DEWOLFE COMPANIES INC
10-Q, 1998-08-13
REAL ESTATE AGENTS & MANAGERS (FOR OTHERS)
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                                  UNITED STATES

                       SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
                             WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549
                                    FORM 10-Q

                 (X) QUARTERLY REPORT UNDER 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 1-11278

                           THE DEWOLFE COMPANIES, INC.
             (Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)


   MASSACHUSETTS                                        04-2895334
   -------------                                        ----------
   (State or other jurisdiction of                      (I.R.S. Employer
   incorporation or organization)                       Identification Number)

   80 Hayden Avenue
   Lexington, MA                                        02173
   -------------                                        -----
   (Address of principal executive offices)             (Zip Code)



                                 (781) 863-5858
                                 --------------
              (Registrant's telephone number, including area code)


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 twelve months, and (2) has been subject to such filing
requirements for the past 90 days. Yes X No
                                      ---   ---

Indicate the number of shares outstanding of each of the registrant's classes of
common stock, as of latest practicable date (July 27, 1998)

Common Stock, par value $.01 per share 3,273,701 shares




                                       1

<PAGE>


                           THE DEWOLFE COMPANIES, INC.

                                      INDEX


<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
PART I.  FINANCIAL INFORMATION                                                  PAGE NO.


Item 1.  Financial Statements (Unaudited)


<S>                                                                                <C>
         Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets as of
         June 30, 1998 and December 31, 1997                                        3


         Condensed Consolidated Statements of Income for the Three
         Months and Six Months ended June 30, 1998 and June 30, 1997                4


         Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for
         the Six Months ended June 30, 1998 and June 30, 1997                       5


         Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements
         June 30, 1998                                                              6


Item 2.  Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and
         Results of Operations                                                      7


PART II. OTHER INFORMATION                                                         11
</TABLE>



                                       2

<PAGE>



                           THE DEWOLFE COMPANIES, INC.
                      CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
                                   (UNAUDITED)

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                     ASSETS

                                                                                 June 30, 1998   December 31, 1997
                                                                                 -------------   -----------------
CURRENT ASSETS
<S>                                                                               <C>                 <C>        
     Cash and cash equivalents                                                    $  3,409,000        $ 2,542,000
     Commissions receivable, net of allowance of $1,319,000 at                                     
        June 30, 1998 and $611,000 at December 31, 1997                             31,128,000         12,490,000
     Mortgage loans held for sale                                                   29,419,000         12,508,000
     Notes and advance receivable from stockholders                                    336,000             91,000
     Prepaid expenses and other current assets                                         682,000            522,000
                                                                                 -------------       ------------
        TOTAL CURRENT ASSETS                                                        64,974,000         28,153,000
                                                                                                   
PROPERTY AND EQUIPMENT                                                                             
     Furniture and equipment                                                         8,938,000          8,049,000
     Land, building and improvements                                                 4,590,000          4,565,000
                                                                                 -------------       ------------
                                                                                    13,528,000         12,614,000
     Accumulated depreciation                                                       (6,922,000)        (6,374,000)
                                                                                 -------------       ------------
        NET PROPERTY AND EQUIPMENT                                                   6,606,000          6,240,000
                                                                                                   
OTHER ASSETS                                                                                       
     Excess of cost over value in net assets acquired, net of accumulated                          
        amortization of $956,000 at June 30, 1998 and $807,000 at                                  
        December 31, 1997                                                            6,475,000          1,709,000
     Deposit for acquisition                                                                --          1,500,000
     Other Assets                                                                    2,214,000          2,015,000
                                                                                 -------------       ------------
                                                                                   $80,269,000        $39,617,000
                                                                                 =============       ============
                                                                                                   
                      LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY                                         
                                                                                                   
CURRENT LIABILITIES                                                                                
     Note payable, bank                                                            $28,867,000        $12,194,000
     Current portion of long term debt                                               1,689,000          1,408,000
     Commissions payable                                                            20,577,000          8,452,000
     Accounts payable and accrued expenses                                           5,016,000          1,970,000
     Deferred mortgage fee income                                                      424,000            231,000
                                                                                 -------------       ------------
        TOTAL CURRENT LIABILITIES                                                   56,573,000         24,255,000
                                                                                                   
LONG TERM DEBT, net of current portion                                              10,116,000          4,004,000
NON COMPETE AGREEMENTS AND CONSULTING                                                              
   AGREEMENTS PAYABLE                                                                  380,000            560,000
                                                                                                   
STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY                                                                               
     Preferred stock, $1.00 par value; 3,000,000 shares authorized;                                
        none outstanding                                                                           
     Common stock, $.01 par value; 10,000,000 shares authorized; 3,470,868                         
     shares issued at June 30, 1998 and                                                            
     3,379,082 shares issued at December 31, 1997                                       35,000             34,000
     Additional paid-in capital                                                      6,828,000          6,488,000
     Retained earnings                                                               7,472,000          5,059,000
                                                                                 -------------       ------------
        TOTAL STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY BEFORE TREASURY STOCK                            14,335,000         11,581,000
           Less Treasury Stock (198,211 shares at June 30, 1998                                    
           and 143,211 shares at December 31, 1997) at cost                         (1,135,000)          (783,000)
                                                                                 -------------       ------------
        TOTAL STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY                                                  13,200,000         10,798,000
                                                                                   $80,269,000        $39,617,000
                                                                                 =============       ============
</TABLE>

            See notes to condensed consolidated financial statements



                                       3

<PAGE>



                                            THE DEWOLFE COMPANIES, INC.
                                    CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME
                                                    (UNAUDITED)

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                           Three Months Ended                        Six Months Ended
                                                                June 30,                                 June 30,
                                                                -------                                  --------
                                                           1998               1997                 1998                 1997
                                                           ----               ----                 ----                 ----
<S>                                                    <C>                <C>                  <C>                  <C>
Revenues:
     Real estate brokerage, net                        $41,428,000        $28,825,000          $70,816,000          $50,756,000
     Mortgage                                            1,852,000          1,385,000            3,257,000            2,189,000
     Other                                                 264,000            434,000              334,000              478,000
                                                       -----------        -----------          -----------          -----------
TOTAL REVENUES                                          43,544,000         30,644,000           74,407,000           53,423,000

Commission expense, net                                 26,584,000         18,644,000           45,615,000           32,728,000
                                                       -----------        -----------          -----------          -----------


NET REVENUES                                            16,960,000         12,000,000           28,792,000           20,695,000


Operating expenses:
     Compensation and benefits                           5,515,000          4,150,000           10,557,000            8,012,000
     Facilities                                          1,596,000          1,324,000            3,158,000            2,626,000
     General and administrative                          3,320,000          2,344,000            5,860,000            4,235,000
     Marketing and promotion                             1,942,000          1,559,000            3,264,000            2,847,000
     Communications                                        470,000            377,000              901,000              741,000
     Acquisition related expenses                           60,000                ---              360,000                  ---
                                                       -----------        -----------          -----------          -----------
TOTAL OPERATING EXPENSES                                12,903,000          9,754,000           24,100,000           18,461,000
                                                       -----------        -----------          -----------          -----------

OPERATING INCOME                                         4,057,000          2,246,000            4,692,000            2,234,000

Other income (expenses):
     Interest expense                                    (506,000)          (306,000)            (922,000)            (516,000)
     Interest income                                       345,000            248,000              617,000              354,000
                                                       -----------        -----------          -----------          -----------
INCOME BEFORE INCOME TAXES                               3,896,000          2,188,000            4,387,000            2,072,000

Income Tax Expense                                       1,753,000            982,000            1,974,000              932,000
                                                       -----------        -----------          -----------          -----------

NET INCOME                                            $  2,143,000        $ 1,206,000          $ 2,413,000          $ 1,140,000
                                                      ============        ===========          ===========          ===========

Earnings Per Share                                    $       0.66        $      0.37          $      0.74          $      0.35

Earnings Per Share- assuming dilution                 $      0.62         $      0.36          $      0.70          $      0.34
                                                         
Weighted average shares outstanding                      3,263,000          3,279,000            3,243,000            3,291,000

Weighted average shares outstanding-
assuming dilution                                        3,475,000          3,352,000            3,427,000            3,364,000

</TABLE>

            See notes to condensed consolidated financial statements



                                       4

<PAGE>



                           THE DEWOLFE COMPANIES, INC.
                 CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
                                   (UNAUDITED)

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                    Six Months Ended
                                                                                        June 30,
                                                                                        -------
                                                                                  1998                      1997
                                                                                  ----                      ----
<S>                                                                       <C>                          <C>
Increase (Decrease) in Cash
OPERATING ACTIVITIES
     Cash received from customers                                         $    60,211,000              $  46,250,000
     Commissions and compensation paid to co-brokers,
       sales associates and mortgage consultants                             (35,870,000)               (28,096,000)
     Operating expenses paid                                                 (21,435,000)               (17,066,000)
     Provision for doubtful accounts                                          (1,038,000)                  (914,000)
     Mortgage loans originated for sale                                     (156,929,000)               (88,328,000)
     Proceeds from mortgage loan sales                                        140,018,000                 81,107,000
     Interest received                                                            617,000                    354,000
     Interest paid                                                              (898,000)                  (503,000)
     Income taxes paid                                                          (429,000)                  (100,000)
                                                                          ---------------             --------------
        Cash used for operating activities                                   (15,753,000)                (7,296,000)

INVESTING ACTIVITIES
     Expenditures for business combinations                                   (4,089,000)                  (100,000)
     Expenditures for property and equipment                                  (1,027,000)                  (974,000)
     Additions to mortgage servicing rights                                     (256,000)                   (88,000)
                                                                          ---------------             --------------
        Cash used for investing activities                                    (5,372,000)                (1,162,000)

FINANCING ACTIVITIES
     Net borrowings under revolving line of credit                                900,000                  1,600,000
     Borrowing on acquisition line of credit                                    4,625,000                        ---
     Principal payments on long term debt                                       (550,000)                  (516,000)
     Net other borrowings                                                         600,000                  (249,000)
     Net borrowings on note payable, bank                                      16,673,000                  7,025,000
     Notes receivable from stockholders                                         (245,000)                        ---
     Purchase of treasury stock                                                 (352,000)                  (302,000)
     Issuance of common stock                                                     341,000                     33,000
                                                                          ---------------             --------------
        Cash provided by financing activities                                  21,992,000                  7,591,000
                                                                          ---------------             --------------
        NET INCREASE (DECREASE) IN CASH                                           867,000                  (867,000)
Cash at beginning of period                                                     2,542,000                  2,586,000
                                                                          ---------------             --------------
     CASH AT END OF PERIOD                                                $     3,409,000             $    1,719,000
                                                                          ===============             ==============

Supplemental Information:
     Noncash investing and financing activities
        Leases capitalized                                                $       640,000             $     479,000

</TABLE>

            See notes to condensed consolidated financial statements



                                       5

<PAGE>



                           THE DEWOLFE COMPANIES, INC.
                                  JUNE 30, 1998

              NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
                                   (UNAUDITED)

NOTE 1 - BASIS OF PRESENTATION

The accompanying unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements have been
prepared in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles for interim
financial information and with the instructions to Form 10-Q and Article 10 of
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
of normal recurring accruals) considered necessary for a fair presentation have
been included. Operating results for the three and six month period ended June
30, 1998 are not necessarily indicative of the results that may be expected for
the year ended December 31, 1998. For further information, refer to the
consolidated financial statements and footnotes thereto included in the
Company's annual report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 1997.
Certain prior year balances have been reclassified to conform with current year
presentation.

NOTE 2 - NEW ACCOUNTING STANDARDS

In 1997, the Financial Accounting Standards Board issued Statement No. 130,
Reporting Comprehensive Income (FAS 130) and Statement No. 131, Disclosures
about Segments of an Enterprise and Related Information (FAS 131). FAS 130 was
adopted in the first quarter of 1998 and had no impact on the Company's
financial condition or results of operations as the Company has no items of
other comprehensive income in any period presented. FAS 131 is effective for the
Company's December 31, 1998 financial statements on Form 10-K. The Company
anticipates that FAS 131 will have no impact on the Company's financial
condition or results of operations.

NOTE 3 - PURCHASE OF DOLLAR DRY DOCK REAL ESTATE, INC. ("DDD")

On January 16, 1998, the Company acquired 100% of the outstanding stock of DDD
and its wholly owned subsidiary, The Heritage Group, Inc., for $4,000,000, which
was funded through a credit facility provided by BankBoston, N.A. The
acquisition has been accounted for by the purchase method and the Company
recorded cost in excess of net assets acquired of $3.5 million which is being
amortized over fifteen years. The Company's consolidated results of operations
for the six months ended June 30, 1998 on an unaudited pro forma basis assuming
the DDD acquisition had occurred as of January 1, 1997 are not materially
different from the Company's consolidated results of operations due to the date
of the acquisition and, as such, are not presented.

The Company's consolidated results of operations for the six months ended June
30, 1997 on an unaudited pro forma basis, assuming the DDD acquisition had
occurred as of January 1, 1997, are as follows:

                                             Six Months ended
                                                June 30, 1997
                                                -------------
          Revenues                                   $60,326
          Net Income                                 $ 1,536
          Earnings Per Share                         $  0.47
          Earnings Per Share-
          assuming dilution                          $  0.46



                                       6

<PAGE>



                           THE DEWOLFE COMPANIES, INC.
                                  JUNE 30, 1998
                      MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS
                OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

Overview

The net income in the second quarter of 1998 was $2.1 million as compared to a
net income of $1.2 million in the second quarter of 1997. Net income for the
first six months of 1998 was $2.4 million compared to a net income of $1.1
million for the first six months of 1997. The increase in the 1998 earnings were
primarily attributed to continued growth in the Company's existing real estate
and mortgage banking markets and increased revenues from the acquisition of
Dollar Dry Dock Real Estate, Inc. ("DDD") and its wholly owned subsidiary, The
Heritage Group, Inc.

Results of Operations

Real Estate Brokerage Revenues:

Real estate brokerage revenues increased 44% in the second quarter of 1998 to
$41.4 million, an increase of $12.6 million over the second quarter of 1997. For
the first six months of 1998 real estate brokerage revenues were $70.8 million,
an increase of 40% as compared to the first six months of 1997. The increase in
real estate brokerage revenues is primarily attributed to the continued increase
in business in the Company's existing markets caused by the continued low
interest rate market and strong consumer confidence that had a generally
positive effect on residential real estate brokerage in 1998 and 1997 and
revenues from DDD, which the Company acquired in January, 1998.

Real estate brokerage revenues includes $2.0 million of income from relocation
services in the second quarter of 1998 as compared to $1.7 million in the second
quarter of 1997, an increase of 24%. Real estate brokerage revenues from
relocation services were $3.5 million the first six months of 1998, as compared
to $2.9 million for the first six months of 1997, an increase of 23%. The
increase was due to an increase in the number of corporate services provided
which is primarily attributed to the increase in business in the Company's
existing markets.

Net revenues from real estate brokerage increased 46% or $4.7 million in the
second quarter of 1998 to $14.8 million, and increased 40% or $7.2 million for
the first six months of 1998 to $25.2 million. Net real estate brokerage
revenues as a percentage of real estate brokerage revenues were 36% for the
second quarter of 1998 as compared to 35% in the second quarter of 1997 and were
36% for the first six months of 1998 and 1997.

Net revenues from real estate brokerage are impacted by many factors, including
those beyond the Company's control, such as the number of co-brokered home sales
and pressure on the Company to change commission structures necessary to attract
and retain qualified sales associates.




                                       7

<PAGE>



                           THE DEWOLFE COMPANIES, INC.
                                  June 30, 1998

Mortgage Revenues:

Mortgage revenues increased 34% in the second quarter of 1998 to $1.9 million,
an increase of $467 thousand compared to the second quarter of 1997. For the
first six months of 1998 mortgage revenues were $3.3 million, an increase of 49%
or $1.1 million as compared to the same period in 1997. The increases in the
second quarter and first six months of 1998 are primarily due to an increase in
closed loan volume, which the Company believes was caused by the continued low
interest rate market and continued strong consumer confidence.

Closed loan volume in the second quarter of 1998 and 1997 was $108.9 million and
$81.7 million, respectively. For the first six months of 1998 and 1997 closed
loan volume was $191.8 million and $131.4 million, respectively.

Net revenues from mortgage income (mortgage revenues less expenses associated
with commissions payable to the Company's mortgage consultants) as a percentage
of total mortgage revenues were 75% in the second quarter of 1998 compared to
74% in the second quarter of 1997 and 73% for the first six months of 1998 and
1997.

Operating Expenses:

Operating expenses for the second quarter of 1998 increased $3.1 million or 32%
from the second quarter of 1997. Operating expenses increased 31% or $5.6
million for the first six months of 1998 compared to the first six months of
1997. The increase in the second quarter and first six months of 1998 are
primarily due to costs associated with the increase in the Company's overall
business (including the acquisition of DDD). Operating expenses as a percentage
of net revenues were 76% in the second quarter of 1998 compared to 81% in the
second quarter of 1997. Operating expenses as a percentage of net revenues were
84% and 89% for the six months ending June 30, 1998 and 1997, respectively.

Interest Expense and Interest Income:

Interest expense increased by $200 thousand in the second quarter of 1998 as
compared to 1997 and increased by $406 thousand for the first six months of 1998
as compared to 1997. The increase is primarily due to additional interest of
$124 thousand in the second quarter of 1998 and $227 thousand for the first six
months of 1998 related to the mortgage warehouse line of credit due to increased
loan closings. The remaining interest increase of $76 thousand for the three
months and $179 thousand for the six months ending June 30, 1998 is due to 
increased interest expense from borrowings related to the financing of 
acquisitions, primarily DDD, offset by reduced interest expense due to
amortization of the Company's debt.

Interest income increased by $97 thousand in the second quarter of 1998 as
compared to 1997 and $263 thousand for the first six months of 1998 as compared
to 1997. The increase in the second quarter was primarily due to additional
interest earned on mortgage loans. The increase for the first six months of 1998
was primarily due to additional interest earned on mortgage loans of $211
thousand and $52 thousand in net interest on escrows. The increase in mortgage
loan interest was due to the increased loan closings for the three months and
six months ending June 30, 1998. The change in net interest earned on escrows
was primarily due to balances kept in escrow accounts and interest rates earned
on bank accounts.




                                       8

<PAGE>



                           THE DEWOLFE COMPANIES, INC.
                                  June 30, 1998

Liquidity and Sources of Capital

Cash balances at June 30, 1998 and June 30, 1997 were $3.4 million and $1.7
million, respectively. Cash used by operations for the first six months of 1998
was $15.8 million as compared to $7.3 million for the first six months of 1997.
The changes in cash used for operations in the first six months of 1998 and 1997
were primarily due to the increases and decreases in the Company's mortgage
loans held for sale which are funded by the Company's credit line with First
Union National Bank (formerly CoreStates Bank, N.A.). Net cash used relating to
increases in mortgage loans held for sale was $16.9 million and $7.2 million in
the first six months of 1998 and 1997, respectively.

Expenditures for property and equipment totaled $1.0 million in the first six
months of 1998 and 1997. Capital spending during this period was primarily
attributed to the Company's investment in improvements to existing and acquired
sales offices and upgrades to systems and technology.

The Company intends to continue to make expenditures for property and equipment
in order to maintain the standards for a quality appearance and processing
systems in all of the Company's locations.

The Company has various credit arrangements with BankBoston, N.A., which were
amended in May 1998 to include a $20 million acquisition line of credit and an
increase in the Company's revolving line of credit from $3 million to $5
million. Additionally, the arrangements provide for a term note of $1.5 million,
which requires $25,000 monthly principal payments and an equipment lease line of
credit of $4.0 million.

At June 30, 1998 the balance outstanding under the $20 million acquisition line
of credit was $4.6 million, which included the refinancing of the $4.0 million
term loan used to finance the DDD acquisition. The remaining outstanding balance
of the term note was $675 thousand at June 30, 1998 and $975 thousand at June
30, 1997. At June 30, 1998 and 1997, the Company had outstanding balances under
lease lines of credit of $2.5 million and $2.3 million, respectively. The
Company's borrowings under the revolving line of credit had an outstanding
balance of $2.4 million at June 30, 1998 and $1.6 million at June 30, 1997.

During the second quarter of 1998 the Company increased the credit line that is
used to finance mortgage loans that it originates to $30 million, and
subsequently obtained a temporary increase in this credit line to $35 million
until September, 1998 to accommodate the current high loan closing levels. This
credit line had an outstanding balance of $28.9 million and $13.6 million at
June 30, 1998 and 1997, respectively.

In May 1998, the Company authorized an increase in the amount of the Company's
outstanding common stock that may be repurchased to a total of $1.9 million
under its stock repurchase plan. As of June 30, 1998, the Company had acquired a
total of $1.0 million of stock under the plan, $353 thousand of which was
acquired during the first six months of 1998.




                                       9

<PAGE>



                           THE DEWOLFE COMPANIES, INC.
                                  June 30, 1998

The Company considers its future cash flow from operations combined with its
credit arrangements with BankBoston, N.A. and First Union National Bank to be
adequate to fund continuing operations. However, the Company expects to continue
to expand its existing businesses that may include opening new real estate sales
offices as well as acquiring or investing in other real estate and or insurance
businesses. As a result, the Company from time-to-time may seek additional or
alternate sources of debt or equity financing which may include the issuance of
shares of the Company's capital stock.

Cautionary Statement for purposes of the "safe harbor" provisions of the Private
Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995

Certain statements made by the Company, which are not historical fact, may be
deemed to be forward looking statements. There are many important factors that
would cause the Company's actual results to differ materially from those
indicated in the forward-looking statements. Such factors include, but are not
limited to, interest rates and economic conditions generally, regulatory changes
(legislative or otherwise) affecting the residential real estate and mortgage
lending industries, competition and prevailing rates for sales associate
commission structures.


Year 2000 Disclosure

The Company is subject to certain business risks related to Year 2000 computer
system issues. These risks include systems the Company can control and systems
controlled by third party vendors. The Company has begun implementation of plans
to effect system changes related to systems the Company can control. The Company
believes that costs required to make the Company's systems compliant with Year
2000 requirements will not be material.



                                       10

<PAGE>



                           THE DEWOLFE COMPANIES, INC.
                                  June 30, 1998


PART II. OTHER INFORMATION

Item 4   Submissions of Matters to a vote of Security Holders

     The annual meeting of the shareholders was held on May 12, 1998 in Newton,
     Massachusetts. A brief description of each matter voted upon at the meeting
     and a tabulation of votes with respect to each such matter is attached as
     Exhibit (22).

Item 6   Exhibits and Reports on Form 8-K

    (a)  The following Exhibits are included herein:

                See Exhibit Index on page 13 of this report


    (b)  Reports on Form 8-K

                       None




                                       11


<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.


Date: August 12, 1998                  THE DEWOLFE COMPANIES, INC.

                                       By: /s/James A. Marcotte
                                           --------------------
                                           James A. Marcotte
                                           Senior Vice President
                                           and Chief Financial Officer



                                       12

<PAGE>



                           THE DEWOLFE COMPANIES, INC.
                                  June 30, 1998

                                  EXHIBIT INDEX

                                      10-Q

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
ITEM          DESCRIPTION                                                 
- ----          -----------                                                 
<S>           <C>                                                         
10.1          Second Amended and Restated Credit and Security Agreement   
              dated May 8, 1998 by and among The DeWolfe Company, Inc.,
              DeWolfe Relocation Services, Inc., Referral Associates of
              New England, Inc., Hillshire House, Inc., The DeWolfe
              Insurance Agency, Inc., Real Estate Referral Inc., Dollar
              Dry Dock Real Estate, Inc., and The Heritage Group, Inc.,
              and The DeWolfe Companies, Inc., to BankBoston, N.A.

