EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT

         This EMPLOYMENT  AGREEMENT (the "AGREEMENT") is made as of this 1st day
of  January,  1998,  by and  between  MONTEREY  HOMES  CORPORATION,  a  Maryland
corporation (the "Company") and Larry W. Seay, an individual  ("EXECUTIVE").  If
Executive is  presently  or  subsequently  becomes  employed by a subsidiary  of
Company,  the term "Company"  shall be deemed to refer  collectively to Monterey
Homes Corporation and the subsidiary or subsidiaries which employs Executive.

                                    RECITALS

         A. COMPANY BUSINESS. The Company's principal business is homebuilding.

         B. EXECUTIVE  EXPERIENCE.  Since April 1, 1996, Executive has served as
Vice  President - Finance and Chief  Financial  Officer  ("CFO"),  Treasurer and
Secretary of the Company.

         C. AGREEMENT  PURPOSE.  The Company  desires to employ  Executive,  and
Executive  desires to be employed by Company,  on the terms and  conditions  set
forth herein.

         NOW THEREFORE,  in consideration of the mutual  covenants,  agreements,
representations, and warranties contained herein and for other good and valuable
consideration, the receipt and sufficiency of which are hereby acknowledged, the
parties agree as follows:

         1. DEFINITIONS. As used herein:

               (a) "CAUSE" shall include the following:

                    i)  Employee's  wrongful  misappropriation  of any  money or
               other assets or properties of the Company;

                    ii)  Executive  is  convicted  of  committing  a felony,  or
               engages in conduct involving fraud, moral turpitude,  dishonesty,
               gross  misconduct,  embezzlement,  theft, or similar matters that
               are detrimental to Company;

                    iii) Employee's  willful  disregard of his primary duties to
               the Company or policies of the Company.

                  (b)  "CHANGE OF  CONTROL".  A Change of Control of the Company
         shall  mean:  (a) the  purchase  or other  acquisition  by any  person,
         entity,  or group of persons,  within the  meaning of section  13(d) or
         14(d) of the Securities  Exchange Act of 1934 as amended (the "Act") of
         beneficial  ownership  (within  the  meaning of Rule 13d-3  promulgated
         under  the Act) of more than 50% of either  the  outstanding  shares of
         common  stock  of the  Company  or the  combined  voting  power  of the
         Company's  then  outstanding   voting   securities   entitled  to  vote
         generally;  (b) the  approval by the  stockholders  of the Company of a
         reorganization,  merger, or consolidation, in each case with respect to
         which persons who were stockholders

                                       -1-

         of the Company  immediately  prior to such  reorganization,  merger, or
         consolidation do not, immediately thereafter,  own more than 50% of the
         combined  voting  power  entitled to vote  generally in the election of
         directors of the reorganized,  merged,  or consolidated  company's then
         outstanding  securities;  or (c) a liquidation  or  dissolution  of the
         Company  or  the  sale  of all or  substantially  all of the  Company's
         assets.

                  (c)   "COMPANY    CONFIDENTIAL    INFORMATION"    shall   mean
         confidential,  proprietary  information or trade secrets of Company and
         its subsidiaries,  including,  without limitation,  the following:  (1)
         customer  and  vendor  lists and  customer  and vendor  information  as
         compiled by Company and its subsidiaries,  including pricing,  sale and
         contract terms and conditions, contract expirations, and other compiled
         customer and vendor  information;  (2) Company's and its  subsidiaries'
         internal practices and procedures;  (3) Company's and its subsidiaries'
         financial condition and financial results of operation; (4) information
         relating to  Company's  and its  subsidiaries'  real estate  holding or
         commitments,  lot  positions,  strategic  planning,  sales,  financing,
         insurance, purchasing, marketing, promotion,  distribution, and selling
         activities,  whether now  existing,  or  acquired,  developed,  or made
         available  anytime in the future to or by Company or its  subsidiaries;
         (5) all information  which Executive has a reasonable basis to consider
         confidential  or which is treated by  Company  or its  subsidiaries  as
         confidential;  and  (6)  any and  all  information  having  independent
         economic  value to Company or its  subsidiaries  that is not  generally
         known to, and not readily ascertainable by proper means by, persons who
         can  obtain  economic  value  from  its  disclosure  or use.  Executive
         acknowledges that such information is Company Confidential  Information
         whether disclosed to or learned by Executive or originated by Executive
         during his  employment  by Company or any of its  subsidiaries.  In the
         event that information is not clearly and obviously publicly available,
         all information about Company or its subsidiaries  shall be presumed to
         be  confidential.  In the event of a dispute or  litigation,  Executive
         will have the  burden of proof by clear and  convincing  evidence  that
         such information is not confidential.

