<PAGE>

                                                                    EXHIBIT 10.5



                  MEMBERSHIP INTEREST CONTRIBUTION AGREEMENT

                                by and between

                    Cornerstone Realty Income Trust, Inc.,

                 Cornerstone NC Operating Limited Partnership

                                      and

                              State Street I, LLC

                                  dated as of

                              September 30, 2001
<PAGE>

Exhibits

Exhibit A           -  Operating Partnership Agreement


Schedules

Schedule 2.1        -  List of Subsidiaries
Schedule 2.2        -  Operating Partnership Units
Schedule 4.4        -  Conflicts of Cornerstone or Operating Partnership
Schedule 5.3        -  Liens on Membership Interests
Schedule 5.4        -  Conflicts of LLC
Schedule 5.7(a)     -  August 31, 2001 Financial Statements
Schedule 5.7(b)     -  Liabilities not Disclosed on August 31, 2001 Balance
                       Sheet
Schedule 5.8        -  Changes Since Balance Sheet Date
Schedule 5.9        -  Litigation
Schedule 5.10       -  Intellectual Property
Schedule 5.11       -  Leases
Schedule 5.12       -  Material Contracts
Schedule 5.13       -  Owned and Leased Real Property
Schedule 5.13(l)    -  Permitted Liens
Schedule 5.15       -  Governmental Permits and Licenses
Schedule 5.17       -  Employment Agreements and Arrangements
Schedule 5.19       -  Insurance
Schedule 5.20       -  Bank Accounts
Schedule 5.21       -  Environmental Matters
Schedule 5.22(c)    -  List of Warranties for Improvements to Real Property
Schedule 6.4        -  Exceptions to Conduct in the Ordinary Course
Schedule 6.4(e)     -  Additional Borrowings
Schedule 6.5        -  Consents
Schedule 6.6        -  Exceptions for Disclosure
Schedule 11.1       -  Officers of Cornerstone with Knowledge
Schedule 11.2       -  Officers of the LLC or the Subsidiaries with Knowledge
Schedule 11.3       -  Indebtedness and Collateral Agreements


                                      -2-
<PAGE>

                  MEMBERSHIP INTEREST CONTRIBUTION AGREEMENT


          This MEMBERSHIP INTEREST CONTRIBUTION AGREEMENT (the "Agreement"),
dated as of September 30, 2001 is entered into by and between Cornerstone Income
Realty Trust, Inc., a Virginia corporation ("Cornerstone"), Cornerstone NC
Operating Limited Partnership, a Virginia limited partnership (the "Operating
Partnership"), and State Street I, LLC, a North Carolina limited liability
company (the "LLC").

                                   Recitals
                                   --------

          The Operating Partnership desires to acquire from the LLC, and the LLC
desires to contribute to the Operating Partnership, for the consideration stated
herein, all of the outstanding membership interests of each of the Subsidiaries
(as defined herein) on the terms and subject to the conditions set forth herein.

          The LLC desires to acquire from the Operating Partnership, and the
Operating Partnership desires to distribute and transfer to the LLC, for the
consideration stated herein, the Operating Partnership Units (as defined herein)
of the Operating Partnership on the terms and subject to the conditions set
forth herein.


                                   Covenants
                                   ---------

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

                                   ARTICLE I

                        DEFINITIONS AND INTERPRETATION

     1.1  Defined Terms.  Certain capitalized terms used herein are defined
          -------------
parenthetically in this Agreement.  Capitalized terms used but not defined
parenthetically herein are defined in Article X hereto.  The meanings assigned
to such terms shall be applicable to each use of such terms throughout this
Agreement.

     1.2  Singular and Plural; Gender.  Whenever appropriate in the context,
          ---------------------------
terms used in this Agreement in the singular also include the plural, and vice
versa, and each masculine, feminine or neuter pronoun shall also include the
other genders.

     1.3  Meaning of "Including".  As used herein, the word "including" shall
          ----------------------
be deemed to mean "including, without limitation," unless otherwise expressly
provided in any instance.

     1.4  Headings.  The article, section and other headings in this Agreement
          --------
are for convenience of reference only and shall not be deemed to alter or affect
the meaning or interpretation of any provisions of this Agreement.