10.2          Amendment dated May 28, 1998 to Mortgage Warehousing Loan   
              and Security Agreement between DeWolfe Mortgage Services,
              Inc. and First Union National Bank
10.3          Employment Agreement with Richard Pucci dated May 14, 1998  
10.4          Amended 1992 Stock Option Plan
11.0          Statement re:  Computation of Per Share Earnings            
22.0          Published Report Regarding Matters Submitted to a Vote of   
              Security Holders
27.0          Financial Data Schedule                                     

</TABLE>





                           SECOND AMENDED AND RESTATED
                          CREDIT AND SECURITY AGREEMENT

                                      AMONG

                           THE DEWOLFE COMPANY, INC.,
                       DEWOLFE RELOCATION SERVICES, INC.,
                    REFERRAL ASSOCIATES OF NEW ENGLAND, INC.,
                       THE DEWOLFE INSURANCE AGENCY, INC.,
                             HILLSHIRE HOUSE, INC.,
                           REAL ESTATE REFERRAL, INC.,
                     DOLLAR DRY DOCK REAL ESTATE, INC., and
                            THE HERITAGE GROUP, INC.,
                         as Joint and Several Borrowers,

                                       AND

                          THE DEWOLFE COMPANIES, INC.,
                                  as Guarantor,

                                       AND

                                BANKBOSTON, N.A.,
                                    as Lender
                             Dated as of May 8, 1998



                                       -1-

<PAGE>



                                     TABLE OF CONTENTS
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
TITLE                                                                                  Page
<S>                                                                                      <C>
ARTICLE 1  DEFINITIONS                                                                    2
Section 1.1  Definitions                                                                  2
Section 1.2  Accounting Terms                                                            10
Section 1.3  Multiple Borrowers                                                          10
ARTICLE 2  DESCRIPTION OF CREDIT                                                         11
Section 2.1  The Revolving Loans                                                         11
Section 2.2  The Acquisition Facility Loans                                              12
Section 2.3  The Term Loan                                                               13
Section 2.4  Funding of Loans; Loan Account                                              13
Section 2.5  The Notes                                                                   14
Section 2.6  Reduction of Commitment Amounts                                             14
Section 2.7  Interest                                                                    14
Section 2.8  Fees                                                                        15
Section 2.9  Repayment of the Loans                                                      16
Section 2.10  Prepayment of the Loans                                                    16
Section 2.11  Manner and Time of Payments                                                19
Section 2.12  Overdue Payments                                                           19
Section 2.13  Use of Proceeds                                                            19
Section 2.14  Conditions for Basing Interest on the LIBOR Rate                           20
Section 2.15  Break Funding Payments                                                     20
Section 2.16  Change in Applicable Laws, Regulations, etc.                               21
Section 2.17  Taxes                                                                      21
Section 2.18  Capital Requirements                                                       22
ARTICLE 3  CONDITIONS OF LOANS                                                           22
Section 3.1  Conditions Precedent to Initial Loans                                       23
Section 3.2  Conditions Precedent to all Loans                                           24
ARTICLE 4  REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES                                                24
Section 4.1  Organization and Qualification                                              24
Section 4.2  Corporate Authority                                                         24
Section 4.3  Valid Obligations                                                           25
Section 4.4  Consents or Approvals                                                       25
Section 4.5  Title to Properties; Absence of Encumbrances                                25
Section 4.6  Financial Statements                                                        25
Section 4.7  Changes                                                                     25
Section 4.8  Office and Collateral Locations                                             26
Section 4.9  Taxes                                                                       26
Section 4.10  Litigation                                                                 26
Section 4.11  Margin Stock                                                               26
Section 4.12  Subsidiaries                                                               26
Section 4.13  Investment Company Act                                                     26
Section 4.14  Compliance with ERISA                                                      26
Section 4.15  Environmental Matters                                                      26
ARTICLE 5  AFFIRMATIVE COVENANTS                                                         28
Section 5.1  Financial Statements and other Reporting Requirements                       28
Section 5.2  Conduct of Business                                                         30
Section 5.3  Taxes                                                                       30

                                      -2-

<PAGE>



<CAPTION>
<S>                                                                                      <C>
Section 5.4  Inspection by the Bank                                                      31
Section 5.5  Maintenance of Books and Records                                            31
Section 5.6  Cash Flow Coverage Ratio                                                    31
Section 5.7  Leverage Coverage                                                           31
Section 5.8  Further Assurances                                                          31
Section 5.9  Deposit Accounts                                                            31
Section 5.10  Year 2000 Compliance                                                       32
Section 5.11  Merger of Certain Credit Parties                                           32
ARTICLE 6  NEGATIVE COVENANTS                                                            32
Section 6.1  Indebtedness                                                                33
Section 6.2  Contingent Liabilities                                                      33
Section 6.3  Leases                                                                      33
Section 6.4  Sale and Leaseback                                                          34
Section 6.5  Encumbrances                                                                34
Section 6.6  Merger; Consolidation; Sale or Lease of Assets                              35
Section 6.7  Equity Distributions                                                        35
Section 6.8  Investments; Acquisitions                                                   35
Section 6.9  ERISA                                                                       36
ARTICLE 7  SECURITY                                                                      36
Section 7.1  Security Interest                                                           36
Section 7.2  Location of Records and Collateral; Name Change                             37
Section 7.3  Status of Collateral                                                        37
ARTICLE 8  DEFAULTS                                                                      37
Section 8.1  Events of Default                                                           37
Section 8.2  Remedies                                                                    39
ARTICLE 9  GUARANTY BY THE GUARANTOR                                                     40
Section 9.1  The Guarantee                                                               40
Section 9.2  Obligations Unconditional                                                   41
Section 9.3  Reinstatement                                                               41
Section 9.4  Subrogation                                                                 42
Section 9.5  Remedies                                                                    42
Section 9.6  Instrument for the Payment of Money                                         42
Section 9.7  Continuing Guarantee                                                        42
ARTICLE 10  MISCELLANEOUS                                                                42
Section 10.1  Notices                                                                    42
Section 10.2  Expenses                                                                   43
Section 10.3  Set-Off                                                                    43
Section 10.4  Term of Agreement                                                          44
Section 10.5  No Waivers                                                                 44
Section 10.6  Governing Law                                                              44
Section 10.7  Amendments                                                                 44
Section 10.8  Binding Effect of Agreement                                                44
Section 10.9  Counterparts                                                               44
Section 10.10  Partial Invalidity                                                        44
Section 10.11  Captions                                                                  44
Section 10.12  Waiver of Jury Trial                                                      44
Section 10.13  Entire Agreement                                                          45
Section 10.14  Bank's Right to Pledge                                                    45
Section 10.15  Bank's Right to Sell Loans to Third Parties                               45
Section 10.16  Bank's Right to Grant Participations                                      46
Section 10.17  Bank's Right to Furnish Information                                       46

                                      -3-

<PAGE>



<CAPTION>
<S>                                                                                      <C>
EXHIBITS
Exhibit A-1 Form of Revolving Note                                                          
Exhibit A-2 Form of Acquisition Facility Note                                               
Exhibit A-3 Form of Term Note                                                               
Exhibit B Form of Compliance Certificate                                                    
Exhibit C Form of Borrowing Base Certificate                                                
Exhibit D Form of Notice of Borrowing                                                       
SCHEDULES                                                                                   
Schedule 4.1 Foreign Jurisdictions                                                          
Schedule 4.5 Encumbrances                                                                   
Schedule 4.8 Office and Collateral Locations                                                
Schedule 4.10 Litigation                                                                    
Schedule 4.12 Subsidiaries                                                                  
Schedule 6.1 Outstanding Indebtedness                                                       

</TABLE>

                                       -4-

<PAGE>



                           SECOND AMENDED AND RESTATED
                          CREDIT AND SECURITY AGREEMENT

    THIS SECOND AMENDED AND RESTATED CREDIT AND SECURITY AGREEMENT is made as of
May 8, 1998, by and among The DeWolfe Company, Inc., a Massachusetts
corporation, DeWolfe Relocation Services, Inc., a Massachusetts corporation,
Referral Associates of New England, Inc., a Massachusetts corporation, The
DeWolfe Insurance Agency, Inc., a Massachusetts corporation, Hillshire House,
Inc., a Connecticut corporation, Real Estate Referral, Inc., a Connecticut
corporation, Dollar Dry Dock Real Estate, Inc., a Delaware corporation, and The
Heritage Group, Inc., a Connecticut corporation, as joint and several borrowers
(collectively, the "Borrowers"), The DeWolfe Companies, Inc., a Massachusetts
corporation, as guarantor (the "Guarantor"), and BankBoston, N.A., as lender
(the "Bank").

    WHEREAS, certain of the Borrowers, the Guarantor and the Bank entered into a
Revolving Credit and Security Agreement dated as of June 29, 1994, as amended
(the "Initial Credit Agreement"), pursuant to which the Bank established certain
credit facilities in favor of such Borrowers; and

    WHEREAS, the terms and provisions of the Initial Credit Agreement were
amended and restated pursuant to an Amended and Restated Credit and Security
Agreement dated as of March 30, 1995, as amended (the "Amended Credit
Agreement"), among certain of the Borrowers, the Guarantor and the Bank; and

    WHEREAS, the Borrowers and the Guarantor have requested that the terms and
provisions of the Amended Credit Agreement be amended and restated to, among
other things, increase the amounts of the credit facilities established by the
Bank in favor of the Borrowers; and

    WHEREAS, the Bank has agreed to increase the amounts of the credit
facilities established by the Bank in favor of the Borrowers and to amend and
restate the Amended Credit Agreement, all as more fully set forth herein;

    NOW THEREFORE, for good and valuable consideration, the receipt and
sufficiency of which are hereby acknowledged, the Borrowers, the Guarantor and
the Bank hereby agree that the Amended Credit Agreement be, and it hereby is
amended, restated and replaced in its entirety, as follows:

                                       -5-

<PAGE>



                              ARTICLE 1 DEFINITIONS

    Section 1.1   Definitions.

    All capitalized terms used in this Agreement or in the Notes (as defined
below) or in any certificate, report or other document made or delivered
pursuant to this Agreement (unless otherwise defined therein) shall have the
meanings assigned to them below:

    Accounts. All accounts, contract rights and other rights of the Borrowers to
payment for goods sold or leased or for services rendered, all sums of money or
other proceeds due or becoming due thereon, all instruments pertaining thereto,
all guaranties and security therefor, and all goods giving rise thereto and the
rights pertaining to such goods, including the right of stoppage in transit, and
all related insurance.

    Acquisition. Any transaction, or any series of related transactions,
consummated after the date hereof, by which (a) any of the Credit Parties
acquires the business of, or all or substantially all of the assets of, any
Person which is not one of the Credit Parties, or any division of any Person,
whether through the purchase of assets, purchase of stock or other beneficial
interests, by merger or otherwise or (b) any Person that was not theretofore a
Subsidiary of any of the Credit Parties becomes a Subsidiary of any of the
Credit Parties.

    Acquisition Facility Commitment. The commitment of the Bank to make
Acquisition Facility Loans to the Borrowers in an aggregate amount not to exceed
the Acquisition Facility Commitment Amount.

    Acquisition Facility Commitment Amount. Twenty Million Dollars ($20,000,000)
or any lesser amount, including zero, resulting from the termination or
reduction of such amount in accordance with Sections 2.6 or 8.2 of this
Agreement.

    Acquisition Facility Commitment Period. The period beginning on the date of
this Agreement and extending through but not including the Acquisition Facility
Conversion Date or such earlier date on which the Acquisition Facility
Commitment is terminated or the Acquisition Facility Commitment Amount is
reduced to zero in accordance with the terms hereof.

    Acquisition Facility Conversion Date.  October 30, 1999.

    Acquisition Facility Loan. A loan made to the Borrowers by the Bank pursuant
to Section 2.2 of this Agreement, and "Acquisition Facility Loans" means all of
such loans, collectively.

    Acquisition Facility Maturity Date.  October 30, 2004.

    Acquisition Facility Note. A promissory note of the Borrowers, substantially
in the form of Exhibit A-2 hereto, evidencing the obligations of the Borrowers
to the Bank to repay the Acquisition Facility Loans.

    Affiliate. With respect to any specified Person, another Person that
directly, or indirectly through one or more intermediaries, controls or is
controlled by or is under common control with the Person specified.
Notwithstanding the foregoing, no individual shall be an Affiliate solely by
reason of his or her being a director, officer or employee of one or more of the
Credit Parties.

    Agreement. This Second Amended and Restated Credit and Security Agreement,
as the same may be supplemented or amended from time to time.

                                       -6-

<PAGE>



    Applicable Fixed Rate. The fixed rate of interest specified by the Bank on
the Business Day immediately preceding the Acquisition Facility Conversion Date
as the fixed rate of interest that will apply to the Acquisition Facility Loans
after the Acquisition Facility Conversion Date if the Borrowers select to have
the Acquisition Facility Loans bear interest at the Applicable Fixed Rate
pursuant to Section 2.7. The Applicable Fixed Rate shall be determined by the
Bank based upon the applicable fixed rates of interest charged by the Bank to
other commercial customers of the Bank having credit and risk profiles similar
to those of the Borrowers for commercial loans having principal balances,
amortization schedules and maturities similar to those of the Acquisition
Facility Loans as of the Acquisition Facility Conversion Date.

    Bank.  See Preamble.

    Base Accounts. Accounts of the Borrowers arising from commissions due on
purchase and sale agreements for residential real property as to which the Bank
has a perfected first priority security interest and the Borrowers have
furnished to the Bank information as required by Section 5.1(j).

    Base Rate. The greater of (i) the rate of interest announced from time to
time by the Bank at its head office as its Base Rate, and (ii) the Federal Funds
Effective Rate plus 1/2 of 1% per annum (rounded upwards, if necessary, to the
next 1/8 of 1%).

    Base Rate Revolving Loan. Any Revolving Loan made to the Borrowers by the
Bank bearing interest at a rate determined by reference to the Base Rate.

    Borrowers.  See Preamble.

    Borrowing Base. An amount equal to seventy-five percent (75%) of the Net
Outstanding Amount of Base Accounts. Whenever the Borrowing Base is used as a
measure of Loans it shall be computed as of, and the Loans referred to shall be
those reflected in the Loan Account at, the time in question.

    Business Day. Any day that is not a Saturday, Sunday or other day on which
commercial banks in Boston, Massachusetts are authorized or required by law to
remain closed; provided that, when used in connection with a LIBOR Loan, the
term "Business Day" shall also exclude any day on which banks are not open for
dealings in U.S.
dollar deposits in the London interbank market.

    Capital Expenditures. All capital expenditures as defined under GAAP not
financed with Loans under this Agreement.

    Cash Flow Coverage Ratio. The ratio, as at any date of determination
thereof, of (a) Consolidated EBITDA for the period of four consecutive fiscal
quarters ending on or most recently ended prior to such date minus the aggregate
amount paid, or required to be paid, by the Credit Parties and their
Subsidiaries in cash in respect of taxes for such period minus the aggregate
amount of Capital Expenditures of the Credit Parties and their Subsidiaries
during such period to (b) Total Debt Service during such period.

    Casualty Event. With respect to any Person, any loss of or damage to, or any
condemnation or other taking of, Property of such Person for which such Person
or any of its Subsidiaries receives insurance proceeds, or proceeds of a
condemnation award or other compensation.

    Closing Date.  May 8, 1998.

                                       -7-

<PAGE>



Code. The Internal Revenue Code of 1986 and the rules and regulations
thereunder, collectively, as the same may from time to time be supplemented or
amended and remain in effect.

    Collateral. All personal property of the Borrowers, tangible and intangible,
in which the Bank has been granted a security interest or lien, whether pursuant
to this Agreement or pursuant to one or more collateral assignments or security
agreements as shall be entered into by and among one or more of the Borrowers
and the Bank.

    Consolidated EBITDA. For any period for which the amount thereof shall be
determined, the consolidated operating income of the Credit Parties and their
Subsidiaries (determined on a consolidated basis without duplication in
accordance with GAAP) for such period (calculated before taxes, interest,
depreciation, amortization and any other non-cash income or charges accrued for
such period, excluding any extraordinary and unusual gains or losses during such
period and excluding the proceeds of any Casualty Events and Dispositions
received by the Credit Parties and their Subsidiaries during such period.

    Controlled Group. All trades or businesses (whether or not incorporated)
under common control that, together with the Credit Parties, are treated as a
single employer under Section 414(b) or 414(c) of the Code or Section 4001 of
ERISA.

    Credit Parties.  The Guarantor and the Borrowers, collectively.

    Default. An Event of Default or event or condition that, but for the
requirement that time elapse or notice be given, or both, would constitute an
Event of Default.

    DeWolfe Mortgage. DeWolfe Mortgage Services, Inc., a Massachusetts
corporation.

    Disposition. Any sale, assignment, transfer or other disposition of any
property (whether now owned or hereafter acquired) by the Credit Parties or any
of their Subsidiaries to any other Person excluding any sale, assignment,
transfer or other disposition of any property sold or disposed of in the
ordinary course of business and on ordinary business terms.

    Encumbrances.  See Section 6.5.

    ERISA. The Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 and the rules and
regulations thereunder, collectively, as the same may from time to time be
supplemented or amended and remain in effect.

    Environmental Laws. Any and all applicable foreign, federal, state and local
environmental, health or safety statutes, laws, regulations, rules, ordinances,
policies and rules or common law (whether now existing or hereafter enacted or
promulgated), of all governmental agencies, bureaus or departments which may now
or hereafter have jurisdiction over the Borrowers or any of its Subsidiaries and
all applicable judicial and administrative and regulatory decrees, judgments and
orders, including common law rulings and determinations, relating to injury to,
or the protection of, real or personal property or human health or the
environment, including, without limitation, all requirements pertaining to
reporting, licensing, permitting, investigation, remediation and removal of
emissions, discharges, releases or threatened releases of Hazardous Materials,
chemical substances, pollutants or contaminants whether solid, liquid or gaseous
in nature, into the environment or relating to the manufacture, processing,
distribution, use, treatment, storage, disposal, transport or handling of such
Hazardous Materials, chemical substances, pollutants or contaminants.

                                       -8-

<PAGE>



    Escrowed Funds. Funds, securities or other investments held by the
Borrowers, or invested by the Borrowers in deposit or other accounts or
investments, on behalf of parties to offers to purchase and purchase and sale
agreements covering properties in respect to which the Borrowers act as broker
or co-broker, including without limitation Pledged Escrow Proceeds.

    Event of Default.  Any event described in Section 8.1.

    Federal Funds Effective Rate. For any day, a fluctuating interest rate per
annum 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, as published for such day (or, if such day is not a Business Day,
for the next preceding Business Day) by the Federal Reserve Bank of New York,
or, if such rate is not so published for any day that is a Business Day, the
average of the quotations for such day on such transactions received by the Bank
from three Federal funds brokers of recognized standing selected by the Bank.

    Guarantees. As applied to the Credit Parties and their Subsidiaries, all
guarantees, endorsements or other contingent or surety obligations with respect
to obligations of others whether or not reflected on the consolidated balance
sheet of the Credit Parties and their Subsidiaries, including any obligation to
furnish funds, directly or indirectly (whether by virtue of partnership
arrangements, by agreement to keep-well or otherwise), through the purchase of
goods, supplies or services, or by way of stock purchase, capital contribution,
advance or loan, or to enter into a contract for any of the foregoing, for the
purpose of payment of obligations of any other person or entity.

    Guarantor.  See Preamble.

    Hazardous Material. Any substance (a) the presence of which requires or may
hereafter require notification, investigation or remediation under any
Environmental Law; (b) which is or becomes defined as a "hazardous waste",
"hazardous material" or "hazardous substance" or "controlled industrial waste"
or "pollutant" or "contaminant" under any present or future Environmental Law or
amendments thereto including, without limitation, the Comprehensive
Environmental Response, Compensation and Liability Act (42 U.S.C. Section 9601
et seq.) and any applicable local statutes and the regulations promulgated
thereunder; (c) which is toxic, explosive, corrosive, flammable, infectious,
radioactive, carcinogenic, mutagenic or otherwise hazardous and is or becomes
regulated by any governmental authority, agency, department, commission, board,
agency or instrumentality of any foreign country, the United States, any state
of the United States, or any political subdivision thereof to the extent any of
the foregoing has or had jurisdiction over any of the Credit Parties or any of
their Subsidiaries; or (d) without limitation, which contains gasoline, diesel
fuel or other petroleum products, asbestos or polychlorinated biphenyls
("PCB's").

    Indebtedness. As applied to the Credit Parties and their Subsidiaries, (a)
all obligations for borrowed money or other extensions of credit whether or not
secured or unsecured, absolute or contingent, including, without limitation,
unmatured reimbursement obligations with respect to letters of credit or
guarantees issued for the account of or on behalf of any of the Credit Parties
or any of their Subsidiaries and all obligations representing the deferred
purchase price of property, other than accounts payable arising in the ordinary
course of business, (b) all obligations evidenced by bonds, notes, debentures or
other similar instruments, (c) all obligations secured by any mortgage, pledge,
security interest or other lien on property owned or acquired by any of the
Credit Parties or any of their Subsidiaries whether or not the obligations
secured thereby shall have been assumed, (d) that portion of all obligations
arising under capital leases that is required to be capitalized on the
consolidated balance sheet of the Credit Parties and their Subsidiaries, (e) all
Guarantees, and (f) all obligations that are immediately due and

                                       -9-

<PAGE>



payable out of the proceeds of or production from property now or hereafter
owned or acquired by any of the Credit Parties or any of their Subsidiaries.

    Investment. The purchase or acquisition of any share of capital stock,
partnership interest, evidence of indebtedness or other equity security of any
other person or entity, any loan, advance or extension of credit to, or
contribution to the capital of, any other person or entity, any real estate held
for sale or investment, any commodities futures contracts held other than in
connection with bona fide hedging transactions, any other investment in any
other person or entity, and the making of any commitment or acquisition of any
option to make an Investment.

    Lease Line. The line of credit established by BancBoston Leasing, Inc.
("BancBoston Leasing") for the leasing of equipment by the Borrowers, pursuant
to such terms and conditions as may from time to time be agreed upon by the
Borrowers and BancBoston Leasing pursuant to such documentation as BancBoston
Leasing may from time to time require. As of the Closing Date, the maximum
aggregate principal amount of the obligations of the Borrowers to BancBoston
Leasing under the Lease Line is $4,000,000.

    Leverage Ratio. The ratio, as at any date of determination thereof, of (a)
all Indebtedness of the Credit Parties and their Subsidiaries for borrowed money
(including obligations under capital leases) as of such date minus the aggregate
amount of Indebtedness of DeWolfe Mortgage under the Mortgage Warehousing
Facility as of such date to (b) Consolidated EBITDA for the period of four
consecutive fiscal quarters ending on or most recently ended prior to such date.

    LIBOR Loan. Any Revolving Loan made to the Borrowers by the Bank bearing
interest at a rate determined by reference to the LIBOR Rate.

    LIBOR Period. With respect to each LIBOR Loan requested by the Borrowers,
the period, selected by the Borrowers pursuant to Section 2.7, of one, two,
three or six months, commencing on any Business Day; provided, however, that no
LIBOR Period with respect to all or any portion of the Revolving Loans shall
extend beyond the Revolving Loan Termination Date. If any LIBOR Period so
selected would otherwise end on a date which is not a Business Day, such LIBOR
Period shall instead end on the next preceding or succeeding Business Day as
determined by the Bank. Each determination by the Bank of any LIBOR Period
shall, in the absence of manifest error, be conclusive.

    LIBOR Rate. With respect to each LIBOR Loan requested by the Borrowers for a
specified LIBOR Period, the rate per annum designated by the Bank as the "LIBOR"
rate for such LIBOR Period on the day that is two (2) Banking Days preceding the
first day of such LIBOR Period. The "LIBOR" rate designated by the Bank shall be
determined on the basis of the offered rates for deposits in U.S. dollars on the
London interbank market. In the event that the Bank is unable for any reason to
determine an appropriate basis for designating the "LIBOR Rate" for all or any
portion of the Revolving Loans, the "LIBOR Rate" for the Revolving Loans or such
portion, as the case may be, shall not be available to the Borrowers.

    Loan. The Term Loan or any Revolving Loan or any Acquisition Facility Loan;
and "Loans" shall mean the Term Loan and all Revolving Loans and all Acquisition
Facility Loans, collectively.

    Loan Account. The account on the books of the Bank in which all debits and
credits relating to the Obligations are recorded, including, without limitation,
all Loans and other obligations and all payments on Loans and proceeds of
Collateral.

                                      -10-

<PAGE>


    Mortgage Warehousing Facility. The credit facility established by Corestates
Bank, N.A. in favor of DeWolfe Mortgage to finance mortgages held for sale on
residential property, as in effect on the date hereof.

    Net Income or Net Loss. Net income or loss, excluding extraordinary items,
of the Guarantor and its Subsidiaries (on a consolidated basis) for the period
in question, determined in accordance with GAAP.

    Net Outstanding Amount of Base Accounts. The net amount of Base Accounts
outstanding after (a) eliminating from the aggregate amount of outstanding Base
Accounts (i) such Base Accounts that are more than sixty (60) days past the
projected closing date set forth in the purchase and sale agreement to which
they relate, (ii) any amount of any Base Account owed to any other party
including, without limitation, any broker, whether such broker is an employee of
any of the Borrowers, an independent contractor associated with any of the
Borrowers or a broker unaffiliated with the Borrowers or any of their
Subsidiaries and (iii) a reserve, based upon historical data, for uncollectible
Base Accounts and (b) deducting from the aggregate face amount of the remaining
Base Accounts, to the extent not already deducted, offsets for amounts owing to
any party to a purchase and sale agreement and all amounts due on any Base
Account considered by the Bank to be difficult to collect or uncollectible for
any reason, all as determined by the Bank in its sole and reasonable discretion,
which determination shall be final and binding upon the Borrowers.

    Non-Competition Agreements. The non-competition agreements, consulting
agreements and cooperation agreements from time to time entered into between any
one or more of the Borrowers and various owners of businesses acquired by any of
the Borrowers.

    Notes. Collectively, the Revolving Note, the Acquisition Facility Note and
the Term Note.

    Obligations. Any and all obligations of the Credit Parties to the Bank of
every kind and description, direct or indirect, absolute or contingent, primary
or secondary, due or to become due, now existing or hereafter arising,
regardless of how they arise or by what agreement or instrument, if any, and
including obligations to perform acts and refrain from taking action as well as
obligations to pay money.

    PBGC. The Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation or any entity succeeding to
any or all of its functions under ERISA.

    Permitted Encumbrances.  See Section 6.5.

    Person. Any natural person, corporation, limited liability company, trust,
joint venture, association, company, partnership, governmental authority or
other entity.

    Plan. At any time, an employee pension or other benefit plan that is subject
to Title IV of ERISA or subject to the minimum funding standards under Section
412 of the Code and is either (i) maintained by one or more of the Credit
Parties or any of their Subsidiaries or any member of the Controlled Group for
employees of one or more of the Credit Parties or any of their Subsidiaries or
any member of the Controlled Group or (ii) if such Plan is established,
maintained pursuant to a collective bargaining agreement or any other
arrangement under which more than one employer makes contributions and to which
one or more of the Credit Parties or any of their Subsidiaries or any member of
the Controlled Group is then making or accruing an obligation to make
contributions or has within the preceding five Plan years made contributions.

    Pledged Escrow Proceeds. Specifically identifiable proceeds of Escrowed
Funds which represent Accounts, commissions, reimbursements or other payment
rights owing to the Borrowers.

                                      -11-

<PAGE>


    Qualified Investments. As applied to the Credit Parties and their
Subsidiaries, investments in (a) notes, bonds or other obligations of the United
States of America or any agency thereof that as to principal and interest
constitute direct obligations of or are guaranteed by the United States of
America, (b) certificates of deposit or other deposit instruments or accounts of
banks or trust companies organized under the laws of the United States or any
state thereof that have capital and surplus of at least $100,000,000, (c)
commercial paper that is rated not less than prime-one or A-1 or their
equivalents by Moody's Investors Service, Inc. or Standard & Poor's Corporation,
respectively, or their successors, and (d) any repurchase agreement secured by
any one or more of the foregoing.

    Revolving Loan. A loan made to the Borrowers by the Bank pursuant to
subsection 2.1 of this Agreement, and "Revolving Loans" means all of such loans,
collectively.

    Revolving Loan Commitment. The commitment of the Bank to make Revolving
Loans to the Borrowers in an aggregate amount not to exceed the Revolving Loan
Commitment Amount.

    Revolving Loan Commitment Amount. Five Million Dollars ($5,000,000) or any
lesser amount, including zero, resulting from the termination or reduction of
such amount in accordance with Sections 2.6 or 8.2 of this Agreement.

    Revolving Loan Commitment Period. The period beginning on the date of this
Agreement and extending through and including the Revolving Loan Termination
Date or such earlier date on which the Revolving Loan Commitment of the Bank is
terminated or the Revolving Loan Commitment Amount is reduced to zero in
accordance with the terms hereof.

    Revolving Loan Termination Date.  April 30, 2001.

    Revolving Note. A promissory note of the Borrowers, substantially in the
form of Exhibit A-1 hereto, evidencing the obligations of the Borrowers to the
Bank to repay the Revolving Loans.

    Subordinated Indebtedness. Indebtedness of any of the Credit Parties
consented to in writing by the Bank which by an agreement in form and substance
acceptable to the Bank (or by the terms of the instrument under which it is
outstanding and to which appropriate reference is made in the instrument
evidencing such Subordinated Indebtedness) is made subordinate and junior in
right of payment to the Loans and to the other Obligations of the Credit Parties
to the Bank hereunder.

    Subsidiary. Any corporation, association, joint stock company, business
trust or other similar organization of which 50% or more of the ordinary voting
power for the election of a majority of the members of the board of directors or
other governing body of such entity is held or controlled by one or more of the
Credit Parties or by one or more of their Subsidiaries; or any other such
organization the management of which is directly or indirectly controlled by one
or more of the Credit Parties or by one or more of their Subsidiaries through
the exercise of voting power or otherwise; or any joint venture, whether
incorporated or not, in which one or more of the Credit Parties or one or more
of their Subsidiaries has a 50% ownership interest.

