1

                       SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

                             Washington, D.C. 20549


                                    FORM 10-Q


Quarterly Report Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act
                                    of 1934

                  For the Quarterly Period Ended JUNE 30, 2001

                         Commission File Number 0-13810

                       REAL ESTATE ASSOCIATES LIMITED VII
                       (A California Limited Partnership)

                  I.R.S. Employer Identification No. 95-3290316

                         9090 WILSHIRE BLVD., SUITE 201
                           BEVERLY HILLS, CALIF. 90211

                         Registrant's Telephone Number,
                       Including Area Code (310) 278-2191



Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all documents and
reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange
Act of 1934 during the preceding twelve months (or for such shorter period that
the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to
such filing requirements for the past 90 days.


                                 Yes [X] No [ ]

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                       REAL ESTATE ASSOCIATES LIMITED VII
                       (A CALIFORNIA LIMITED PARTNERSHIP)

                               INDEX TO FORM 10-Q

                       FOR THE QUARTER ENDED JUNE 30, 2001




                                                                          
PART I.  FINANCIAL INFORMATION

     Item 1.  Financial Statements

           Balance Sheets, June 30, 2001 and December 31, 2000 .........       1

           Statements of Operations,
                 Six and Three Months Ended June 30, 2001 and 2000 .....       2

           Statement of Partners' Deficiency,
                 Six Months Ended June 30, 2001 ........................       3

           Statements of Cash Flows,
                 Six Months Ended June 30, 2001 and 2000 ...............       4

           Notes to Financial Statements ...............................       5

     Item 2.  Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial
                 Condition and Results of Operation ....................      13


PART II.  OTHER INFORMATION

     Item 1.  Legal Proceedings ........................................      15

     Item 6.  Exhibits and Reports on Form 8-K .........................      15

     Signatures ........................................................      16



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                       REAL ESTATE ASSOCIATES LIMITED VII
                       (a California limited partnership)

                                 BALANCE SHEETS

                       JUNE 30, 2001 AND DECEMBER 31, 2000

                                     ASSETS



                                                                  2001
                                                               (Unaudited)            2000
                                                               ------------       ------------
                                                                            
INVESTMENTS IN LIMITED PARTNERSHIPS (Note 2)                   $    157,774       $    149,626

CASH                                                                849,812            205,538
                                                               ------------       ------------

          TOTAL ASSETS                                         $  1,007,586       $    355,164
                                                               ============       ============


                             LIABILITIES AND PARTNERS' DEFICIENCY

LIABILITIES:
     Notes payable (Notes 3 and 6)                             $ 17,424,501       $ 17,424,501
     Accrued interest payable (Notes 3 and 6)                    25,936,577         25,147,770
     Accrued fees and expenses
        due general partner (Note 4)                              4,275,788          5,506,492
     Accounts payable and other liabilities                          35,988             78,272
                                                               ------------       ------------

                                                                 47,672,854         48,157,035
                                                               ------------       ------------

COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES (Notes 4 and 5)

PARTNERS' DEFICIENCY:
     General partners                                              (789,783)          (801,149)
     Limited partners                                           (45,875,485)       (47,000,722)
                                                               ------------       ------------

                                                                (46,665,268)       (47,801,871)
                                                               ------------       ------------
           TOTAL LIABILITIES AND PARTNERS'
                DEFICIENCY                                     $  1,007,586       $    355,164
                                                               ============       ============


   The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.



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                       REAL ESTATE ASSOCIATES LIMITED VII
                       (a California limited partnership)

                            STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
                SIX AND THREE MONTHS ENDED JUNE 30, 2001 AND 2000
                                   (Unaudited)





                                                            Six months       Three months       Six months      Three months
                                                               ended            ended              ended            ended
                                                           June 30, 2001     June 30, 2001     June 30, 2000    March 31, 2000
                                                            -----------       -----------       -----------       ---------
                                                                                                    
REVENUE:
     Interest income                                        $     6,702       $     3,290       $     1,594       $     584
                                                            -----------       -----------       -----------       ---------