                                      -3-
<PAGE>

     1.5  Drafting.  The parties have participated jointly in the negotiation
          --------
and drafting of this Agreement, and they agree that any ambiguity or question of
intent or interpretation that may arise shall be construed as if drafted jointly
by the parties, and no presumption or burden of proof shall arise favoring or
disfavoring any party by virtue of the authorship of any provisions of this
Agreement.

                                  ARTICLE II

                   MEMBERSHIP INTEREST CONTRIBUTION; CLOSING

     2.1  Contribution of the Membership Interests.  On the terms and subject to
          ----------------------------------------
the conditions set forth in this Agreement, the LLC agrees to contribute and
deliver to the Operating Partnership, and the Operating Partnership agrees to
accept from the LLC (the "Acquisition"), in exchange for the consideration set
forth in Section 2.2 below, all of issued and outstanding membership interests
(the "Membership Interests") of each of the subsidiaries of the LLC as set forth
on Schedule 2.1 (the "Subsidiaries").
   ------------

     2.2  Consideration. The consideration to be paid by the Operating
          -------------
Partnership to the LLC in connection with the Acquisition shall be the number of
Operating Partnership units (the "Operating Partnership Units") set forth in
Schedule 2.2 representing a limited partnership interest in the Operating
-------------
Partnership with the rights and preferences as set forth in the Operating
Partnership Agreement, a copy of which is attached hereto as Exhibit A.  The
Operating Partnership Units shall be granted and delivered to the LLC at
Closing.

     2.3  Completion of Contribution.  The closing of the Acquisition (the
          --------------------------
"Closing") shall take place on October 1, 2001 (effective September 30, 2001 at
11:59 P.M.) or such other date that the Operating Partnership and the LLC shall
mutually agree upon in writing. The date on which the Closing actually occurs is
referred to herein as the "Closing Date"; provided, however that the effective
date of the Closing shall be deemed to be September 30, 2001 at 11:59 P.M. In no
event shall the Closing take place after October 15, 2001 (the "Drop-Dead
Date").

     2.4  Contribution Adjustment.
          -----------------------

          (a)  Prior to the Closing, the Subsidiaries shall distribute to the
               LLC all of the cash assets of the Subsidiaries except the
               Subsidiaries shall retain sufficient cash to satisfy all accrued
               expenses and accounts payable accruable through the Closing. To
               the extent that the Subsidiaries do not have sufficient cash to
               satisfy all accrued expenses and accounts payable accruals, then
               the LLC shall contribute such deficit to the Operating
               Partnership. To the extent that the Subsidiaries have excess cash
               to satisfy all accrued expenses and accounts payable accruals,
               then the Subsidiaries shall refund such excess to the LLC. The
               deficit or excess, as the case may be, shall be referred to as
               the "Contribution Adjustment."

          (b)  The Operating Partnership shall deliver its calculation of the
               Contribution Adjustment (the "Contribution Adjustment Notice") to
               the LLC within 30 days of Closing. The LLC may object to the
               Contribution Adjustment

                                      -4-
<PAGE>

               by delivery of a written statement of objections (stating the
               basis of the objections with reasonable specificity) to Operating
               Partnership within 10 days following delivery of the Contribution
               Adjustment Notice. If LLC makes such objection, the Operating
               Partnership and LLC shall seek in good faith to resolve such
               differences within 10 days following the delivery of such
               objections. If LLC does not so object to the Contribution
               Adjustment within such 10 day period, the Contribution Adjustment
               shall be considered final and binding upon the parties and the
               Contribution Adjustment shall be made within 45 days of Closing .
               If LLC and the Operating Partnership are unable to mutually
               resolve any disputes with respect to the Contribution Adjustment
               within the periods described above, the parties shall, within 10
               days following the expiration of such periods, engage a mutually
               agreed upon Mediator (the "Mediator") to act as a Mediator and
               determine, in accordance with the provisions of this Section 2.4,
               the appropriate Contribution Adjustment.

