190



                         CARDINAL REALTY SERVICES, INC.
                             6954 AMERICANA PARKWAY
                            REYNOLDSBURG, OHIO 43068


                                 August 1, 1996



Pat Holder
8615 Freeport Parkway
Suite 200
Irving, TX 75063

Dear Pat:

         The following sets forth our additional  understandings with respect to
your employment with Lexford Properties, Inc. ("Employer"),  a Texas corporation
and wholly- owned subsidiary of the undersigned,  Cardinal Realty Services, Inc.
("Cardinal"),  and supplements the employment agreement between Employer and you
of even date herewith (the "Employment Agreement").

         As additional  consideration for your employment with Employer, so long
as the Employment  Agreement is in effect, you shall be entitled to receive,  if
earned,  in  addition  to all other  compensation  set  forth in the  Employment
Agreement,  a  restricted  stock award for shares of  Cardinal's  common  stock,
valued as of the date of the award as determined in accordance  with  Cardinal's
1996 Incentive  Compensation Plan as adopted by Cardinal's Board of Directors on
March 21, 1996 and outlined on the attached  Exhibit A to this letter  agreement
(the "Plan"),  and having a maximum  value of thirty  percent (30%) of your Base
Salary (as defined in the Employment  Agreement)  earned during fiscal year 1996
while the Employment Agreement is in effect (the "Stock Bonus").

         You will  participate  in the Plan as a Grade 11 - Property  Management
Executive  except  that for  purposes  of  determining  the amount of your Stock
Bonus, if any, in accordance with the  calculations  contained on Exhibit A, the
target net  income-property  management  shall be Six Million  Nine  Hundred Two
Thousand Six Hundred and Seven Dollars  ($6,902,607) (it being acknowledged that
such target is different than the target for other employees of Parent under the
Plan) and the actual net  income-property  management for fiscal year 1996 shall
include the actual net profit of Lexford Properties,  a Texas joint venture, and
its successors in interest for fiscal year 1996 earned prior to the date hereof.



                                      191
PAT HOLDER
AUGUST 1, 1996
PAGE -2-


         If the foregoing  understanding  is acceptable to you,  please indicate
your  approval  thereof by signing a copy of this  letter in the space  provided
below and return it to the undersigned.

                                   Sincerely,

                                   CARDINAL REALTY SERVICES, INC.


                                   By: /s/ Mark D. Thompson
                                       -------------------------
                                           Mark D. Thompson
                                           Executive Vice President


         The terms and provisions of this Letter  Agreement are hereby  approved
and accepted this 1st day of August, 1996.


                                    By: /s/ Pat Holder
                                    ------------------------
                                            Pat Holder