OPERATING EXPENSES:
     Interest (Note 3)                                          826,302           413,151           818,615         409,308
     Management fees - general partner (Note 4)                 250,931           125,886           250,344         125,299
     General and administrative (Note 4)                         36,670             8,661            54,850          36,030
     Legal and accounting                                        53,945            26,476            60,714          35,926
                                                            -----------       -----------       -----------       ---------

                                                              1,167,848           574,174         1,184,523         606,563
                                                            -----------       -----------       -----------       ---------

LOSS FROM OPERATIONS                                         (1,161,146)         (570,884)       (1,182,929)       (605,979)

GAIN ON SALE OF PARTNERSHIP INTEREST (Note 2)                 2,184,373         2,184,373

DISTRIBUTIONS FROM LIMITED
     PARTNERSHIP RECOGNIZED
     AS INCOME (Note 2)                                         105,653           105,653           124,064         124,064

EQUITY IN INCOME (LOSS) OF LIMITED
     PARTNERSHIPS AND AMORTIZATION
     OF ADDITIONAL BASIS AND
     ACQUISITION COSTS (Note 2)                                   7,723            41,428           (20,000)        (10,000)
                                                            -----------       -----------       -----------       ---------

NET INCOME (LOSS)                                           $ 1,136,603       $ 1,760,570       $(1,078,865)      $(491,915)
                                                            ===========       ===========       ===========       =========

NET INCOME (LOSS) PER LIMITED PARTNERSHIP
     INTEREST                                               $        54       $        84       $       (51)      $     (23)
                                                            ===========       ===========       ===========       =========



   The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.



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                       REAL ESTATE ASSOCIATES LIMITED VII
                       (a California limited partnership)

                        STATEMENT OF PARTNERS' DEFICIENCY
                     FOR THE SIX MONTHS ENDED JUNE 30, 2001
                                   (Unaudited)





                                           General          Limited
                                          Partners          Partners            Total
                                          ---------       ------------       ------------
                                                                    
PARTNERSHIP INTERESTS                                           20,802
                                                          ============

DEFICIENCY
   January 1, 2001                        $(801,149)      $(47,000,722)      $(47,801,871)

   Net income for the six months
   ended June 30, 2001                       11,366          1,125,237          1,136,603
                                          ---------       ------------       ------------

DEFICIENCY
   June 30, 2001                          $(789,783)      $(45,875,485)      $(46,665,268)
                                          =========       ============       ============



   The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.



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                       REAL ESTATE ASSOCIATES LIMITED VII
                       (a California limited partnership)

                            STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
                 FOR THE SIX MONTHS ENDED JUNE 30, 2001 AND 2000
                                   (Unaudited)



                                                                                   2001              2000
                                                                                -----------       -----------
                                                                                            
CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES:
       Net income (loss)                                                        $ 1,136,603       $(1,078,865)
       Adjustments to reconcile net income (loss) to net cash
          (used in) provided by operating activities:
             Gain on sale of partnership interest                                (2,184,373)
             Equity in (income) loss of limited partnerships                         (7,723)           20,000
             Increase in accrued interest payable                                   788,807           818,615
             (Decrease) increase in accrued fees and expenses
                 due general partner                                             (1,230,704)          250,344
             Increase (decrease) in accounts payable and other liabilities          (42,284)            4,633
                                                                                -----------       -----------

                    Net cash (used in) provided by operating activities          (1,539,674)           14,727
                                                                                -----------       -----------

CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES:
       Capital contribution to limited partnerships                                    (425)
       Sale proceeds                                                              2,184,373                --
                                                                                -----------       -----------

                    Net cash provided by investing activities                     2,183,948                --
                                                                                -----------       -----------

NET INCREASE IN CASH                                                                644,274            14,727

CASH, BEGINNING OF PERIOD                                                           205,538            96,379
                                                                                -----------       -----------

CASH, END OF PERIOD                                                             $   849,812       $   111,106
                                                                                ===========       ===========



   The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.