          (c)  If the Mediator is engaged pursuant to this Section 2.4, then,
               within 10 days of the engagement, the Mediator shall be furnished
               with a copy of this Agreement, a letter from LLC describing LLC's
               position on the disputed amount and a letter from Operating
               Partnership describing Operating Partnership's position on the
               disputed amount. Neither party shall make any additional
               submission except pursuant to the Mediator's written request. The
               Mediator shall have 30 days to review such documents and such
               other information as the Mediator deems appropriate. Within such
               30-day period, the Mediator will furnish both parties with its
               written determination with respect to each of the unresolved
               issues in dispute. In arriving at its determination, the Mediator
               may select either the LLC's or the Operating Partnership's
               position, or make its own determination. The determination of the
               Mediator with respect to the Contribution Adjustment will be
               final and binding upon the parties and a judgment, based on the
               Mediator's determination, may be entered into a court of
               competent jurisdiction. The Contribution Adjustment shall be made
               within 5 days after the Mediator's determination. The fee of the
               Mediator shall be borne by the Operating Partnership, if the
               mediator accepts LLC's position, by the LLC, if the Mediator
               accepts the Operating Partnership's position, and by the
               Operating Partnership and LLC equally if the Mediator accepts
               neither the Operating Partnership's nor the LLC's position. In
               the process of preparing and reviewing the Contribution
               Adjustment and conducting of review by either party or the
               Mediator, each party will grant the other party all reasonable
               access to the records of the business and any workpapers,
               including auditor's workpapers, prepared with respect to the
               Contribution Adjustment.

                                      -5-
<PAGE>

                                  ARTICLE III

                   REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES OF THE LLC

          In order to induce the Operating Partnership to enter into this
Agreement and each of the other Acquisition Documents to which it is or shall be
a party, and to consummate the transactions contemplated hereby and thereby, the
LLC hereby represents and warrants to the Operating Partnership on and as of the
date hereof:

     3.1  Organization and Good Standing.  The LLC is a North Carolina limited
          ------------------------------
liability company duly organized, validly existing and in good standing under
the laws of North Carolina with all requisite power and authority to own,
operate and lease its properties and to carry on its business as now being
conducted.  The LLC is qualified to do business and is in good standing in each
jurisdiction in which such qualification is necessary except where the failure
to be qualified would not have a Material Adverse Effect on the LLC.

     3.2  Power and Authority.  The LLC has all the requisite limited liability
          -------------------
company power and authority to execute, deliver and perform this Agreement and
the other Acquisition Documents to which it is or shall be a party and to
consummate the transactions contemplated hereby and thereby.

     3.3  Due Authorization.  The execution, delivery and performance by the LLC
          -----------------
of this Agreement and the other Acquisition Documents to which it is or shall be
a party and the consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby and thereby
by the LLC have been duly authorized by all necessary limited liability company
proceedings.

     3.4  No Conflicts.  Neither the execution and delivery by the LLC of this
          ------------
Agreement or the other Acquisition Documents to which it is or shall be a party
nor the consummation by the LLC of the transactions contemplated hereby or
thereby:

          (a)  violates or conflicts with the LLC's Articles of Organization or
               any other organizational document;

          (b)  violates, or conflicts with, or constitutes a default under, or
               results in a breach of, any term or provision of, or requires any
               consent (except for those disclosed on Schedule 5.4),
                                                      -------------
               authorization or approval under, any term or provision of any
               Lien, lease, license or other agreement or instrument to which
               the LLC or the Subsidiaries are a party or by which it or the
               Subsidiaries' properties are bound, except to the extent that
               such circumstance would not reasonably be expected to have or
               result in a material adverse effect on the ability of the LLC to
               consummate the Acquisition and the transactions contemplated in
               the other Acquisition Documents to which it is a party or to
               carry out its obligations hereunder or thereunder; or

          (c)  (i) legally requires the LLC to obtain any Consent from, or make
               any filing with, any governmental agency, court, body or
               instrumentality

                                      -6-
<PAGE>

               (whether federal, state, local or foreign) ("Governmental
               Authority") or other Person (except for those disclosed on
               Schedule 5.4); or (ii) violates any provision of (x) any
               Applicable Law or (y) any judicial, administrative or arbitration
               order, award, judgment, writ, injunction or decree (collectively,
               "Judgment") to which the LLC is a party or to which it or any of
               its properties are subject.

     3.5  Enforceability.  This Agreement is, and when executed and delivered,
          --------------
each of the other Acquisition Documents to which the LLC is or shall be a party
shall be, a valid and binding agreement of the LLC, enforceable against it in
accordance with its terms, subject to applicable bankruptcy, insolvency,
moratorium or other laws affecting the enforcement of creditors rights
generally, and the application of equitable principles (whether considered in a
proceeding at law or in equity).

