EXHIBIT 10.1

STATE OF NORTH CAROLINA:             FIRST AMENDMENT TO
                                     PURCHASE CONTRACT

COUNTY OF WAKE:

     THIS FIRST  AMENDMENT  TO PURCHASE  CONTRACT is entered into this 15 day of
April,   1998  between   Cornerstone   Realty  Group,   Inc.  or  its  nominees,
("Purchaser") and Raleigh Timbers Associates,  Limited, a North Carolina limited
partnership ("Seller").

                               W I T N E S S E T H

     WHEREAS,  Purchaser  and Seller  entered into that Contract of Purchase and
Sale dated March 25, 1998 (herein "Contract"): and

     WHEREAS,  Purchaser and Seller wish to make certain  additional  changes to
the terms of the Contract.

     NOW  THEREFORE,  in  consideration  of the sum of TEN DOLLARS  ($10.00) and
other good and valuable consideration,  receipt of which is hereby acknowledged,
the parties agree as follows.

     1. The  Inspection  Period  referred to in Paragraph  6.2.2 of the Contract
shall be extended  through April 22, 1998 ("Extended  Inspection  Period").  The
Extended  Inspection Period shall be for the purpose of permitting  Purchaser to
satisfy  itself as to matters of survey.  Purchaser  shall  deposit  ONE HUNDRED
THOUSAND DOLLARS ($100,000.00) with The Title Company of North Carolina, Inc, in
Raleigh,  North Carolina on April 15, 1998 as the earnest money deposit provided
for in Paragraph 2.2 of the  Contract.  Should  Purchaser not be satisfied  with
matters of survey,  Purchaser  shall have the right to terminate the Contract by
giving  written  notice  to Seller  before  the end of the  Extended  Inspection
Period,  and no party hereto shall have any further liability to any other party
hereto,  and all deposits shall be returned to Purchaser.  If Purchaser does not
terminate this Contract  during the Extended  Inspection  Period,  this Contract
shall be deemed to be a firm  agreement of purchase and sale binding the parties
hereto under the conditions set out in Paragraph 6.2.2 of the Contract.

     2. Closing as set out in Paragraph 7.1 of the Contract shall occur no later
than April 29,  1998.  Should  closing not occur on or prior to April 29,  1998.
Purchaser shall deposit FOUR HUNDRED THOUSAND DOLLARS ($400,000.00) ("Additional
Deposit")  with the title company of North  Carolina by April 29, 1998,  and the
closing  date  shall be  extended  to a date on or prior to June 15,  1998.  The
Additional  Deposit  shall be treated in the same  manner as the  earnest  money
deposit referred to in Paragraph 2.2, but shall not be refundable to Purchaser.

     3. If there is a  conflict  between  the  terms  of the  Contract  and this
Amendment, the terms of this Amendment shall control. Except as herein modified,
all terms and  provisions of the Contract are hereby  ratified and confirmed and
shall  remain in full force and effect the  parties  hereto do ratify and affirm
the provisions thereof.




IN WITNESS  WHEREOF,  the parties  hereunto,  intending to be legally bound, and
with the signatories  representing  they are empowered to bind their principals,
have set their respective hands and seals on the day and year hereinafter  first
written.

                                             

                                             SELLER:

                                             Raleigh Timbers Associates, Limited
                                             By:  Raleigh Timbers Company, Ltd.
                                             General Partner

                                             By: /s/ James T. Cobb
                                                --------------------------
                                             James T. Cobb
                                             Its: Managing General Partner

                                             PURCHASER:

                                             Cornerstone Realty Group, Inc.

                                             By: /s/ Gus G. Remppies
                                                --------------------------

                                             Its: V. P. Acquisitions
                                                 --------------------------
 




                                PURCHASE CONTRACT

          THIS  AGREEMENT  made and  entered  into this 23rd day of March  1998,
between  CORNERSTONE  REALTY  GROUP INC.  or its  nominee,  (hereinafter  called
"Purchaser") and RALEIGH TIMBERS  ASSOCIATES,  LIMITED, a North Carolina limited
partnership, (hereinafter called "Seller").

                                    ARTICLE I
                                  THE PROPERTY

         1.1 SALE OF PROPERTY.  Seller agrees to sell and convey,  and Purchaser
agrees to  purchase,  Seller's  real  property  known as THE TIMBERS  APARTMENTS
located in RALEIGH,  NC, with all buildings and improvements located thereon, as
more  particularly  described in the  attached  legal  description  in EXHIBIT A
including,  but not  limited  to 176  individually  heated  and air  conditioned
apartment units, with all appurtenances,  together with all appliances,  drapes,
carpeting, shrubbery and all other personal property used in connection with the
premises, including, the inventory of personal property to be supplied by Seller
and  attached  hereto  as  EXHIBIT  B  (all  such  real  and  personal  property
hereinafter  collectively  referred  to as the  "Property"  unless  the  context
clearly indicates otherwise).

                                   ARTICLE II
                            PAYMENT OF PURCHASE PRICE

         2.1 PURCHASE PRICE. The total purchase price shall be EIGHT MILLION ONE
HUNDRED THOUSAND ($8,100,000) DOLLARS as evidenced by cash or cash equivalent at
closing.