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                       REAL ESTATE ASSOCIATES LIMITED VII
                       (A CALIFORNIA LIMITED PARTNERSHIP)

                          NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

                                  JUNE 30, 2001


NOTE 1 - SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES

        GENERAL

        The information contained in the following notes to the financial
        statements is condensed from that which would appear in the annual
        financial statements; accordingly, the financial statements included
        herein should be reviewed in conjunction with the financial statements
        and related notes thereto contained in the Annual Report for the year
        ended December 31, 2000 prepared by Real Estate Associates Limited VII
        (the "Partnership."). Accounting measurements at interim dates
        inherently involve greater reliance on estimates than at year end. The
        results of operations for the interim periods presented are not
        necessarily indicative of the results for the entire year.

        In the opinion of the Partnership, the accompanying unaudited financial
        statements contain all adjustments (consisting primarily of normal
        recurring accruals), necessary to present fairly the financial position
        of he Partnership at June 30, 2001, and the results of operations and
        changes in cash flows for the six and three months then ended.

        The general partners have a 1 percent interest in profits and losses of
        the Partnership. The limited partners have the remaining 99 percent
        interest which is allocated in proportion to their respective individual
        investments. National Partnership Investments Corp. (NAPICO) is the
        managing general partner of the Partnership. Casden Properties Inc. owns
        a 95.25% economic interest in NAPICO, with the balance owned by Casden
        Investment Corporation ("CIC"). CIC, which is wholly owned by Alan I.
        Casden, owns 95% of the voting common stock of NAPICO.

        BASIS OF PRESENTATION

        The accompanying financial statements have been prepared in conformity
        with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of
        America.



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                       REAL ESTATE ASSOCIATES LIMITED VII
                       (A CALIFORNIA LIMITED PARTNERSHIP)

                    NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)

                                  JUNE 30, 2001


NOTE 1 - SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES (CONTINUED)

        USES OF ESTIMATES

        The preparation of financial statements in conformity with accounting
        principles generally accepted in the United States of America requires
        management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported
        amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets
        and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and reported
        amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. Actual
        results could differ from those estimates.

        METHOD OF ACCOUNTING FOR INVESTMENT IN LIMITED PARTNERSHIPS

        The investment in limited partnerships is accounted for on the equity
        method. Acquisition, selection and other costs related to the
        acquisition of the projects were capitalized as part of the investment
        account and are being amortized on a straight line basis over the
        estimated lines of the underlying assets, which is generally 30 years.

        NET LOSS PER LIMITED PARTNERSHIP INTEREST

        Net loss per limited partnership interest was computed by dividing the
        limited partners' share of net loss by the number of limited partnership
        interests outstanding during the year. The number of limited partnership
        interests was 20,802 for the periods presented.

        CASH

        The Partnership has its cash on deposit primarily with high credit
        quality financial institutions. Such cash is in excess of the FDIC
        insurance limit.

        INCOME TAXES

        No provision has been made for income taxes in the accompanying
        financial statements since such taxes, if any, are the liability of the
        individual partners.



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                       REAL ESTATE ASSOCIATES LIMITED VII
                       (A CALIFORNIA LIMITED PARTNERSHIP)

                    NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)

                                  JUNE 30, 2001


NOTE 1 - SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES (CONTINUED)

        IMPAIRMENT OF LONG-LIVED ASSETS

        The Partnership reviews long-lived assets to determine if there has been
        any permanent impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances
        indicate that the carrying amount of the asset may not be recoverable.
        If the sum of the expected future cash flows is less than the carrying
        amount of the assets, the Partnership recognizes an impairment loss.

NOTE 2 - INVESTMENTS IN LIMITED PARTNERSHIPS

        The Partnership holds limited partnership interests in 20 limited
        partnerships as of June 30, 2001, after selling its interest in one
        limited partnership in April 2001. In addition, the Partnership holds a
        general partner interest in Real Estate Associates IV ("REA IV"), which
        in turn, holds limited partner interest in 15 additional limited
        partnerships. NAPICO is also a general partner in REA IV. In total,
        therefore the Partnership holds interests, either directly or indirectly
        through REAL VII, in 35 limited partnerships, located in 9 different
        states which own residential low income rental projects consisting of
        3,259 apartment units. The mortgage loans of these projects are payable
        to or insured by various governmental agencies.