                  (d) "DEMOTION EVENT" shall include a demotion or relocation of
         Executive,  a material change in Executive's duties without Executive's
         consent,  a reduction from the previous year in Executive's base salary
         without  Executive's  consent,  or any  action  taken  by  the  Company
         specifically to limit Executive's ability to earn a bonus comparable to
         his prior year's bonus.  Notwithstanding the foregoing,  the assignment
         of certain controller and treasury duties to a corporate controller who
         shall report to Executive shall not be considered a Demotion Event.

                  (e)  "TERMINATION"   shall  mean  termination  of  Executive's
         employment with Company pursuant to Sections 17 through 21 hereof.

                                       -2-

         2. TERM OF  AGREEMENT.  This  Agreement  will commence as of January 1,
1998 and shall terminate two (2) years from such date, unless earlier terminated
in accordance  with, and subject to, the other  provisions  hereof (the "TERM").
This Agreement will automatically renew for successive one-year terms unless one
of the parties  hereto  gives  notice of  non-renewal  at least ninety (90) days
before the scheduled renewal date.

         3.  POSITION WITH COMPANY.  During the Term,  Executive  shall serve as
Vice-President - Finance, CFO, Treasurer and Secretary of Company,  shall devote
his full time and efforts to the affairs of Company,  and shall  faithfully  and
diligently  perform  all  duties  commensurate  with such  position,  including,
without  limitation,  those duties  reasonably  requested by Company's  Board of
Directors.  Without  limitation of the foregoing,  Executive  shall:  (i) manage
financing and capital  arrangements;  (ii) supervise controller function;  (iii)
supervise  treasury  function;  (iv) supervise  public reporting and stockholder
relations;  (v) supervise  information  and data  processing  systems,  and (vi)
support merger and acquisition efforts. Executive shall be subject to and comply
with all of Company's policies and procedures.

         4. SALARY. Executive shall be entitled to receive a minimum base salary
from  Company  in  the  amount  of  $120,750.00   annually,   payable  in  equal
installments  in accordance  with Company's  general salary payment  policies in
effect  during the Term hereof (the  "MINIMUM  BASE  SALARY").  The Minimum Base
Salary may be increased at such times and in such amounts as Company's  Board of
Directors shall determine in its sole discretion.

         5. BONUS AND STOCK  OPTION.  The Board of Directors  may,  from time to
time, at its discretion,  pay performance  bonuses to Executive,  which shall be
calculated based on the formula set forth in EXHIBIT A attached hereto. Any such
performance bonus may be paid in cash or Company stock, in the discretion of the
Board of Directors.  In addition, the Board of Directors may, from time to time,
at its  discretion,  grant  Executive  options under the Company's  stock option
plan.

         6.  VACATION  AND  SICK  LEAVE.  Executive  shall be  entitled  to take
reasonable vacation, holiday and sick leave, subject to the Company's reasonable
limits and policies.

         7. BENEFIT  PLANS.  Executive  shall be eligible to  participate in all
benefit plans made  available to Company  employees  from time to time.  Nothing
herein shall restrict  Company's ability to terminate or modify any benefit plan
or arrangement.