         2.2 DEPOSIT.  ONE HUNDRED THOUSAND  ($100,000)  DOLLARS to be placed in
escrow at the end of the "Inspection Period" described in Article VI below. Said
deposit shall be placed in escrow with The Title Company of North Carolina, Inc.
or its  authorized  agent as an  earnest  money  deposit  which may be  credited
against the purchase price or applied as per Article XI below.

                                   ARTICLE III
                                  TITLE MATTERS

         3.1 MARKETABLE TITLE. Seller, shall convey good and marketable title by
Special  warranty Deed in the form attached hereto as EXHIBIT C, subject only to
general  taxes for the current year not yet due and payable,  utility  easements
which do not interfere with the present use of the Property, and such other






matters as may be approved (or deemed approved) by Purchaser.

         (A) Title shall be free from any and all liens or mortgages  and Seller
shall be responsible for any prepayment penalties necessary to deliver such free
title.

         3.2 TITLE  DEFECTS;  ELECTION TO CURE.  During the  Inspection  Period,
Purchaser  shall obtain at its expense a  commitment  for Title  Insurance  (the
commitment). If title is not marketable, except as stated above in the preceding
paragraph,  during the Inspection  Period Purchaser shall give written notice of
any  defects  in title to  Seller's  counsel  within  fifteen  (15)  days  after
Purchaser's  receipt of a title  report which  report  shall  include  copies of
backup  documents  relating to any title  exceptions,  a current survey, a flood
zone certification letter and a Surveyor's  Certification letter. Seller may, at
its option, elect whether to cure said defects or by written notice to Purchaser
indicate its  intention  not to cure.  Any matters of record as of the Effective
Date, and not objected to by Purchaser  during the Inspection  Period,  shall be
deemed approved by Purchaser.

         3.3 ELECTION NOT TO CURE DEFECTS. Should Seller elect not to cure title
defects, this Agreement,  at Purchaser's option, shall be void; each party shall
thereupon be released from all obligations hereunder;  and all deposits shall be
immediately returned to Purchaser.

                                   ARTICLE IV
                                   PRORATIONS

         4.1 INCOME AND EXPENSE ALLOCATIONS. The following shall be prorated, on
a calendar-month  basis, to the day of closing:  rents and other income from the
Property; operating expenses (on such service contracts and other obligations as
Purchaser  may  agree to  assume)  ; and  general  and real  property  taxes and
personal and business  property taxes for the year of closing (based on the most
recent assessment and the most recent levy).

         4.2 CLOSING  COSTS.  Purchaser  and Seller  shall pay their  customary,
share of all taxes,  recording  fees, if any,  imposed on the Deed, or any other
documents  executed in connection  with the transfer of the Property.  Purchaser
agrees to pay cost of title insurance.  Seller shall pay any prepayment  penalty
charged by the holders of any existing notes.

         4.3  ALLOCATION OF RENTS.  Rents  collected  by Seller prior to closing
shall be prorated as agreed in 4.1 above.  Purchaser  shall apply rents received
after  Closing  first to payment of the current rent due to  Purchaser,  then to
delinquent  rents  due to  Purchaser,  and last to rents due to Seller as of the
Closing but uncollected prior to settlement. Purchaser agrees to use its best

                                        2






efforts in good faith to collect the amount of any rental  arrears  from tenants
and Purchaser  agrees to remit promptly to Seller any such arrears actually paid
by such tenants to  Purchaser.  Seller shall retain the right to commence  legal
action against a tenant for any delinquent rent apportioned to the Seller.

         4.4 PRIOR LEASE CONCESSIONS. If Seller has committed to give any future
monetary  concessions to tenants under existing  leases to which Purchaser would
become  liable,  then Seller shall pay to Purchaser said amount in a lump sum at
closing.

                                    ARTICLE V
                           POSSESSION OF THE PROPERTY

         5.1  POSSESSION.  Possession  of the  Property  shall be  delivered  to
Purchaser at closing, subject to the rights of the tenants under existing leases
and rental agreements.

                                   ARTICLE VI
                         CONDITIONS PRECEDENT TO CLOSING

         6.1 CONDITIONS PRECEDENT.  Purchaser's  obligation to purchase shall be
subject to and  contingent  upon the  satisfaction  of the following  conditions
precedent:

         (A) Receipt by Purchaser of an engineering  report of building and site
conditions,  satisfactory  to Purchaser in its sole  discretion,  said report to
include in part, a description of any hazardous  waste sites,  hazardous  wastes
and/or hazardous materials affecting the property. During the Inspection Period,
Purchaser  shall  review the reports set forth  herein and exercise its right to
reject the Property based thereon or the right hereunder shall be deemed waived.

         (B) The  receipt by  Purchaser  of Seller  documents  described  in 7.2
below.

         (C) On the  condition  that  Seller's  representations  and  warranties
described  in  Article  VIII  below  remain  true and  correct  in all  material
respects.

         (D) On the  condition  that  there  have been no  material  or  adverse
changes to the property or leases.