        The Partnership, as a limited partner, is entitled to between 98 percent
        and 99 percent of the profits and losses in the limited partnerships it
        has invested in directly. The Partnership is also entitled to 99 percent
        of the profits and losses of REA IV. REA IV holds a 99 percent interest
        in each of the limited partnerships in which it has invested.

        Equity in losses of limited partnerships is recognized in the financial
        statements until the limited partnership investment account is reduced
        to a zero balance. Losses incurred after the limited partnership
        investment account is reduced to zero are not recognized. The cumulative
        amount of the unrecognized equity in losses of certain limited
        partnerships was in the aggregate approximately $10,743,000 and
        $10,427,000 as of June 30, 2001 and December 31, 2000, respectively.

        Distributions from the limited partnerships are accounted for as a
        return of capital until the investment balance is reduced to zero.
        Subsequent distributions received are recognized as income.



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                       REAL ESTATE ASSOCIATES LIMITED VII
                       (A CALIFORNIA LIMITED PARTNERSHIP)

                    NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)

                                  JUNE 30, 2001


NOTE 2 - INVESTMENTS IN LIMITED PARTNERSHIPS (CONTINUED)

        In April 2001, the Partnership sold its interest in the Pebbleshire
        limited partnership and realized a gain of $2,184,372. The gain is equal
        to the net proceeds received because the Partnership had no investment
        balance related to this limited partnership.

        The following is a summary of the investment in limited partnerships for
        the six months ended June 30, 2001:


                                           
Balance, beginning of period                  $149,626
Equity in income of limited partnerships         7,723
Capital contribution                               425
                                              --------

Balance, end of period                        $157,774
                                              ========


        The following are unaudited combined estimated statements of operations
        for the six and three months ended June 30, 2001 and 2000 for the
        limited partnerships in which the Partnership has investments:



                        Six months        Three months        Six months      Three months
                           ended              ended             ended             ended
                       June 30, 2001      June 30, 2001     June 30, 2000     June 30, 2000
                        ------------       -----------       -----------       -----------
                                                                   
REVENUES:
  Rental and other      $ 10,038,000       $ 5,019,000       $ 9,814,000       $ 4,907,000
                        ------------       -----------       -----------       -----------

EXPENSES:
  Depreciation             1,600,000           800,000         1,696,000           848,000
  Interest                   972,000           486,000           764,000           382,000
  Operating                7,774,000         3,887,000         7,530,000         3,765,000
                        ------------       -----------       -----------       -----------

                          10,346,000         5,173,000         9,990,000         4,995,000
                        ------------       -----------       -----------       -----------

     Net loss           $   (308,000)      $  (154,000)      $  (176,000)      $   (88,000)
                        ============       ===========       ===========       ===========


        NAPICO, or one of its affiliates, is the general partner and property
        management agent for certain of the limited partnerships included above.
        The Local Partnerships pay the affiliate



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                       REAL ESTATE ASSOCIATES LIMITED VII
                       (A CALIFORNIA LIMITED PARTNERSHIP)

                    NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)

                                  JUNE 30, 2001


NOTE 2 - INVESTMENTS IN LIMITED PARTNERSHIPS (CONTINUED)

        property management fees in the amount of 5 percent of their gross
        rental revenues and data processing fees. The amounts paid were
        approximately $4,115 for the six months ended June 30, 2001.