         8.  EXPENSES.  Company  shall pay for or  reimburse  Executive  for all
ordinary  and  necessary  business  expenses  incurred or paid by  Executive  in
furtherance of Company's  business,  subject to and in accordance with Company's
policies  and  procedures  of general  application.  The Company  shall  provide
Executive a car allowance not to exceed $350.00 per month.

         9. STAFF  MANUAL.  All other terms of  Executives  employment  shall be
governed by the Company  employee  manual (the "Employee  Manual").  The Company
reserves  the  right  to amend  the  Employee  Manual,  from  time to time,  and
Executive  shall be subject to changes  made so long as such changes are applied
to all Company employees.
                                       -3-

         10.  COVENANTS OF EXECUTIVE.  (a) Executive hereby covenants and agrees
that, during the term of this Agreement,  Executive will not engage, directly or
indirectly,   either  as  principal,  partner,  joint  venturer,  consultant  or
independent contractor,  agent, or proprietor or in any other manner participate
in the  ownership,  management,  operation,  or  control  of any  person,  firm,
partnership,  limited  liability  company,  corporation,  or other  entity which
engages in the  business  of  providing  any  products or  services,  including,
without  limitation,  home building products or services,  which are competitive
with those products or services  offered or sold by Company or its  subsidiaries
within any jurisdiction in which Company or its subsidiaries does or proposes to
do business.  The covenants set forth in this paragraph  10(a) shall expire upon
cessation of Executive's employment for any reason.

         (b) Executive hereby covenants and agrees that,  during the term of the
Agreement,  and for a  period  of one year  after  the  last  date on which  the
Executive is employed by the Company, Executive will not:

                  (i) Directly or indirectly solicit for employment  (whether as
         an employee,  consultant,  independent  contractor,  or otherwise)  any
         person  who is an  employee,  independent  contractor  or the  like  of
         Company or any of its  subsidiaries,  unless  Company gives its written
         consent to such employment or offer of employment.

                  (ii) Call on or  directly or  indirectly  solicit or divert or
         take away from Company or any of its subsidiaries  (including,  without
         limitation,  by divulging to any competitor or potential  competitor of
         Company or its subsidiaries) any person,  firm,  corporation,  or other
         entity who was a customer or prospective customer of the Company during
         Executive's term of Employment.

         11.  CONFIDENTIALITY  AND  NONDISCLOSURE.  It is understood that in the
course of Executive's employment with Company,  Executive will become acquainted
with  Company  Confidential  Information.   Executive  recognizes  that  Company
Confidential  Information  has been developed or acquired at great  expense,  is
proprietary  to  Company  or  its  subsidiaries,  and is and  shall  remain  the
exclusive  property of Company.  Accordingly,  Executive  hereby  covenants  and
agrees that he will not, without the express written consent of Company,  during
Executive's  employment with Company or its subsidiaries and thereafter or until
such time as  Company  Confidential  Information  becomes  generally  known,  or
readily  ascertainable  by proper means, by persons  unrelated to Company or its
subsidiaries,  disclose  to  others,  copy,  make  any use of,  or  remove  from
Company's or its subsidiaries'  premises any Company  Confidential  Information,
except as Executive's  duties for Company or its  subsidiaries  may specifically
require. In the event of dispute or litigation,  Executive shall have the burden
of  proof  by clear  and  convincing  evidence  that  the  Company  Confidential
Information  has become  generally  known,  or readily  ascertainable  by proper
means, by persons unrelated to Company or its subsidiaries.