         (E) Seller  acknowledges  that Purchaser is a public entity and that it
is required to furnish  financial  statements  to the  Securities  and  Exchange
Commission  in  connection  with  this  acquisition.  Seller  agrees to make the
information  available for Purchaser to audit the last 12 months of operation of
the  Property  so that a report  can be  generated  that is in  compliance  with
accounting Regulation S-X of the Securities and Exchange Commission.

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         (F) Receipt by Purchaser of a Survey which shall show no  encroachments
onto the Land from any adjacent  property,  no encroachments by or from the Land
onto adjacent  property and no violation of or  encroachments  upon any recorded
building lines,  restrictions or easements affecting the Property. If the survey
discloses any such encroachment or violation, seller shall have thirty (30) days
from the date of delivery of the survey  (with a  commensurate  extension of the
closing date) to have the Title Insurer issue its endorsement  insuring  against
damage caused by such  encroachment or violation and to provide evidence thereof
to  Purchaser,  and if Seller  fails to or is  unable  to have the same  insured
against  within such thirty (30) day period,  Purchaser may elect,  on or before
the Closing  Date, to (i)  terminate  this  Agreement (in which case the Earnest
Money shall be returned to  Purchaser)  and neither party shall have any further
liability  or  obligation  to the other  hereunder,  or (ii) accept the property
subject to any such encroachment or violation.

         6.2  INSPECTION.  This  Agreement  shall  be  further  subject  to  and
contingent  upon  Purchaser's  satisfactory  inspection as follows herein below,
during the Inspection Period defined below.

         6.2.1  PREPARATION FOR INSPECTION.  At the execution of this Agreement,
Seller shall deliver to Purchaser copies of the following: The current rent roll
for the Property; detailed statements of income and expenses with respect to the
Property  for the past two years;  the most  recent tax bills for the  Property;
utility  bills for the Property for the twelve (12) months  previous to the date
hereof; all contract,  mortgages, and other documents creating liens of security
interest on the Property,  or any part thereof and all promissory  notes secured
thereby;  all insurance policies applicable to the Property to include loss runs
for the last five (5) years; Plans and Specifications for the Property,  service
contracts, Certificates of Occupancy, to the extent reasonably available; a copy
of the title policy and most recent survey for the  Property.  seller also shall
deliver, to the extent any such items are in Seller's possession,  a copy of any
environmental or engineering  reports on the property.  All these items shall be
certified by Seller to be accurate and complete to the best of its knowledge and
belief.

         6.2.2  INSPECTION  OF  BOOKS  AND  RECORDS;   ACCESS.   Purchaser,  its
employees,  agents and contractors  shall have 21 days from the date of complete
execution of this Agreement (the "Inspection Period") to enter upon the Property
subject  to the  rights of the  tenants  during  normal  business  hours for the
purpose of making  physical  inspections  thereof,  including but not limited to
roofs,  heating,  cooling,  electrical  and  plumbing  systems,  swimming  pool,
appliances,  and structural  elements of the buildings.  Purchaser shall also be
permitted  to review all  original  leases,  expense  records,  tenant cards and
occupancy data

                                        4






available.  Upon the conclusion of the Inspection  Period this contract shall be
deemed to be a firm  agreement of purchase and sale binding the parties  hereto,
except as it may be  terminated by other  provisions  and  conditions  contained
herein,  including but not limited to the condition  imposed by Paragraph 6.1(A)
above.  Purchaser  shall  indemnify,  defend,  and hold Seller harmless from and
against any claims or  liabilities  resulting  from  Purchaser's  exercise of is
rights of entry,  and shall, to the extent  practical,  report any damage to the
property caused by its tests.

         6.2.3 RIGHT OF TERMINATION  DURING  INSPECTION  PERIOD. If Purchaser is
not  satisfied,  in its  sole  and  exclusive  discretion,  with  the  state  of
maintenance  and repair of the  Property or the rents,  occupancy or expenses of
the Property,  then  notwithstanding  anything contained herein to the contrary,
Purchaser  shall have the right to terminate  this  Agreement by giving  written
notice to Seller before the end of the  Inspection  Period,  and no party hereto
shall have any further  liability  to any other party  hereto,  and all deposits
shall be returned to Purchaser.

         6.2.4 TERMINATION OF INSPECTION PERIOD. Notwithstanding anything to the
contrary set forth herein,  the Inspection  Period shall expire  twenty-one (21)
days from the date of this Agreement or such other date as the parties may agree
to in writing.

         6.2.5 "RENT  READY". During the  "Inspection  Period",  both Seller and
Purchaser will inspect an apartment unit at the Property and mutually agree that
said apartment shall be representative of a "rent ready" unit by which all other
units  shall be  judged  for "rent  ready"  condition  at  closing.  All  vacant
apartment  units,  which  have been  vacant  for a period  longer  than five (5)
business days, are to be in a "rent ready" condition (as defined above),  at the
time of closing,  containing,  but not limited to the following amenities, i.e.,
carpet, refrigerator,  range, garbage disposal, heating, plumbing and electrical
systems.  it there are any  apartments  that are not "rent ready",  Seller shall
reimburse  Purchaser the amount of Four Hundred  ($400)  Dollars per vacant unit
for the reasonable cost of restoring said apartments.