    Term Loan. The loan made to the Borrowers by the Bank pursuant to Section
2.3 of this Agreement.

    Term Loan Maturity Date. September 30, 2000.

    Term Note. A promissory note of the Borrowers, substantially in the form of
Exhibit A-3 hereto, evidencing the obligations of the Borrowers to the Bank to
repay the Term Loan.

                                      -12-

<PAGE>


Total Debt Service. For any period for which the amount thereof shall be
determined, the aggregate amount of scheduled principal and interest payments
made or required to be made by the Credit Parties-- and their Subsidiaries in
respect of Indebtedness (including payments in respect of capital lease
obligations) during such period (determined on a consolidated basis without
duplication in accordance with GAAP).

    Section 1.2 Accounting Terms. All terms of an accounting character shall
have the meanings assigned thereto by generally accepted accounting principles
applied on a basis consistent with the financial statements referred to in
Section 4.6 of this Agreement, modified to the extent, but only to the extent,
that such meanings are specifically modified herein ("GAAP").

    Section 1.3 Multiple Borrowers. The term "Borrowers" refers to more than one
corporation. All references to "the Borrowers" are references to each and every
Borrower, and all representations and covenants of "the Borrowers" shall apply
to each and every Borrower, separately as well as jointly. Notwithstanding the
fact that the Loans are made to the Borrowers, the Guarantor is a party to this
Agreement and, as set forth in Article 9 hereof, has guaranteed all obligations
of the Borrowers to the Bank hereunder. The term "Obligations" refers to all
obligations of the Borrowers and the Guarantor hereunder, all of which
Obligations are joint and several obligations of the Guarantor and each and
every Borrower. Each of the Borrowers is a direct or indirect Subsidiary of the
Guarantor. Except as otherwise expressly set forth herein, all representations
and covenants of "the Credit Parties" shall apply and be applied to the
Guarantor and to each and every Borrower, severally and jointly, except that
financial representations and covenants herein that make reference to the
aggregate or consolidated results of the Guarantor and its Subsidiaries shall
apply and be applied to the Guarantor and its Subsidiaries on a consolidated
basis, determined in accordance with GAAP. Each of the Borrowers hereby
designates each of The DeWolfe Company, Inc. and the Guarantor as its agent,
with full power and authority to act on its behalf and on behalf of all of the
Borrowers, including, without limitation, to request that Loans be made
hereunder, to request reductions in commitments, and to execute and deliver to
the Bank, on behalf of all of the Borrowers, any and all reports and other
certificates required to be delivered to the Bank hereunder. Notice when given
to any officer of The DeWolfe Company, Inc. or to any officer of the Guarantor
shall be sufficient notice to the Guarantor and to all of the Borrowers. Any
document delivered to The DeWolfe Company, Inc. or to the Guarantor shall be
considered delivered to the Guarantor and each of the Borrowers. Any Event of
Default by the Guarantor or any of the Borrowers shall be deemed to be an Event
of Default by all of the Borrowers.

                         ARTICLE 2 DESCRIPTION OF CREDIT

    Section 2.1   The Revolving Loans.

    (a) Upon the terms and subject to the conditions of this Agreement, and in
reliance upon the representations, warranties and covenants of the Credit
Parties made herein, the Bank agrees to make Revolving Loans to the Borrowers at
the Borrowers' request from time to time, from and after the Closing Date and
prior to the Revolving Loan Termination Date, provided that the principal amount
of Revolving Loans outstanding at any time shall not exceed the lesser of (i)
the Revolving Loan Commitment Amount and (ii) the Borrowing Base at such time
less the outstanding principal balance of the Term Loan at such time, and
provided, further, that at the time the Borrowers request a Revolving Loan and
after giving effect to the making thereof there has not occurred and is not
continuing any Event of Default or Default. Within the foregoing limits and
subject to the terms and conditions set forth herein, the Borrowers may borrow,
prepay and reborrow Revolving Loans. The commitment of the Bank to make
Revolving Loans to the Borrowers shall expire on the Revolving Loan Termination
Date, unless earlier terminated in accordance with Sections 2.6 or 8.2 of this
Agreement.

                                      -13-

<PAGE>



    (b) Except as otherwise provided in any cash management or similar
agreements between the Borrowers and the Bank, to request a Revolving Loan the
Borrowers shall notify the Bank by telephone (i) in the case of a LIBOR Loan,
not later than 11:00 a.m., Boston, Massachusetts time, two (2) Business Days
before the date of the proposed Loan or (ii) in the case of a Base Rate
Revolving Loan not later than 2:00 p.m., Boston, Massachusetts time, on the date
of the proposed Loan. Except as otherwise provided in any cash management or
similar agreements between the Borrowers and the Bank, each such telephonic loan
request shall be irrevocable and shall be confirmed promptly by hand delivery or
telephonic facsimile to the Bank of a written Notice of Borrowing in
substantially the form of Exhibit B hereto (a "Notice of Borrowing") executed by
the Borrowers.

    (c) Each such telephonic loan request and each Notice of Borrowing shall
specify the following information in compliance with this Section 2.1:

        (i)   the aggregate amount of such Revolving Loan;

        (ii)  (the date of such Revolving Loan, which shall be a Business Day;

        (iii) whether such Revolving Loan is to be a Base Rate Revolving Loan
              or a LIBOR Loan; and

        (iv) in the case of a LIBOR Loan, the initial LIBOR Period to be
             applicable thereto.

        If no election as to the type of Revolving Loan is specified, then the
        requested Revolving Loan shall be a Base Rate Revolving Loan. If no
        LIBOR Period is specified with respect to any requested LIBOR Loan, then
        the Borrowers shall be deemed to have selected a LIBOR Period of one
        month's duration.

    (d) At the commencement of each LIBOR Period for each LIBOR Loan, such LIBOR
Loan shall be in an aggregate amount at least equal to $500,000 or any greater
multiple of $100,000. At the time that each Base Rate Revolving Loan is made,
such Loan shall be in an aggregate amount that is at least equal to $100,000 or
any greater multiple of $100,000; provided that a Base Rate Revolving Loan may
be in an aggregate amount that is equal to the entire unused balance of the
Revolving Loan Commitment. LIBOR Loans and Base Rate Revolving Loans may be
outstanding at the same time; provided that there shall not at any time be more
than a total of four (4) LIBOR Loans outstanding.

    (e) If the Borrowers shall request any LIBOR Loan, the Bank at its option
may make such LIBOR Loan by causing any domestic or foreign branch or Affiliate
of the Bank to make such LIBOR Loan; provided that any exercise of such option
shall not affect the obligation of the Borrowers to repay such LIBOR Loan in
accordance with the terms of this Agreement.

    Section 2.2   The Acquisition Facility Loans.

    (a) Upon the terms and subject to the conditions of this Agreement, and in
reliance upon the representations, warranties and covenants of the Credit
Parties made herein, the Bank agrees to make Acquisition Facility Loans to the
Borrowers at the Borrowers' request from time to time, from and after the
Closing Date and prior to the Acquisition Facility Conversion Date, provided
that the principal amount of Acquisition Facility Loans outstanding at any time
shall not exceed the Acquisition Facility Commitment Amount, and provided,
further, that at the time the Borrowers request a Acquisition Facility Loan and
after giving effect to the making thereof there has not occurred and is not
continuing any Event of Default or Default. Within the foregoing limits and
subject to the terms and conditions set forth herein, the Borrowers may borrow,
prepay and reborrow Acquisition Facility Loans. The commitment of the Bank to
make Acquisition Facility Loans to the Borrowers shall expire on the Acquisition
Facility Conversion Date, unless

                                      -14-

<PAGE>



earlier terminated in accordance with Sections 2.6 or 8.2 of this Agreement. On
the Acquisition Facility Conversion Date, the aggregate outstanding principal
amount of the Acquisition Facility Loans shall be automatically converted into a
five year term loan bearing interest at the rate provided in Section 2.7 and
payable in such principal installments as provided in Sections 2.9 and 2.10.

    (b) Except as otherwise provided in any cash management or similar
agreements between the Borrowers and the Bank, to request an Acquisition
Facility Loan, the Borrowers shall notify the Bank of such request by telephone
no later than 11:00 a.m., Boston, Massachusetts time, two (2) Business Days
before the date of the proposed Acquisition facility Loan. Except as otherwise
provided in any cash management or similar agreements between the Borrowers and
the Bank, each such telephonic loan request shall be irrevocable and shall be
confirmed promptly by hand delivery or telephonic facsimile to the Bank of a
Notice of Borrowing executed by the Borrowers.

    (c) At the time that each Acquisition Facility Loan is made, such Loan shall
be in an aggregate amount that is at least equal to $100,000 or any greater
multiple of $100,000.

    (d) Each such telephonic loan request and each Notice of Borrowing shall
specify the following information in compliance with this Section 2.2:

        (i)  the aggregate amount of such Acquisition Facility Loan; and

        (ii) the date of such Acquisition Facility Loan, which shall be a
             Business Day.

    Section 2.3 The Term Loan. Upon the terms and subject to the conditions of
this Agreement, and in reliance upon the representations, warranties and
covenants of the Credit Parties made herein, the Bank agrees to make a Term Loan
to the Borrowers in the amount of $725,000. The Term Loan shall be funded in a
single advance on the Closing Date. Any portion of the Term Loan not advanced on
the Closing Date for any reason shall cease to be available and the Bank and the
Borrowers shall amend the Term Note and this Agreement, as necessary, to reflect
such reduction in the principal amount.

    Section 2.4 Funding of Loans; Loan Account.

    (a) Unless the Borrowers shall otherwise authorize and direct the Bank in
writing, the Bank shall make each Loan to be made by it hereunder available to
the Borrowers by promptly crediting the amount of such Loan to an account of the
Borrowers maintained with the Bank at its head office at 100 Federal Street,
Boston, Massachusetts, on the date requested by the Borrowers provided that
Borrowers have made such request in accordance with the provisions of this
Article 2.

    (b) The Bank shall enter the Loans as debits in the Loan Account. The Bank
shall also record in the Loan Account all payments made by the Borrowers on
account of the Loans, and may also record therein, in accordance with customary
accounting practices, other debits and credits, including customary banking
charges and all interest, fees, charges and expenses chargeable to the Borrowers
under this Agreement. The debit balance of the Loan Account shall reflect the
amount of the Borrowers' Obligations to the Bank from time to time by reason of
Loans and other appropriate charges hereunder. Periodically, the Bank shall
render a statement of account showing as of its date the debit balance of the
Loan Account which, unless within thirty (30) days of such date notice to the
contrary is received by the Bank from the Borrowers, shall be considered correct
and accepted by the Borrowers and conclusively binding upon them, in the absence
of manifest error by the Bank.

                                      -15-

<PAGE>

     Section 2.5  The Notes.

    (a) The Revolving Loans shall be evidenced by a Revolving Note in
substantially the form of Exhibit A-1 hereto, payable to the order of the Bank,
with a face principal amount equal to the Revolving Loan Commitment Amount, and
having a final maturity on the Revolving Loan Termination Date.

    (b) The Acquisition Facility Loans shall be evidenced by an Acquisition
Facility Note in substantially the form of Exhibit A-2 hereto, payable to the
order of the Bank, with a face principal amount equal to the Acquisition
Facility Commitment Amount, and having a final maturity on the Acquisition
Facility Maturity Date.

    (c) The Term Loan shall be evidenced by the Term Note in substantially the
form of Exhibit A-3 hereto, payable to the order of the Bank, with a face
principal amount equal to the Term Loan Commitment Amount, and having a final
maturity on the Term Loan Maturity Date.

    (d) The Bank shall, and is hereby irrevocably authorized by the Borrowers
to, enter in its records appropriate notations evidencing the date and the
amount of each Loan, the interest rate applicable thereto and the date and
amount of each payment of principal made by the Borrowers with respect thereto;
and in the absence of manifest error, such notations shall constitute conclusive
evidence thereof. No failure on the part of the Bank to make any notation as
provided in this subsection (d) shall in any way affect any Loan or the rights
of the Bank or the obligations of the Borrowers with respect thereto.

    Section 2.6   Reduction of Commitment Amounts.

    (a) The Borrowers may from time to time by written notice delivered to the
Bank at least five (5) Business Days prior to the date of the requested
reduction, reduce by integral multiples of One Hundred Thousand Dollars
($100,000) any unborrowed portion of the Revolving Loan Commitment Amount. No
reduction of the Revolving Loan Commitment Amount shall be subject to
reinstatement.

    (b) The Borrowers may from time to time by written notice delivered to the
Bank at least five (5) Business Days prior to the date of the requested
reduction, reduce by integral multiples of One Hundred Thousand Dollars
($100,000) any unborrowed portion of the Acquisition Facility Commitment Amount.
No reduction of the Acquisition Facility Commitment Amount shall be subject to
reinstatement.

    Section 2.7   Interest.

    (a) At the Borrowers' option, as specified in each Notice of Borrowing with
respect to a Revolving Loan, and subject to all of the other terms and
provisions of this Agreement, each Revolving Loan shall bear interest on the
outstanding principal amount thereof at a rate per annum equal to either (i) the
Base Rate, or (ii) the LIBOR Rate plus two and one-quarter percent (2.25%).

    (b) Prior to the Acquisition Facility Conversion Date, each Acquisition Loan
shall bear interest on the outstanding principal amount thereof at a rate per
annum equal to the Base Rate plus one-quarter of one percent (0.25%).

    (c) At the Borrowers' option, as designated in accordance with this
subsection 2.7(c), from and after the Acquisition Facility Conversion Date, the
outstanding principal amount of the Acquisition Facility Loans shall bear
interest at a rate per annum equal to either (i) the Base Rate plus one percent
(1.00%), or (ii) the Applicable Fixed Rate. The Borrowers shall have the one
time right on the Business Day immediately preceding the Acquisition Facility
Conversion Date to select which of the two foregoing interest rates shall apply
to the outstanding balance of the

                                      -16-
<PAGE>

Acquisition Facility Loans for the remaining term of the Acquisition Facility
Loans. The Borrowers shall effect such interest rate selection by delivering to
the Bank on the Business Day immediately preceding the Acquisition Facility
Conversion Date a written notice specifying the The Borrowers' interest
selection pursuant to this subsection 2.7(c). In the event the Borrowers fail to
deliver such notice to the Bank on such date, the Borrowers shall be deemed to
have selected the rate of interest specified in clause (i) of this subsection
2.7(c).

    (d) The Term Loan shall bear interest on the outstanding principal amount
thereof at a rate per annum equal to the Base Rate plus one quarter of one
percent (0.25%), which rate shall change contemporaneously with any change in
the Base Rate.

    (e) Interest for all Loans shall be determined on the basis of the actual
number of days elapsed over a 360-day year. The applicable rate of interest for
all Base Rate Loans shall change contemporaneously with any change in the Base
Rate.

    (f) Interest on all Base Rate Loans shall be due and payable monthly in
arrears on the last day of each month, commencing May 31, 1998. Interest on each
LIBOR Loan shall be payable on the expiration date of each LIBOR Period (and in
the case of any LIBOR Loan with a LIBOR Period of more than three months'
duration, on the 90th day after the extension of such LIBOR Loan and on the
expiration date of such LIBOR Period).

    Section 2.8   Fees.

    (a) The Borrowers shall pay to the Bank during the Revolving Loan Commitment
Period a commitment fee equal to one quarter of one percent (0.25%) per annum
(computed on the basis of the actual number of days elapsed over a 360-day year)
on the average daily amount of the unborrowed portion of the Revolving Loan
Commitment, payable monthly in arrears on the last day of each month, commencing
May 31, 1998.

    (b) The Borrowers shall pay to the Bank during the Acquisition Facility
Commitment Period a commitment fee equal to one quarter of one percent (0.25%)
per annum (computed on the basis of the actual number of days elapsed over a
360-day year) on the average daily amount of the unborrowed portion of the
Acquisition Facility Commitment, payable monthly in arrears on the last day of
each month, commencing May 31, 1998.

    (c) The Borrowers shall pay to the Bank on the Closing Date a one-time
facility set-up fee in an amount equal to $50,000. No portion of such fee shall
be subject to refund or reduction.

    Section 2.9 Repayment of the Loans.

    (a) The Borrowers hereby unconditionally promise to pay to the Bank the then
unpaid principal amount of the Revolving Loans on the Revolving Loan Termination
Date. In addition, if following any reduction in the Revolving Loan Commitment
Amount or at any other time the aggregate principal amount of the Revolving
Loans shall exceed the lesser of (i) the Revolving Loan Commitment Amount or
(ii) the Borrowing Base at such time less the outstanding principal balance of
the Term Loan at such time, the Borrowers shall immediately repay Revolving
Loans in an aggregate amount equal to such excess.

                                      -17-

<PAGE>



    (b) The Borrowers hereby unconditionally promise to pay to the Bank the
aggregate principal amount of the Acquisition Facility Loans outstanding on the
Acquisition Facility Conversion Date in sixty (60) installments as follows: (i)
fifty-nine (59) consecutive equal monthly principal installments each equal in
amount to (A) the outstanding principal balance of the Acquisition Facility
Loans outstanding on the Acquisition Facility Conversion Date, divided by (B)
sixty (60) shall be due and payable on the last day of each month commencing on
the last day of the first month following the Acquisition Facility Conversion
Date, and (ii) one (1) final principal installment shall be due and payable on
the Acquisition Facility Maturity Date in an amount equal to the then unpaid
principal amount of all Acquisition Facility Loans. In addition, if following
any reduction in the Acquisition Facility Commitment Amount or at any other time
prior to the Acquisition Facility Conversion Date the principal amount of the
outstanding Acquisition Facility Loans shall exceed the Acquisition Facility
Commitment Amount, the Borrowers shall immediately repay Acquisition Facility
Loans in an aggregate amount equal to such excess.

    (c) The Borrowers hereby unconditionally promise to pay to the Bank the
principal amount of the Term Loan in twenty-nine (29) installments as follows:
(i) twenty-eight (28) consecutive equal monthly principal installments of
$25,000 shall be due and payable on the last day of each month commencing on May
31, 1998, and (ii) one (1) final principal installment shall be due and payable
on the Term Loan Maturity Date in an amount equal to the then unpaid principal
amount of the Term Loan.

    Section 2.10 Prepayment of the Loans.

    (a) The Borrowers shall have the right at any time and from time to time to
prepay the Revolving Loans in whole or in part, without premium or penalty,
except that the Borrowers shall be required to compensate the Bank for any
losses associated with any early termination of a LIBOR Loan as provided in
Section 2.15.

    (b) The Borrowers shall have the right at any time and from time to time
prior to the Acquisition Facility Conversion Date to prepay the Acquisition
Facility Loans in whole or in part, without premium or penalty.

    (c) If, pursuant to subsection 2.7(c), the Borrowers shall have selected an
interest rate with respect to the Acquisition Facility Loans determined by
reference to the Base Rate, the Borrowers shall have the right at any time and
from time to time after the Acquisition Facility Conversion Date to prepay the
Acquisition Facility Loans in whole or in part, without premium or penalty.

    (d) If, pursuant to subsection 2.7(c), the Borrowers shall have selected an
interest rate with respect to the Acquisition Facility Loans determined by
reference to the Applicable Fixed Rate, the Borrowers shall have the right at
any time and from time to time after the Acquisition Facility Conversion Date to
prepay the Acquisition Facility Loans in whole or in part without penalty but
subject to the requirement that the Borrowers pay to the Bank a make whole
premium equal to the positive difference (if any) between (A) the present value
of all scheduled payments of principal and interest in respect of the portion of
the Acquisition Facility Loans which are the subject of such prepayment, which,
but for the prepayment, would be required to be made by the Borrowers following
the date of such prepayment, and (B) the present value of a United States
Treasury obligation with a principal balance equal to the principal balance of
the portion of the Acquisition Facility Loans which are the subject of such
prepayment as of the date of such prepayment and having a term and amortization
schedule substantially similar to the term and amortization schedule of the
Acquisition Facility Loans as of the date of such prepayment.

    (e) The Borrowers shall have the right at any time and from time to time to
prepay the Term Loan in whole or in part, without premium or penalty.

                                      -18-

<PAGE>



    (f) The Borrowers shall be required to make the following mandatory
prepayments with respect to the Term Loan and the Acquisition Facility Loans:

        (i) Within thirty (30) days following the receipt by the Credit Parties
        of the proceeds of any insurance, condemnation award or other
        compensation in respect of any Casualty Event affecting any property of
        the Credit Parties, the Borrowers shall make a prepayment in an
        aggregate amount equal to 100% (or such lesser amount as the Bank in its
        sole discretion shall determine) of the net cash proceeds from such
        Casualty Event received by the Credit Parties, provided that such
        prepayment shall be required only if and to the extent that the
        aggregate amount of net cash proceeds received by the Credit Parties on
        account of all such Casualty Events during any fiscal year exceeds
        $200,000.

        (ii) Without limiting the obligation of the Credit Parties to obtain the
        consent of the Bank prior to any incurrence of Indebtedness or sale of
        equity securities not otherwise permitted hereunder, the Borrowers
        agree, on or prior to the closing of any incurrence of Indebtedness
        (other than Indebtedness permitted under Section 6.1) or sale of equity
        securities (other than the issuance of stock, options or warrants to
        employees in accordance with employee benefit plans of the Guarantor) by
        any of the Credit Parties to deliver to the Bank a statement certified
        by the Chief Financial Officer of the Guarantor, in form and detail
        reasonably satisfactory to the Bank, of the estimated amount of net cash
        proceeds of such incurrence of Indebtedness or sale of equity securities
        that will be received by the Credit Parties, and the Borrowers shall
        make a prepayment within ten (10) days of the date of receipt by the
        Credit Parties of such net cash proceeds, in an aggregate amount equal
        to (A) 100% (or such lesser amount as the Bank in its sole discretion
        shall determine) of such net cash proceeds from any such incurrence of
        Indebtedness received by the Credit Parties, and (B) 50% (or such lesser
        amount as the Bank in its sole discretion shall determine) of such net
        cash proceeds from any such sale of equity securities received by the
        Credit Parties.

        (iii) Without limiting the obligation of the Credit Parties to obtain
        the consent of the Bank with respect to any Disposition not otherwise
        permitted hereunder, the Borrowers agree, on or prior to the occurrence
        of any Disposition by the Borrowers, to deliver to the Bank a statement
        certified by the Chief Financial Officer of the Borrower, in form and
        detail reasonably satisfactory to the Bank, of the estimated amount of
        the net cash proceeds of such Disposition that will be received by the
        Credit Parties, and the Borrowers shall make a prepayment within ten
        (10) days of the date of receipt by the Credit Parties of such net cash
        proceeds, in an aggregate amount equal to 100% (or such lesser amount as
        the Bank in its sole discretion shall determine) of such net cash
        proceeds received by the Credit Parties, provided that such prepayment
        shall be required only if and to the extent that the aggregate amount of
        net cash proceeds received by the Credit Parties on account of all
        Dispositions during any fiscal year exceed $300,000.

    (g) In the event of any optional prepayment pursuant to subsections (b),
(c), (d) or (e) of this Section 2.10, or any mandatory prepayment pursuant to
subsection (f) of this Section 2.10, such prepayment shall be allocated first
against the outstanding balance of the Term Loan and then against the
outstanding balance of the Acquisition Facility Loans, in each case, in the
inverse order of maturity.

                                      -19-

<PAGE>



    (h) The Borrowers shall notify the Bank by telephone (confirmed by telecopy)
of any prepayment hereunder (i) in the case of prepayment of a LIBOR Loan, not
later than 11:00 a.m., Boston, Massachusetts time, three Business Days before
the date of prepayment or (ii) in the case of prepayment of a Base Rate Loan,
not later than 2:00 p.m., Boston, Massachusetts time, one Business Day before
the date of prepayment. Each such notice shall be irrevocable and shall specify
the prepayment date and the principal amount of each Loan or portion thereof to
be prepaid.

    (i) All prepayments of Loans shall be accompanied by payment of accrued
interest in respect of such prepaid Loans through the date of such prepayment.
Each optional prepayment of Loans pursuant to subsections (b), (c) or (e) of
this Section 2.10 shall be in an amount of not less than $100,000; each optional
prepayment of Loans pursuant to subsection (d) of this Section 2.10 shall be in
an amount of not less than $1,000,000.

    Section 2.11 Manner and Time of Payments. The Borrowers authorize the Bank
to charge to the Loan Account or, if funds in the Loan Account are insufficient
to satisfy charges authorized hereunder, to any deposit account which the
Borrowers may maintain with the Bank, the principal, interest, fees, charges,
taxes and expenses provided for in this Agreement or any other document executed
or delivered in connection herewith, provided that the Bank shall not be
authorized hereunder to charge against any Escrowed Funds (other than Pledged
Escrow Proceeds) for any purpose. If any payment required to be made by the
Credit Parties to the Bank pursuant to this Agreement becomes due on a day that
is not a Business Day such payment may be made on the next succeeding Business
Day, and such extension shall be included in computing interest in connection
with such payment

    Section 2.12  Overdue Payments.

    (a) Overdue principal (whether at maturity, by reason of acceleration or
otherwise) and, to the extent permitted by applicable law, overdue interest and
fees or any other amounts payable hereunder or under the Notes shall bear
interest from and including the due date thereof until paid, at a rate per annum
equal to the Base Rate plus four percent (4.0%), which interest shall be
compounded daily and payable on demand.

    (b) If a payment of principal or interest hereunder is not made within 10
days of its due date, the Borrowers shall also pay to the Bank on demand a late
payment charge equal to five percent (5%) of the amount of such payment.

    (c) Nothing in the preceding subsections 2.12(a) and 2.12(b) shall affect
the Bank's right to exercise any of its rights or remedies, including those
provided in Section 8.2, if an Event of Default has occurred.

    Section 2.13  Use of Proceeds.

    (a) The Borrowers shall use the proceeds of the Revolving Loans exclusively
(i) to repay the outstanding revolving credit loans owing from the Borrowers to
the Bank under the Amended Credit Agreement, and (ii) for general working
capital purposes.

    (b) The Borrowers shall use the proceeds of the Acquisition Facility Loans
exclusively (i) to repay the line of credit loan owing from the Borrowers to the
Bank under the Amended Credit Agreement, and (ii) to finance Acquisitions
permitted under Section 6.8 of this Agreement.

    (c) The Borrowers shall use the proceeds of the Term Loan exclusively to
repay the outstanding term loan owing from the Borrowers to the Bank under the
Amended Credit Agreement.

                                      -20-

<PAGE>



    (d) The Borrowers shall not, and shall not permit any Subsidiary to,
directly or indirectly, use any part of the proceeds of the Loans (i) for the
purpose of making any payment which is prohibited by this Agreement, (ii) for
the purpose of purchasing or carrying any margin stock within the meaning of
Regulation U (12 CFR Part 221) of the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve
System, or (iii) for any purpose that would violate any provision of any
applicable statute, regulation, order or restriction.