         12. ACKNOWLEDGMENT;  RELIEF FOR VIOLATION. Executive hereby agrees that
the  period  of time  provided  for in  Sections  10 and 11 and the  territorial
restrictions  and  other  provisions  and  restrictions  set forth  therein  are
reasonable and necessary to protect Company, its subsidiaries and

                                       -4-

its and their  successors and assigns in the use and employment of the good will
of the business  conducted by Company and its  subsidiaries.  Executive  further
agrees that  damages  cannot  compensate  Company in the event of a violation of
Section 10 or 11, and that, if such violation  should occur,  injunctive  relief
shall be essential for the protection of Company, its subsidiaries,  and its and
their successors and assigns. Accordingly, Executive hereby covenants and agrees
that, in the event any of the provisions of Sections 10 and 11 shall be violated
or  breached,  Company  shall be entitled to obtain  injunctive  relief  against
Executive,  without  bond but upon due notice,  in  addition to such  further or
other relief as may appertain at equity or law. Obtainment of such an injunction
by Company  shall not be  considered  an election of remedies or a waiver of any
right to assert any other  remedies  which  Company has at law or in equity.  No
waiver of any breach or violation  hereof shall be implied from  forbearance  or
failure by Company to take action thereon.  Executive  hereby agrees that he has
such skills and  abilities  that the  provisions  of Sections 10 and 11 will not
prevent him from  earning a living.  Each party  agrees to pay its own costs and
expenses in enforcing any provision of this Agreement.

         13.  EXTENSION  DURING  BREACH.  Executive  agrees that the time period
described  in  Sections 10 and 11 shall be  extended  for a period  equal to the
duration of any breach of such provisions by Executive.

         14. NO CONFLICTS OF INTEREST.

                  (a) During the period of Executive's  employment with Company,
         Executive will not  independently  engage in the same or a similar line
         of business as Company or its subsidiaries, or, directly or indirectly,
         serve,  advise,  or be employed by any individual,  firm,  partnership,
         association,  corporation,  or  other  entity  engaged  in the  same or
         similar line or lines of business.

                  (b)  Executive  is  not a  promoter,  director,  employee,  or
         officer of, or  consultant  or  independent  contractor  to, a business
         organized for profit,  nor will Executive become a promoter,  director,
         employee,  or officer  of, or  consultant  to,  such a  business  while
         employed by Company or its  subsidiaries  without  first  obtaining the
         prior  written  approval  of  Company.  Executive  disclaims  any  such
         relationship  or  position  with any such  business.  Should  Executive
         become a promoter,  director,  employee, or officer of, or a consultant
         to, a business  organized for profit upon  obtaining such prior written
         approval,   Executive  understands  that  Executive  has  a  continuing
         obligation  to advise  Company at such time of any activity of Company,
         or such other  business  that  presents  Executive  with a conflict  of
         interest as an employee of Company.

               (c) Should any matter of dealing in which  Executive is involved,
         or hereafter becomes involved,  on his own behalf or as an employee of
         Company,  appear to present a possible  conflict of interest under any
         Company policy then in effect,  Executive  will promptly  disclose the
         facts to Company's Board of Directors so that a  determination  can be
         made as to whether a conflict of interest does exist.  Executive  will
         take whatever action is requested of Executive by Company or its Board
         of Director to resolve any conflict which it finds to exist, including
         severing the relationship which creates the conflict.
 
                                       -5-

                  (d) Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, Executive
may make  investments  in  commercial  properties or land  development  ventures
provided they are not competitive with the business of the Company,  and may own
less than 1% of stock in publicly traded homebuilders.

         15. RETURN OF COMPANY MATERIALS AND COMPANY  CONFIDENTIAL  INFORMATION.
Upon Termination,  Executive shall promptly deliver to Company the originals and
all  copies  of any and all  materials,  documents,  notes,  manuals,  or  lists
containing or embodying Company Confidential Information or relating directly or
indirectly to the business of Company in the possession or control of Executive.

         16. NO  AGREEMENT  WITH OTHERS.  Executive  represents,  warrants,  and
agrees that  Executive is not a party to any agreement  with any other person or
business entity, including former employers, that in any way affects Executive's
employment by Company or relates to the same subject matter of this Agreement or
conflicts with his obligations  under this Agreement,  or restricts  Executive's
services to Company.