         6.2.6 CONDITION OF PERSONAL PROPERTY AT CLOSING.  All personal property
included in the sale and all mechanical,  electrical, heating, air conditioning,
sewer,  water and plumbing systems will be in the same working order at the time
of closing and in the same condition as at the time of the initial inspection by
Purchaser.  If Seller fails to make reasonable efforts to conserve the property,
Purchaser  shall have the option of waiving such  requirement,  in writing,  and
proceeding to closing,  or Purchaser may void this Agreement and obtain a prompt
return of its deposit.

                                        5






                                   ARTICLE VII
                                     CLOSING

         7.1 CLOSING.  Closing will be held on or about seven (7) days after the
completion  of the  Inspection  Period,  at such  place  and at such time as the
parties may agree.  However, each party shall be entitled to one (1) adjournment
of the  Closing  not more than  seven (7) days  beyond  the seven (7) day period
specified above, time being of the essence.

         7.2 SELLER'S DELIVERIES.  At closing,  Seller shall execute and deliver
to Purchaser  the Special  warranty  Deed  referred to in Paragraph 3 hereof and
shall also execute, where necessary, and deliver to Purchaser, the following:

              (A) A Bill of  Sale,  with  warranty  of  title  transferring  the
personal  property  (as shown in  Exhibit  B) to  Purchaser  free of all  liens,
charges and encumbrances.

              (B) Originals or copies of all signed leases and rental agreements
in effect with tenants of the Property.

              (C) All  security  and  cleaning  deposits  made by such  tenants.
Seller will give the tenants the required  notice of such transfer in compliance
with the laws of NORTH CAROLINA.

              (D) An  affidavit  of Seller in such form as will  cause the Title
Company  to omit from the title  insurance  policy  the  exclusion  relating  to
unrecorded mechanic's and materialmen's liens.

              (E) A rent roll  certified  by Seller to be true and correct as of
the date of  closing  showing  the name of,  and the  amount of  monthly  rental
payable,  by each tenant of the Property,  the apartment occupied by the tenant,
the date to which  rent has been paid,  any  advance  payment  of rent,  and the
amount of any escrow, or security deposit of tenant.

              (F) An affidavit of Seller that to the best of its information and
belief there are, on the date of closing, no unsatisfied  judgments,  creditor's
claims, tax liens, or pending bankruptcies involving Seller.

              (G) Seller  shall  provide,   a  certificate   from   a   licensed
extermination  contractor,  who is  regularly  engaged in the  business  of pest
control,  that all  buildings  are free from any  termite  or other  wood-boring
insect  infestation.  Said certificate shall be dated within 90 days of closing,
bearing the Contractor's name, contractors license number,  the signature of the
party  authorized  to sign for the  Contractor  and the date of the  inspection.
Should damage exist,  Seller shall proceed to have any corrective work completed
prior to closing or Purchaser may in its

                                        6






sole  discretion   terminate  this  Agreement.   Seller  shall  promptly  return
Purchaser's deposit upon such termination.

              (H) Assignments of all Seller's  interest in the  following:   (1)
all assignable licenses,  and permits relating to the operation of the Property,
(2) the leases and  rental  agreements  with  tenants of the  Property,  (3) the
existing  Property  telephone  number and (4) the business and trade name as set
forth in Par. 1.1, and (5) any service contracts being assumed by Purchaser.

              (I)  Assignments  of all  warranties  and guarantees to the extent
such  are  still  in  effect  and  provide  Purchaser  with  copies  of all such
warranties and guarantees  without  limitation for all appliances,  dishwashers,
disposals,  refrigerators,  heating  and air  conditioning  units,  washers  and
dryers.

              (J) Consent of the Seller's  authorized partner to the sale of the
Property and any other approvals required under Seller's partnership  agreement,
which may affect Seller's ability to convey marketable title.

              (K) Seller shall assign the telephone number to the Purchaser.

              (L) Satisfactory  evidence of the power and authority of Seller to
enter into and consummate this agreement, including but not limited to:

                   (i) An opinion of Seller's counsel, in a form satisfactory to
Purchaser, stating that:

                         (a)  The  individual(s) executing  the deed and related
documents are duly authorized to do all such acts as are necessary to consummate
this sale, without further consent of any other party.

                         (b)  That the partner or officer can bind Seller.

              (M) Affidavit that Seller has no actual  knowledge of the presence
of asbestos  and/or any other  hazardous  material at the Property,  which shall
survive the closing for a period of ninety (90) days.

              (N)  Seller  shall  provide  a  satisfactory   and  valid  written
termination of the management  agreement executed by the existing management and
rental agent for the Property, without cost to the Purchaser.

              (O) A notice letter to all the residents of the apartment  complex
as to change of ownership in the form prepared by the Purchaser.

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              (P) All  such  other  documents  as are  normally  transferred  at
settlement  in  the  jurisdiction  in  which  the  property  is  located  or are
reasonably requested by Purchaser or its counsel.