    Section 2.14 Conditions for Basing Interest on the LIBOR Rate. Upon the
condition that:

    (a) The Bank shall have received a request for a LIBOR Loan from the
Borrowers as provided in subsection 2.1;

    (b) There shall have occurred no change in applicable law which would make
it unlawful for the Bank to obtain deposits of U.S. dollars in the London
interbank foreign currency deposits market;

    (c) As of the date of the request for each LIBOR Loan and the first day of
the applicable LIBOR Period, there shall exist no Default or Event of Default,
which has not been waived by the Bank;

    (d) The Bank shall not have determined in good faith that it is unable to
determine the LIBOR Rate in respect of the requested LIBOR Loan; and

    (e) As of the first date of the LIBOR Period specified in such request for a
LIBOR Loan, and after having given effect thereto, there shall be no more than
an aggregate of four (4) LIBOR Loans outstanding;

then the Revolving Loan requested by the Borrowers shall, during the applicable
LIBOR Period requested, bear interest at the rate determined by reference to the
LIBOR Rate.

    Section 2.15  Break Funding Payments.

    (a) In the event of (i) the payment of any principal of any LIBOR Loan other
than on the last day of the LIBOR Period applicable thereto (including as a
result of an Event of Default), (ii) the conversion of any LIBOR Loan other than
on the last day of the LIBOR Period applicable thereto or (iii) the failure to
borrow, convert, continue or prepay any LIBOR Loan on the date specified in any
notice delivered pursuant hereto (regardless of whether such notice is permitted
to be revocable and is revoked in accordance herewith) then, in any such event,
the Borrowers shall compensate the Bank for the loss, cost and expense, if any,
attributable to such event.

    (b) The loss to the Bank attributable to any event described in subsection
2.15(a) shall be deemed to include an amount determined by the Bank to be equal
to the excess, if any, of

        (i) the amount of interest that the Bank would pay for a deposit equal
        to the principal amount of such LIBOR Loan for the period from the date
        of such payment, conversion or failure to the last day of the then
        current LIBOR Period for such Loan (or, in the case of a failure to
        borrow, convert or continue, the duration of the LIBOR Period that would
        have resulted from such borrowing, conversion or continuation) if the
        interest rate payable on such deposit were equal to the LIBOR Rate for
        such LIBOR Period,

    over

                                      -21-

<PAGE>



        (ii) the amount of interest that the Bank would earn on such principal
        amount for such period if the Bank were to invest such principal amount
        for such period at the interest rate that would be bid by the Bank (or
        an affiliate of the Bank) for U.S. dollar deposits from other banks in
        the London interbank market at the commencement of such period.

    (c) A certificate of the Bank setting forth any amount or amounts that the
Bank is entitled to receive pursuant to this subsection 2.15 shall be delivered
to the Borrowers and shall be conclusive absent manifest error. The Borrowers
shall pay the Bank the amount shown as due on any such certificate within ten
(10) days after receipt thereof.

    Section 2.16 Change in Applicable Laws, Regulations, etc. If any statute,
rule, regulation or order applicable to the Bank shall make it unlawful for the
Bank to fund through the purchase of U.S. dollar deposits any LIBOR Loan, or
otherwise to give effect to its obligations as contemplated hereby, or shall
impose on the Bank any costs based on or measured by the excess above a
specified level of the amount of a category of deposits or other liabilities of
the Bank, which includes deposits by reference to which the LIBOR Rate is
determined as provided herein or a category of extensions of credit or other
assets of the Bank which includes any LIBOR Loans, or shall impose on the Bank
any restrictions on the amount of such a category of liabilities or assets which
the Bank may hold, (a) the Bank may by notice thereof to the Borrowers terminate
the Borrowers' option to have interest on any Loan based on the LIBOR Rate, (b)
any LIBOR Loans subject thereto shall immediately bear interest thereafter at a
rate determined by reference to the Base Rate; and (c) the Borrowers shall
indemnify the Bank against any loss, penalty or expense incurred by the Bank by
reason of the liquidation or redeployment of deposits or other funds acquired by
the Bank to fund or maintain such LIBOR Loans.

    Section 2.17  Taxes.

    (a) Except to the extent required by applicable law, any and all payments by
or on account of any obligation of the Borrowers hereunder shall be made free
and clear of and without deduction for any taxes, other than income, net worth
or franchise taxes imposed on (or measured by) the Bank's net income or net
worth by the United States of America, or any state or local jurisdiction within
the United States of America ("Excluded Taxes"); provided that if the Borrowers
shall be required to deduct any taxes (other than Excluded Taxes) from any such
payments, then (i) the sum payable shall be increased as necessary so that after
making all required deductions (including deductions applicable to additional
sums payable under this Section 2.17) the Bank receives an amount equal to the
sum it would have received had no such deductions been made, (ii) the Borrowers
shall make such deductions and (iii) the Borrowers shall pay the full amount
deducted to the relevant governmental authority in accordance with applicable
law.

    (b) In addition, the Borrowers shall pay any and all present or future stamp
or documentary taxes or any other excise or property taxes, charges or similar
levies arising from any payment made hereunder or from the execution, delivery
or enforcement of, or otherwise with respect to, this Agreement, the Notes and
any other documents or agreement executed in connection with any of them, to the
relevant governmental authority in accordance with applicable law.

    (c) The Borrowers shall indemnify the Bank, within ten (10) days after
written demand therefor, for the full amount of any and all taxes (other than
Excluded Taxes) imposed or asserted on or attributable to amounts payable under
this Agreement paid by the Bank (and any penalties, interest and reasonable
expenses arising therefrom or with respect thereto during the period prior to
the Borrowers making the payment demanded under this paragraph (c)), whether or
not such taxes were correctly or legally

                                      -22-

<PAGE>


imposed or asserted by the relevant governmental authority. A certificate as to
the amount of such payment or liability delivered to the Borrowers by the Bank
shall be conclusive absent manifest error.

    (d) As soon as practicable after any payment of taxes by the Borrowers to a
governmental authority in accordance with this Section 2.17, the Borrowers shall
deliver to the Bank the original or a certified copy of a receipt issued by such
governmental authority evidencing such payment, a copy of the return reporting
such payment or other evidence of such payment reasonably satisfactory to the
Bank.

    Section 2.18 Capital Requirements. If after the date hereof the Bank
determines that (a) the adoption of or change in any law, rule, regulation or
guideline regarding capital requirements for banks or bank holding companies, or
any change in the interpretation or application thereof by any governmental
authority charged with the administration thereof, or (b) compliance by the Bank
or its parent bank holding company with any guideline, request or directive of
any such governmental authority regarding capital adequacy (whether or not
having the force of law), has the effect of reducing the return on the Bank's or
such holding company's capital as a consequence of the Bank's commitment to make
Loans hereunder to a level below that which the Bank or such holding company
could have achieved but for such adoption, change or compliance by any amount
deemed by the Bank to be material, then the Bank shall notify the Borrowers
thereof. The Borrowers agree to pay to the Bank the amount of such reduction of
capital as and when such reduction is determined, upon presentation by the Bank
of a statement in the amount and setting forth the Bank's calculation thereof,
which statement shall be deemed true and correct absent manifest error. In
determining such amount, the Bank may use any reasonable averaging and
attribution methods.


                          ARTICLE 3 CONDITIONS OF LOANS

    Section 3.1 Conditions Precedent to Initial Loans. The obligations of the
Bank to make the Term Loan, the initial Revolving Loan and the initial
Acquisition Facility Loan are subject to the condition precedent that the Bank
shall have received, in form and substance satisfactory to the Bank and its
counsel, the following:

    (a) this Agreement duly executed by the Credit Parties and the Notes duly
executed by the Borrowers;

    (b) a certificate of the Clerk or Secretary of each of the Credit Parties
with respect to resolutions of the Board of Directors authorizing the execution
and delivery of this Agreement (with respect to all of the Credit Parties) and
the Notes (with respect to the Borrowers) and identifying the officer(s)
authorized to execute, deliver and take all other actions required under this
Agreement, and providing specimen signatures of such officers;

    (c) the charter documents of each of the Credit Parties and all amendments
and supplements thereto, filed in the office of the Secretary of State of the
jurisdiction of incorporation of each Credit Party, each certified by said
Secretary of State as being a true and correct copy thereof;

    (d) the Bylaws of each of the Credit Parties and all amendments and
supplements thereto, certified by the Clerk or Secretary of such Credit Party as
being a true and correct copy thereof;

    (e) a certificate of the Secretary of State of the jurisdiction of
incorporation of each Credit Party, as to such Credit Party's legal existence
and good standing in such jurisdiction and listing all documents on file in the
office of said Secretary of State for each Credit Party;

                                      -23-
<PAGE>



    (f) payment to the Bank of the facility set-up fee pursuant to subsection
2.8(c) and all other fees, costs and expenses of the Bank required to be paid by
the Borrowers on or before the Closing Date (including, without limitation, the
reasonable fees of the Bank's counsel);

    (g) an opinion addressed to the Bank from Robert J. McCauley, General
Counsel to the Credit Parties, in form and substance satisfactory to the Bank
and its counsel;

    (h) an opinion addressed to the Bank from local Connecticut counsel to the
Credit Parties, in form and substance satisfactory to the Bank and its counsel;
and

    (i) such other documents, and completion of such other matters, as counsel
for the Bank may deem necessary or appropriate.

    Section 3.2 Conditions Precedent to all Loans. The obligation of the Bank to
make each Loan, including the Term Loan, the initial Revolving Loan and the
initial Acquisition Facility Loan, is further subject to the following
conditions:

    (a) the representations and warranties contained in Article 4 shall be true
and accurate in all material respects on and as of the date of such Loan making
as though made at and as of each such date (except to the extent that such
representations and warranties expressly relate to an earlier date), and no
Default or Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing, or would
occur after giving effect to the making of such Loan;

    (b) the resolutions referred to in Section 3.1(b) shall remain in full force
and effect; and

    (c) no change shall have occurred in any law or regulation or interpretation
thereof that, in the opinion of counsel for the Bank, would make it illegal or
against the policy of any governmental agency or authority for the Bank to make
Loans hereunder.

    The making of each Loan shall be deemed to be a representation and warranty
by the Credit Parties on the date of the making, continuation or conversion of
such Loan as to the accuracy of the facts referred to in subsection 3.2(a).


                    ARTICLE 4 REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES

    In order to induce the Bank to enter into this Agreement and to make Loans
hereunder, each of the Credit Parties represents and warrants to the Bank that:

    Section 4.1 Organization and Qualification. Each of the Credit Parties (a)
is a corporation duly organized, validly existing and in good standing under the
laws of its jurisdiction of incorporation, (b) has all requisite corporate power
to own its property and conduct its business as now conducted and as presently
contemplated and (c) is duly qualified and in good standing as a foreign
corporation and is duly authorized to do business in each jurisdiction where the
nature of its properties or business requires such qualification, all of which
foreign jurisdictions are listed on Schedule 4.1 attached hereto.

                                      -24-

<PAGE>



    Section 4.2 Corporate Authority. The execution, delivery and performance of
this Agreement, the Notes and the transactions contemplated hereby and thereby
are within the corporate power and authority of the Credit Parties and have been
authorized by all necessary corporate proceedings, and do not and will not (a)
require any consent or approval of the stockholders of any Credit Party, (b)
contravene any provision of the charter documents or by-laws of any Credit Party
or any law, rule or regulation applicable to any Credit Party, (c) contravene
any provision of, or constitute an event of default or event that, but for the
requirement that time elapse or notice be given, or both, would constitute an
event of default under, any other agreement, instrument, order or undertaking
binding on any Credit Party, or (d) result in or require the imposition of any
Encumbrance on any of the properties, assets or rights of any Credit Party
(other than Encumbrances in favor of the Bank).

    Section 4.3 Valid Obligations. This Agreement, the Notes and the Amended and
Restated Affiliate Subordination Agreement of even date herewith between the
Credit Parties, DeWolfe Mortgage and the Bank, and all of their respective terms
and provisions are the legal, valid and binding obligations of the Credit
Parties, enforceable in accordance with their respective terms except as limited
by bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization, moratorium or other laws affecting
the enforcement of creditors' rights generally, and except as the remedy of
specific performance or of injunctive relief is subject to the discretion of the
court before which any proceeding therefor may be brought.

    Section 4.4 Consents or Approvals. The execution, delivery and performance
of this Agreement and the Notes and the transactions contemplated therein do not
require any approval or consent of, or filing or registration with, any
governmental or other agency or authority, or any other party.

    Section 4.5 Title to Properties; Absence of Encumbrances. Each of the Credit
Parties and each of their Subsidiaries has good and marketable title to all of
the properties, assets and rights of every name and nature now purported to be
owned by such Credit Party or such Subsidiary, including, without limitation,
such properties, assets and rights as are reflected in the financial statements
referred to in Section 4.6 (except such properties, assets or rights as have
been disposed of in the ordinary course of business since the date thereof),
free from all Encumbrances except Permitted Encumbrances or those Encumbrances
disclosed in Schedule 4.5 attached hereto, and, except as so disclosed, free
from all defects of title that might materially adversely affect such
properties, assets or rights, taken as a whole.

    Section 4.6 Financial Statements. The Credit Parties have furnished to the
Bank their consolidated balance sheet as at December 31, 1997, and their
consolidated statements of income, changes in stockholders' equity and cash flow
for the fiscal year then ended, and related footnotes, audited and certified by
Ernst & Young. All such financial statements were prepared in accordance with
GAAP applied on a consistent basis throughout the periods specified and present
fairly the financial position of the Credit Parties and their Subsidiaries as of
such dates and the results of the operations of the Credit Parties and their
Subsidiaries for such periods. All financial projections provided to the Bank
were prepared in good faith and based on assumptions which were reasonable when
made. There are no liabilities, contingent or otherwise, not disclosed in such
financial statements that involve a material amount. Since the end of the most
recent fiscal period shown in such financial statements, there has not been any
material adverse change in the business, operations, properties or financial
positions of any of the Credit Parties.

    Section 4.7 Changes. Since the date of the most recent financial statements
referred to in Section 4.6, there have been no changes in the assets,
liabilities, financial condition, businesses or prospects of any of the Credit
Parties other than changes in the ordinary course of business, the effect of
which has not, in the aggregate, been materially adverse.

                                      -25-

<PAGE>



    Section 4.8 Office and Collateral Locations. All business offices of the
Credit Parties and other locations where any of the Collateral is located or
where any books or records relating to any of the Collateral are maintained are
listed on Schedule 4.8 attached hereto.

    Section 4.9 Taxes. The Credit Parties and their Subsidiaries have filed all
federal, state and other tax returns required to be filed, and all taxes,
assessments and other governmental charges due from the Credit Parties and their
Subsidiaries have been fully paid. The Credit Parties and their Subsidiaries
have established on their books reserves adequate for the payment of all
federal, state and other tax liabilities.

    Section 4.10 Litigation. Except as set forth on Schedule 4.10 attached
hereto, there is no litigation, arbitration, proceeding or investigation
pending, or, to the knowledge of any Credit Party's officers, threatened,
against any of the Credit Parties or any of their Subsidiaries that, if
adversely determined, could result in a material judgment not fully covered by
insurance, could result in a forfeiture of all or any substantial part of the
property of any of the Credit Parties or any of their Subsidiaries, or could
otherwise have a material adverse effect on the assets, business or prospects of
any of the Credit Parties.

    Section 4.11 Margin Stock. No portion of any Loan is to be used for the
"purpose of purchasing or carrying" any "margin stock" as such terms are used in
Regulations U and X of the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System, 12
C.F.R. 221 and 224, as amended; and following the application of the proceeds of
each Loan, the value of all "margin stock" of the Credit Parties will not exceed
25% of the value of the total assets of the Credit Parties.

    Section 4.12 Subsidiaries. As of the date of this Agreement, all direct and
indirect Subsidiaries of the Guarantor are listed on Schedule 4.12 attached
hereto. The Guarantor or one or more of its Subsidiaries is the owner, free and
clear of all liens and encumbrances, of all of the issued and outstanding
capital stock of each Borrower. All shares of such stock have been validly
issued and are fully paid and nonassessable, and no rights to subscribe to any
additional shares have been granted, and no options, warrants or similar rights
are outstanding.

    Section 4.13 Investment Company Act. None of the Credit Parties or any of
their Subsidiaries is subject to regulation under the Investment Company Act of
1940, as amended.

    Section 4.14 Compliance with ERISA. The Credit Parties and all members of
the Controlled Group have fulfilled their obligations under the minimum funding
standards of ERISA and the Code with respect to each Plan and are in compliance
in all material respects with the applicable provisions of ERISA and the Code,
and have not incurred any liability to the PBGC or a Plan under Title IV of
ERISA; and no "prohibited transaction" or "reportable event" (as such terms are
defined in ERISA) has occurred with respect to any Plan.

    Section 4.15  Environmental Matters.

    (a)   The  Credit  Parties  and all of their  Subsidiaries  have  obtained 
          all permits, licenses and other authorizations which are required
          under all Environmental Laws, except to the extent failure to have any
          such permit, license or authorization would not have a material
          adverse effect on the business, financial condition or operations of
          any of the Credit Parties. The Credit Parties and all of their
          Subsidiaries are in compliance with the terms and conditions of all
          such permits, licenses and authorizations, and are also in compliance
          with all other limitations, restrictions, conditions, standards,
          prohibitions, requirements, obligations, schedules and timetables
          contained in any applicable Environmental Law or in any regulation,
          code, plan, order, decree, judgment, injunction, notice or demand
          letter issued, entered, promulgated or approved thereunder, except

                                      -26-

<PAGE>



          to the extent failure to comply would not have a material adverse
          effect on the business, financial condition or operations of any of
          the Credit Parties.

    (b) No notice, notification, demand, request for information, citation,
summons or order has been issued, no complaint has been filed, no penalty has
been assessed and no investigation or review is pending or threatened by any
governmental or other entity with respect to any alleged failure by any of the
Credit Parties or any of their Subsidiaries to have any permit, license or
authorization required in connection with the conduct of its business or with
respect to any Environmental Laws, including, without limitation, Environmental
Laws relating to the generation, treatment, storage, recycling, transportation,
disposal or release of any Hazardous Materials, except to the extent that such
notice, complaint, penalty or investigation did not or could not result in the
remediation of any property owned or used by any of the Credit Parties or any of
their Subsidiaries costing in excess of Twenty-Five Thousand Dollars ($25,000)
per occurrence or Fifty Thousand Dollars ($50,000) in the aggregate as to all
the Credit Parties and their Subsidiaries.

    (c) To the best of each Credit Party's knowledge no material oral or written
notification of a release of a Hazardous Material has been filed by or on behalf
of any of the Credit Parties or any of their Subsidiaries and no property now or
previously owned, leased or used by any of the Credit Parties or any of their
Subsidiaries is listed or proposed for listing on the National Priorities List
under the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation and Liability Act
of 1980, as amended, or on any similar state list of sites requiring
investigation or clean-up.

    (d) There are no liens or encumbrances arising under or pursuant to any
Environmental Laws on any of the real property or properties owned, leased or
used by any of the Credit Parties or any of their Subsidiaries and no
governmental actions have been taken or are in process which could subject any
of such properties to such liens or encumbrances or, as a result of which any of
the Credit Parties or any of their Subsidiaries would be required to place any
notice or restriction relating to the presence of Hazardous Materials at any
property owned by it in any deed to such property.

    (e) None of the Credit Parties nor any of their Subsidiaries nor, to the
best knowledge of the Credit Parties, any previous owner, tenant, occupant or
user of any property owned, leased or used by any of the Credit Parties or any
of their Subsidiaries has (i) engaged in or permitted any operations or
activities upon or any use or occupancy of such property, or any portion
thereof, for the purpose of or in any way involving the handling, manufacture,
treatment, storage, use, generation, release, discharge, refining, dumping or
disposal (whether legal or illegal, accidental or intentional) of any Hazardous
Materials on, under, in or about such property, except to the extent commonly
used in day-to-day operations of such property and in such case only in
compliance with all Environmental Laws, or (ii) transported any Hazardous
Materials to, from or across such property except to the extent commonly used in
day-to-day operations of such property and, in such case, in compliance with,
all Environmental Laws; nor to the best knowledge of the Credit Parties have any
Hazardous Materials migrated from other properties upon, about or beneath such
property, nor, to the best knowledge of the Credit Parties, are any Hazardous
Materials presently constructed, deposited, stored or otherwise located on,
under, in or about such property except to the extent commonly used in
day-to-day operations of such property and, in such case, in compliance with,
all Environmental Laws.

                                      -27-


<PAGE>



                         ARTICLE 5 AFFIRMATIVE COVENANTS

    So long as the Bank has any commitment to lend hereunder or any Loan or
other Obligation remains outstanding, the Credit Parties covenant as follows:

    Section 5.1   Financial  Statements and other Reporting  Requirements.  The
Credit Parties shall furnish to the Bank:

    (a) as soon as available to the Credit Parties, but in any event within 90
days after the end of each fiscal year of the Credit Parties, a consolidated
balance sheet of the Credit Parties and their Subsidiaries as of the end of, and
a related consolidated statement of income, changes in stockholders' equity and
cash flow for, such year, prepared in accordance with GAAP and audited and
certified by Ernst & Young (or other independent certified public accountants
acceptable to the Bank), and together with such consolidated financial
statements, separate financial statements setting forth the independent
financial results of DeWolfe Mortgage, prepared in accordance with GAAP and
certified by the chief financial officer of the Guarantor; and, promptly upon
delivery by said certified public accountants, a copy of said certified public
accountants' management report;

    (b) as soon as available to the Borrowers, but in any event within 45 days
after the end of each fiscal quarter the Credit Parties, a consolidated balance
sheet of the Credit Parties and their Subsidiaries as of the end of such fiscal
quarter, and a related consolidated statement of income for, the period then
ended, certified by the chief financial officer of the Guarantor, and prepared
in accordance with GAAP but subject, however, to normal, recurring year-end
adjustments that shall not in the aggregate be material in amount;

    (c) concurrently with the delivery of each financial statement pursuant to
subsections 5.1.(a) and 5.1.(b), a report in substantially the form of Exhibit B
hereto signed on behalf of the Credit Parties by the chief financial officer of
the Guarantor;
    (d) promptly after the receipt thereof by the Credit Parties, copies of any
reports submitted to the Credit Parties by their independent public accountants
in connection with any interim review of the accounts of the Credit Parties made
by such accountants;

    (e) promptly after the same are available, copies of all proxy statements,
financial statements and reports (excluding reports in respect of the beneficial
ownership of officers, directors and certain other shareholders on Forms 3, 4
and 5, promulgated under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended) as the
Guarantor shall send to its stockholders or as the Guarantor or any of the
Credit Parties may file with the Securities and Exchange Commission or any
governmental authority at any time having jurisdiction over any of the Credit
Parties or any of their Subsidiaries;

    (f) if and when any of the Credit Parties gives or is required to give
notice to the PBGC of any "Reportable Event" (as defined in Section 4043 of
ERISA) with respect to any Plan that might constitute grounds for a termination
of such Plan under Title IV of ERISA, or knows that any member of the Controlled
Group or the plan administrator of any Plan has given or is required to give
notice of any such Reportable Event, a copy of the notice of such Reportable
Event given or required to be given to the PBGC;

    (g) immediately upon becoming aware of the existence of any condition or
event that constitutes a Default, written notice thereof specifying the nature
and duration thereof and the action being or proposed to be taken with respect
thereto;

                                      -28-

<PAGE>



    (h) promptly upon becoming aware of any litigation or of any investigative
proceedings by a governmental agency or authority commenced or threatened
against any of the Credit Parties or any of their Subsidiaries, the outcome of
which would or might have a materially adverse effect on the assets, business or
prospects of any of the Credit Parties, written notice thereof and the action
being or proposed to be taken with respect thereto;

    (i) promptly upon becoming aware of any investigative proceedings by a
governmental agency or authority commenced or threatened against any of the
Credit Parties or any of their Subsidiaries regarding any potential violation of
Environmental Laws or any spill, release, discharge or disposal of any Hazardous
Material, written notice thereof and the action being or proposed to be taken
with respect thereto;

    (j) as soon as available to the Borrowers, but in any event (i) within
fifteen (15) days after the end of the preceding month and (ii) on or prior to
the second business day of every second week with respect to new transactions
processed during the preceding two weeks, a report in the form appended hereto
as Exhibit C of the value of the Borrowing Base as of the end of such period;

    (k) for the purposes of computing the Borrowing Base, information adequate
to identify Base Accounts at times and in form and substance as may be requested
by the Bank, and if requested by the Bank, accompanied by agings or assignments
of Accounts in form and substance satisfactory to the Bank, which assignments
shall give the Bank full power to collect, compromise or otherwise deal with the
assigned Accounts as the sole owner thereof. Without limiting the foregoing,
information as to Base Accounts, which shall be updated monthly (or weekly, at
the request of the Bank), the Borrowers shall notify the Bank immediately of the
occurrence of each of the following events: (i) any request by an account debtor
for credit or adjustment of Base Accounts which decrease the aggregate of Base
Accounts in a material amount; (ii) any adjustment by the Borrowers on any
material amount owing on the aggregate Base Accounts; or (iii) any other event
materially affecting Base Accounts or the value or amount thereof. All payments
on Base Accounts and all adjustments and credits with respect thereto, whether
unilateral, negotiated or otherwise, shall be promptly reflected in the Net
Outstanding Amount of Base Accounts; and

    (l) from time to time, such other financial data and information about the
Credit Parties and their Subsidiaries as the Bank may reasonably request.

    Section 5.2   Conduct of Business.  Each of the Credit Parties and their
Subsidiaries shall:

    (a) duly observe and comply in all material respects with all applicable
laws and valid requirements of any governmental authorities relative to such
Credit Party's or such Subsidiary's corporate existence, rights and franchises,
to the conduct of its business and to its property and assets (including without
limitation all Environmental Laws and ERISA), and shall maintain and keep in
full force and effect all licenses and permits necessary in any material respect
to the proper conduct of its business;

    (b)  maintain its corporate existence;

    (c) remain engaged substantially in real estate brokerage, insurance or
related real estate and home ownership services activities; and

    (d) maintain and keep its properties in good repair, working order and
condition, and from time to time make all needful improvements thereto so that
its business may be property and advantageously conducted at all times. The
Credit Parties shall have and maintain at all times with respect to the
Collateral insurance against risks of fire, so-called extended coverage,
sprinkler, leakage and other risks

                                      -29-

<PAGE>



customarily insured against by companies engaged in businesses similar to that
of the Credit Parties, in amounts, containing such terms, in such form, for such
periods and written by such companies as may be reasonably satisfactory to the
Bank, such insurance to be payable to the Bank as loss payee and additional
insured, as its interests may appear. All policies of insurance shall provide
for thirty (30) days minimum written cancellation notice to the Bank. In the
event of failure to provide and maintain insurance as herein provided the Bank
may, at its option, provide such insurance and notify the Borrowers of the
charge and demand repayment immediately. The Credit Parties shall furnish to the
Bank certificates or other evidence satisfactory to the Bank of compliance with
the foregoing insurance provisions.