         17. TERMINATION FOR CAUSE. The Company may terminate this Agreement for
Cause by giving written  notice of Termination  and, with respect to a purported
violation of Section 1(a)(i), (ii) or (iii) of this Agreement that is curable in
such time period,  shall afford Executive an opportunity to cure or disprove the
purported  violation  for the  thirty-day  period  following  such notice.  Upon
Termination of Executive for Cause,  Executive shall be entitled to receive only
the Minimum Base Salary,  the amount of any unpaid  performance  bonus earned in
any complete fiscal year of the Company  preceding the date of termination,  and
any  benefits  as  are  due  Executive   through  the  effective  date  of  such
Termination. No prorated bonus shall be paid to Executive upon a Termination for
Cause.

         18.  TERMINATION BY COMPANY  WITHOUT CAUSE.  If Executive is terminated
without Cause,  Executive shall be entitled to receive an amount equal to 50% of
Executive's  base salary and 50% of  Executive's  average bonus for the previous
three  fiscal  years and the  vesting  of  Executive's  stock  options  shall be
accelerated,  as if  Executive  had held them  through the end of the  following
fiscal year.  Executive may terminate his  employment  upon the  occurrence of a
Demotion Event and such termination shall be deemed a Termination without Cause.
Any amounts due to Executive  under this paragraph shall be paid to Executive in
six (6) equal  monthly  payments or in a lump sum (to be paid within twenty (20)
days after Termination),  at the Executive's discretion,  following Termination.
If the Executive elects to take the payments due under this paragraph over a six
month  period,  he shall be  entitled,  to the extent  permitted  by law and the
plans,  to  continued  participation  in the  Company's  benefit  plans for such
period. If the Executive elects to take a lump sum payment, his participation in
the  Company's  benefit  plans  shall  terminate  upon  receipt  of the lump sum
payment.
                                       -6-

         19.  TERMINATION UPON CHANGE OF CONTROL.  If, within twelve (12) months
following a Change of Control of the Company,  Executive voluntarily  terminates
his employment as a result of a Demotion  Event,  Executive shall be entitled to
receive  an  amount  equal  to 100%  of  Executive's  base  salary  and  100% of
Executive's  average  bonus  for the  previous  three  fiscal  years  and all of
Executive's stock options shall vest in full and be immediately exercisable. Any
amounts due to  Executive  under this  paragraph  shall be paid to  Executive in
twelve (12) equal  monthly  payments or in a lump sum (to be paid within  twenty
(20)  days  after  Termination),   at  the  Executive's  discretion,   following
Termination.  If the  Executive  elects  to take the  payments  due  under  this
paragraph  over a twelve  month  period,  he shall be  entitled,  to the  extent
permitted by law and the plans,  to  continued  participation  in the  Company's
benefit  plans  for such  period.  If the  Executive  elects  to take a lump sum
payment,  his  participation in the Company's benefit plans shall terminate upon
receipt of the lump sum payment.

         20.  TERMINATION  UPON DEATH OF  EXECUTIVE.  If during the term of this
Agreement  Executive dies, then this Agreement shall terminate and Company shall
pay to the estate of Executive  only the Minimum Base Salary,  the amount of any
unpaid  bonus earned in any complete  fiscal year of the Company  preceding  the
date of Termination,  the prorated portion of any objectively determined current
year bonus, and any benefits  (including any life insurance benefits provided to
Executive's  estate under Company's  standard  policies as in effect) as are due
through the date of his death.  In addition,  the vesting of  Executive's  stock
options shall be accelerated,  as if the Executive had served through the end of
the fiscal year of his Termination.