              (Q) A representation letter as normally required by auditors for a
public  company in the form  attached  hereto as EXHIBIT  E. This  clause  shall
survive closing for ninety (90) days.

                   7.3 PURCHASER'S DELIVERIES.  At closing and contemporaneously
with the Seller's  compliance  with the  provisions  of Section  7.2,  Purchaser
shall:

                         (A) Pay to  Seller  the cash  portion  of the  purchase
price, adjusted for the prorations herein provided for in Article IV.

                         (B) Execute and deliver an  assumption  of  obligations
under leases,  securities,  any contracts which may be accepted by the Purchaser
and any other obligations specifically set forth herein.

                         (C) Deliver to the Seller a resolution of the Purchaser
that:

                            (i)  This   Agreement  has  been  duly   authorized,
executed and delivered by the Purchaser and is a valid and binding  agreement of
Purchaser, and

                            (ii)  Purchaser has complete  unrestricted  power to
buy the  Property  from the Seller  and to execute  any  documents  required  to
effectuate the transfer.

                                  ARTICLE VIII
               SELLER'S REPRESENTATIONS, WARRANTIES AND COVENANTS

         8.1  REPRESENTATIONS OF THE PARTIES.  Seller warrants (which warranties
shall not survive  settlement  unless designated to the contrary) that as of the
date of closing hereof:

                         (A) That  Seller,  is the  owner in fee  simple  of the
Property and has the power to convey same.

                         (B) That Seller is not subject to any other  agreements
or arrangements,  with the exception of those contained in any existing mortgage
documents  which would  prevent  Seller from selling the Property to  Purchaser.
This warranty shall survive for six months following closing.

                         (C) All  necessary  action  has been taken by Seller to
authorize the execution of this Agreement and the performance of the obligations
contemplated  hereunder,  which are not excluded  elsewhere in existing mortgage
documents. This warranty shall

                                        8






survive for six months following closing.

                         (D)  Seller  has no actual  knowledge  and has not been
advised in  writing  that it is in default  under any  lease,  rental  agreement
service or equipment contract, or mortgage or other encumbrances relating to the
Property. This warranty shall survive for six months following closing.

                         (E)  Seller  has no actual  knowledge  of any patent or
latent defect in the Property or any part thereof.  This warranty  shall survive
for six months following closing.

                         (F) Seller has no actual  knowledge  of any existing or
threatened litigation which relates to or which would affect the Property.  This
warranty shall survive for six months following closing.

                         (G) Seller has no actual knowledge that any part of the
Property or the  operation of the  Property,  is in violation or may violate any
governmental statute,  regulation,  ordinance or building code or of any private
restriction,  that any governmental authority requires any work to be done on or
affecting  the  Property,  or that any  governmental  authority has expressed an
intent  to  condemn  or to make  special  improvements  for the  benefit  of the
Property  or any part  thereof.  This  warranty  shall  survive  for six  months
following closing.

                         (H)  That to the  best  knowledge  of the  Seller,  the
drainage  within the project is  satisfactory  and complies in all respects with
all government regulation.  This warranty shall survive for six months following
closing.

                         (I) That  Seller is not a "foreign  person"  within the
meaning of the Internal Revenue Code of 1954, as amended (the "Code"),  and that
Seller  will  furnish  to  Purchaser  prior  to  closing  an  affidavit  in form
satisfactory to Purchaser confirming the same.

                         (J)  That to the  best of  Seller's  actual  knowledge,
without  inquiry,  the  Property  was  never  utilized  as a  disposal  site for
hazardous waste products.

                         (K) Seller covenants and agrees that, between this date
and the date of closing,  Seller shall continue to maintain,  operate and manage
the  Property in a manner  consistent  with its prior  practices making  every
reasonable  effort to do  nothing  which  might  damage  the  reputation  of the
Property or the  relationships  with the  tenants.  Seller  shall not permit the
modification,   extension  or  cancellation  of  any  tenant  lease  (except  in
accordance  with the terms of such lease) or any dealing  with any tenant  other
than the ordinary  course of managing the  Property,  without the prior  written
consent of  Purchaser.  If the leases of any tenants  expire  before thirty (30)
days after the date of closing, Seller

                                        9





shall, up to the date of closing and without cost to the Purchaser, continue its
normal  course of operation  with respect to causing  tenants to be obtained for
apartments which are unrented.

         8.2  CONTINUATION OF  REPRESENTATIONS,  WARRANTIES AND COVENANTS TO THE
DATE OF CLOSING.  If each of the  warranties  set forth in this section does not
remain true up to and including the time of closing as to any material  matters,
this  Agreement,  at Purchaser's  election,  shall be  terminated,  Seller shall
return all payments made by Purchaser,  or Purchaser may elect to close the sale
and waive failure of the warranties.

         8.3   BREACH   OF    REPRESENTATIONS,    WARRANTIES    AND   COVENANTS.
Notwithstanding  the provisions of 8.2 above,  Seller shall indemnify  Purchaser
for all reasonable  costs incurred,  not to exceed  $25,000,  as a result of the
failure of any of Seller's  representations,  warranties or covenants  contained
herein to remain true as of the date of closing.

