QuickLinks
 -- Click here to rapidly navigate through this document
  



 
 

Exhibit 10.08A    
  


 
 

TERMINATION AGREEMENT
  WITH RESPECT TO AMENDED AND RESTATED
  INDEPENDENT CONTRACTOR CONSULTING AGREEMENT    
  


        This agreement ("Agreement") is entered into and made effective as of January 1, 2003 for the purpose of terminating that certain Amended and Restated
Independent Contractor Consulting Agreement dated as of October 1, 2002 ("Consulting Agreement") between California Coastal Communities, Inc., a Delaware corporation (the "Company") and
GSSW-REO, L.L.C., a Texas limited liability company ("GSSW"). 


        WHEREAS, the Company and GSSW have determined that the consulting services of GSSW have been completed and the Consulting Agreement should
therefore be terminated. 


        NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the foregoing, the parties hereto, intending to be legally bound, hereby agree as follows: 



        1.    Termination.    The Company and GSSW hereby agree that the Consulting Agreement is terminated and shall be of no
further force or effect from and after January 1, 2002. 


        2.    Waiver of Notice.    The Company and GSSW hereby waive the prior notice requirements of paragraph 5 of
the Consulting Agreement. 


        3.    Entire Agreement.    This Agreement contains the entire agreement between the parties with respect to the
subject matter hereof. This Agreement supersedes any and all prior agreements and understandings between the parties hereto respecting the subject matter hereof. 


        4.    Governing Law.    This Agreement shall be governed by, and construed in accordance with, the laws of the state
of California, without regard to the conflicts of law provisions thereof. While governed by the laws of the state of California, GSSW and Consultant shall be deemed to perform this Agreement and the
services contemplated by this Agreement in and from the state of Texas, in which both GSSW and Consultant shall be and remain resident and domiciled for purposes of this Agreement. In no event shall
the performance of the consulting service by GSSW require either GSSW or Consultant to be or become resident or domiciled in the state of California. 


        5.    Counterparts.    This Agreement may be executed in any number of counterparts, and each such counterpart shall
be deemed to be an original instrument, but all such counterparts together shall constitute but one agreement. 


        6.    Headings.    The headings of the various sections of this Agreement have been inserted for convenience of
reference only and shall not be deemed to be part of this Agreement. 



        7.    Severability.    Any provision of this Agreement that is prohibited or unenforceable in any jurisdiction shall,
as to such jurisdiction, be ineffective to the extent of such prohibition or unenforceability. Such prohibition or unenforceability in any one jurisdiction shall not invalidate or render unenforceable
such provision in any other jurisdiction. Any provision of this Agreement that is prohibited or unenforceable by reason of its temporal duration or geographical scope shall be deemed to be changed to
the longest duration and widest geographical scope that is enforceable. 


1





 



        IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have executed this Agreement as of the date first above written. 



	 	 	CALIFORNIA COASTAL COMMUNITIES, INC.
	

 	
 	

By	
 	

/s/  RAYMOND J. PACINI      
 Raymond J. Pacini
 Chief Executive Officer
	

 	
 	
GSSW-REO, L.L.C.,

a Texas limited liability company
	

 	
 	

By	
 	

/s/  THOMAS W. SABIN. JR.      
 Name:  Thomas W. Sabin, Jr.

Title:    Manager and Vice President




2









QuickLinks



Exhibit 10.08A


TERMINATION AGREEMENT WITH RESPECT TO AMENDED AND RESTATED INDEPENDENT CONTRACTOR CONSULTING AGREEMENT