     3.6  Litigation.  The LLC is not engaged in, and there is not, to the
          ----------
Knowledge of the LLC pending, nor has the LLC received any written notice of,
any Legal Proceeding which would prevent or otherwise inhibit the LLC from
consummating the transactions contemplated hereby or carrying out its
obligations hereunder or under the other Acquisition Documents to which it is or
shall be a party.

     3.7  No Brokers.  No broker has acted on behalf of the LLC in connection
          ----------
with this Agreement, the other Acquisition Documents or the transactions
contemplated hereby or thereby, and there are no brokerage commissions, finders'
fees or similar fees or commissions payable in connection therewith based on any
agreement, arrangement or understanding with the LLC or any action taken by the
LLC.

     3.8  Securities Law Compliance.  The LLC understands and acknowledges that
          -------------------------
the Operating Partnership Units have not been registered under the Securities
Act or the state securities or blue sky laws of any jurisdiction, and that the
transactions contemplated by this Agreement have not been reviewed by, passed on
by or submitted to any federal or state agency or commission. The LLC is
acquiring the Operating Partnership Units for its own account, for investment,
and not with a view to, or for resale in connection with, a distribution
thereof, and the LLC acknowledges that the Operating Partnership Units acquired
hereunder cannot be transferred without being registered under the Securities
Act or pursuant to a valid exemption therefrom. The LLC represents that it is an
"accredited investor" within the meaning of Rule 501(a)(8) and that it has
determined that its equity investors are "accredited investors" within the
meaning of Rule 501(a).

                                  ARTICLE IV

            REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES OF CORNERSTONE AND THE
                             OPERATING PARTNERSHIP

          In order to induce the LLC to enter into this Agreement and each of
the other Acquisition Documents to which it is or shall be a party, and to
consummate the transactions contemplated hereby and thereby, Cornerstone and the
Operating Partnership hereby jointly and severally represent and warrant to the
LLC on and as of the date hereof:

                                      -7-
<PAGE>

     4.1  Organization and Good Standing.  The Operating Partnership is a
          ------------------------------
limited partnership organized, validly existing and in good standing under the
laws of the Commonwealth of Virginia.  Cornerstone is a corporation organized,
validly existing and in good standing under the laws of the Commonwealth of
Virginia.

     4.2  Power and Authority.  Cornerstone and the Operating Partnership each
          -------------------
have the requisite corporate or partnership power and authority, as the case may
be, to execute, deliver and perform this Agreement and the other Acquisition
Documents to which it is or shall be a party and to consummate the transactions
contemplated hereby and thereby.

     4.3  Due Authorization.  The execution, delivery and performance by
          -----------------
Cornerstone and the Operating Partnership of this Agreement and the other
Acquisition Documents to which they are or shall be a party and the consummation
of the transactions contemplated hereby and thereby have been duly authorized by
all necessary corporate or partnership proceedings.

     4.4  No Conflicts.  Neither the execution and delivery by Cornerstone or
          ------------
the Operating Partnership of this Agreement or the other Acquisition Documents
to which they are or shall be a party nor the consummation by them of the
transactions contemplated hereby or thereby:

          (a)  violates or conflicts with the Operating Partnership's
               Certificate of Partnership or other organizational document or
               Cornerstone's Articles of Incorporation, by-laws, or any other
               organizational document;

          (b)  violates, or conflicts with, or constitutes a default under, or
               results in a breach of, any term or provision of, or requires any
               consent (except for those disclosed on Schedule 4.4),
                                                      ------------
               authorization or approval under, any term or provision of any
               Lien, lease, license or other agreement or instrument to which
               Cornerstone or the Operating Partnership is a party or by which
               their respective properties are bound, except to the extent that
               such circumstance would not reasonably be expected to have or
               result in a material adverse effect on the ability of Cornerstone
               or the Operating Partnership to consummate the Acquisition and
               the transactions contemplated in the other Acquisition Documents
               to which it is a party or to carry out its obligations hereunder
               or thereunder; or

          (c)  (i) legally requires Cornerstone or the Operating Partnership to
               obtain any Consent from, or make any filing with, any
               Governmental Authority or other Person (except for those
               disclosed on Schedule 4.4); or (ii) violates any provision of (x)
               any Applicable Law or (y) any Judgment to which Cornerstone or
               the Operating Partnership is a party or to which it or any of its
               properties are subject.