    Section 5.3 Taxes. The Credit Parties shall pay or cause to be paid all
taxes, assessments or governmental charges on or against them or any of their
Subsidiaries or its or their properties on or prior to the time when they become
due; provided that this covenant shall not apply to any tax, assessment or
charge that is being contested in good faith by appropriate proceedings and with
respect to which adequate reserves have been established and are being
maintained in accordance with GAAP.

    Section 5.4 Inspection by the Bank. The Credit Parties shall permit the Bank
or its designees, at any reasonable time, and upon reasonable notice (or if a
Default shall have occurred and is continuing, at any time and without prior
notice), (a) to visit and inspect the properties of any of the Credit Parties or
any of their Subsidiaries, (b) to examine and make copies of and take abstracts
from the books and records of the Credit Parties and their Subsidiaries, (c) to
discuss the affairs, finances and accounts of the Credit Parties and their
Subsidiaries with their appropriate officers, employees and accountants, and (d)
to arrange for verification of Accounts under reasonable procedures, directly
with account debtors or by other methods; and shall do, make, execute and
deliver all such additional and further acts, things, deeds, assurances, and
instruments as the Bank may reasonably require more completely to vest in and
assure to the Bank its rights hereunder or in any Collateral and to carry into
effect the provisions and intent of this Agreement. In handling such information
the Bank shall exercise the same degree of care that it exercises with respect
to its own proprietary information of the same types to maintain the
confidentiality of any non-public information thereby received or received
pursuant to subsections 5.1(a), (b), or (c) except that disclosure of such
information may be made (i) to the subsidiaries or Affiliates of the Bank in
connection with their present or prospective business relations with the Credit
Parties, (ii) to prospective transferees or purchasers of an interest in the
Loans, (iii) as required by law, regulation, rule or order, subpoena, judicial
order or similar order and (iv) as may be required in connection with the
examination, audit or similar investigation of the Bank.

    Section 5.5 Maintenance of Books and Records. Each of the Credit Parties and
their Subsidiaries shall keep adequate books and records of account, in which
true and complete entries will be made reflecting all of its business and
financial transactions, and such entries will be made in accordance with GAAP
consistently applied and applicable law.

    Section 5.6 Cash Flow Coverage Ratio. The Credit Parties shall maintain a
Cash Flow Coverage Ratio as at the end of each fiscal quarter of not less than
1.25:1.00.

    Section 5.7 Leverage Coverage. The Credit Parties shall maintain a Leverage
Ratio (a) as at end of each fiscal quarter during Fiscal Year 1998 of not
greater than 3.00:1.00, (b) as at the end of each fiscal quarter during Fiscal
Year 1999 of not greater than 2.50:1.00, and (c) as at the end of each fiscal
quarter during Fiscal Year 2000 and each fiscal quarter thereafter of not
greater than 2.00:1.00.

                                      -30-

<PAGE>



         Section 5.8 Further Assurances. At any time and from time to time the
Credit Parties shall, and shall cause each of their Subsidiaries to, execute and
deliver such further instruments and take such further action as may reasonably
be requested by the Bank to effect the purposes of this Agreement and the Notes.

         Section 5.9 Deposit Accounts. The Borrowers shall maintain not less
than 80% of the aggregate balance of Escrowed Funds in respect of purchase and
sale agreements dealing with property located in The Commonwealth of
Massachusetts. The Borrowers shall establish and maintain their operating and
deposit accounts with the Bank or the Bank's Affiliates unless the deposit
services and capabilities of the Bank or its Affiliates is substantially less
than the deposit services and capabilities offered by other banking institutions
where the Borrowers' business offices are located. The Borrowers shall also
maintain in the Loan Account at the Bank an amount sufficient at all times to
pay the next succeeding accrued interest payment in respect of the Loans.

    Section 5.10 Year 2000 Compliance. The Credit Parties and their Subsidiaries
are undertaking any reprogramming required to permit the proper functioning, in
and following the year 2000, of (i) the Credit Parties and their Subsidiaries'
computer systems and (ii) equipment containing embedded microchips (including
systems and equipment supplied by others or with which the Credit Parties and
their Subsidiaries' systems interface) and the testing of all such systems and
equipment, as so programmed. The cost to the Credit Parties and their
Subsidiaries of such reprogramming and testing of the reasonably foreseeable
consequences of year 2000 to the Credit Parties and their Subsidiaries
(including, without limitation, reprogramming errors and the failure of others'
systems or equipment) will not result in a Default or an Event of Default or
have a material adverse effect on the business or other condition of the Credit
Parties or their Subsidiaries. Except for such of the reprogramming referred to
in the preceding sentence as may be necessary, the computer and management
information systems of the Credit Parties and their Subsidiaries are and, with
ordinary course upgrading and maintenance, will continue for the term of this
Agreement to be, sufficient to permit the Credit Parties and their Subsidiaries
to conduct their business without a material adverse effect.

    Section 5.11 Merger of Certain Credit Parties. The Credit Parties shall, on
or prior to June 30, 1998, cause Dollar Dry Dock Real Estate, Inc. ("Dollar Dry
Dock") and The Heritage Group, Inc. ("Heritage") to merge with Hillshire House,
Inc. (the "Mergers") and in connection therewith deliver to the Bank (a)
complete copies of all Certificates of Merger and related documents providing
for the Mergers (the "Merger Documents") and (b) an opinion, in form and
substance satisfactory to the Bank and its counsel, addressed to the Bank from
counsel to the Credit Parties acceptable to the Bank opining as to (i) the due
authorization and execution of the Merger Documents by Dollar Dry Dock and
Heritage, (ii) the compliance of the Merger Documents with Connecticut and
Delaware law, (iii) the sufficiency of the Merger Documents under Connecticut
and Delaware law to effectuate the Mergers and (iv) the effectiveness of the
Mergers against Dollar Dry Dock and Heritage under Connecticut and Delaware law.


                          ARTICLE 6 NEGATIVE COVENANTS

    So long as the Bank has any commitment to lend hereunder or any Loan or
other Obligation remains outstanding, the Credit Parties covenant as follows:

    Section 6.1 Indebtedness. None of the Credit Parties nor any of their
Subsidiaries shall create, incur, assume, guarantee or be or remain liable with
respect to any Indebtedness other than the following:

    (a)  Indebtedness  of the  Credit  Parties  or any of  their  Subsidiaries
to the  Bank  or any of the  Bank's Affiliates;

                                      -31-

<PAGE>



    (b) Indebtedness existing as of the date of this Agreement and disclosed on
Schedule 6.1 attached hereto;

    (c)  Indebtedness secured by Permitted Encumbrances;

    (d) Indebtedness in respect of the purchase price of capital assets
purchased, and in respect of lease payments in respect of capital assets leased,
in connection with the improvement of existing office facilities in the ordinary
course of business, provided that, after giving effect to the incurrence of such
indebtedness, the Credit Parties would be in compliance with the covenants
contained in Sections 5.7 and 5.8 of this Agreement on a pro-forma basis and,
upon request by the Bank, provides satisfactory documentary evidence of such
compliance in writing to the Bank;

    (e) Indebtedness in respect of the purchase price of services, materials and
supplies incurred by the Credit Parties in the ordinary course of business,
provided that such Indebtedness is paid and discharged when due in conformity
with the customary trade terms and practices, except any such Indebtedness being
contested in good faith and by the proceedings properly conducted by the Credit
Parties;

    (f) Indebtedness of DeWolfe Mortgage in the maximum principal amount of
$40,000,000 under the Mortgage Warehousing Facility;

    (g)  Subordinated Indebtedness; and

    (h) other Indebtedness incurred by the Credit Parties after the date of this
Agreement with prior approval of the Bank.

    Section 6.2 Contingent Liabilities. None of the Credit Parties nor any of
their Subsidiaries shall create, incur, assume or remain liable with respect to
any Guarantees other than the endorsement of instruments for collection in the
ordinary course of business, and the Guarantor's guaranty of the Obligations
hereunder.

    Section 6.3 Leases. None of the Credit Parties nor any of their Subsidiaries
shall enter into any leases of personal property, as lessee, except for (a)
lease arrangements with BancBoston Leasing pursuant to the Lease Line, and (b)
operating and capital lease arrangements with Persons other than BancBoston
Leasing provided that the aggregate payment obligations of the Credit Parties
and their Subsidiaries under all lease arrangements permitted under this clause
(b) shall not exceed $500,000 during any fiscal year.

    Section 6.4 Sale and Leaseback. None of the Credit Parties nor any of their
Subsidiaries shall enter into any arrangement, directly or indirectly, whereby
such Credit Party or such Subsidiary shall sell or transfer any property owned
by it in order to lease such property or lease other property that the Credit
Parties or any of their Subsidiaries intends to use for substantially the same
purpose as the property being sold or transferred, provided that the Credit
Parties shall be entitled to sell to and lease back from an affiliated
partnership or other entity the sales office located at 70 Boston Road,
Westford, Massachusetts, provided further that such sale and lease are at fair
market values and on terms that are substantially the equivalent of terms that
would be negotiated at arms length between non-affiliated parties.

                                      -32-

<PAGE>



    Section 6.5 Encumbrances. None of the Credit Parties nor any of their
Subsidiaries shall create, incur, assume or suffer to exist any mortgage,
pledge, security interest, lien or other charge or encumbrance, including the
lien or retained security title of a conditional vendor upon or with respect to
any property or assets ("Encumbrances"), or assign or otherwise convey any right
to receive income, including the sale or discount of accounts receivable with or
without recourse, except the following ("Permitted Encumbrances"):

    (a)  Encumbrances in favor of the Bank or any of its affiliates;

    (b) Encumbrances existing as of (or which will arise within thirty days of)
the date of this Agreement and are disclosed on Schedule 4.5 attached hereto;

    (c) liens for taxes, fees, assessments and other governmental charges to the
extent that payment of the same may be postponed or is not required in
accordance with the provisions of Section 5.3;

    (d) landlords' and lessors' liens in respect of rent not in default or liens
in respect of pledges or deposits under workmen's compensation, unemployment
insurance, social security laws, or similar legislation (other than ERISA) or in
connection with appeal and similar bonds incidental to litigation; mechanics',
laborers' and materialmen's and similar liens, if the obligations secured by
such liens are not then delinquent; liens securing the performance of bids,
tenders, contracts (other than for the payment of money); and statutory
obligations incidental to the conduct of its business and that do not in the
aggregate materially detract from the value of its property or materially impair
the use thereof in the operation of its business;

    (e) judgment liens that shall not have been in existence for a period longer
than 30 days after the creation thereof or, if a stay of execution shall have
been obtained, for a period longer than 30 days after the expiration of such
stay;

    (f)  rights of lessors under capital leases;

    (g) easements, rights of way, restrictions and other similar charges or
Encumbrances relating to real property and not interfering in a material way
with the ordinary conduct of its business; and

    (h) Encumbrances on its property or assets created in connection with the
refinancing of Indebtedness secured by Permitted Encumbrances on such property,
provided that the amount of Indebtedness secured by any such Encumbrance shall
not be increased as a result of such refinancing and no such Encumbrance shall
extend to property and assets of the Credit Parties and their Subsidiaries not
encumbered prior to any such refinancing.

    Section 6.6 Merger; Consolidation; Sale or Lease of Assets. None of the
Credit Parties nor any of their Subsidiaries shall (a) sell, lease or otherwise
dispose of assets or properties, other than sales or leases of inventory in the
ordinary course of business; or (b) liquidate, merge or consolidate into or with
any other person or entity, provided that (i) any Borrower or any Subsidiary of
any Borrower may merge or consolidate into or with any other Borrower if no
Event of Default has occurred and is continuing or would result from such merger
and if a Borrower is the surviving company, and (ii) the Credit Parties may
consummate Acquisitions to the extent permitted under subsection 6.8(b) of this
Agreement.

                                      -33-

<PAGE>



    Section 6.7 Equity Distributions. The Guarantor shall not pay any dividends
on any class of its capital stock or make any other distribution or payment on
account of or in redemption, retirement or purchase of such capital stock, or
issue any additional shares of its capital stock, without the prior written
consent of the Bank; provided that this Section 6.7 shall not apply to (a) the
issuance, delivery or distribution by the Guarantor of shares of its common
stock pro rata to its existing shareholders, (b) the purchase or redemption by
the Guarantor of shares of its capital stock with the proceeds of the issuance
of additional shares of its capital stock or (c) the issuance, delivery or
distribution by the Guarantor of shares of its common stock to employees
pursuant to an employee benefit plan.

    Section 6.8   Investments; Acquisitions.

    (a) None of the Credit Parties nor any of their Subsidiaries shall make or
maintain any Investments other than (i) existing Investments in Subsidiaries,
(ii) Qualified Investments, (iii) Acquisitions permitted under subsection
6.8(b), and (iv) investments by DeWolfe Mortgage consisting of the purchase or
other acquisition of a joint venture interest in a joint venture formed to
provide capital for and/or expand the range of products offered by DeWolfe
Mortgage.

    (b) None of the Credit Parties nor any of their Subsidiaries shall
consummate, or enter into any binding commitment or offer with respect to, any
Acquisition, without the prior written approval of the Bank, except that the
Borrowers shall not be required to obtain the prior consent of the Bank with
respect to any Acquisition of any real estate brokerage firm if the aggregate
value of the consideration (including all consulting and non-competition fees)
paid by the Borrowers for the stock or other beneficial interests in or assets
of such brokerage firm is less than $250,000 and the Borrowers are not assuming
any indebtedness of such firm. In connection with any proposed Acquisition, the
Credit Parties shall (i) notify the Bank in writing prior to entering into any
binding commitment or offer with respect to any proposed Acquisition, (ii)
provide the Bank with such financial and other information as the Bank may
reasonably request with respect to any such proposed Acquisition, (iii) cause
any Person whose stock or other beneficial interests are being acquired to
become a "Borrower" hereunder and to grant the Bank a first priority security
interest in all of such Person's assets pursuant to documentation in form and
substance satisfactory to the Bank; (iv) grant the Bank a first priority
security interest in any and all assets acquired pursuant to documentation in
form and substance satisfactory to the Bank; and (v) cause to be delivered to
the Bank such opinions, certificates and other documents in connection with such
Acquisition as the Bank shall reasonably require.

    Section 6.9 ERISA. None of the Credit Parties nor any member of the
Controlled Group shall permit any Plan maintained by it to (a) engage in any
"prohibited transaction" (as defined in Section 4975 of the Code, (b) incur any
"accumulated funding deficiency" (as defined in Section 302 of ERISA) whether or
not waived, or (c) terminate any Plan in a manner that could result in the
imposition of a lien or encumbrance on the assets of any of the Credit Parties
or any of their Subsidiaries pursuant to Section 4068 of ERISA.


                                      -34-


<PAGE>



                               ARTICLE 7 SECURITY

    Section 7.1 Security Interest. As security for the payment and performance
of all Obligations of the Credit Parties to the Bank, the Bank shall have and
each of the Borrowers hereby grants to the Bank a continuing security interest
in and lien on all personal property of the Borrowers of every kind and
description, tangible or intangible, whether now or hereafter existing, whether
now owned or hereafter acquired, and wherever located, including but not limited
to the following: all inventory of the Borrowers; all furniture, and similar
property of the Borrowers; all Accounts of the Borrowers; all contract rights of
the Borrowers; all other rights of the Borrowers, including, without limitation,
amounts due from Affiliates, tax refunds, and insurance proceeds; all files,
records (including, without limitation, computer programs, tapes and related
electronic data processing software) and writings of the Borrowers or in which
any of the Borrowers has an interest in any way relating to the foregoing
property; all goods, instruments, documents of title, policies and certificates
of insurance, securities, chattel paper, deposits, cash or other property owned
by the Borrowers or in which any of the Borrowers has an interest (excluding
Escrowed Funds other than Pledged Escrow Proceeds) which are now or may
hereafter be in the possession of the Bank or as to which the Bank may now or
hereafter control possession by documents of title or otherwise; all general
intangibles of the Borrowers (including, without limitation, all patents,
trademarks, trade names, service marks, copyrights and applications for any of
the foregoing; all rights to use patents, trademarks, trade names, service
marks, and copyrights of any person; and any rights of the Borrowers to
retrieval from third parties of electronically processed and recorded
information pertaining to any of the types of collateral referred to in this
Section 7.1); any other property, real or personal, tangible or intangible, in
which any of the Borrowers now has or hereafter acquires a interest or which is
now or may hereafter be in the possession of the Bank; any sums at any time
credited by or due from the Bank to the Borrowers, including deposits; and all
proceeds and products of all of the foregoing.

    Section 7.2 Location of Records and Collateral; Name Change. The Borrowers
shall give the Bank written notice of each location at which Collateral is or
will be kept and of each office of the Borrowers at which the records of
Borrowers pertaining to Accounts are kept. Except as such notice is given, all
Collateral is and shall be kept, and all records of the Borrowers pertaining to
Accounts and contract rights are and shall be kept at the Borrowers' chief
executive offices which are currently located at 80 Hayden Avenue, Lexington,
Massachusetts 02173. The Borrowers shall give the Bank thirty (30) days prior
written notice of any change in the name or corporate form of any of the
Borrowers or of any change in the names under which the Borrowers' businesses
are transacted.

    Section 7.3 Status of Collateral. As of the date of this Agreement, each of
the Borrowers has good and marketable title to all of its properties, assets and
rights of every name and nature now purported to be owned by it, including,
without limitation, the Collateral, free from all liens, charges and
encumbrances whatsoever, except as disclosed on Schedule 4.5 attached hereto. At
the time the Borrowers pledges, sells, assigns or transfers to the Bank any
instrument, document of title, security, chattel paper or other property
(including Inventory, contract rights and Accounts) or any proceeds or products
thereof, or any interest therein, the Borrowers shall be the lawful owner
thereof and shall have good right to pledge, sell, assign or transfer the same;
none of such property shall have been pledged, sold, assigned or transferred to
any person other than the Bank or in any way encumbered, except as disclosed on
Schedule 4.5 attached hereto; and the Borrowers shall defend the same against
the claims and demands of all persons.

                                      -35-

<PAGE>



                               ARTICLE 8 DEFAULTS

    Section 8.1   Events of Default.  There shall be an Event of Default
hereunder if any of the following  events occurs:

    (a) the Borrowers shall fail to pay when due any amount of principal of any
Loans, or any amount of interest thereon or any fees or expenses payable
hereunder or under any of the Notes; or

    (b) the Credit Parties shall fail to perform any term, covenant or agreement
contained in Sections 5.1(a), 5.1(b), 5.1(c), 5.1(g), 5.1(j), 5.2(d), 5.4, 5.6,
5.7 or 6.1 through 6.9; or

    (c) the Credit Parties shall fail to perform any covenant contained in
Sections 5.1(d), 5.1(e), 5.1(f), 5.1(h), 5.1(i), 5.1(k), 5.2(a), 5.2(b), 5.2(c),
5.3 or 5.9, and such failure shall continue for five (5) days; or

    (d) the Credit Parties shall fail to perform any term, covenant or agreement
(other than in respect of subsections 8.1(a) through (c) hereof) contained in
this Agreement and such default shall continue for 30 days; or

    (e) any representation or warranty of the Credit Parties made in this
Agreement or in the Notes or any other documents or agreements executed in
connection with the transactions contemplated by this Agreement or in any
certificate delivered hereunder shall prove to have been false in any material
respect upon the date when made or deemed to have been made; or

    (f) there shall occur any material adverse change in the assets,
liabilities, financial condition, businesses or prospects of any of the Credit
Parties, as reasonably determined by the Bank acting in good faith; or

    (g) any of the Credit Parties or any of their Subsidiaries shall fail to pay
at maturity, or within any applicable period of grace, any obligations
(excluding obligations consisting of claims of vendors to the Credit Parties or
any of their Subsidiaries incurred in the ordinary course of business and
contested in good faith by the Credit Parties) in excess of Twenty-Five Thousand
Dollars ($25,000) in the aggregate for borrowed monies or advances, or for the
use of real or personal property, or fail to observe or perform any term,
covenant or agreement evidencing or securing such obligations for borrowed
monies or advances, or relating to such use of real or personal property, the
result of which failure is to permit the holder or holders of such Indebtedness
to cause such Indebtedness to become due prior to its stated maturity upon
delivery of required notice, if any; or

    (h) any of the Credit Parties or any of their Subsidiaries shall (i) apply
for or consent to the appointment of, or the taking of possession by, a
receiver, custodian, trustee, liquidator or similar official of itself or of all
or a substantial part of its property, (ii) be generally not paying its debts as
such debts become due, (iii) make a general assignment for the benefit of its
creditors, (iv) commence a voluntary case under the Federal Bankruptcy Code (as
now or hereafter in effect), (v) take any action or commence any case or
proceeding under any law relating to bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization,
winding-up or composition or adjustment of debts, or any other law providing for
the relief of debtors, (vi) fail to contest in a timely or appropriate manner,
or acquiesce in writing to, any petition filed against it in an involuntary case
under the Federal Bankruptcy Code or other law, (vii) take any action under the
laws of its jurisdiction of incorporation or organization similar to any of the
foregoing, or (viii) take any corporate action for the purpose of effecting any
of the foregoing; or

                                      -36-


<PAGE>



    (i) a proceeding or case shall be commenced, without the application or
consent of the Credit Parties in any court of competent jurisdiction, seeking
(i) the liquidation, reorganization, dissolution, winding up, or composition or
readjustment of the debts of any of the Credit Parties, (ii) the appointment of
a trustee, receiver, custodian, liquidator or the like of any of the Credit
Parties or of all or any substantial part of any of their assets, or (iii)
similar relief in respect of any of the Credit Parties, under any law relating
to bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization, winding-up or composition or
adjustment of debts or any other law providing for the relief of debtors, and
such proceeding or case shall continue undismissed, or unstayed and in effect,
for a period of 30 days; or an order for relief shall be entered in an
involuntary case under the Federal Bankruptcy Code, against any of the Credit
Parties; or action under the laws of the jurisdiction of incorporation or
organization of any of the Credit Parties similar to any of the foregoing shall
be taken with respect to any of the Credit Parties and shall continue unstayed
and in effect for any period of 30 days; or

    (j) a judgment or order for the payment of money shall be entered against
any of the Credit Parties or any of their Subsidiaries by any court, or a
warrant of attachment or execution or similar process shall be issued or levied
against property of any of the Credit Parties or any of their Subsidiaries, that
in the aggregate exceeds Twenty-Five Thousand Dollars ($25,000) in value and
such judgment, order, warrant or process shall continue undischarged or unstayed
for 30 days; or

    (k) any of the Credit Parties or any member of the Controlled Group shall
fail to pay when due an amount or amounts aggregating in excess of Twenty-Five
Thousand Dollars ($25,000) that it shall have become liable to pay to the PBGC
or to a Plan under Title IV of ERISA; or notice of intent to terminate a Plan or
Plans shall be filed under Title IV of ERISA by any of the Credit Parties, any
member of the Controlled Group, any plan administrator or any combination of the
foregoing; or the PBGC shall institute proceedings under Title IV of ERISA to
terminate or to cause a trustee to be appointed to administer any such Plan or
Plans or a proceeding shall be instituted by a fiduciary of any such Plan or
Plans against the Borrowers and such proceedings shall not have been dismissed
within 30 days thereafter; or a condition shall exist by reason of which the
PBGC would be entitled to obtain a decree adjudicating that any such Plan or
Plans must be terminated; or

    (l) the Guarantor shall cease to own, directly or indirectly, 100% of the
outstanding capital stock of any of the Borrowers; or

    (m) the Borrowers shall fail to pay when due any amount owing under the
Lease Line or fail to perform any term, covenant or agreement contained in any
of the documents or agreements relating to the Lease Line and such failure shall
continue beyond any applicable grace period therefor.

    Section 8.2 Remedies. Upon the occurrence of an Event of Default described
in subsections 8.1(h) and 8.1(i), immediately and automatically, and upon the
occurrence of any other Event of Default, at any time thereafter while such
Event of Default is continuing, at the Bank's option and upon the Bank's
declaration:

    (a)  the Bank's commitment to make any further Loans hereunder shall
terminate;

    (b) the unpaid principal amount of the Loans together with accrued interest
and all other Obligations shall become immediately due and payable without
presentment, demand, protest or further notice of any kind, all of which are
hereby expressly waived; and

                                      -37-

<PAGE>



    (c) the Bank may exercise any and all rights it has under this Agreement,
the Notes or any other documents or agreements executed in connection herewith,
or at law or in equity, and proceed to protect and enforce the Bank's rights by
any action at law, in equity or other appropriate proceeding whether for
specific performance or for any injunction against a violation of any covenant
contained herein or in the Notes or any other documents or agreements executed
in connection herewith or in aid of the exercise of any power granted hereby or
thereby or by law.

    (d) Without limiting the rights of the Borrowers set forth elsewhere in this
Section 8.2, upon the occurrence of any Event of Default and at any time
thereafter (such default not having been cured), the Bank shall have the right
to take immediate possession of the Collateral, and for that purpose the Bank
may, so far as the Borrowers can give authority therefor, enter upon any
premises on which Collateral may be situated and remove the same therefrom. The
Borrowers waive demand and notice with respect to and assents to any
repossession of Collateral. The Bank may dispose of Collateral in any order and
in any manner it chooses and may refrain from the sale of any real property,
held as Collateral, until the sale of personal property. Except for Collateral
which is perishable or threatens to decline speedily in value or which is of a
type customarily sold on a recognized market, the Bank shall give to the
Borrowers at least five (5) days' prior written notice of the time and place of
any public sale of Collateral or of the time after which any private sale or any
other intended disposition is to be made. The residue of any proceeds of
collection or sale, after satisfying all Obligations in such order of preference
as the Bank may determine and making proper allowance for interest on
Obligations not then due, shall be credited to any deposit account which the
Borrowers may maintain with the Bank, or, if there is no such account, held
pending instructions from the Borrowers. The Borrowers shall remain liable for
any deficiency.
    (e) The Bank may at any time in its sole discretion (after an Event of
Default has occurred) transfer any securities or other property constituting
Collateral into its own name or that of its nominee and receive the income
thereon and hold the same as security for Obligations or apply it on principal
or interest due on Obligations. Insofar as Collateral shall consist of Accounts
or instruments, the Bank may, upon the occurrence of an Event of Default,
without notice to or demand on the Borrowers, demand and collect such Collateral
as the Bank may determine. For the purpose of realizing the Bank's rights
therein, the Bank may receive, open and dispose of mail addressed to any of the
Borrowers and endorse notes, checks, drafts, money orders, documents of title or
other evidences of payment, shipment or storage or any form of Collateral on
behalf of and in the name of the Borrowers. The powers conferred on the Bank by
this Section are solely to protect the interest of the Bank and shall not impose
any duties on the Bank to exercise any powers.

    (f) In addition to all other rights and remedies provided hereunder or by
law, the Bank shall have in any jurisdiction where enforcement hereof is sought
the rights and remedies of a secured party under the Uniform Commercial Code of
Massachusetts.

