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                                                                   EXHIBIT 23.2



              Consent of Independent Certified Public Accountants



American Realty Trust, Inc.
Dallas, Texas

   
We hereby consent to the incorporation by reference in the Prospectus
constituting a part of this Registration Statement of our report dated March
25, 1999, relating to the consolidated financial statements and schedules of
Continental Mortgage and Equity Trust appearing in the Trust's Annual Report on
Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 1998.
    

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

                              /s/ BDO SEIDMAN, LLP
                              -----------------------------------
                              BDO Seidman, LLP



Dallas, Texas
April 23, 1999