     4.5  Enforceability.  This Agreement is, and when executed and delivered,
          --------------
each of the other Acquisition Documents to which Cornerstone or the Operating
Partnership is or shall be a party shall be, a valid and binding agreement of
Cornerstone or the Operating Partnership, as the case may be, enforceable
against such party in accordance with its terms, subject to applicable

                                      -8-
<PAGE>

bankruptcy, insolvency, moratorium or other laws affecting the enforcement of
creditors rights generally, and the application of equitable principles (whether
considered in a proceeding at law or in equity).

     4.6  Cornerstone Formation of Operating Partnership.  Cornerstone
          ----------------------------------------------
represents that the Operating Partnership has engaged in no business except in
connection with this Agreement and that the Operating Partnership has no
liabilities or obligations to any Person, except pursuant to this Agreement.

     4.7  Litigation.  Cornerstone and the Operating Partnership are not
          ----------
engaged in, and there is not, to the Knowledge of Cornerstone pending, nor has
Cornerstone received any written notice of, any Legal Proceeding which would
prevent or otherwise inhibit Cornerstone or the Operating Partnership from
consummating the transactions contemplated hereby or carrying out its
obligations hereunder or under the other Acquisition Documents to which it is or
shall be a party.

     4.8  No Brokers.  No broker has acted on behalf of Cornerstone or the
          ----------
Operating Partnership in connection with this Agreement, the other Acquisition
Documents or the transactions contemplated hereby or thereby, and there are no
brokerage commissions, finders' fees or similar fees or commissions payable in
connection therewith based on any agreement, arrangement or understanding with
Cornerstone or the Operating Partnership or any action taken by them.

     4.9  Capitalization.
          --------------


          (a) Cornerstone.  The authorized capital stock of Cornerstone
              -----------
     consists of (i) Common Shares, no par value, of which 100,000,000 shares
     are authorized and 47,581,920 shares were issued and outstanding as of
     September 20, 2001; and (ii) Preferred Shares, no par value, of which
     25,000,000 shares are authorized and 127,988 were issued and outstanding as
     of September 20, 2001 as Series A Convertible Preferred Shares.  All shares
     of Cornerstone to be issued upon conversion of the Operating Partnership
     Units (as described more fully in the Limited Partnership Agreement) will,
     at the time of issuance, be duly authorized, validly issued, fully paid and
     non-assessable, and will be free and clear of any Liens or other
     encumbrances which would prevent or otherwise encumber the delivery of such
     shares to the owners of the Operating Partnership Units upon their
     conversion.

          (b) Operating Partnership.  All of the Operating Partnership Units to
              ---------------------
     be delivered to the LLC at the Closing have been duly authorized by all
     necessary action on the part of the Operating Partnership, and will be
     validly issued to the LLC. The Operating Partnership Units to be delivered
     to the LLC at the Closing will be free of any Liens or other encumbrances
     which would prevent or otherwise encumber the delivery of the Operating
     Partnership Units to the LLC, and have not been reserved for any other
     purpose, and such Operating Partnership Units are available for issuance as
     provided pursuant to this Agreement.

                                      -9-
<PAGE>

     4.10  Securities Documents. Cornerstone has filed with Securities and
           --------------------
Exchange Commission (the "SEC") each report, registration statement and
definitive proxy statement (the "SEC Documents") required to be filed under the
Exchange Act since January 1, 2001. As of the time it was filed with the SEC,
or, if amended or superseded by a filing prior to the date of this Agreement,
then on the date of such filing: (a) each of the SEC Documents complied in all
material respects with the applicable requirements of the Exchange Act; and (b)
none of the SEC Documents contained any untrue statement of a material fact or
omitted to state a material fact required to be stated therein or necessary in
order to make the statements therein, in light of the circumstances under which
they were made, not misleading.

     4.11  Operations Since Balance Sheet Date. Since the date of the most
           -----------------------------------
recent balance sheet included in the SEC Documents, Cornerstone and its
subsidiaries have conducted business in the ordinary course and in conformity
with past practice, except as otherwise disclosed in the SEC Documents.