                       ARTICLE 9 GUARANTY BY THE GUARANTOR

    Section 9.1 The Guarantee. The Guarantor hereby guarantees to the Bank and
to the Bank's successors and assigns the prompt payment in full when due
(whether at stated maturity, by acceleration or otherwise) of the principal of
and interest on the Loans made by the Bank to the Borrowers and all other
amounts from time to time owing from the Borrowers to the Bank, and all
obligations of every type of the Borrowers to the Bank, in each case strictly in
accordance with the terms thereof (such obligations being herein collectively
called the "Guaranteed Obligations"). The Guarantor hereby further agrees that
if the Borrowers shall fail to pay in full when due (whether at stated maturity,
by acceleration or otherwise) any of the Guaranteed Obligations, the Guarantor
shall promptly pay the same, without any demand or notice whatsoever, and that
in the case of any extension of time of payment or renewal of any of the
Guaranteed Obligations, the same will be promptly paid in full when due (whether
at extended maturity, by acceleration or otherwise) in accordance with the terms
of such extension or renewal.

                                      -38-
<PAGE>



    Section 9.2 Obligations Unconditional. The obligations of the Guarantor
under Section 9.1 are absolute and unconditional irrespective of the value,
genuineness, validity, regularity or enforceability of this Agreement, the Notes
or any other agreement or instrument referred to herein or therein, or any
substitution, release or exchange of any other guarantee of or security for any
of the Guaranteed Obligations, and, to the fullest extent permitted by
applicable law, irrespective of any other circumstance whatsoever that might
otherwise constitute a legal or equitable discharge or defense of a surety or
guarantor, it being the intent of this Section 3.2 that the obligations of the
Guarantor hereunder shall be absolute and unconditional under any and all
circumstances. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, it is agreed
that the occurrence of any one or more of the following shall not alter or
impair the liability of the Guarantors hereunder which shall remain absolute and
unconditional as described above:

    (a) at any time or from time to time, without notice to the Guarantor, the
time for any performance of or compliance with any of the Guaranteed Obligations
shall be extended, or such performance or compliance shall be waived;

    (b) any of the acts mentioned in any of the provisions hereof or of the
Notes or any other agreement or instrument referred to herein or therein shall
be done or omitted;

    (c) the maturity of any of the Guaranteed Obligations shall be accelerated,
or any of the Guaranteed Obligations shall be modified, supplemented or amended
in any respect, or any right hereunder or under the Notes or under any other
agreement or instrument referred to herein or therein shall be waived or any
other guarantee of any of the Guaranteed Obligations or any security therefor
shall be released or exchanged in whole or in part or otherwise dealt with; or

    (d) any lien or security interest granted to, or in favor of, the Bank as
security for any of the Guaranteed Obligations shall fail to be perfected.

The Guarantor hereby expressly waives diligence, presentment, demand of payment,
protest and all notices whatsoever, and any requirement that the Bank exhaust
any right, power or remedy or proceed against the Borrowers hereunder or under
the Notes or under any other agreement or instrument referred to herein or
therein, or against any other Person under other guarantee of, or security for,
any of the Guaranteed Obligations.

    Section 9.3 Reinstatement. The obligations of the Guarantor under this
Article 9 shall be automatically reinstated if and to the extent that for any
reason any payment by or on behalf of the Borrowers in respect of the Guaranteed
Obligations is rescinded or must be otherwise restored by any holder of any of
the Guaranteed Obligations, whether as a result of any proceedings in bankruptcy
or reorganization or otherwise, and the Guarantor agrees that it will indemnify
the Bank on demand for all reasonable costs and expenses (including fees and
expenses of counsel) incurred by the Bank in connection with such rescission or
restoration, including any such costs and expenses incurred in defending against
any claim alleging that such payment constituted a preference, fraudulent
transfer or similar payment under any bankruptcy, insolvency or similar law.

    Section 9.4 Subrogation. The Guarantor hereby waives all rights of
subrogation or contribution, whether arising by contract or operation of law
(including, without limitation, any such right arising under the Federal
Bankruptcy Code of 1978, as amended) or otherwise by reason of any payment by it
pursuant to the provisions of this Article 9 and further agrees with the
Borrowers for the benefit of each of the Guarantor's and the Borrowers'
creditors (including, without limitation, the Bank) that any such payment by the
Guarantor shall constitute a contribution of capital by the Guarantor to the
Borrowers.

                                      -39-
<PAGE>



    Section 9.5 Remedies. The Guarantor agrees that, as between the Guarantor
and the Bank, the obligations of the Borrowers hereunder may be declared to be
forthwith due and payable as provided in Section 8.2 (and shall be deemed to
have become automatically due and payable in the circumstances provided in
Section 8.2) for purposes of Section 9.1 notwithstanding any stay, injunction or
other prohibition preventing such declaration (or such obligations from becoming
automatically due and payable) as against the Borrowers and that, in the event
of such declaration (or such obligations being deemed to have become
automatically due and payable), such obligations (whether or not due and payable
by the Borrowers) shall forthwith become due and payable by the Guarantor for
purposes of Section 9.1.

    Section 9.6 Instrument for the Payment of Money. The Guarantor hereby
acknowledges that the guarantee in this Article 9 constitutes an instrument for
the payment of money, and consents and agrees that the Bank, at its sole option,
in the event of a dispute by the Guarantor in the payment of any moneys due
hereunder, shall have the right to summary judgment or such other expedited
procedure as may be available for a suit on a note or other instrument for the
payment of money.

    Section 9.7 Continuing Guarantee. The guarantee in this Article 9 is a
continuing guarantee, and shall apply to all Guaranteed Obligations whenever
arising.


                            ARTICLE 10 MISCELLANEOUS

    Section 10.1 Notices. Unless otherwise specified herein, all notices
hereunder to any party hereto shall be in writing and shall be deemed to have
been given when delivered by hand, when properly deposited in the mails postage
prepaid, when sent by telex, answerback received, or electronic facsimile
transmission, or when delivered to the telegraph company or overnight courier,
addressed to such party at its address indicated below:

    If to any of the Credit Parties, to

         The DeWolfe Companies, Inc.
         80 Hayden Avenue
         Lexington, Massachusetts  02173
         Attention: Richard DeWolfe
         Fax No.: (781) 860-7407

    If to the Bank, to

         BankBoston, N.A.
         100 Federal Street
         Mail Code 01-07-07
         Boston, Massachusetts  02110
         Attention: Patricia Conry, Director
         Fax No.: (617) 434-1226

or at any other address specified by such party in writing.

                                      -40-


<PAGE>



    Section 10.2 Expenses. The Borrowers will pay on demand all expenses of the
Bank in connection with the preparation, waiver or amendment of this Agreement,
the Note or other documents executed in connection therewith, or the
administration, default or collection of the Loans or other Obligations or
administration, default, collection in connection with the Bank's exercise,
preservation or enforcement of any of its rights, remedies or options
thereunder, including, without limitation, fees of outside legal counsel or the
allocated costs of in-house legal counsel, accounting, consulting, brokerage or
other similar professional fees or expenses, and any fees or expenses associated
with any travel or other costs relating to any appraisals or examinations
conducted in connection with the Obligations or any collateral therefor, and the
amount of all such expenses shall, until paid, bear interest at the rate
applicable to principal hereunder (including any default rate).

    Section 10.3 Set-Off. Regardless of the adequacy of any collateral or other
means of obtaining repayment of the Obligations, any deposits, balances or other
sums credited by or due from the head office of the Bank or any of its branch
offices to the Borrowers, except such deposits, balances or other funds
consisting of Escrowed Funds (other than Pledged Escrow Proceeds), may, at any
time and from time to time after the occurrence of an Event of Default
hereunder, without notice to the Borrowers or compliance with any other
condition precedent now or hereafter imposed by statute, rule of law, or
otherwise (all of which are hereby expressly waived) be set off, appropriated,
and applied by the Bank against any and all obligations of the Borrowers to the
Bank or any of its affiliates in such manner as the head office of the Bank or
any of its branch offices in their sole discretion may determine, and the
Borrowers hereby grant the Bank a continuing security interest in such deposits,
balances or other sums for the payment and performance of all such obligations.

    Section 10.4 Term of Agreement. This Agreement shall continue in force and
effect so long as the Bank has any commitment to make Loans hereunder or any
Loan or any Obligation shall be outstanding.

    Section 10.5 No Waivers. No failure or delay by the Bank in exercising any
right, power or privilege hereunder or under the Notes or under any other
documents or agreements executed in connection herewith shall operate as a
waiver thereof; nor shall any single or partial exercise thereof preclude any
other or further exercise thereof or the exercise of any other right, power or
privilege. The rights and remedies herein and in the Notes provided are
cumulative and not exclusive of any rights or remedies otherwise provided by
agreement or law.

    Section 10.6 Governing Law. This Agreement and the Notes shall be deemed to
be contracts made under seal and shall be construed in accordance with and
governed by the laws of The Commonwealth of Massachusetts (without giving effect
to any conflicts of laws provisions contained therein).

    Section 10.7 Amendments. Neither this Agreement nor the Note nor any
provision hereof or thereof may be amended, waived, discharged or terminated
except by a written instrument signed by the Bank and, in the case of
amendments, by the Borrowers.

    Section 10.8 Binding Effect of Agreement. This Agreement shall be binding
upon and inure to the benefit of the Borrowers and the Bank and their respective
successors and assigns; provided that the Borrowers may not assign or transfer
any of their rights or obligations hereunder.

    Section 10.9 Counterparts. This Agreement may be signed in any number of
counterparts with the same effect as if the signatures hereto and thereto were
upon the same instrument.

    Section 10.10 Partial Invalidity.  The invalidity or  unenforceability  of 
any one or more phrases,  clauses or sections of this Agreement shall not affect
 the validity or enforceability of the remaining portions of it.-

                                      -41-
<PAGE>



    Section 10.11 Captions. The captions and headings of the various sections
and subsections of this Agreement are provided for convenience only and shall
not be construed to modify the meaning of such sections or subsections.

    Section 10.12 Waiver of Jury Trial. THE BANK AND THE CREDIT PARTIES AGREE
THAT NONE OF THEM NOR ANY ASSIGNEE OR SUCCESSOR SHALL (A) SEEK A JURY TRIAL IN
ANY LAWSUIT, PROCEEDING, COUNTERCLAIM OR ANY OTHER ACTION BASED UPON, OR ARISING
OUT OF, THIS AGREEMENT, ANY RELATED INSTRUMENTS, ANY COLLATERAL OR THE DEALINGS
OR THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN OR AMONG ANY OF THEM, OR (B) SEEK TO CONSOLIDATE ANY
SUCH ACTION WITH ANY OTHER ACTION IN WHICH A JURY TRIAL CANNOT BE OR HAS NOT
BEEN WAIVED. THE PROVISIONS OF THIS PARAGRAPH HAVE BEEN FULLY DISCUSSED BY THE
BANK AND THE CREDIT PARTIES, AND THESE PROVISIONS SHALL BE SUBJECT TO NO
EXCEPTIONS. NONE OF THE CREDIT PARTIES OR THE BANK HAS AGREED WITH OR
REPRESENTED TO THE OTHER THAT THE PROVISIONS OF THIS PARAGRAPH WILL NOT BE FULLY
ENFORCED IN ALL INSTANCES.

    Section 10.13 Entire Agreement. This Agreement, the Note and the documents
and agreements executed in connection herewith constitute the final agreement of
the parties hereto and supersede any prior agreement or understanding, written
or oral, with respect to the matters contained herein and therein.

    Section 10.14 Bank's Right to Pledge. The Bank may at any time pledge all or
any portion of its rights under this Agreement or the Notes to any of the twelve
(12) Federal Reserve Banks organized under Section 4 of the Federal Reserve Act
12 U.S.C. Section 341. No such pledge or enforcement thereof shall release the
Bank from its obligations under this Agreement.

    Section 10.15 Bank's Right to Sell Loans to Third Parties. The Bank and each
of its Assignees (as hereinafter defined) shall have the unrestricted right at
any time or from time to time and without the Borrowers' consent to assign all
or any portion of its Loans, commitments, rights and obligations hereunder to
one or more banks or other financial institutions each having combined paid in
capital and surplus (or other assets) of at least $100,000,000 (each an
"Assignee") and the Borrowers agree that they shall execute or cause to be
executed such documents including without limitation amendments to this
Agreement and to any other documents instruments and agreements executed in
connection herewith as the Bank shall deem reasonably necessary to effect the
foregoing. In addition at the request of the Bank and any such Assignee, the
Borrowers shall issue new promissory notes as applicable to any such assignee
and if the Bank has retained any of its rights and obligations hereunder
following such assignment to the Bank which new promissory notes shall be issued
in replacement of but not in discharge of the liability evidenced by the
promissory note held by the Bank prior to such assignment and shall reflect the
amount of the respective commitments and loans held by such Assignee and the
Bank after giving effect to such assignment. Upon the execution and delivery of
appropriate assignment documentation amendments and any other documentation
required by the Bank in connection with such assignment and the payment by
Assignee of the purchase price agreed to by the Bank and such Assignee, such
Assignee shall be a party to this Agreement and shall have all of the rights and
obligations of the Bank hereunder (and under and all other guaranties, documents
instruments and agreements executed in connection herewith to the extent that
such rights and obligations have been assigned by Bank pursuant to the
assignment documentation between the Bank and such Assignee and Bank shall be
released from its obligations hereunder and thereunder to a corresponding
extent. It is expressly understood and agreed that nothing herein shall restrict
the right of the Bank or any Assignee to, or require the Borrowers to consent
to, any (a) assignment or other transfer from the Bank or any Assignee of its
rights hereunder to an Affiliate of the Bank or such Assignee, or (b) collateral
assignment or other transfer by the Bank or any Assignee of any rights hereunder
to any Federal Reserve Bank.

                                      -42-
<PAGE>



    Section 10.16 Bank's Right to Grant Participations. The Bank shall have the
unrestricted right at any time and from time to time and without the consent of
or notice to the Borrowers to grant to one or more banks or other financial
institutions (each, a "Participant") participating interests in the Bank's
obligations to lend hereunder and/or any or all of the Loans held by the Bank
hereunder. In the event of any such grant by the Bank of a participating
interest to a Participant whether or not upon notice to the Borrowers the Bank
shall remain responsible for the performance of its obligations hereunder and
the Borrowers shall continue to deal solely and directly with the Bank in
connection with the Bank's rights and obligations hereunder.

    Section 10.17 Bank's Right to Furnish Information. The Bank may furnish any
information concerning the Borrowers in its possession from time to time to
prospective Assignees and Participants provided that the Bank shall require any
such prospective Assignee or Participant to agree to maintain the
confidentiality of such information.

            [* THE REMAINDER OF THIS PAGE INTENTIONALLY LEFT BLANK *]





















                                      -43-

<PAGE>



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

                           BORROWERS:
                           The DeWolfe Company, Inc.


                           By /s/ Richard B. DeWolfe
                              -----------------------------
                              Richard B. DeWolfe, Treasurer


                           DeWolfe Relocation Services, Inc.


                           By /s/ Richard B. DeWolfe
                              -----------------------------
                              Richard B. DeWolfe, Treasurer


                           Referral Associates of New England, Inc.


                           By /s/ Richard B. DeWolfe
                              -----------------------------
                              Richard B. DeWolfe, Treasurer
                              The DeWolfe Insurance Agency, Inc.


                           By /s/ Richard B. DeWolfe
                              -----------------------------
                              Richard B. DeWolfe, Treasurer


                           Hillshire House, Inc.


                           By /s/ Richard B. DeWolfe
                              -----------------------------
                              Richard B. DeWolfe, Treasurer


                           Real Estate Referral, Inc.


                           By /s/ Richard B. DeWolfe
                              -----------------------------
                              Richard B. DeWolfe, Treasurer

                           Dollar Dry Dock Real Estate, Inc.




                                      -44-


<PAGE>

                           By /s/ Richard B. DeWolfe
                              -----------------------------
                              Richard B. DeWolfe, Treasurer

                           The Heritage Group, Inc.


                           By /s/ Richard B. DeWolfe
                              -----------------------------
                              Richard B. DeWolfe, Treasurer


                           GUARANTOR:

                           The DeWolfe Companies, Inc.


                           By /s/ Richard B. DeWolfe
                              -----------------------------
                              Richard B. DeWolfe, Treasurer


                           BANK:

                           BankBoston, N.A.


                           By /s/ Edward A. Onofrio
                              -----------------------------
                             Edward A. Onofrio, Vice President









                                      -45-

<PAGE>


                                   EXHIBIT A-1
                                 REVOLVING NOTE

                                   May 8, 1998
$5,000,000                                           Boston, Massachusetts

    For value received, the undersigned jointly and severally hereby promise to
pay to BANKBOSTON, N.A. (the "Bank"), or order, at the head office of the Bank
at 100 Federal St., Boston, Massachusetts 02110, the principal amount of Five
Million Dollars ($5,000,000) or such lesser amount as shall equal the aggregate
principal amount of Revolving Loans outstanding under the Agreement referred to
below in lawful money of the United States of America and in immediately
available funds, and to pay interest on the unpaid principal balance hereof from
time to time outstanding, at said office and in like money and funds, for the
period commencing on the date hereof until paid in full, at the rates per annum
and on the dates provided in the Agreement referred to below.

    This Note is issued pursuant to, and is entitled to the benefits of, and is
subject to, the provisions of a Second Amended and Restated Credit and Security
Agreement dated as of the date hereof by and between the undersigned, as
borrowers, The DeWolfe Companies, Inc., as guarantor, and the Bank, as lender
(as the same may from time to time be amended, supplemented, modified, restated
or extended, the "Agreement"). All payments of principal of and interest on this
Note shall be payable in immediately available funds at the address of the Bank
set forth in the Agreement. Capitalized terms used but not defined herein shall
have the respective meanings assigned to them in the Agreement.

    Overdue principal (whether at maturity, by reason of acceleration or
otherwise) and, to the extent permitted by applicable law, overdue interest and
fees or any other amounts payable under the Agreement or under this Revolving
Note shall bear interest from and including the due date thereof until paid,
compounded daily and payable on demand, at the rate set forth in the Agreement.
If a payment of principal or interest hereunder is not made within 10 days of
its due date, the undersigned will also pay on demand a late payment charge
equal to 5% of the amount of such payment. Nothing in the preceding sentence
shall affect the Bank's rights to exercise any of its rights and remedies
provided in the Agreement if an Event of Default has occurred. In no event shall
the amount contracted for and agreed to be paid by the Borrowers as interest on
this note exceed the highest lawful rate permissible under any law applicable
hereto.

    As provided in the Agreement, this Note is secured by the Collateral and the
obligations of the undersigned hereunder have been guaranteed by The DeWolfe
Companies, Inc., as guarantor, and the holder of this Note is entitled to the
benefits of the Agreement and all guaranties, subordination agreements, security
agreements and other agreements that may from time to time be executed or
delivered in respect of the Obligations.

                                      -46-

<PAGE>


     If an Event of Default shall occur, the aggregate unpaid principal of and
   accrued interest on this Note shall become or may be declared to be due and
   payable in the manner and with the effect provided in the Agreement.

    The undersigned may at their option prepay all or any part of the principal
of this Note before maturity upon the terms provided in the Agreement.

    The undersigned makers hereby waive presentment, demand, notice of dishonor,
protest and all other demands and notices in connection with the delivery,
acceptance, performance and enforcement of this Note.

    This instrument shall have the effect of an instrument executed under seal
and shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of The
Commonwealth of Massachusetts (without giving effect to any conflicts of laws
provisions contained therein).

    IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned have caused this Note to be executed by
their duly authorized offices as an instrument under seal as of the day and year
first written above.


                           The DeWolfe Company, Inc.


                           By:  Richard B. DeWolfe, Treasurer


                           DeWolfe Relocation Services, Inc.


                           By:  Richard B. DeWolfe, Treasurer


                           Referral Associates of New England, Inc.



                           By:  Richard B. DeWolfe, Treasurer

                           The DeWolfe Insurance Agency


                           By:  Richard B. DeWolfe, Treasurer

                           Hillshire House, Inc.


                           By:  Richard B. DeWolfe, Treasurer






                                      -47-

<PAGE>


                           Real Estate Referral, Inc.


                           By:  Richard B. DeWolfe, Treasurer


                           Dollar Dry Dock Real Estate, Inc.



                           By:  Richard B. DeWolfe, Treasurer


                           The Heritage Group, Inc.


                           By:  Richard B. DeWolfe, Treasurer



























                                      -48-

<PAGE>


                                   EXHIBIT A-2
                            ACQUISITION FACILITY NOTE

                                     May 8, 1998
$20,000,000                          Boston, Massachusetts

    For value received, the undersigned jointly and severally hereby promise to
pay to BANKBOSTON, N.A. (the "Bank"), or order, at the head office of the Bank
at 100 Federal St., Boston, Massachusetts 02110, the principal amount of Twenty
Million Dollars ($20,000,000) or such lesser amount as shall equal the aggregate
principal amount of Acquisition Facility Loans outstanding under the Agreement
referred to below in lawful money of the United States of America and in
immediately available funds, and to pay interest on the unpaid principal balance
hereof from time to time outstanding, at said office and in like money and
funds, for the period commencing on the date hereof until paid in full, at the
rates per annum and on the dates provided in the Agreement referred to below.

    This Note is issued pursuant to, and is entitled to the benefits of, and is
subject to, the provisions of a Second Amended and Restated Credit and Security
Agreement dated as of the date hereof by and between the undersigned, as
borrowers, The DeWolfe Companies, Inc., as guarantor, and the Bank, as lender
(as the same may from time to time be amended, supplemented, modified, restated
or extended, the "Agreement"). All payments of principal of and interest on this
Note shall be payable in immediately available funds at the address of the Bank
set forth in the Agreement. Capitalized terms used but not defined herein shall
have the respective meanings assigned to them in the Agreement.

    Overdue principal (whether at maturity, by reason of acceleration or
otherwise) and, to the extent permitted by applicable law, overdue interest and
fees or any other amounts payable under the Agreement or under this Acquisition
Facility Note shall bear interest from and including the due date thereof until
paid, compounded daily and payable on demand, at the rate set forth in the
Agreement. If a payment of principal or interest hereunder is not made within 10
days of its due date, the undersigned will also pay on demand a late payment
charge equal to 5% of the amount of such payment. Nothing in the preceding
sentence shall affect the Bank's rights to exercise any of its rights and
remedies provided in the Agreement if an Event of Default has occurred. In no
event shall the amount contracted for and agreed to be paid by the Borrowers as
interest on this note exceed the highest lawful rate permissible under any law
applicable hereto.

    As provided in the Agreement, this Note is secured by the Collateral and the
obligations of the undersigned hereunder have been guaranteed by The DeWolfe
Companies, Inc., as guarantor, and the holder of this Note is entitled to the
benefits of the Agreement and all guaranties, subordination agreements, security
agreements and other agreements that may from time to time be executed or
delivered in respect of the Obligations.

    If an Event of Default shall occur, the aggregate unpaid principal of and
accrued interest on this Note shall become or may be declared to be due and
payable in the manner and with the effect provided in the Agreement.

    The undersigned may at their option prepay all or any part of the principal
of this Note before maturity upon the terms provided in the Agreement.

    The undersigned makers hereby waive presentment, demand, notice of dishonor,
protest and all other demands and notices in connection with the delivery,
acceptance, performance and enforcement of this Note.

                                      -49-
<PAGE>



    This instrument shall have the effect of an instrument executed under seal
and shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of The
Commonwealth of Massachusetts (without giving effect to any conflicts of laws
provisions contained therein).

    IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned have caused this Note to be executed by
their duly authorized offices as an instrument under seal as of the day and year
first written above.

                           The DeWolfe Company, Inc.


                           By:  Richard B. DeWolfe, Treasurer


                           DeWolfe Relocation Services, Inc.


                           By:  Richard B. DeWolfe, Treasurer


                           Referral Associates of New England, Inc.



                           By:  Richard B. DeWolfe, Treasurer

                           The DeWolfe Insurance Agency


                           By:  Richard B. DeWolfe, Treasurer

                           Hillshire House, Inc.


                           By:  Richard B. DeWolfe, Treasurer


                           Real Estate Referral, Inc.


                           By:  Richard B. DeWolfe, Treasurer


                           Dollar Dry Dock Real Estate, Inc.



                           By:  Richard B. DeWolfe, Treasurer



                                      -50-

<PAGE>



                           The Heritage Group, Inc.


                           By:  Richard B. DeWolfe, Treasurer
















                                      -51-

<PAGE>



                                   EXHIBIT A-3
                                    TERM NOTE

                                      May 8, 1998
$725,000                              Boston, Massachusetts

    For value received, the undersigned hereby jointly and severally promise to
pay to BANKBOSTON, N.A. (the "Bank"), or order, the principal amount of Seven
Hundred Twenty- Five Thousand Dollars ($725,000), on the dates and in the
amounts set forth in the Agreement referred to below, plus all accrued interest
and other amounts due and owing hereunder or under the Agreement referred to
below. If not sooner paid, the entire principal balance of this Note any accrued
interest in respect thereof shall be due and payable in full on the Term Note
Maturity Date (as defined in the Agreement).

    Overdue principal (whether at maturity, by reason of acceleration or
otherwise) and, to the extent permitted by applicable law, overdue interest and
fees or other amounts payable under the Agreement or under this Term Note shall
bear interest from and including the due date thereof until paid, compounded
daily and payable on demand, at the rate set forth in the Agreement. If a
payment of principal or interest hereunder is not made within 10 days of its due
date, the undersigned will also pay on demand a late payment charge equal to 5%
of the amount of such payment. In no event shall the amount contracted for and
agreed to be paid by the Borrowers as interest on this Note exceed the highest
lawful rate permissible under any law applicable hereto.

    This Note is issued pursuant to, and entitled to the benefits of, and is
subject to, the provisions of a Second Amended and Restated Credit and Security
Agreement dated as of the date hereof by and among the undersigned, as
borrowers, The DeWolfe Companies, Inc., as guarantor, and the Bank (as the same
may from time to time be amended, supplemented, modified, restated or extended,
the "Agreement"). All payments or principal of and interest on this Note shall
be payable in immediately available funds at the address of the Bank set forth
in the Agreement. Capitalized terms used herein without definition which are
defined in the Agreement shall have the meanings ascribed to them in the
Agreement.

    This Note is subject to prepayment in whole or in part without a premium and
to acceleration on default at the times and in the manner specified in the
Agreement. The makers and all endorsers of this Note hereby waive presentment,
demand, notice of dishonor, protest and all other demands and notices in
connection with the delivery, acceptance, performance or enforcement of this
Note.

    This Note shall have the effect of an instrument executed under seal and
shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the
Commonwealth of Massachusetts (without giving effect to any conflicts of laws
provisions contained therein).

    IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned have caused this Note to be executed by
their duly authorized offices as an instrument under seal as of the day and year
first written above.

                           The DeWolfe Company, Inc.


                           By:  Richard B. DeWolfe, Treasurer




                                      -52-
<PAGE>



                           DeWolfe Relocation Services, Inc.


                           By:  Richard B. DeWolfe, Treasurer


                           Referral Associates of New England, Inc.



