1
                                                                    EXHIBIT 23.4



              Consent of Independent Certified Public Accountants


   
    

   
We hereby consent to the incorporation by reference in the Prospectus
constituting a part of this Registration Statement of our report dated March
12, 1998, relating to the consolidated financial statements and schedules of
Transcontinental Realty Investors, Inc. appearing in the Company's Annual
Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 1997.
    

We also consent to the reference to us under the caption "Experts" in the
Prospectus.

                                             
                                             /s/ BDO Seidman, LLP 


                                             BDO Seidman, LLP

   
Dallas, Texas
September 3, 1998