     4.12  Securities Law Compliance. Each of Cornerstone and the Operating
           -------------------------
Partnership understand and acknowledge that the Membership Interests have not
been registered under the Securities Act or the state securities or blue sky
laws of any jurisdiction, and that the transactions contemplated by this
Agreement have not been reviewed by, passed on by or submitted to any federal or
state agency or commission. The Operating Partnership is acquiring the
Membership Interests for its own account, for investment and not with a view to,
or for resale in connection with, a distribution thereof, and the Operating
Partnership acknowledges that the Membership Interests acquired hereunder cannot
be transferred without being registered under the Securities Act or pursuant to
a valid exemption therefrom.


                                   ARTICLE V

                       REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES OF
                       THE LLC REGARDING THE TRANSACTION


           In order to induce Cornerstone and the Operating Partnership to enter
into this Agreement and each of the other Acquisition Documents to which they
are or shall be a party, and to consummate the transactions contemplated hereby
and thereby, the LLC hereby represents and warrants to Cornerstone and the
Operating Partnership on and as of the date hereof.

     5.1   Organization and Good Standing.  The Subsidiaries are limited
           ------------------------------
liability companies duly organized, validly existing and in good standing under
the laws of North Carolina.

     5.2   Power and Authority.  The LLC and the Subsidiaries have all requisite
           -------------------
limited liability company power and authority to own, operate and lease their
properties and to carry on their business as presently conducted by them.

     5.3   Ownership of Interest  The LLC owns all of the Membership Interests
           ---------------------
in the Subsidiaries free and clear of any Liens or other encumbrances which
would prevent or

                                      -10-
<PAGE>

otherwise encumber the transfer of the Membership Interests (except for those
Liens shown on Schedule 5.3).

     5.4  No Conflicts.  Except as set forth in Schedule 5.4 hereto, neither the
          ------------
execution and delivery by the LLC of this Agreement or the Acquisition Documents
to which it is or shall be a party nor the consummation of the transactions
contemplated hereby or thereby:

          (a)  violates or conflicts with the operating agreements or other
               organizational documents of the Subsidiaries.

          (b)  violates, or conflicts with, or constitutes a default under, or
               results in a breach of, any term or provision of, or requires any
               consent (except for those disclosed on Schedule 5.4),
               authorization or approval under, any term or provision of any
               Lien, lease, license or other agreement or instrument to which
               the Subsidiaries are a party or by which any of them or their
               properties are bound, except to the extent that such circumstance
               would not reasonably be expected to have or result in a Material
               Adverse Effect on such Subsidiary or a material adverse effect on
               the ability of the LLC to consummate the Acquisition and the
               transactions contemplated in the other Acquisition Documents to
               which it is a party or to carry out its obligations hereunder or
               thereunder; or

          (c)  legally requires the Subsidiaries to obtain any Consent from, or
               make any filing with, any Governmental Authority or other Person
               (except for those disclosed on Schedule 5.4) or (ii) violates any
               provision of (x) any Applicable Law or (y) any Judgment to which
               the Subsidiaries are a party or to which any of them or any of
               their properties are subject.

     5.5  Investments.  Neither the LLC nor the Subsidiaries have granted any
          -----------
Option with respect to any Membership Interest in any of the Subsidiaries to any
Person. The Subsidiaries do not have any Investment in any partnership, limited
partnership, company, limited liability company or other business entity.

     5.6  Compliance.  Neither the LLC nor the Subsidiaries has taken any
          ----------
actions in violation in any material respect of any provision of its respective
Articles of Organization and Operating Agreement. Each of the Subsidiaries has
complied in all material respects with all Applicable Law. Neither the LLC nor
the Subsidiaries has received any written notice that they are in violation or
breach of, or in default under, any provision of any Applicable Law or Judgment,
or any license, permit, certificate, authorization or other approval of any
Governmental Authority applicable to it except as would not have a Material
Adverse Effect on the Subsidiaries.