         21. TERMINATION UPON DISABILITY OF EXECUTIVE. If during the term of the
Agreement  Executive  is unable to perform the  services  required of  Executive
pursuant to this  Agreement  for a continuous  period of ninety (90) days due to
disability  or  incapacity  by reason of any  physical  or  mental  illness  (as
reasonably determined by Company by its Board of Directors),  then Company shall
have the right to terminate this Agreement at the end of such ninety-day  period
by giving  written notice to Executive.  Executive  shall be entitled to receive
only such  Minimum  Base  Salary,  the amount of any unpaid  bonus earned in any
complete  fiscal  year of the Company  preceding  the date of  termination,  the
prorated  portion of any  objectively  determined  current  year bonus,  and any
benefits as are due Executive through the effective date of such Termination. In
addition,  the vesting of Executive's stock options shall be accelerated,  as if
the Executive had served through the end of the fiscal year of his Termination.

         22.  INDEMNITY.  The Company shall  indemnify  Executive to the fullest
extent permitted by the Company's Bylaws. Such indemnification shall survive the
termination of this Agreement.

         23.  ARBITRATION.   Any  dispute,   controversy,   or  claim,   whether
contractual or  non-contractual,  between the parties hereto arising directly or
indirectly  out of or connected with this  Agreement,  relating to the breach or
alleged breach of any  representation,  warranty,  agreement,  or covenant under
this Agreement, unless mutually settled by the parties hereto, shall be resolved
by binding  arbitration in accordance with the Commercial  Arbitration  Rules of

                                       -7-

the American  Arbitration  Association  (the "AAA").  Any  arbitration  shall be
conducted by arbitrators  approved by the AAA and mutually acceptable to Company
and Executive. All such disputes, controversies, or claims shall be conducted by
a single  arbitrator,  unless  the  dispute  involves  more than  $50,000 in the
aggregate in which case the  arbitration  shall be conducted by a panel of three
arbitrators.  If the  parties  hereto are unable to agree on the  arbitrator(s),
then the AAA shall select the  arbitrator(s).  The  resolution of the dispute by
the arbitrator(s) shall be final, binding, nonappealable,  and fully enforceable
by a court of  competent  jurisdiction  under the Federal  Arbitration  Act. The
arbitrator(s)  shall award  compensatory  damages to the prevailing  party.  The
arbitrator(s)  shall have no  authority  to award  consequential  or punitive or
statutory  damages,  and the parties  hereby waive any claim to those damages to
the fullest extent allowed by law. The arbitration award shall be in writing and
shall include a statement of the reasons for the award. The arbitration shall be
held in Phoenix,  Arizona.  The arbitrator(s) shall award reasonable  attorneys'
fees and costs to the prevailing party.

         24.  SEVERABILITY;  REFORMATION.  In the  event  any  court or  arbiter
determines that any of the restrictive covenants in this Agreement,  or any part
thereof,  is or are invalid or  unenforceable,  the remainder of the restrictive
covenants shall not thereby be affected and shall be given full effect,  without
regard to invalid  portions.  If any of the provisions of this Agreement  should
ever be deemed to exceed the temporal,  geographic,  or occupational limitations
permitted by applicable  laws, those provisions shall be and are hereby reformed
to the maximum temporal,  geographic,  or occupational  limitations permitted by
law.  In the event any court or arbiter  refuses  to reform  this  Agreement  as
provided  above,  the parties hereto agree to modify the  provisions  held to be
unenforceable to preserve each party's anticipated benefits thereunder.

         25. NOTICES. All notices and other communications hereunder shall be in
writing and shall be sufficiently given if made by hand delivery, by telecopier,
or  by  registered  or  certified  mail  (postage  prepaid  and  return  receipt
requested) to the parties at the  following  addresses (or at such other address
for a party as shall be specified by it by like notice):

                  If to Company :         Monterey Homes Corporation
                                          6613 N. Scottsdale Road
                                          Suite 200
                                          Scottsdale, Arizona 85250
                                          Phone:  (602) 998-8700
                                          Fax:  (602) 998-9162
                                          Attn:  President

                  With a copy to:         Snell & Wilmer L.L.P.
                                          One Arizona Center
                                          Phoenix, Arizona 85004-0001
                                          Phone: (602) 382-6252
                                          FAX:  (602) 382-6070
                                          Attn:  Steven D. Pidgeon, Esq.