                           By:  Richard B. DeWolfe, Treasurer

                           The DeWolfe Insurance Agency


                           By:  Richard B. DeWolfe, Treasurer

                           Hillshire House, Inc.


                           By:  Richard B. DeWolfe, Treasurer


                           Real Estate Referral, Inc.


                           By:  Richard B. DeWolfe, Treasurer


                           Dollar Dry Dock Real Estate, Inc.



                           By:  Richard B. DeWolfe, Treasurer


                           The Heritage Group, Inc.


                           By:  Richard B. DeWolfe, Treasurer

                                      -53-


<PAGE>


EXHIBIT B


REPORT OF CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER


    The undersigned Chief Financial Officer of the DeWolfe Companies, Inc.
HEREBY CERTIFIES that:

    This Report is furnished pursuant to Section 5.1(d) of the Second Amended
and Restated Credit and Security Agreement dated as of May 8, 1998 by and
between The DeWolfe Company, Inc. and certain of its affiliates, as borrowers
(the "Borrowers"), The DeWolfe Companies, Inc., as guarantor (the "Guarantor"),
and BankBoston, N.A. (the "Agreement"). Unless otherwise defined herein, the
terms used in this Report have the meanings given to them in the Agreement.

    As required by Section 5.1(a) and 5.1(b) of the Agreement, consolidated
financial statements of the Credit Parties and their Subsidiaries for the
[year/month/quarter] ended , ____ (the "Financial Statements") prepared in
accordance with generally accepted accounting principles consistently applied
accompany this Report. The Financial Statements present fairly the consolidated
financial position of the Credit Parties and their Subsidiaries as at the date
thereof and the consolidated results of operations of the Credit Parties and
their Subsidiaries for the period covered thereby (subject only to normal
recurring year-end adjustments).

    The figures set forth in Schedule A and B hereof for determining compliance
with the financial covenants contained in the Agreement are true and complete as
of the date hereof.

    The activities of the Credit Parties and their Subsidiaries during the
period covered by the Financial Statements have been reviewed by me and by
agents under my immediate supervision. Based on such review, to the best of my
knowledge and belief, and as of the date of this Report, no Default has
occurred.*

    WITNESS my hand this             day of          , 19  .
                         -----------        ---------    --

                                    The DeWolfe Companies, Inc.
                                    on behalf of all of the Credit Parties


                                    By:
                                       -------------------------------------
                                            Chief Financial Officer

* If a Default has occurred, this paragraph is to be modified with an
appropriate statement as to the nature thereof, the period of existence thereof
and what action the Credit Parties have taken, are taking, or propose to take
with respect thereto.



                                      -54-

<PAGE>



SCHEDULE A
to
EXHIBIT B

FINANCIAL COVENANTS

QUARTERLY REPORT

Cash Flow Coverage Ratio
(Section 5.6)

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
REQUIRED:                                            Not less than 1.25:1.00

ACTUAL:
<S>                                                                     <C>  <C>
    (i)  Consolidated EBITDA for period of four quarters                $
                        minus
    (ii) Aggregate taxes paid or required to be paid                         ($   )
                                                                              ----
                        minus
    (iii)Aggregate amount of Capital Expenditures                            ($   )
                                                                              ----

         Total of line (i) minus lines (ii) and (iii)                   $
                          to
         Total Debt Service for period of four quarters                 $

                                                     ACTUAL RATIO                 ____:1.00
</TABLE>


Leverage Ratio (Section 5.7)

REQUIRED:
    (i) During Fiscal Year 1998 not greater than 3.00:1.00 (ii) During Fiscal
    Year 1999 not greater than 2.50:1.00 (iii)During Fiscal Year 2000 and
    thereafter not greater than 2.00:1.00

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
ACTUAL:
<S>                                                                     <C>  <C>
    (i)  Aggregate Indebtedness of the Credit Parties for
         Borrowed Money (including capital lease obligations)           $
                        minus
    (ii) Aggregate Indebtedness of DeWolfe Mortgage under the
         Mortgage Warehousing Line                                           ($   )
                                                                              ----

         Line (i) minus line (ii)                                       $
                           to
         Consolidated EBITDA for period of four fiscal quarters              $

                                                     ACTUAL RATIO                 ____:1.00
</TABLE>

                                      -55-

<PAGE>


                                                     EXHIBIT C

BORROWING BASE CERTIFICATE

Date:

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
ACCOUNTS RECEIVABLE

<C>                                                  <S>      
1.  Total Accounts                                                      _________

2.  Less: Ineligible as of ______*

    (a)  Over 60 days from purchase and
         sale agreement execution date               (________)
    (b)  Amounts due to third parties                (________)
    (c)  Reserve for uncollectible                                      (________)
    (d)  And other ineligible accounts               (________)

3.  Total Ineligible Accounts (a+b+c+d)              (________)

4.  Total Eligible Accounts
         (line 1 minus line 3)                                         __________

5.  Borrowing Base Availability
         (line 4 x 75%)                              __________
</TABLE>

AVAILABILITY CALCULATION

6.  Total Availability: lesser of line 5 or $5,000,000
(minus the aggregate amount of principal outstanding
 of the Term Loan)

7.  Total Debit Balance in Loan Account:

    NET AVAILABILITY                                 $__________       **
Said claims, accounts, money, merchandise and security are assigned as
collateral security for indebtedness and liabilities of the undersigned to its
Bank as more fully provided and pursuant to the Second Amended and Restated
Credit and Security Agreement by and among The DeWolfe Company, Inc. and certain
of its affiliates, borrowers, The DeWolfe Companies, Inc., as Guarantor and
BankBoston, N.A. (the "Credit Agreement") and with and subject to all the
covenants, terms and provisions thereof. Furthermore, the calculations set forth
herein have been made assuming the foregoing, and have been made in accordance
with the definitions set forth in the Credit Agreement and with the other
applicable provisions of the Credit Agreement.

                                    The DeWolfe Companies, Inc.
                                    on behalf of all of the Credit Parties
                                    By:________________________________________

                                    Title:_____________________________________

*   Ineligible calculated weekly
** Any sum which is a negative number must be repaid immediately or it is an
immediate Event of Default under the Credit Agreement.

                                      -56-

<PAGE>


EXHIBIT D

FORM OF NOTICE OF BORROWING

THE DEWOLFE COMPANIES, INC.
80 Hayden Avenue
Lexington, Massachusetts 02173

                                                               __________ , 1998

BANKBOSTON, N.A.

100 Federal Street
Mail Code 01-07-07
Boston, Massachusetts 02110
Attn:  Edward A. Onofrio, Vice President

    Re:  Notice of Borrowing under Credit Agreement

Ladies and Gentlemen:

    Reference is made to the Second Amended and Restated Credit Agreement dated
as of May 8, 1998 (the "Agreement") among The DeWolfe Company, Inc. and certain
of its affiliates, as borrowers (the "Borrowers"), The DeWolfe Companies, Inc.,
as guarantor (the "Guarantor"), and BankBoston, N.A., as lender (the "Bank"). In
accordance with Section [2.1/2/2] of the Agreement the Borrower hereby requests
that the Bank make the following [Revolving/Acquisition Facility] Loan to the
Borrowers:

    (1)  Amount requested: $__________;

    (2)  Date of Borrowing:         [date]

    (3)  Type of Borrowing:         [Base Rate][LIBOR Rate](1)

    (4) [The Interest Period applicable to said Loan will be [one] [two] [three]
[six] months.](2)

    (5) [Said Loan represents a conversion/continuation of the [Base Rate]
[LIBOR] Loan in the same amount made on .](3)

    (6) The facts contained or referred to in Subsections (a) and (b) of Section
3.2 of the Agreement are true and accurate on and as of the effective date of
the Loan as though made at and as of such date (except to the extent that such
representations and warranties expressly relate to an earlier date).(4)

    Terms used above in this Notice of Borrowing are as defined in the
Agreement. The foregoing Notice of Borrowing is in accordance with the
applicable provisions of the Agreement.

[Date]                                      ____________________________________
                                    Name and Title of Financial Officer


(1)To be inserted in any request for a Revolving Loan.
(2)To be inserted in any request for a LIBOR Loan.
(3)To be inserted in any request for a conversion of a Base Rate Revolving Loan
   or a continuation of a LIBOR Loan.
(4)To be completed for any new Loan or any conversion or continuation of an
   existing Loan.

                                      -57-




          Amendment to Mortgage Warehousing Loan and Security Agreement

This Amendment dates as of May 28, 1998 shall serve to further amend the
Mortgage Warehousing Loan and Security Agreement ("Agreement") between First
Union National Bank (successor by merger to CoreStates Bank, N.A., hereinafter
referred to as "Bank") and DeWolfe Mortgage Services, Inc., (hereinafter
referred to as "Borrower") dated June 15, 1993 as amended from time to time, as
follows:

Section 1.02 Definitions

The definition of Maximum Loan Amount is deleted in its entirety and the
following is substituted:

    Maximum Loan Amount means the maximum dollar amount of the Bank mortgage
warehouse line, i.e. $30,000,000.

Section 2.04 Advance Rates

Sub-paragraph (c) is deleted in its entirety and is substituted with the
following:

    (c) the total amount advanced against Eligible Mortgage Loans for which Bank
        has not received the original, properly endorsed Mortgage Note shall not
        exceed thirty percent (30%) of the Maximum Loan Amount.

        Except as expressly modified or amended herein, all other terms and
        provisions of the Agreement shall remain in force and effect. This
        amendment letter and Note for the amended Maximum Loan Amount in
        Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.

        Agreed & Accepted
        DeWolfe Mortgage Services, Inc.

        By:  /s/ Gail Hayes
                 -----------------------
                 Gail Hayes, President

        Attest:  /s/ Mary Ellen Graziano
                     -------------------
                     Mary Ellen Graziano


        First Union National Bank

        By:  /s/ John White
                 -----------------------
                 John White, VP




                                       -1-

<PAGE>


                                      NOTE
                                                                Philadelphia, PA
$30,000,000                                                     May 28, 1998

FOR VALUE RECEIVED, and intending to be legally bound, DeWolfe Mortgage
Services, Inc., (hereafter referred to as "Borrower") promises to pay to the
order of FIRST UNION NATIONAL BANK (successor by merger to CoreStates Bank,
N.A., hereinafter referred to as "Bank") at Bank's office, on demand, the lesser
of THIRTY MILLION DOLLARS ($30,000,000) or the principal balance outstanding
hereunder pursuant to the provisions of the Mortgage Warehousing Loan and
Security Agreement referred to below. The actual amount due and owing from time
to time hereunder shall be evidenced by the Bank's records of receipts and
disbursements hereunder which shall be presumed accurate but subject to
verification and correction within 30 days of Borrower's receipt of a statement.

Borrower further agrees to pay interest on the unpaid principal amount
outstanding hereunder in accordance with the terms and conditions of the
Mortgage Warehousing Loan and Security Agreement.

This is the Note referred to in that certain Amendment to Mortgage Warehousing
Loan and Security Agreement of even date between Borrower and Bank, to which
reference is hereby made for the terms and provisions thereof, and for
additional rights and limitations of such rights of Borrower and Banker
thereunder, including, but not limited to, provisions for Borrower's right to
borrow, prepay and reborn part or all of the principal hereof under certain
conditions and for the acceleration of Borrower's liabilities to Bank upon the
occurrence of certain events as therein specified.

In the event counsel is employed to collect this obligation or to protect the
security hereof, Borrower agrees to pay, upon demand, the reasonable attorneys'
fees of Bank, whether suit be brought or not, and all costs and expenses
reasonably connected with collection. Attorney's fees of Bank shall include, in
the case of a salaried attorney employed by Bank, the hourly cost of bank of the
services of such attorney, as determined by Bank.

Borrower and any endorser, jointly and severally, waive presentment, protest and
demand, notice of protest, demand and dishonor and nonpayment of this Note, and
expressly agree that this Note, or any payment hereunder, may be extended from
time to time without in any way affecting the liability of the Borrower or any
endorser hereof.

The validity and construction and enforceability of, and the rights and
obligations of Borrower and Bank under this Note and Mortgage Warehousing Loan
and Security Agreement executed in connection herewith shall be governed by,
construed and enforced in accordance with the laws of the Commonwealth of
Pennsylvania.

                                        DeWolfe Mortgage Services, Inc.


ATTEST:   /s/ Mary Ellen Graziano                /s/ Gail Hayes
                                                     ---------------------
(CORPORATE SEAL)                                     Gail Hayes, President



                                       -2-




                              EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT

                                Richard A. Pucci




           AGREEMENT MADE AND ENTERED INTO this 14th day of May, 1998 by and
between THE DeWOLFE INSURANCE AGENCY, INC., a Massachusetts corporation having
its principal place of business in Lexington, Massachusetts (the "Employer"),
and RICHARD A. PUCCI of Medfield, Massachusetts ("Pucci").
           WHEREAS,  Pucci is licensed by the  Commonwealth of  Massachusetts
as an insurance broker for all lines of insurance, and
           WHEREAS, the Employer conducts a general insurance agency and
brokerage business with its principal office in Lexington, Massachusetts, and
           WHEREAS, contemporaneously with the execution of this Agreement,
pursuant to a written Purchase and Sale Agreement of even date herewith (the
"Purchase Agree-ment") between the Employer and The Curtin Insurance Agency,
Inc., a Massachusetts corporation (the "Seller"), of which Pucci is a principal
stockholder and officer, the Employer has purchased certain of the assets (the
personal lines customer accounts) used by the Seller in the operation of its
insurance agency and brokerage business, and
           WHEREAS, the Employer desires to secure the services of Pucci, and
Pucci desires to be so employed upon the terms and conditions hereinafter set
forth;
           NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the mutual covenants and
agreements herein contained, the parties agree and contract as follows:

                                       -1-

<PAGE>


                              W I T N E S S E T H :

1.         Employment.
           1.1 During the term of this Agreement, the Employer does hereby
employ Pucci for the primary purposes of (a) managing the office and operations
of the Employer, (b) servicing and retaining the customers of the Seller who and
which are now customers of the Employer, and (c) producing and servicing new
personal lines insurance business. In addition to the foregoing duties, Pucci
may be assigned from time to time such additional duties and responsibilities,
provided that they shall be not inconsistent with his executive status and his
experience, skill and training and shall not materially detract from his primary
responsibilities as aforesaid. Pucci shall have the titles of President and
Chief Executive Officer of the Employer and shall be appointed as a member of
the Executive Committee of the Employer.
           1.2 Additionally, Pucci shall be appointed as a Vice President of The
DeWolfe Companies, Inc., being the parent entity of the Employer, and, as such,
shall be assigned duties and responsibilities only as shall be consistent and
compatible with his primary duties and responsibilities on behalf of the
Employer.
           1.3 Pucci shall be assigned to the principal office of the Employer,
which currently is in Lexington, Massachusetts, but may be relocated to other
premises within the Greater Boston Area, which is the location from which he
shall carry out his duties hereunder; provided, however, prior to moving the
office of the principal office, the Employer shall discuss such relocation in
advance with Pucci and seek his input with respect thereto. At said office, the
Employer shall provide Pucci with all of the normal, usual, necessary and
appropriate office services, equipment and support personnel customarily
provided by an insurance agency so as to permit Pucci to carry out his duties
and responsibilities hereunder.
           1.4 As President of the Employer, subject to guidelines and
directives of the Chairman of the Board of Directors and the Chief Operating
Officer of The DeWolfe Companies, Inc. communicated to Pucci from time to time,
Pucci shall have the authority to (a) hire and fire employees, (b) make
necessary or appropriate expenditures on behalf of the Employer in accordance
with the operating budget established for the Employer, (c) enter into contracts
as authorized by the

                                       -2-


<PAGE>

Board of Directors, and (d) take such actions on behalf of the Employer as may
be normal and customary in connection with the management of an insurance agency
office and his office as President and Chief Executive Officer of the Employer.

2.         Acceptance of Employment.
           2.1 Pucci hereby accepts such employment by the Employer upon the
terms and conditions herein contained. Pucci covenants and agrees that he shall
devote his best efforts in good faith to his employment hereunder except as
provided for in section 2.1 and shall devote his full and entire working time
and effort during the normal and customary work week to such employment
exclusively for and on behalf of the Employer; provided, however, nothing herein
shall be deemed to prohibit Pucci from pursuing passive investments, civic,
charitable, educational and other nonprofit activities, but only to the extent
such activities shall not materially detract from or interfere with Pucci's
duties and obligations hereunder as a full time employee. In all respects, Pucci
shall act and carry out his duties in accordance with the rules, regula-tions,
policies and office procedures promulgated by the Employer from time to time and
communicated to Pucci.
           2.2 The Employer acknowledges that Pucci is and shall remain a
stock-holder, officer and director of the Seller and that he shall be entitled
to remain involved with the operation and management of such business but only
to the extent that it does not in any substantial manner detract from his
ability to carry out his duties and responsibilities hereunder.

3.         Term.
           3.1 Subject to the provisions for termination as provided in sections
3.2, 3.3, 4 and 5, the term of this Agreement shall be for a period commencing
on the Closing Date under the Purchase Agreement through May 31, 2003 (the
"Initial Term"). In the event Pucci shall remain in the employ of the Employer
after the Initial Term without the parties having executed a new employment
agreement or a written amend-ment to this Agreement, the employment shall be
deemed to continue thereafter "at will" pursuant to the terms and conditions
hereof, except that the employment of Pucci then shall be subject to termination
by either party without cause or reason at any time upon not less than 90 days'
advance written notice. In the event that, after the Initial Term hereof and
upon giving the foregoing notice, the Employer shall elect to terminate the
employment of Pucci without cause or

                                       -3-

<PAGE>


 Pucci shall elect to terminate his employ-ment, the Employer shall have the
right to require that Pucci immediately or at any time during said notice period
vacate the premises of the Employer, relinquish his authority to act on behalf
of the Employer, and resign as an officer and director; provided, how-ever,
during such notice period the Employer shall be required to pay to Pucci all
com-pensation otherwise due to him hereunder and to provide him with all
benefits to which he is entitled hereunder as an employee, all at such times as
they otherwise would be payable to or available to Pucci.
           3.2 The provisions of section 3.1 notwithstanding, the Employer shall
have the right to terminate the employment of Pucci without cause during the
Initial Term; provided, however, to do so, the Employer shall (a) give Pucci not
less than 90 days' advance written notice and (b) shall pay to Pucci the full
salary and compensation and provide to Pucci all employee benefits to which he
otherwise would have been entitled during the 12 months immediately following
the effective date of termination of employment.
           3.3 The provisions of section 3.1 notwithstanding, Pucci shall have
the right to terminate his employment at any time during the Initial Term upon
the giving of not less than 90 days' notice.

4.         Involuntary Termination of Pucci.
           The provisions of section 3 notwithstanding, the employment of Pucci
here-under shall terminate immediately upon (a) his death or (b) the
determination of his disability. For purposes of this Agreement, disability
shall mean the date Pucci is first entitled to receive benefits under the
Employer's long-term disability policy or, if Pucci fails or refuses to complete
necessary applications or other paperwork or to submit to medical or other
requisite examinations necessary to obtain such disability insurance benefits or
no such policy is in effect, at such date when Pucci shall have been unable to
perform a majority of his normal duties hereunder for medical reasons (whether
mental or physical and whether by reason of accident or illness) for a
consecutive period of 90 days or any collective period of 180 days in any
consecutive period of 365 days. In the event of termination on account of
disability, Pucci shall remain entitled to receive such disability income
insurance payments as otherwise would be payable to him pursuant to such
disability income insurance plan, if any, as may be in effect at the time of
such termination.

                                       -4-

<PAGE>

5.         Termination For Cause.
           5.1 The Initial term and any subsequent term of this Agreement is
subject to the right of the Employer to terminate the employment of Pucci
without advance notice for good and sufficient cause, which shall be limited to
the following events:
                      5.1.1 Revocation or suspension of Pucci's license as an
           insurance broker by the Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
                      5.1.2     Material breach by Pucci of the terms and 
           conditions of this Agreement.
                      5.1.3     The habitual  (meaning more than twice) refusal
           or failure by Pucci,  after written warning to him from the Employer,
           to act in accordance with operating rules and procedures adopted by
           the Employer and communi-cated to Pucci.
                      5.1.4 The habitual (meaning more than twice) refusal or
           failure of Pucci to maintain reasonable standards of performance
           ("Standards"), which Standards are reasonable, fair and
           nondiscriminatory and are communicated to Pucci from time to time.
                      5.1.5 Commission of actions by Pucci which are abhorrent
           to pre-vailing community standards or which a reasonable person would
           consider materially and substantially damaging to the reputation of
           Pucci or the Employer in the market area served by the Employer and
           which have a material adverse affect upon the Employer.
                      5.1.6 Determination by the Employer, in the reasonable and
           good faith exercise of its judgment, that Pucci has committed an
           intentional tort (including, but not limited to, sexual harassment of
           an employee) against the Employer or any employee of the Employer,
           which action by Pucci has a material adverse effect upon the Employer
           or other employees of the Employer.
                      5.1.7 Pucci shall have been engaged in the unlawful use
           (including being under the influence) or in possession of illegal
           drugs on the premises of the Employer.
           5.2 In the event the Employer shall elect to terminate the employment
of Pucci for good and sufficient cause, it shall provide Pucci with written
notice of such termination, which notice shall specify each and every ground
upon which such termi-nation shall be based and shall be delivered in the manner
provided hereinafter for notice. Upon receipt of such notice, if termination


                                       -5-

<PAGE>

shall be pursuant to section 5.1.1 or 5.1.2, Pucci shall have a reasonable
opportunity to cure such breach if the same shall be capable of cure, which
opportunity shall not exceed 30 days in the case of notice under section 5.1.1
or 10 days in the case of notice under section 5.1.2.

6.         Publicity and Receipts.
           All correspondence and all publicity and advertising shall be carried
on only in the name of the Employer or such trade name(s) as may be used by the
Employer. Except in the case of policies that are direct billed by the insurer
to the insured, all premiums shall be billed by, and shall be owed to, the
Employer, all checks and drafts in payment of such premiums shall be made
payable to the Employer, and all money received in payment of premiums shall be
turned over to the Employer in the form received. Any funds received by Pucci
from insureds in payment of direct bill pre-miums, if any, shall be turned over
to the Employer in the form received.

7.         Writing, Servicing and Ownership of Insurance Business.
           All personal lines insurance business of every name and nature
produced by Pucci during the continuation of Pucci's employment, including
renewals thereof, and all files and records with respect thereto shall be
written, renewed and serviced only through the facilities of the Employer. All
such business produced by Pucci may be coded or otherwise identified on the
Employer's books so as to indicate its source of production; provided, however,
notwithstanding such identification, all such business, including the expiration
data and all files and records in connection therewith, and all lists of
customers insured through the facilities of the Employer, including active leads
and/or prospects, shall be the exclusive property of the Employer and shall
continue to be so after the termination of employment of Pucci, however caused;
and Pucci hereby waives and releases all claims of right or ownership thereto
and covenants that, upon termination of his employment, he shall not retain
copies of such property.

8.         The Employer's Right to Refuse Business and Excluded Business.
           The Employer shall be free to decline to accept any insurance
business pro-duced by Pucci if, in the sole opinion of the Employer, such
business appears to be unprofitable or injurious to the reputation of the
Employer. Should the Employer reject any such business, Pucci shall not service
nor

                                       -6-
<PAGE>

place such business elsewhere except with the prior written consent of the
Employer and in such manner as the Employer may direct.

9.         Compensation.
           9.1 As compensation for his services on behalf of the Employer, Pucci
shall be entitled to the compensation set forth in this section during the term
of his employ-ment, payable in accordance with such payroll and compensation
procedures and poli-cies of the Employer as shall be prevailing from time to
time and subject to all requisite payroll tax and withholding deductions.
           9.2 Pucci shall be entitled to a base salary at the annual rate of
$180,000.
           9.3 Pucci shall be entitled to an annual bonus that shall be
determined by the Employer in good faith based upon criteria established by the
Employer in consulta-tion with Pucci, which shall include, but not be limited
to, Pucci's performance, the growth of the Employer's business and the
profitability thereof; provided, however, in no event shall such bonus be less
than $20,000 per calendar year. Said bonus shall be payable on or before April
15th of each year provided the aforesaid criteria are met. Said bonus shall be
prorated for any year in which Pucci shall not have been employed hereunder for
the entire calendar year.
           9.4 Reimbursement (or other appropriate provision) for ordinary and
reason-able expenses incurred by Pucci (other than for the use of his
automobile, which is pro-vided for hereinafter) in furtherance of, or in
connection with, his duties on behalf of the Employer hereunder, in accordance
with the standard reimbursement policy of the Employer or its Affiliates for
other employees of equal rank as Pucci as such policy may be in effect from time
to time.
           9.5 Pucci shall be paid the sum of $500 per month as reimbursement
for the use of his automobile in furtherance of his duties hereunder and he
shall be respon-sible for all expenses of maintenance, operation, insurance and
ownership or lease of such vehicle.
           9.6 Except as may be specifically provided for herein to the
contrary, Pucci shall be entitled to participation in such employee benefit
plans and arrangements that the Employer may have in effect from time to time,
all in accordance with such provi-sions for qualification therefor and
participation therein as shall apply to all employees of the Employer of equal
rank with Pucci;

                                       -7-


<PAGE>

provided, however, nothing herein shall require or imply that the Employer
shall institute any employee benefits that are not now in effect or to maintain
in effect such benefits as are now in effect.

10.        Pucci's Freedom to Contract.
           Pucci hereby warrants and represents that he is not a party to any
agreement, whether written or oral, and that he is not subject to any court
order, judgment or decree that restricts or impairs his right to engage in any
aspect of the insurance busi-ness within the Commonwealth of Massachusetts or
elsewhere or that restricts or impairs his right and ability to solicit
insurance business from any person or entity in the Commonwealth of
Massachusetts or elsewhere or that restricts or impairs his right or ability to
carry out his other duties and responsibilities hereunder.

11.        Protective and Restrictive Covenants of Pucci.
           11.1 In recognition of the fact that the Employer is engaged in a
personal service business involving confidential information constituting trade
secrets and per-sonal relationships with insureds, the success of which business
is in large part due to the exclusive retention of such confidential information
and continuation of such personal relationships with insureds, Pucci does hereby
covenant and agree as follows and acknowledges that the following covenants were
agreed to by him as a condition precedent to his employment with the Employer
and that they are reasonably necessary for the protection of the Employer and
may be enforced to the extent set forth herein or such extent as any court of
competent jurisdiction may deem reasonable and proper. Pucci further
acknowledges that the following covenants do not prevent or impair the right of
Pucci to engage in the insurance business at any time following termination of
his employment in any geographic location, but, except as set forth in section
11.1.2, only impair, for a reasonable time, his ability to transact insurance
business for or on behalf of customers of the Employer and, as such, the
following covenants do not materially prevent or impair the right or ability of
Pucci to earn a living in the insurance business.



