by a holder of the  number  of  shares  of Common  Stock for which the
Option  might  have  been  exercised  immediately  prior  to  such  dissolution,
liquidation,  or corporate separation or division; or the Committee may provide,
in the alternative,  that the Option shall terminate as of a date to be fixed by
the Committee;  provided,  however, that not less than thirty (30) days' written
notice  of the  date  so  fixed  shall  be  given  to the  Participant  and  the
Participant  shall  have the  right,  during  the  period  of  thirty  (30) days
preceding such termination,  to exercise the Option as to all or any part of the
Common Stock covered thereby,  including shares as to which the Option would not
otherwise be exercisable.

                  (d) No Common  Stock shall be issued under the Plan unless and
until all legal requirements applicable to the issuance of such shares have been
complied with to the satisfaction of the Committee. The Committee shall have the
right to  condition  any  issuance  of Common  Stock to the  Participant  on the
Participant's  undertaking  in writing to comply with such  restrictions  on his
subsequent  disposition of such shares as the Committee  shall deem necessary or
advisable  as  a  result  of  any   applicable   law,   regulation  or  official
interpretation  thereof,  and  certificates  representing  such  shares  may  be
legended to reflect any such restrictions.

<PAGE>


         7. The  Company  shall not be liable in the event it is unable to issue
or sell shares of Common Stock  pursuant to this  Agreement if such  issuance or
sale would be unlawful,  nor shall the Company be liable if the issuance or sale
of  shares  of  Common  Stock  pursuant  to  this   Agreement  is   subsequently
invalidated.

                                            PARTICIPANT



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


                                            CONTINENTAL HOMES HOLDING CORP.



                                            By 
                                              ----------------------------------


Dated:  ______________, 1998





<TABLE> <S> <C>


<ARTICLE>                     5
<LEGEND>
     This schedule contains summary financial information extracted from the 
     Consolidated Balance Sheets and Consolidated Statements of Income found on
     pages 3 and 4 of the Company's Form 10-Q for the year-to-date, and is
     qualified in its entirety by reference to such financial statements.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER>                                         1,000
       
<S>                             <C>
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   9-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                              SEP-30-1998
<PERIOD-START>                                 OCT-01-1997
<PERIOD-END>                                   JUN-30-1998
<CASH>                                             112,747
<SECURITIES>                                             0
<RECEIVABLES>                                            0
<ALLOWANCES>                                             0
<INVENTORY>                                      1,291,283
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                                 1,470,338
<PP&E>                                              24,264
<DEPRECIATION>                                           0
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                   1,621,868
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                              219,783
<BONDS>                                                  0
                                    0
                                              0
<COMMON>                                               533
<OTHER-SE>                                         492,034
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                     1,621,868
<SALES>                                          1,475,857
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                                 1,490,020
<CGS>                                            1,210,117
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                    1,210,117
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                         0
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                         0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                                  10,497
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                    101,506
<INCOME-TAX>                                        40,602
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                                 60,904
<DISCONTINUED>                                           0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                          0
<CHANGES>                                                0
<NET-INCOME>                                        60,904
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                         1.15
<EPS-DILUTED>                                         1.02
        


</TABLE>


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