        Under recent adopted law and policy, the United States Department of
        Housing and Urban Development ("HUD") has determined not to renew the
        Housing Assistance Payment ("HAP") Contracts on a long term basis on the
        existing terms. In connection with renewals of the HAP Contracts under
        such new law and policy, the amount of rental assistance payments under
        renewed HAP Contracts will be based on market rentals instead of above
        market rentals, which may be the case under existing HAP Contracts. The
        payments under the renewed HAP Contracts may not be in an amount that
        would provide sufficient cash flow to permit owners of properties
        subject to HAP Contracts to meet the debt service requirements of
        existing loans insured by the Federal Housing Administration of HUD
        ("FHA") unless such mortgage loans are restructured. In order to address
        the reduction in payments under HAP Contracts as a result of this new
        policy, the Multi-family Assisted Housing Reform and Affordability Act
        of 1997 ("MAHRAA"), which was adopted in October 1997, provides for the
        restructuring of mortgage loans insured by the FHA with respect to
        properties subject to the Section 8 program. Under MAHRAA, an
        FHA-insured mortgage loan can be restructured into a first mortgage loan
        which will be amortized on a current basis and a low interest second
        mortgage loan payable to FHA which will only be payable on maturity of
        the first mortgage loan. This restructuring results in a reduction in
        annual debt service payable by the owner of the FHA-insured mortgage
        loan and is expected to result in an insurance payment from FHA to the
        holder of the FHA-insured loan due to the reduction in the principal
        amount. MAHRAA also phases out project-based subsidies on selected
        properties serving families not located in rental markets with limited
        supply, converting such subsidies to a tenant-based subsidy.

        When the HAP Contracts are subject to renewal, there can be no assurance
        that the local limited partnerships in which the Partnership has an
        investment will be permitted to restructure its mortgage indebtedness
        under MAHRAA. In addition, the economic impact on the Partnership of the
        combination of the reduced payments under the HAP Contracts and the
        restructuring of the existing FHA-insured mortgage loans under MAHRAA is
        uncertain.



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                       REAL ESTATE ASSOCIATES LIMITED VII
                       (A CALIFORNIA LIMITED PARTNERSHIP)

                    NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)

                                  JUNE 30, 2001


NOTE 2 - INVESTMENTS IN LIMITED PARTNERSHIPS (CONTINUED)

        On December 30, 1998, the Partnership sold its limited partnership
        interests in 11 local limited partnerships to subsidiaries of Casden
        Properties Inc. The sale resulted in cash proceeds to the Partnership of
        $400,000 which was collected in 1999. In March 1999, the Partnership
        made cash distributions of $272,500 to the limited partners and $2,750
        to the general partners, primarily using proceeds from the sale of the
        partnership interests.

NOTE 3 - NOTES PAYABLE

        Certain of the Partnership's investments involved purchases of
        partnership interests from partners who subsequently withdrew from the
        operating partnership. The Partnership is obligated on non-recourse
        notes payable of $17,424,501, bearing interest at 9.5 to 10 percent, to
        the sellers of the Partnership interests. The notes have principal
        maturity dates ranging from August 1999 to January 2002 or upon sale or
        refinancing of the underlying partnership properties. These obligations
        are collateralized by the Partnership's investments in the investee
        partnerships and are payable out of cash distributions from the investee
        partnerships, as defined in the notes. Unpaid interest is due at
        maturity of the notes.

        Maturity dates on the notes and related accrued interest payable are as
        follows:



                                                                      Accrued
        Years Ending December 31,                     Notes           Interest
        -------------------------                  -----------      -----------
                                                              
            2001                                   $15,834,000      $23,447,970
            2002                                     1,590,501        2,488,607
                                                   -----------      -----------

                                                   $17,424,501      $25,936,577
                                                   ===========      ===========


       Notes and related accrued interest payable, aggregating $39,281,970
       became payable prior to June 30, 2001. Due to the Partnership's lack of
       cash and partners' deficiency, there is substantial doubt about its
       ability to satisfy these obligations, which would result in the possible
       foreclosure of the investments in the local limited partnerships. As a
       result, there is substantial doubt about the Partnership's ability to
       continue as a going concern.



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                       REAL ESTATE ASSOCIATES LIMITED VII
                       (A CALIFORNIA LIMITED PARTNERSHIP)

                    NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)

                                  JUNE 30, 2001


NOTE 3 - NOTES PAYABLE (CONTINUED)

        In February 2000, the Partnership entered into an agreement with a
        lender related to a note in the amount $2,200,000 plus accrued interest
        of $3,248,072 as of June 30, 2001 that became payable in December 1999.
        Subject to certain conditions, the lender agreed to cancel the note and
        accrued interest and release from escrow a payment of $100,000 to the
        Partnership in exchange for the Partnership surrendering its interest in
        the Edgewood Terrace limited partnership. Upon satisfaction of all
        conditions, the Partnership will recognize a gain on this transaction of
        approximately $5,550,000 as it has a zero investment balance in this
        limited partnership.