     5.7  Financial Statements.
          --------------------

          (a)  Attached as Schedule 5.7(a) hereto is a true and complete copy
                           ---------------
               of the balance sheet of each of the Subsidiaries prepared on an
               income tax basis as of August 31, 2001 (the "Balance Sheet
               Date"), and the related statements of revenue and expense for the
               eight months then ended also

                                      -11-
<PAGE>

               prepared on an income tax basis (the "Financial Statements"). The
               Financial Statements have been prepared by management of the LLC,
               and have not been reviewed or audited by independent public
               accountants. The Financial Statements present fairly, in all
               material respects, the financial position and results of
               operations of the Subsidiaries as of the dates and for the
               periods indicated on the Financial Statements and are consistent
               with the form historically used by the LLC.

          (b)  Except as disclosed on Schedule 5.7(b) hereto, the LLC has no
                                      ---------------
               liability which is required by federal income tax law to be
               reflected or reserved on the Financial Statements other than
               liabilities so reflected, or liabilities incurred in the ordinary
               course of business since the Balance Sheet Date (none of which
               would have a Material Adverse Effect on the LLC and the
               Subsidiaries, taken as a whole).

     5.8  Operations Since Balance Sheet Date. Since the Balance Sheet Date,
          -----------------------------------
the LLC and the Subsidiaries have conducted business in the ordinary course and
in conformity with past practice, except as disclosed on Schedule 5.8.

     5.9  Litigation.  Except as set forth in Schedule 5.9 hereto, there is not
          ----------                          ------------
pending, nor to the Knowledge of the LLC, threatened, nor has the LLC or the
Subsidiaries received written notice of, any legal action, suit, investigation,
inquiry or proceeding by any Governmental Authority or other Person ("Legal
Proceeding") against the LLC or the Subsidiaries which, if decided adversely,
would have a Material Adverse Effect on the any of the Subsidiaries.

     5.10 Intellectual Property.  Each Subsidiary owns or has the right to use
          ---------------------
all of its respective Intellectual Property. Schedule 5.10 sets forth a list of
all the Intellectual Property that any Subsidiary does not own but has the right
to use. Other than as set forth on Schedule 5.10, no consents of any third party
are required for the Subsidiaries to use such listed Intellectual Property after
the Acquisition. There are no claims pending against any Subsidiary alleging
that its use of any Intellectual Property infringes, misappropriates or
otherwise violates the intellectual property or other proprietary rights of any
Person and, to the Knowledge of the LLC, no Person is infringing upon the
respective rights of any Subsidiary in such Intellectual Property.

     5.11 Leases. The Subsidiaries are the lessees of equipment used by the
          ------
Subsidiaries (collectively, the "Leases").  Schedule 5.11 sets forth a true and
                                            -------------
complete list of the Leases.

     5.12 Material Contracts.
          ------------------

          (a)  Schedule 5.12 identifies all of the following to which the
               -------------
               Subsidiaries are parties or by which the Subsidiaries are bound
               (collectively, "Material Contracts"):

               (i)    each purchase order, agreement or commitment obligating
                      the Subsidiaries to purchase any products or services and
                      providing for

                                      -12-
<PAGE>

                       an aggregate payment of $1,000 or not cancelable on 60
                       days notice;

               (ii)    all agreements relating to the borrowing of money, or
                       liability for the deferred purchase price of property or
                       services (excluding normal and customary trade payables
                       which are not overdue), or any instrument guaranteeing
                       any indebtedness or other liability or any obligation to
                       incur any indebtedness, including any interest rate swap
                       or other agreement affecting or relating to interest
                       payable by the Subsidiary under any of the foregoing
                       agreements;

               (iii)   any joint venture, partnership, strategic alliance or
                       other similar arrangement;

               (iv)    any guarantee of the obligations of the suppliers,
                       officers, directors or employees of the Subsidiaries;

               (v)     any agreement limiting, in any manner, the ability of the
                       Subsidiaries to engage in any business anywhere in the
                       world (including, without limitation, any agreements with
                       m anufacturers or retailers which contain exclusive
                       dealing o r similar provisions);

               (vi)    any employment, consulting, management, severance or
                       other similar agreement with any Person;

               (vii)   any union, collective bargaining, works council or
                       similar agreement; or

               (viii)  any other material contract, agreement, commitment,
                       understanding or instrument providing for payments to or
                       from the Subsidiaries.