         8.4  LIMITATION  OF  REPRESENTATIONS  AND  WARRANTIES.  It is expressly
understood  and agreed by the parties  that the  foregoing  representations  and
warranties,  when qualified with the phrase "Seller has no knowledge" or "to the
best of Seller's  knowledge,"  are limited to the actual  knowledge  of James T.
Cobb, the managing  general  partner of the general  partner of Seller,  without
reliance or environmental audits or other investigations or inquiries. If any or
the foregoing  representations and warranties is of a material nature and is not
true in any  material  respect  when  made,  or when  re-certified  at  Closing,
Purchaser  may consider such  material  misrepresentation  to be a default under
this Agreement,  entitling Purchaser to pursue the remedies set forth in Article
XI.  If any of the  foregoing  representations  and  warranties  is  true of the
Effective  Date,  but is not true its of the Date of  Closing  as a result  of a
matter, circumstance or event beyond the reasonable control or Seller, Purchaser
shall not he entitled to consider the untruth of the  representation or warranty
as an event of default under this Agreement,  but instead  Purchaser may, at its
election and as its sole remedy, terminate this Agreement by delivery of written
notice to Seller, and in that event the Escrow Agent shall return the Deposit to
Purchaser If Purchaser  discovers  after  Closing  that any  representation  and
warranty made by Seller that is of a material nature is not true in any material
respect,  Purchaser shall have the right to pursue any available  remedy against
Seller,  including  the recovery of damages;  provided,  however,  that Seller's
liability to Purchaser for damages after the Date of Closing shall be limited to
$50,000.00 in the aggregate for all such claims.  The preceding  sentence  shall
survive the Closing for a period of ninety days, at which point  Purchaser shall
have no further remedies.

         Except as expressly set forth  in this Agreement, the Business is being
sold and  conveyed  to  Purchaser  "as is" and  "with  all  faults."  Except  as
expressly set forth in this  Agreement,  Seller has not made, does not make, and
hereby disclaims any and all express or implied  representations  and warranties
regarding or relating to: the condition of the Property;  their  suitability for
any particular  purpose;  the  susceptibility  to flooding of the Property;  the
value or marketability or the Property; the layout or leasable square footage of
the Property; the projected income or expenses of the Property for periods after
the  Date  of  Closing;  the  zoning   classification,   or  use  and  occupancy
restrictions, applicable to the Property; the current manner of operation of the
Property;  the compliance of the Property with environmental  laws, and laws and
regulations  relating to  hazardous  substances,  toxic  wastes and  underground
storage tanks; and all matters affecting or relating to the Property.  Purchaser
acknowledges  that,  except as expressly  set forth in this  Agreement,  no such
representations or warranties,  express or implied, have been made by Seller, or
by any other person representing or purporting to represent Seller.

         By  proceeding  with the  acquisition  of the  Property  following  the
Inspection  Period,  Purchaser  confirms  that  it has  investigated  all of the
matters set forth in this Section 8.3 to its satisfaction,  and is acquiring the
Property  in "as is"  condition,  subject to the  provisions  of Article  IX. In
agreeing  to  purchase  the  Property  "as is"  and  without  representation  or
warranty,  express or implied,  except as expressly set forth in this Agreement,
Purchaser acknowledges and represents that it has factored the "as is" condition
of the  Property  into the price it has hereby  agreed to pay for the  Property.
Given the age of the Property,  Purchaser acknowledges that materials proscribed
by current  environmental laws and regulations could be present on the Property.
From and  after  the Date of  Closing,  Purchaser  agrees  to waive  any and all
claims,  demands,  causes of action and other  liabilities  of or against Seller
with respect to the  condition of the Property,  except for claims  arising from
the breach of a representation  or warranty by Seller that are made by Purchaser
in a timely manner, as provided in Section 8. 1. The terms and covenants of this
Section 8.3 shall survive the closing.

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                                   ARTICLE IX
                           CONDEMNATION; RISK OF LOSS

         9.1 PROPERTY DAMAGE. If, prior to closing,  any part of the Property is
damaged by fire or other  casualty  in an amount not  greater  than TWO  HUNDRED
THOUSAND  ($200,000)  DOLLARS,  Purchaser  agrees to accept the Property with an
assignment of: (i) the insurance proceeds,  (ii) any deductible,  and (iii) rent
loss  insurance  proceeds.  Seller  shall  repair  such  damage  before the date
provided herein for Closing. In the event that the damage as a result of fire or
other casualty cannot be reasonably repaired by such time, this Agreement may be
canceled  at the  option  of the  Purchaser.  In the  event of  cancellation  as
aforesaid,  this  Agreement  shall become null and void and the parties shall be
released and all  payments  made shall be returned.  Should  Purchaser  elect to
carry out this  Agreement  despite such damage  Seller shall assign to Purchaser
all  insurance  proceeds  and any  deductible  arising from such damage and will
compensate  Purchaser  for lost rent  collections  to the  extent  of  insurance
proceeds  received.  Seller shall promptly notify  Purchaser in writing upon the
occurrence of any such damage.