                  If to Executive:        Larry W. Seay
                                          802 West El Caminito Drive
                                          Phoenix, Arizona 85021

         All such notices and other  communications shall be deemed to have been
duly given: when delivered by hand, if personally delivered; three business days
after being deposited in the mail,  postage  prepaid,  if delivered by mail; and
when receipt is acknowledged, if telecopied.

         26.  COUNTERPARTS.  This  Agreement  may be  executed  in any number of
counterparts,  and each counterpart shall constitute an original instrument, but
all such separate counterparts shall constitute one and the same agreement.

                                       -8-


         27. GOVERNING LAW. The validity,  construction,  and  enforceability of
this  Agreement  shall be governed  in all  respects by the laws of the State of
Arizona, without regard to its conflict of laws rules.

         28.  ASSIGNMENT.  This Agreement  shall not be assigned by operation of
law or  otherwise,  except  that  Company  may assign all or any  portion of its
rights under this Agreement to any Company entity,  but no such assignment shall
relieve Company of its obligations hereunder, and except that this Agreement may
be  assigned  to any  corporation  or entity  with or into which  Company may be
merged or consolidated or to which Company transfers all or substantially all of
its assets,  and such  corporation  or entity  assumes  this  Agreement  and all
obligations and undertakings of Company hereunder.

         29. FURTHER  ASSURANCES.  At any time on or after the date hereof,  the
parties  hereto  shall  each  perform  such  acts,   execute  and  deliver  such
instruments, assignments, endorsements and other documents and do all such other
things  consistent  with  the  terms  of  this  Agreement  as may be  reasonably
necessary  to  accomplish  the  transaction  contemplated  in this  Agreement or
otherwise carry out the purpose of this Agreement.

         30. GENDER,  NUMBER AND HEADINGS.  The masculine,  feminine,  or neuter
pronouns used herein shall be interpreted  without regard to gender, and the use
of the  singular  or plural  shall be deemed to include the other  whenever  the
context so requires.

         31.  WAIVER  OF  PROVISIONS.  The  terms,  covenants,  representations,
warranties,  and  conditions  of this  Agreement may be waived only by a written
instrument executed by the party waiving compliance. The failure of any party at
any time to require  performance of any provisions  hereof shall,  in no manner,
affect the right at a later date to enforce the same.  No waiver by any party of
any condition, or breach of any provision,  term, covenant,  representation,  or
warranty  contained in this Agreement,  whether by conduct or otherwise,  in any
one or more  instances,  shall be deemed  to be or  construed  as a  further  or
continuing waiver of any such condition or of the breach of any other provision,
term, covenant, representation, or warranty of this Agreement.

         32.  ATTORNEYS'  FEES AND COSTS. If any legal action or any arbitration
or other proceeding is brought for the enforcement of this Agreement, or because
of an alleged dispute,  breach, default, or misrepresentation in connection with
any of the provisions of this Agreement,  the successful or prevailing  party or
parties  shall be entitled to recover  reasonable  attorneys'  fees,  accounting
fees, and other costs incurred in that action or proceeding,  in addition to any
other relief to which it or they may be entitled.

         33. SECTION AND PARAGRAPH HEADINGS. The Article and Section headings in
this  Agreement are for reference  purposes only and shall not affect in any way
the meaning or interpretation of this Agreement.

         34.  AMENDMENT.  This Agreement may be amended only by an instrument in
writing executed by all parties hereto.

                                       -9-

         35. EXPENSES. Except as otherwise expressly provided herein, each party
shall bear its own  expenses  incident to this  Agreement  and the  transactions
contemplated  hereby,  including  without  limitation,   all  fees  of  counsel,
consultants, and accountants.