        Management is in process of attempting to negotiate extensions of the
        maturity dates on the other past due notes payable.

NOTE 4 - ACCRUED FEES AND EXPENSES DUE GENERAL PARTNER

        Under the terms of the Restated Certificate and Agreement of Limited
        Partnership, the Partnership is obligated to NAPICO for an annual
        management fee equal to .5 percent of the invested assets of the
        partnerships. Invested assets is defined as the costs of acquiring
        project interests, including the proportionate amount of the mortgage
        loans related to the Partnership's interests in the capital accounts of
        the respective partnerships. The fee was $250,931 and $250,344 for the
        six months ended June 30, 2001 and 2000, respectively.

        The Partnership reimburses NAPICO for certain expenses. The expense
        incurred to NAPICO was approximately $18,365 and $7,400 for the six
        months ended June 30, 2001 and 2000, respectively, and is included in
        administrative expenses.

NOTE 5 - CONTINGENCIES

        On August 27, 1998, two investors holding an aggregate of eight units of
        limited partnership interests in Real Estate Associates Limited III (an
        affiliated partnership in which NAPICO is the managing general partner)
        and two investors holding an aggregate of five units of limited
        partnership interest in Real Estate Associates Limited VI (another
        affiliated partnership in which NAPICO is the managing general partner)
        commenced an action in the United States District Court for the Central
        District of California against the Partnership, NAPICO and certain other
        affiliated entities. The complaint alleges that the defendants breached
        their



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                       REAL ESTATE ASSOCIATES LIMITED VII
                       (A CALIFORNIA LIMITED PARTNERSHIP)

                    NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)

                                  JUNE 30, 2001


NOTE 5 - CONTINGENCIES (CONTINUED)

        fiduciary duty to the limited partners of certain NAPICO managed
        partnerships and made materially false and misleading statements in the
        consent solicitation statements sent to the limited partners of such
        partnerships relating to approval of the transfer of partnership
        interests in limited partnerships, owning certain of the properties, to
        Casden Properties Inc., which was organized by an affiliate of NAPICO.
        The plaintiffs seek equitable relief, as well as compensatory damages
        and litigation related costs. On August 4, 1999, one investor holding
        one unit of limited partnership interest in Housing Programs Limited
        (another affiliated partnership in which NAPICO is the managing general
        partner) commenced a virtually identical action in the United States
        District Court for the Central District of California against the
        Partnership, NAPICO and certain other affiliated entities. NAPICO, the
        managing general partner of such partnerships, and the other defendants
        believe that the plaintiffs' claims are without merit and are contesting
        the actions vigorously.

        The managing general partner of the Partnership is a plaintiff in
        various lawsuits and has also been named a defendant in other lawsuits
        arising from transactions in the ordinary course of business. In the
        opinion of management and the corporate general partner, the claims will
        not result in any material liability to the Partnership.

NOTE 6 - FAIR VALUE OF FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS

        Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 107, "Disclosure about
        Fair Value of Financial Instruments" requires disclosure of fair value
        information about financial instruments, when it is practicable to
        estimate that value. The notes payable are collateralized by the
        Partnership's investments in investee limited partnerships and are
        payable only out of cash distributions from the investee partnerships.
        The operations generated by the investee limited partnerships, which
        account for the Partnership's primary source of revenues, are subject to
        various government rules, regulations and restrictions which make it
        impracticable to estimate the fair value of the notes payable and
        related accrued interest and amounts due general partner. The carrying
        amounts of other assets and liabilities reported on the balance sheets
        that require such disclosure approximate fair value due to their
        short-term maturity.



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   15

                       REAL ESTATE ASSOCIATES LIMITED VII
                       (A CALIFORNIA LIMITED PARTNERSHIP)

                                  JUNE 30, 2001


ITEM 2. MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS
        OF OPERATIONS

        LIQUIDITY AND CAPITAL RESOURCES

        The Partnership's primary sources of funds include interest income
        earned from investing available cash and distributions from limited
        partnerships in which the Partnership has invested. It is not expected
        that any of the local limited partnerships in which the Partnership has
        invested will generate cash flow sufficient to provide for distributions
        to limited partners in any material amount.

        RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

        Partnership revenues consist primarily of interest income earned on
        certificates of deposit and other temporary investment of funds not
        required for investment in local partnerships.

        Operating expenses consist primarily of recurring general and
        administrative expenses and professional fees for services rendered to
        the Partnership. In addition, an annual Partnership management fee in an
        amount equal to .5 percent of invested assets is payable to the
        corporate general partner.

        The Partnership accounts for its investments in the local limited
        partnerships on the equity method, thereby adjusting its investment
        balance by its proportionate share of the income or loss of the local
        limited partnerships. Losses incurred after the limited partnership
        account is reduced to zero are not recognized.

        Distributions received from limited partnerships are recognized as
        return of capital until the investment balance has been reduced to zero
        or to a negative amount equal to future capital contributions required.
        Subsequent distributions received are recognized as income.

        Except for certificates of deposit and money market funds, the
        Partnership's investments are entirely interests in other limited and
        general partnerships owning government assisted projects. Available cash
        is invested in money market funds and certificates of deposit which
        provide interest income as reflected in the statement of operations.
        These temporary investments can be easily converted to cash to meet
        obligations as they arise.



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   16

                         REAL ESTATE ASSOCIATES LIMITED
                       (A CALIFORNIA LIMITED PARTNERSHIP)

                                  JUNE 30, 2001

ITEM 2. MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS
        OF OPERATIONS

        RESULTS OF OPERATIONS (CONTINUED)

        Under recently adopted law and policy, the United States Department of
        Housing and Urban Development ("HUD") has determined not to renew the
        Housing Assistance Payment ("HAP") Contracts on a long term basis on the
        existing terms. In connection with renewals of the HAP Contracts under
        such new law and policy, the amount of rental assistance payments under
        renewed HAP Contracts will be based on market rentals instead of above
        market rentals, which may be the case under existing HAP Contracts. The
        payments under the renewed HAP Contracts may not be in an amount that
        would provide sufficient cash flow to permit owners of properties
        subject to HAP Contracts to meet the debt service requirements of
        existing loans insured by the Federal Housing Administration of HUD
        ("FHA") unless such mortgage loans are restructured. In order to address
        the reduction in payments under HAP Contracts as a result of this new
        policy, the Multi-family Assisted Housing Reform and Affordability Act
        of 1997 ("MAHRAA"), which was adopted in October 1997, provides for the
        restructuring of mortgage loans insured by the FHA with respect to
        properties subject to the Section 8 program. Under MAHRAA, an
        FHA-insured mortgage loan can be restructured into a first mortgage loan
        which will be amortized on a current basis and a low interest second
        mortgage loan payable to FHA which will only be payable on maturity of
        the first mortgage loan. This restructuring results in a reduction in
        annual debt service payable by the owner of the FHA-insured mortgage
        loan and is expected to result in an insurance payment from FHA to the
        holder of the FHA-insured loan due to the reduction in the principal
        amount. MAHRAA also phases out project-based subsidies on selected
        properties serving families not located in rental markets with limited
        supply, converting such subsidies to a tenant-based subsidy.

        When the HAP Contracts are subject to renewal, there can be no assurance
        that the local limited partnerships in which the Partnership has an
        investment will be permitted to restructure its mortgage indebtedness
        under MAHRAA. In addition, the economic impact on the Partnership of the
        combination of the reduced payments under the HAP Contracts and the
        restructuring of the existing FHA-insured mortgage loans under MAHRAA is
        uncertain.



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                         REAL ESTATE ASSOCIATES LIMITED
                       (A CALIFORNIA LIMITED PARTNERSHIP)

                                  JUNE 30, 2001

ITEM 2. MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS
        OF OPERATIONS

        RESULTS OF OPERATIONS (CONTINUED)

        Notes and related accrued interest payable, aggregating $39,281,970
        became payable prior to June 30, 2001. Due to the Partnership's lack of
        cash and partners' deficiency, there is substantial doubt about its
        ability to satisfy these obligations, which would result in the possible
        foreclosure of the investments in the local limited partnerships. As a
        result, there is substantial doubt about the Partnership's ability to
        continue as a going concern.