         9.2  CONDEMNATION.  In the event of any  actual or  threatened  taking,
pursuant to the power of eminent domain, all or any part thereof,  or any actual
or proposed sale in lieu thereof,  the Seller shall give written  notice thereof
to the Purchaser promptly after Seller learns or receives notice thereof. Upon a
taking of a material  part of the  Property  greater  than TWO HUNDRED  THOUSAND
($200,000)  DOLLARS or any part of the  building  or more than 5% of the parking
area, Purchaser may elect to either (a)

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terminate  this  Agreement,  in which  event the  deposit  shall be  immediately
returned  to  Purchaser  and all other  rights and  obligations  of the  parties
hereunder shall terminate immediately,  or (b) waive its right to terminate this
Agreement and proceed to closing, in which event all proceeds,  awards and other
payments arising out of such  condemnation or sale (actual or threatened)  shall
be paid to the  Purchaser  at Closing,  if such  payment has been  received.  If
payment has not as yet been received, but an amount has been agreed upon, Seller
shall assign the claim to Purchaser.

         9.3 RISK OF LOSS.  Prior to  closing,  all  risks of loss or  damage by
every casualty shall be borne by the Seller.

                                    ARTICLE X
                               BROKER'S COMMISSION

         10.1  COMMISSION.  Seller  agrees to pay a  brokerage  fee to  BERKELEY
CAPITAL ADVISORS,  pursuant to a separate  agreement between Seller and Brokers.
Said  brokerage  fee shall be deemed earned if, and only if,  settlement  occurs
hereunder,  and shall not be  deemed  earned  even if  Purchaser  and/or  Seller
wrongfully  fail(s) to  consummate  the purchase  and sale herein  contemplated.
Purchaser  shall not be  obligated  for any  brokerage  fees to any broker,  and
Seller agrees to hold Purchaser  harmless in connection  with such fees.  Seller
and Purchaser  represent and warrant to each other that no other  brokerage fees
are or shall be owing in connection with this transaction or in any way with the
Apartments and Seller and Purchaser hereby indemnify and hold the other harmless
from any and all claims of any other person so claiming.

                                   ARTICLE XI
                                     DEFAULT

         11.1 DEFAULT  DEFINED.  Default for the purpose of this Agreement shall
mean any failure by Seller or Purchaser to fulfill all the terms, conditions and
covenants  contained  herein,  however,  it shall not be an event of default for
either party to exercise its rights to terminate  this  contract as contained in
other provisions herein.

         11.2 SELLER'S DEFAULT.  Upon Seller's default,  the Purchaser,  at it's
election, may either (1) require specific performance of Seller, (2) cancel this
Agreement  and  obtain a prompt  return  of the  deposit,  in  which  case  this
Agreement  shall be terminated  and the parties  released  from all  obligations
hereunder,  or (3)  the  Purchaser  may  waive  such  defaults  and  proceed  to
settlement.  Seller shall indemnify  Purchaser for any reasonable  out-of-pocket
expenses  incurred in  investigating  the  Property,  not to exceed  Twenty Five
Thousand ($25,000) Dollars if Purchaser elects to pursue its options (1) and (2)
noted above.

         

                                       12




          11.3 PURCHASER'S  DEFAULT.  Upon Purchaser's  default,  this Agreement
shall be terminated and both parties  released from all  obligations  hereunder,
and the  deposit  shall be retained by the Seller as  liquidated  damages.  Such
amount  and terms  are  agreed  upon by and  between  Seller  and  Purchaser  as
liquidated damages,  due to the difficulty and inconvenience of ascertaining and
measuring actual damages,  and the uncertainty  thereof,  and the payment of the
deposit and the terms provided  herein shall  constitute  full  satisfaction  of
Purchaser's obligations under this Agreement.  Such amount is agreed upon by and
between Seller and Purchaser as a reasonable  estimate of just  compensation for
the harm  caused by  Purchaser's  default.  Seller  shall  have no other  remedy
against Purchaser in the event of Purchaser's  default. The foregoing liquidated
damage claim shall not apply to a breach of Purchaser's  indemnity under Section
6.2.2.

                                   ARTICLE XII
                            MISCELLANEOUS PROVISIONS

         12.1  ENTIRE   AGREEMENT.   This   Agreement   sets  forth  the  entire
understanding  between the parties;  it supersedes  all previous  agreements and
representations which are deemed merged herein and may not be modified except in
writing.

         12.2  ASSIGNMENT.  Purchaser  may assign  this  Agreement  without  the
consent  of Seller to an entity  owned or  controlled  by  Purchaser;  any other
assignment  to this  Agreement by Purchaser  shall  require the prior consent of
Seller.

         12.3 SEVERABILITY.  If any provision,  sentence, phrase or word of this
Agreement or the application thereof to any person or circumstance shall be held
invalid,  the remainder of this Agreement or the  application of such provision,
sentence,  phrase, or word to persons or  circumstances,  other than those as to
which it is held invalid, shall remain in full force and effect.

         12.4 BINDING EFFECT.  The parties to the Agreement  mutually agree that
it shall be binding  upon and inure to the  benefit of their  respective  heirs,
representatives, successors in interest and assigns.