         36. ENTIRE AGREEMENT.  This Agreement constitutes and embodies the full
and complete  understanding  and agreement of the parties hereto with respect to
the  subject  matter  hereof,   and  supersedes  all  prior   understandings  or
agreements, whether oral or in writing.

         37. WITHHOLDING.  Executive  acknowledges and agrees that payments made
to Executive by Company  pursuant to the terms of this  Agreement may be subject
to tax withholding and that Company may withhold  against payments due Executive
any such amounts as well as any other amounts payable by Executive to Company.

         38.  RELEASE.  Receipt by  Executive of any of the  severance  benefits
noted  in  paragraphs  18,  19,  20  and  21  hereof  following  termination  of
Executive's employment hereunder shall be subject to Executive's compliance with
any reasonable and lawful policies or procedures of Company relating to employee
severance  including  the  execution  and  delivery  by  Executive  of a release
reasonably  satisfactory  to Company  and  Executive  of any and all claims that
Executive  may have  against  Company  or any  related  person,  except  for the
continuing  obligations  provided herein,  and an agreement that Executive shall
not disparage  Company or any of its directors,  officers,  employees or agents.
Concurrent with the termination of Executive's  employment hereunder pursuant to
paragraphs  18,  19,  20 or 21  hereof,  and  receipt  of a  release  reasonably
satisfactory to the Company and Executive, the Company shall execute and deliver
to Executive a release, reasonably satisfactory to Company and Executive, of any
and all claims that  Company may have against  Executive,  except for any claims
arising out of Executive's fraudulent or criminal conduct, and an agreement that
Company shall not disparage Executive.

                                      -10-

         IN  WITNESS  WHEREOF,  the  parties  hereto  have  duly  executed  this
Agreement  or caused this  Agreement  to be duly  executed  on their  respective
behalf, by their respective  officers  thereunto duly authorized,  all as of the
day and year first above written.

                                MONTEREY HOMES CORPORATION, a
                                Maryland corporation

                                By: /s/ Steven J. Hilton and William W. Cleverly
                                    --------------------------------------------
                                Name: Steven J. Hilton and William W. Cleverly
                                      ------------------------------------------
                                Its:  Managing Directors
                                      ------------------------------------------

                                      /s/ Larry W. Seay
                                      ------------------------------------------
                                      LARRY W. SEAY

                                      -11-

                                  EXHIBIT "A"
                                  -----------


                             1998 - 2000 BONUS PLAN
                                   LARRY SEAY

                            ANNUAL SALARY: $120,750

                                   BONUS PLAN
                                   ----------

          *    Potential  Bonus to 50% to 70% of Base  Salary at  Discretion  of
               Supervisors, and Ability to Accomplish Objectives


                      Objectives to Qualify for Bonus Plan
                      ------------------------------------

1.   Equity Coverage/Investor Relations:

     *    Initiate and Maintain Coverage from at least Three Housing
          Analysts.
     *    Expand Investor Relations Program.
     *    Significant Introduction to Buy Side Investors.
     *    Identify and Update Investor Reporting Services.

2.   Expand Roles of Accounting Staff:

     *    Initiate Quarterly Financial Reports to Public.
     *    Model Financial Ratio's of Company Against Competitors.

3.   Capital Structure:

     *    Senior Note Placement  - First Quarter 1998.
     *    Administer and Negotiate Corporate Banking Facilities.
     *    Explore Expansion of Capital Structure - Joint Ventures,
          Secondary Offerings.

4.   Coordinate Acquisition Analysis and Due Diligence:

     *    Create Model and Financial Structure for Potential Acquisitions.
     *    Assist in Identifying Acquisition Targets.
     *    Acquisition Analysis and Due Diligence.

5.   Audit Controls - Policies & Procedures:

     *    Complete Accounting Policies Manual - 1st Quarter, 1998.
     *    Institute Periodic Audit Procedures.

 Compensation Subject to Continuing Employment and Standard Employment Policies
                  as Outlined in the Company Personnel Manual.