                                       -8-


<PAGE>

                      11.1.1 Pucci agrees that all information relative to (a)
           insurance pro-vided through the Employer for its customers, including
           expiration data in con-nection therewith and all files and records
           with respect to such information and all customer lists and (b) the
           business plans, business operations and financial condition of the
           Employer, is confidential information, constituting trade secrets,
           and will be treated by him as such; and that both during and after
           the term of Pucci's employment, however it may be terminated, he will
           not, directly or indirectly, make use of such information or any
           other confidential information concerning the Employer's business for
           his own benefit or the benefit of anyone other than the Employer, nor
           will Pucci divulge such informa-tion to anyone not duly entitled
           thereto, nor will he retain copies of any of such confidential
           information or reveal the same to anyone except to the extent
           required by law and in the event such information shall be requested
           pursuant to subpoena or otherwise required by law, Pucci shall notify
           the Employer immediately of such request and shall cooperate with the
           Employer in any effort to quash such subpoena or otherwise object to
           such request in a lawful manner.
                      11.1.2 Except to the extent set forth herein to the
           contrary, Pucci covenants and agrees that, during the term of his
           employment with the Employer he will not, directly or indirectly,
           compete with the Employer in any manner and, further, except as
           provided hereinafter, during the Restricted Period (as defined
           hereinafter) following termination of his employment, he will not,
           directly or indirectly, on his own behalf or on behalf of anyone
           else, solicit, attempt to obtain, accept, write or service insurance
           business for any customer or account on the books of the Employer at
           the time his employment shall terminate or within 12 months prior to
           the date of such termination; nor, during said period, shall he act
           or serve in any capacity as risk manager or insurance advisor or
           insurance consultant to, or for, any of said customers; nor shall he
           aid or assist anyone else in so acting or in any manner soliciting,
           writing, placing or servicing such business for said customers; nor
           shall he engage in the personal lines insurance agency or brokerage
           business. It is understood that any leads and/or prospects on which
           Pucci may be working, or from which Pucci shall have solicited
           insurance business, during the 12 months immedi-ately preceding the
           date of termination of

                                       -9-


<PAGE>

           employment shall be deemed to be customers of the Employer. The
           "Restricted Period" shall be a period of 24 months following
           termination of employment; provided, however, in no event shall the
           Restricted Period be less than 60 months from the Accounting Date set
           forth in the Purchase Agreement.
                      11.1.3 Pucci covenants and agrees that he will not, during
           the term of his employment, nor during the Restricted Period
           thereafter, however it may terminate, directly or indirectly, induce
           any employee of the Employer or pro-ducer associated with the
           Employer to leave the employ of, or association with, the Employer,
           as the case may be; nor will he, for said period, directly or
           indirectly, employ or become associated with any person who was an
           employee of, or producer associated with, the Employer on the date of
           termina-tion of his employment or within six months prior to such
           date.
                      11.1.4 Pucci covenants and agrees that he will not, during
           the term of his employment nor during the Restricted Period following
           termination thereof, however it may terminate, take any action
           reasonably intended to cause any customer of the Employer to cease to
           transact its insurance business with the Employer or cause any
           insurance company or other market to cease to transact insurance
           business with the Employer or, in either case, to modify their
           busi-ness relationship with the Employer in a manner materially
           adverse to the Employer.

           11.2 The Employer acknowledges that Pucci is and shall remain an
officer, director and stockholder of the Seller and that, following termination
of his employment hereunder, should Pucci return to full or part-time employment
with the Seller, such activity shall not be deemed in any manner a breach or
violation of the provisions of this section so long as during the Restricted
Period, on behalf of the Seller, Pucci does not solicit, sell or service
personal lines property and casualty insurance business. The Employer further
acknowledges that activities of Pucci with respect to the management and
administration of the Seller and the referral of commercial lines insurance
business to the Seller during the term of his employment hereunder shall not be
deemed a breach or violation of the provisions of this section 11.

                                      -10-


<PAGE>

           11.3 Pucci acknowledges that the damage which may be incurred by the
Employer by the diversion of its accounts in violation of the provisions of this
para-graph may be irreversible and that money damages for such breach may be
difficult to calculate. Accordingly, Pucci agrees that, in the event of a breach
or threatened breach by Pucci of the provisions of this section, any and/or all
of the provisions hereof may be enforced by a restraining order or injunction
restraining Pucci from the commis-sion of such breach to the full extent hereof,
or to such lesser extent as a court of competent jurisdiction may deem just and
proper for the reasonable protection of the rights and interests of the
Employer. Nothing herein contained shall be construed as prohibiting the
Employer from pursuing any other remedies available for such breach or
threatened breach, including the recovery of money damages which may include an
award of reasonable counsel fees and expenses. The covenants contained in this
sec-tion shall be construed as independent of any other provisions of this
Agreement, and the existence of any other claim or cause of action by Pucci
against the Employer shall not constitute a defense to the enforcement of the
within covenants.

12.        Employer's Right of Offset.
           Any sums that Pucci may owe to the Employer, whether as a result of
his employment hereunder or otherwise may be offset by the Employer against any
and all sums that the Employer may owe to Pucci hereunder; provided, however, in
order to exercise such right of offset, the Employer shall provide Pucci with a
written accounting supporting its claim that funds are due from Pucci to the
Employer and, further, such right of offset shall not relieve Pucci of any
liability or obligation to the Employer (except to the extent of amounts
actually offset by the Employer) but shall be only as a matter of convenience
for the Employer and Pucci.

13.        Notices.
           Any notice required hereunder shall be in writing and delivered in
any one of the following ways and shall be deemed to have been given (a) on the
date delivered if delivered in hand to Pucci or to Paul J. Harrington on behalf
of the Employer, (b) the next following business day after being sent if sent by
Federal Express or other recog-nized overnight courier that requires signatures
of the recipient upon delivery, or (c) three business days after mailing, if
mailed, postage prepaid, by certified mail, return receipt requested, to the
party entitled to notice at the following addresses or at such other

                                      -11-


<PAGE>

address as may be directed by notice given hereafter. A business day shall be
deemed any day on which the United States Postal Services shall make regular
mail delivered to the address to which the notice shall be directed:

           If to the Employer:             Mr. Paul J. Harrington
                                           The DeWolfe Insurance Agency, Inc.
                                           80 Hayden Avenue
                                           Lexington, MA 02173

           If to Pucci:                    Mr. Richard A. Pucci
                                           82 Flint Locke Lane
                                           Medfield, MA 02052


14.        Enforcement Costs.
           The prevailing party in any legal proceedings commenced to enforce
this Agree-ment shall be entitled to an award of its costs including, but not
limited to, reasonable attorneys' fees in addition to such other damages, if
any, or other award as may be appropriate.

15.        Rule of Construction.
           The language used in this Agreement shall be deemed to be the
language chosen by the parties to express their mutual intent, and no rule of
strict construction shall be applied against either party.

16.        Amendments.
           This Agreement may not be modified, revised, altered, added to, or
extended in any manner, or superseded except by an instrument in writing signed
by the parties hereto.

17.        Counterparts.
           This Agreement may be executed in several counterparts, each of which
shall be deemed an original, but all of which, taken together, shall constitute
one and the same instrument representing the agreement of the parties hereto.

18.        Nonwaiver.
           The failure by either party to enforce any provision or provisions of
this Agree-ment shall not, in any way, be construed as a waiver of any such
provision or provi-sions nor prevent that party thereafter from enforcing each
and every provision of this Agreement.

                                      -12-
<PAGE>


19.        Enforceability.
           The invalidity or unenforceability of any particular provision of
this Agreement shall not affect the other provisions hereof, and this Agreement
shall be construed in all respects to as to permit the enforcement of each
provision to the full extent per-mitted by law.

20.        Entire Agreement.
           This Agreement contains the entire agreement between the parties
hereto and supersedes any and all prior agreements, arrangements or
understandings between the parties relating to the subject matter hereof. No
oral understandings, oral statements, oral promises or oral inducements exist.
No representations, warranties, covenants or conditions, express or implied,
whether by statute or otherwise, other than as set forth herein, have been made
by the parties hereto.

21.        Binding Effect.
           This Agreement shall be binding upon, and inure to the benefit of,
the parties and the successors and assigns of the Employer and the estate and
heirs of Pucci.

22.        Governing Law.
           This Agreement shall be governed by, and construed in accordance
with, the laws of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts.

23.        Section Headings.
           The section headings used in this Agreement are for convenience only
and in no way alter, modify, amend, limit or restrict the obligations of the
parties.















                                      -13-


<PAGE>

           IN WITNESS WHEREOF, THE DeWOLFE INSURANCE AGENCY, INC. has caused
this instrument to be executed in its name and on its behalf by a duly
authorized officer thereof and RICHARD A. PUCCI has set his hand hereunto, each
on the date set forth following its or his signature effective as of the date
first above written.

THE DEWOLFE INSURANCE AGENCY, INC.


By:   /s/  Richard B. DeWolfe
      ------------------------
           Richard B. DeWolfe
Date of Signature: May 14, 1998



      /s/  Richard A. Pucci
      ------------------------
           Richard A. Pucci
Date of Signature: May 14, 1998














                                      -14-


                           THE DEWOLFE COMPANIES, INC.
                             1992 STOCK OPTION PLAN


     1. Statement of Purpose. The purpose of this Stock Option Plan (the "Plan")
is to benefit THE DEWOLFE COMPANIES, INC. (the "Company") through the
maintenance and development of its businesses by offering certain present and
future key individuals a favorable opportunity to become holders of stock in the
Company over a period of years, thereby giving them a permanent stake in the
growth and prosperity of the Company and encouraging the continuance of their
involvement with the Company and/or its subsidiaries.

     2. Administration. The Plan shall be administered by the Stock Option
Committee (the "Committee"), consisting of not less than two Non-Employee
Directors of the Company (within the meaning of the rules and regulations
promulgated under Section 16(b) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934)
appointed by the Board of Directors. If no Committee shall be appointed, this
Plan shall be administered by the Board of Directors, which Board shall be
deemed the Committee for purposes of this Plan. The Committee shall have full
and plenary authority to interpret the terms and provisions of the Plan.

     3. Eligibility. Options shall be granted only to key employees of the
Company and its subsidiaries, (including officers, and including directors of
the Company and its subsidiaries who are also employees) and consultants,
(including sales associates, financial services officers and managers) and
advisors of the Company and its subsidiaries (where bona fide services were
rendered and such services were not in connection with the offer and sale of
securities in a capital raising transaction) but excluding the Directors of the
Company who are not employees of the Company, selected initially and from time
to time thereafter by the Committee on the basis of their importance to the
business of the Company or its subsidiaries.

     4. Granting of Options. The Committee may grant options under which a total
of not in excess of 600,000 shares of the $.01 par value Common Stock of the
Company ("Common Stock") may be purchased from the Company, subject to
adjustment as provided in Section 12 hereof. The Committee may, in its
discretion grant under the Plan either non-qualified stock options or incentive
stock options as defined in Section 422 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986
(the "Code"), provided, however, that incentive stock options may only be
granted to employees of the Company or its subsidiaries. A maximum of 300,000
shares (subject to adjustment as provided in Section 12 hereof) may be subject
to options granted to Directors of the Company and/or its subsidiaries who also
serve as employees. The grant of a non-qualified stock option shall be evidenced
by a written Non-Qualified Stock Option Agreement, executed by the Company and
the holder of a non-qualified stock option, stating the number of shares of
Common Stock subject to such non-qualified stock option evidenced thereby and in
such form as the

<PAGE>


Committee may from time to time determine. The grant of an incentive stock
option shall be evidenced by a written Incentive Stock Option Agreement,
executed by the Company and the holder of the incentive stock option, stating
the number of shares of Common Stock subject to such incentive stock option
evidenced thereby and in such form as the Committee may from time to time
determine.

     In the event that an option expires or is terminated or cancelled
unexercised as to any shares, such released shares may again be optioned
(including a grant in substitution for a cancelled option). Shares subject to
options may be made available from unissued or reacquired shares of Common
Stock.

     Nothing contained in the Plan or in any option granted pursuant thereto
shall confer upon any optionee any right to be continued in the employment of
the Company or any subsidiary of the Company, or interfere in any way with the
right of the Company or its subsidiaries to terminate an employee's employment
at any time, or interfere in any way with the right of the Company or its
subsidiaries to terminate any consulting or other compensation arrangement
between the Company or any subsidiary of the Company, and any consultant, sales
associate or advisor of the Company or such subsidiary.

     5. Option Price. The option price shall be determined by the Committee and,
subject to the provisions of Section 13 hereof, shall be not less than the fair
market value, at the time the option is granted, of the shares of Common Stock
subject to the option. If one or more incentive stock options are granted to an
employee who, at the time of grant, owns more than ten percent (10%) of the
total voting power of all classes of stock of the Company (a "10% Owner"), the
option price under such incentive stock option shall be not less than 110% of
said fair market value. Such fair market value shall be deemed to be the mean of
the bid and asked prices of the Common Stock at the close of the trading day
next preceding the date of the grant of the option except that if the Common
Stock is then listed on any national exchange, fair market value shall be the
mean between the high and low sales price on the date next preceding the grant
of the option. If shares of the Common Stock shall not have been traded on any
national exchange or interdealer quotation system for more than 10 days
immediately preceding the date of grant of such option or if deemed appropriate
by the Committee for any other reason, the fair market value of shares of Common
Stock shall be determined by the Committee in such other manner as it may deem
appropriate. In no event shall the fair market value of any share of Common
Stock be less than its par value.

     6. Duration of Options, Increments, and Extensions. Subject to the
provisions of Section 8 hereof, each option shall be for a term of not less than
five nor more than ten years, provided, however, that incentive stock options
granted to employees who, at the time of the grant, are 10% Owners shall be for
a term of not more than five years. Each option shall become exercisable with
respect to 25% of the total number of shares subject to the option twelve months
after the

                                        2

<PAGE>

date of its grant and, with respect to each additional 25%, at the end of each
twelve-month period thereafter during the succeeding three years.
Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Committee may, in its discretion (i)
specifically provide at the date of grant of another time or times of exercise;
(ii) accelerate the exercisability of such option subject to such terms as the
Committee deems necessary and appropriate to effectuate the purpose of the Plan,
including, without limitation, a requirement that the optionee grant to the
Company an option to repurchase all or a portion of the number of shares
acquired upon exercise of the accelerated option for their fair market value on
the date of grant; or (iii) at any time prior to the expiration or termination
of any non-qualified stock option previously granted, extend the term of any
such option (including such non-qualified stock options held by officers or
directors) for such period as the Committee in its discretion shall determine.
In no event, however, shall the aggregate option period with respect to any
option, including the original term of the option and any extensions thereof,
exceed ten years. Subject to the foregoing, all or any part of the shares to
which the right to purchase has accrued may be purchased at the time of such
accrual or at any time or times thereafter during the option period.

     7. Exercise of Option. Options granted under this Plan shall be exercisable
at such times and be subject to such restrictions and conditions as the
Committee shall in each instance approve, which need not be the same for each
grant or for each optionee. Options shall be exercised by the delivery of a
written notice of exercise to the Company, setting forth the number of shares
with respect to which the option is to be exercised, accompanied by full payment
for the shares. The exercise price upon exercise of any option shall be payable
to the Company in full either: (a) in cash or its equivalent, (b) by tendering
previously acquired shares of the Common Stock having an aggregate fair market
value at the time of exercise equal to the total exercise price, or (c) by a
combination of (a) and (b). The Committee also may allow cashless exercises as
permitted under Federal Reserve Board's Regulation T, subject to applicable
securities law restrictions, or by any other means which the Committee
determines to be consistent with the Plan's purpose and applicable law. As soon
as practicable after receipt of a written notification of exercise and full
payment, the Company shall deliver to the optionee, in the optionee's name,
share certificates in an appropriate amount based upon the number of shares of
the Common Stock purchased under the option(s).

     In connection with the exercise of options granted under the Plan, the
Company may make loans to the optionees as the Committee, in its discretion, may
determine. Such loans shall be subject to the following terms and conditions and
such other terms and conditions as the Committee shall determine to be
consistent with the Plan. Such loans shall be full recourse and shall bear
interest at such rates as the Committee shall determine from time to time. In no
event may any such loan exceed the fair market value, at the date of exercise,
of the shares covered by the Option, or portion thereof, exercised by the
optionee. No loan shall have an initial term exceeding two years, but any such
loan may be renewable at the

                                        3

<PAGE>

discretion of the Committee. When a loan shall have been made, shares of the
Common Stock owned by the optionee, in such amount as shall be determined by the
Committee, shall be pledged by the optionee to the Company as security for
payment of the unpaid balance of the loan.

     At the time of exercise of any option, the Company may, if it shall
determine it necessary or desirable for any reason, require the optionee (or his
heirs, legatees, or legal representative, as the case may be) as a condition
upon the exercise thereof to deliver to the Company a written representation of
present intention to purchase the shares for investment and not for
distribution. In the event such representation is required to be delivered, an
appropriate legend may be placed upon each certificate delivered to the optionee
upon his exercise of part or all of the option and a stop transfer order may be
placed with the transfer agent. Each option shall also be subject to the
requirement that, if at any time the Company determines, in its discretion, that
the listing, registration or qualification of the shares subject to the option
upon any securities exchange or under any state or federal law, or the consent
or approval of any governmental regulatory body is necessary or desirable as a
condition of or in connection with, the issue or purchase of shares thereunder,
the option may not be exercised in whole or in part unless such listing,
registration, qualification, consent or approval shall have been effected or
obtained free of any conditions not acceptable to the Company.

     8. Termination of Relationship - Exercise Thereafter. In the event the
relationship between the Company and a director, officer, other employee,
consultant, sales associate or advisor who is an optionee is terminated for any
reason other than death, permanent disability or retirement, such optionee's
option shall expire and all rights to purchase shares pursuant thereto shall
terminate immediately. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Committee may, in its
discretion, specifically provide at the date of grant that, in the event of
termination for any reason other than death, permanent disability or retirement,
such option shall remain exercisable for such period following termination as
shall be determined by the Committee on the date of grant, provided, however,
that such period shall not extend beyond 90 days following the date of
termination. Temporary absences because of illness, vacation, approved leaves of
absence, and transfers among the Company and its subsidiaries, shall not be
considered to terminate the employment or consulting or sales relationship with
the optionee or to interrupt continuous employment.

     In the event of termination of said relationship because of death,
permanent disability (as that term is defined in Section 22(e)(3) of the Code,
as now in effect or as subsequently amended), or retirement (at age 65 or
earlier as may be permitted by the Company), the option may be exercised in
full, without regard to any installments established under Section 6 hereof, by
the optionee or, if he is not living, by his heirs, legatees, or legal
representative, as the case may be, during its specified term prior to three (3)
years after the date of death, permanent disability,

                                        4

<PAGE>

or retirement, but in any event not later than ten years after the date the
option was granted.

     9. Withholding Taxes. Whenever the Company is required to issue or transfer
shares of Common Stock under the Plan, the Company shall have the right to
require the grantee to remit to the Company an amount sufficient to satisfy any
federal, state and/or local withholding tax requirements prior to the delivery
of any certificate or certificates for such shares. The Company may in its
discretion permit an optionee to deliver a promissory note in a form specified
by the Company and payable to the Company no later than 15 business days after
the date of exercise of the option in payment of any withholding tax
requirements of the Company with respect to such exercise. Alternatively, the
Company may, in its discretion, issue or transfer such shares of Common Stock
net of the number of shares sufficient to satisfy the withholding tax
requirements. For withholding tax purposes, the shares of Common Stock shall be
valued on the date the withholding obligation is incurred.

     10. Non-Transferability of Options. No option shall be transferable by the
optionee otherwise than by will or the laws of descent and distribution or
pursuant to a qualified domestic relations order as defined by Code, Title I of
the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, as amended, or the rules
thereunder, and each option shall be exercisable during an optionee's lifetime
only by the optionee.

     11. Limitation on Amounts of Incentive Stock Options Granted. The aggregate
fair market value (determined as of the date of grant) of stock for which
incentive stock options granted to an optionee under this Plan become first
exercisable shall not exceed One Hundred Thousand Dollars ($100,000) during any
calendar year.

     12. Adjustment. The number of shares subject to the Plan and to options
granted under the Plan shall be adjusted as follows: (a) in the event that the
outstanding shares of Common Stock of the Company is changed by any stock
dividend, stock split or combination of shares, the number of shares subject to
the Plan and to options granted thereunder shall be proportionately adjusted;
(b) in the event of any merger, consolidation or reorganization of the Company
with any other corporation or corporations, there shall be substituted, on an
equitable basis as determined by the Committee, for each share of Common Stock
then subject to the Plan, whether or not at the time subject to outstanding
options, the number and kind of shares of Stock or other securities to which the
holders of shares of Common Stock of the Company will be entitled pursuant to
the transaction; and (c) in the event of any other relevant change in the
capitalization of the Company, the Committee shall provide for an equitable
adjustment in the number of shares of Common Stock then subject to the Plan,
whether or not then subject to outstanding options. In the event of any such
adjustment, the purchase price per share shall be proportionately adjusted.

                                        5

<PAGE>

     13. Termination and Amendment of Plan. This Plan shall terminate ten years
from the effective date of this Plan, and an option shall not be granted under
the Plan after that date. The Plan may at any time or from time to time be
terminated, modified, or amended by the affirmative vote of a majority in
interest of the voting stock of the Company. The Board of Directors may at any
time and from time to time modify or amend the Plan in respects as it shall deem
advisable to conform to any change in the law, or in any other respect, provided
that any amendment by the Board of Directors which would (a) materially increase
the benefits accruing to participants under the Plan, (b) increase the number of
securities which may be issued under then plan (other than an increase pursuant
to Section 12 hereof), or (c) materially modify the requirements as to
eligibility for participation in the plan must be approved by a majority vote of
the stockholders within twelve months before or after the effective date of such
increase or change. In no event shall any amendment of the Plan (i) change or
impair any options previously granted without the consent of the optionee, or
(ii) extend the term of the plan.

     14. Rule 16b-3. Anything contained in the Plan to the contrary
notwithstanding, any transaction involving a grant, award or other acquisition
from the Company under the Plan shall be subject to compliance with the
requirements of paragraph (d) of Rule 16b-3 promulgated under the Securities
Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, applicable to such grant, award or other
acquisition from the Company under the Plan, and any date, period or procedure
specified or referred to in the Plan with respect to any such grant, award or
other acquisition from the Company shall be adjusted, if necessary, so as to
give effect to this Section 14. Anything contained in the Plan to the contrary
notwithstanding, any transaction involving a disposition to the Company under
the Plan shall be subject to compliance with the requirements of paragraph (e)
of Rule 16b-3 promulgated under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended,
applicable to such disposition to the Company under the Plan, and any date,
period or procedure specified or referred to in the Plan with respect to any
such disposition to the Company under the Plan shall be adjusted, if necessary,
so as to give effect to this Section 14.

     15. Effective Date. This Plan as originally adopted, became effective on
May 21, 1992. The Plan was amended and restated by the Board of Directors on
September 9, 1994 and approved by the stockholders effective as of such date.
The Plan was amended by the Board of Directors as of November 1, 1996 and on
April 27, 1998.

                                        6





                           THE DEWOLFE COMPANIES, INC


Exhibit  11.0           Statement  Re:  Computation  of  Earnings  
                        per share and earnings per share-assuming dilution

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                      Three Months Ended                          Six Months Ended
                                                           June 30,                                   June 30,
                                                           --------                                   --------
                                                    1998                     1997            1998               1997
                                                    ----                     ----            ----               ----
Numerator:
<S>                                                <C>                  <C>                   <C>                  <C>       
  Net Income                                       $2,143,000           $1,206,000            $2,413,000           $1,140,000

Denominator:
  Weighted- average shares                          3,263,000            3,279,000             3,243,000            3,291,000
  Effect of Employee Stock Options                    212,000               73,000               184,000               73,000
                                             -----------------    -----------------     -----------------    -----------------
Total                                               3,475,000            3,352,000             3,427,000            3,364,000
                                             =================    =================     =================    =================


Earnings per share                             $         0.66       $         0.37         $        0.74        $        0.35
                                             =================    =================     =================    =================


Earnings per share- assuming dilution          $         0.62       $         0.36         $        0.70        $        0.34
                                             =================    =================     =================    =================
</TABLE>


<PAGE>




May 15, 1998

Mr. Robert McCauley
The DeWolfe Companies, Inc.
80 Hayden Ave.
Lexington, MA 02173

Dear Bob:

As requested, we have tabulated the vote cast at the Annual Meeting of
Stockholders of The DeWolfe Companies, Inc. held on May 12, 1998. The results of
this tabulation are as follows:

PROPOSAL I
To fix the size of the Board at four and to elect the nominees named in the
Proxy Statement.

                             Number of Shares/Votes

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                         For            Withheld
<S>                                 <C>               <C>        
Richard B. DeWolfe                  2,920,446.4110    16,554.3480
A. Clinton Allen                    2,920,446.4110    16,554.3480
Paul R. Del Rossi                   2,920,446.4110    16,554.3480
R. Robert Popeo                     2,920,446.4110    16,554.3480
</TABLE>

PROPOSAL II
To approve the Company's 1998 Stock Option Plan

For               2,309,404.3850
Against           39,915.6280
Abstain           3,002.7460
Non-vote          584,678.0000

PROPOSAL III
To ratify the Company's Selection of Ernst & Young LLP as the Company's
Independent Auditors.

For               2,933,305.0260
Against           1,231.1790
Abstain           2,464.5540


<PAGE>




We certify that the number of shares issued, outstanding and eligible to vote as
of the record date of March 18, 1998 were 3,233,056.0000. We tabulated proxies
representing 2,937,000.7590 shares of common stock or 90.8430 percent of the
eligible voting shares. We are also enclosing the original affidavit of mailing
for your files.

Sincerely,

Therese M. Collins
Account Manager
Authorized Signatory

<TABLE> <S> <C>


<ARTICLE>                     5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM CONDENSED
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEET (UNAUDITED) AND CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF
OPERATIONS (UNAUDITED) AS REFLECTED ON THE COMPANY'S FORM 10Q FOR THE QUARTER
ENDED JUNE 30, 1998, AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH 10-Q.
</LEGEND>
<CIK>                         0000888138
<NAME>                        DeWolfe
<MULTIPLIER>                                     1,000
<CURRENCY>                                U.S. Dollars
       
<S>                             <C>
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   6-mos
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          Dec-31-1997
<PERIOD-START>                             Jan-01-1997
<PERIOD-END>                               Jun-30-1998
<EXCHANGE-RATE>                                      1
<CASH>                                           3,409
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                                   32,447
<ALLOWANCES>                                         0
<INVENTORY>                                          0
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                                64,974
<PP&E>                                          13,528
<DEPRECIATION>                                   6,922
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                  80,269
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                           56,573
<BONDS>                                         12,185
                                0
                                          0
<COMMON>                                            35
<OTHER-SE>                                      14,300
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                    80,629
<SALES>                                              0
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                                74,407
<CGS>                                                0
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                   45,615
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                24,100
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                   351
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                                 922
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                  4,387
<INCOME-TAX>                                     1,974
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                              2,413
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                     2,413
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                      .74
<EPS-DILUTED>                                      .70
        


</TABLE>


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