         12.5  CONTROLLING  LAW. It is the intent of the parties hereto that all
questions with respect to the  construction of this Agreement and the rights and
liabilities of the parties shall be determined in accordance with the provisions
of the laws of the State set forth in Par. 1.1.

         12.6  COUNTERPARTS.  To  facilitate  execution,  this  Agreement may be
executed in as many  counterparts as may be required.  It shall not be necessary
that the signature on behalf of both parties  hereto appear in each  counterpart
hereof,  and it shall be sufficient that the signature on behalf of both parties
hereto appear on one or more such counterparts. All counterparts

                                       13






shall collectively constitute a single contract.

         12.7 INCORPORATION BY REFERENCE. All of the Exhibits referred to herein
and/or attached hereto shall be deemed to constitute a part of the Agreement.

         12.8  HEADINGS.  The headings of the  Articles and sections  hereof are
inserted for  convenience  only and shall not be deemed to  constitute a part of
the Agreement.

         12.9  CONSTRUCTION  OF CONTRACT.  Each party  hereto have  reviewed and
revised (or  requested  revisions of) this  Agreement,  and therefore the normal
rule  of  construction  that  any  ambiguities  are  to be  resolved  against  a
particular party shall not be applicable in the construction and  interpretation
of this Contract or any amendments or exhibits hereto.

         12.10   CONFIDENTIALITY.   The  parties  shall  keep  confidential  the
existence  of  this  Agreement,  the  transactions  described  herein,  and  all
information  obtained  from the other  party both during and  subsequent  to the
transaction.  However, the covenants contained in this paragraph shall not apply
in respect to any  information  which (a) was already known to either party when
such information was received from the other,  (b) was readily  available to the
general public at the time of such receipt,  (c)  subsequently  becomes known to
the  general  public  through no fault or omission  by the other  party,  (d) is
subsequently  disclosed  by a third  party which has the bona fide right to make
such  disclosure,  or (e) is required to be disclosed  by law or a  governmental
agency. This clause shall survive closing.

         12.11 EXHIBITS.  The following  exhibits are attached to this Agreement
and are  incorporated  into this  Agreement  by this  reference  and made a part
hereof for all purposes:

               (a) EXHIBIT A, the legal description of the Land.
               (b) EXHIBIT B, list of personal property.
               (c) EXHIBIT C, the form of Deed.
               (d) EXHIBIT D,  the  form of the  Assignment  and  Assumption  of
                   Personal Property,  Service Contracts, Warranties and Leases.
               (e) EXHIBIT E, the form of the Representation Letter.

                                  ARTICLE XIII
                                     NOTICE

         13.1 Notice.  All notices  required or permitted to be given under this
Agreement  shall be in writing and shall be sent or delivered to the address set
forth below (or such other address as

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may be hereafter specified in writing):

                  To Seller:      Raleigh Timbers Associates, Limited
                                  c/o CTJ Real Estate, Inc.
                                  212 South Tryon Street, Suite 1350
                                  Charlotte, NC 28202
                                  Attention: James T. Cobb

                  With a copy to
                   Seller's Attorneys:      Brent A. Torstrick, Esq.
                                            Robinson, Bradshaw & Hinson
                                            101 North Tryon Street, Suite 1900
                                            Charlotte, NC 28246
                                            Fax: (704) 378-4000

                  To Purchaser:   Mr. Gus Remppies
                                  Cornerstone Realty Group, Inc
                                  306 E. Main Street
                                  Richmond, VA 23219
                                  Fax: (804) 782-9302

                  With a copy to
                  Purchaser's Attorneys:     Harry S. Taubenfeld, Esq.
                                             Zuckerbrod & Taubenfeld
                                             575 Chestnut St., P.O. Box 488
                                             Cedarhurst, NY 11516
                                             Fax: (516) 374-3490

                                                     -and-

                                             Ted Oliver, Esq.
                                             Manning, Fulton & Skinner
                                             500 UCB Plaza
                                             3605 Glenwood Avenue
                                             Raleigh, NC 27612
                                             Fax:     (919) 781-OB11

         13.2 DELIVERY OF NOTICE. Notices sent either by Registered or Certified
Mail,  Return Receipt  Requested,  or by overnight  express mail shall be deemed
given when deposited in the United States Mail, postage prepaid,  delivered to a
reliable  overnight  courier or by facsimile  transmission.  Notices sent in any
other manner shall be deemed given only when actually delivered at the specified
address.

         IN WITNESS  WHEREOF,  the Seller and the  Purchaser  have  caused  this
Agreement to be executed this day and date first

                                       15






  written above.

  SELLER:

  RALEIGH TIMBERS ASSOCIATES, LIMITED
  BY:    RALEIGH TIMBERS COMPANY, LTD.
         GENERAL PARTNER


  BY:  /s/ James T. Cobb
        -------------------------------
        James T. Cobb
  Its:  Managing General Partner
        -------------------------------


  PURCHASER:

  CORNERSTONE REALTY GROUP, INC.


  BY:   /s/ Gus G. Remppies
       --------------------------------

  Its: Vice President Acquisitions
       -------------------------------




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