        In February 2000, the Partnership entered into an agreement with a
        lender related to a note in the amount $2,200,000 plus accrued interest
        of $3,248,072 as of June 30, 2001 that became payable in December 1999.
        Subject to certain conditions, the lender agreed to cancel the note and
        accrued interest and release from escrow a payment of $100,000 to the
        Partnership in exchange for the Partnership surrendering its interest in
        the Edgewood Terrace limited partnership. Upon satisfaction of all
        conditions, the Partnership will recognize a gain on this transaction of
        approximately $5,550,000 as it has a zero investment balance in this
        limited partnership.

        Management is in process of attempting to negotiate extensions of the
        maturity dates on the other past due notes payable.

        In April 2001, the Partnership sold its interest in the Pebbleshire
        limited partnership and realized a gain of $2,184,372. The gain is equal
        to the net proceeds received because the Partnership had no investment
        balance related to this limited partnership.

        On December 30, 1998, the Partnership sold its limited partnership
        interests in 11 local limited partnerships to the Operating Partnership.
        The sale resulted in cash proceeds to the Partnership of $400,000, which
        was collected in 1999. In March 1999, the Partnership made cash
        distributions of $272,000 to the limited partners and $2,750 to the
        general partners, primarily using proceeds from the sale of the
        partnership interests.



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                       REAL ESTATE ASSOCIATES LIMITED VII
                       (A CALIFORNIA LIMITED PARTNERSHIP)

                                  JUNE 30, 2001


PART II. OTHER INFORMATION

ITEM 1. LEGAL PROCEEDINGS

On August 27, 1998, two investors holding an aggregate of eight units of limited
partnership interests in Real Estate Associates Limited III (an affiliated
partnership in which NAPICO is the managing general partner) and two investors
holding an aggregate of five units of limited partnership interest in Real
Estate Associates Limited VI (another affiliated partnership in which NAPICO is
the managing general partner) commenced an action in the United States District
Court for the Central District of California against the Partnership, NAPICO and
certain other affiliated entities. The complaint alleges that the defendants
breached their fiduciary duty to the limited partners of certain NAPICO managed
partnerships and made materially false and misleading statements in the consent
solicitation statements sent to the limited partners of such partnerships
relating to approval of the transfer of partnership interests in limited
partnerships, owning certain of the properties, to Casden Properties Inc., which
was organized by an affiliate of NAPICO. The plaintiffs seek equitable relief,
as well as compensatory damages and litigation related costs. On August 4, 1999,
one investor holding one unit of limited partnership interest in Housing
Programs Limited (another affiliated partnership in which NAPICO is the managing
general partner) commenced a virtually identical action in the United States
District Court for the Central District of California against the Partnership,
NAPICO and certain other affiliated entities. NAPICO, the managing general
partner of such partnerships, and the other defendants believe that the
plaintiffs' claims are without merit and are contesting the actions vigorously.

The Partnership's managing general partner is involved in various lawsuits. None
of these are related to REAL VII.


ITEM 6. EXHIBITS AND REPORTS ON FORM 8-K

 (a)  No exhibits are required per the provision of Item 7 of regulation S-K and
      no reports on Form 8-K were filed during the quarter ended June 30, 2001.



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                       REAL ESTATE ASSOCIATES LIMITED VII
                       (A CALIFORNIA LIMITED PARTNERSHIP)

                                  JUNE 30, 2001


                                   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.


                                  REAL ESTATE ASSOCIATES LIMITED VII
                                  (a California limited partnership)


                                  By:  National Partnership Investments Corp.,
                                       General Partner


                                       /s/Bruce Nelson
                                       -------------------------------------
                                       Bruce Nelson
                                       President


                                  Date:  August 14, 2001
                                       -------------------------------------



                                       /s/Brian H. Shuman
                                       -------------------------------------
                                       Brian H. Shuman
                                       Chief Financial Officer


                                  Date:  August 14, 2001
                                       -------------------------------------



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