          (b)  Each Material Contract is the valid and binding obligation of the
               Subsidiaries, as applicable, enforceable against it in accordance
               with its respective terms, subject to applicable bankruptcy,
               insolvency moratorium or other laws affecting the enforcement of
               creditors' rights generally, and the application of equitable
               principles (whether considered in a proceeding at law or in
               equity). None of the Subsidiaries, or to the Knowledge of the LLC
               any of the other parties thereto, is in breach or default under
               (including any circumstances that would result in a breach or
               default with notice or lapse of time or both) any such Material
               Contract in any material respect, nor has waived any material
               provision of any such Material Contract or agreed to do so.
               Neither the LLC nor the Subsidiaries has received any written
               notice of breach or default (including any written notice of
               circumstances that would constitute a breach or default with
               notice or lapse of time or both) or termination under any
               Material Contract.

                                      -13-
<PAGE>

      (c)  A true, complete and correct copy of each Material Contract,
           including each agreement and instrument listed on Schedule 11.3,
                                                             -------------
           has been provided to Cornerstone on or before the Closing Date.
           All construction contemplated by the agreements and instruments
           listed on Schedule 11.3 has been completed to the satisfaction of
                     -------------
           the lender thereunder and the loans referenced therein have been
           fully converted to permanent loans.

5.13  Real Property.
      -------------

      (a)  Schedule 5.13 sets forth a list of all real property owned, leased,
           -------------
           occupied or used by the Subsidiaries (the "Real Property"). All title
           documents, leases and subleases pursuant to which any of the Real
           Property is owned, occupied or used are set forth on Schedule 5.13
           and such titles, leases and subleases are valid, subsisting, binding
           and enforceable against the LLC or the Subsidiaries, as applicable,
           in accordance with their respective terms, and there are no existing
           breaches of a material provision thereof or defaults thereunder by
           the LLC or the Subsidiaries, as applicable, or to the Knowledge of
           the LLC any other parties thereto, or events that with notice or
           lapse of time or both would constitute defaults thereunder by the LLC
           or the Subsidiaries, as applicable, and no party under any such
           contract, lease or sublease has given or received a written notice of
           termination thereunder.

      (b)  All Real Property is appropriately zoned under the applicable zoning
           ordinances of the city, county and state in which such the Real
           Property is located for current use and its intended use. To the
           Knowledge of the LLC, there are no proceedings pending or threatened
           that could or would cause the change, redefinition, or other
           modification of the zoning classification, or of other legal
           requirements applicable to the Real Property or any part thereof, or
           any property adjacent to the Real Property, or any moratorium that
           could or would in any way impair the use of the Real Property for the
           operation of apartment complexes.

      (c)  All Real Property that has been constructed, is occupied or has been
           made available for occupancy is and has been used and operated in
           compliance in all material respects with the zoning, building,
           health, toxic and hazardous waste, environmental and other laws,
           codes, ordinances, regulations, orders and requirements of any
           Governmental Authority having jurisdiction thereof; and all
           certificates, licenses, permits, authorizations, consents and
           approvals required by any such Governmental Authority for the
           continued use, occupancy and operation of the Real Property have been
           obtained, except for those the failure to obtain would not have a
           Material Adverse Effect on the LLC or any of the Subsidiaries.

      (d)  All improvements located on the Real Property are in good working
           order and repair (ordinary wear and tear excepted), free from patent
           defects and

                                      -14-
<PAGE>

           have been completed in all material respects in accordance with all
           applicable zoning, building, fire, health, pollution, subdivision,
           environmental protection, waste disposal and other governmental laws,
           ordinances, codes and regulations.

      (e)  All work done or materials furnished by or on behalf of the
           Subsidiaries for construction of or repairs to the improvements
           located on the Real Property have been paid for in full and there are
           no claims, existing or otherwise, or rights to claims for,
           mechanics', materialmen's or vendors liens with respect to any of the
           Real Property.

      (f)  No tenant has paid rent in advance for more than a month and, except
           as presented in the Rent Roll, no party has any right to rent-free
           occupancy or rent reductions or concessions. No tenant is in default
           under their lease (as to rent or otherwise), except for such defaults
           which would not individually or in the aggregate have a Material
           Adverse Effect on any of the Subsidiaries. Each lease is in full
           force and effect, enforceable in accordance with its terms, subject
           to applicable bankruptcy, insolvency, moratorium or other laws
           affecting the enforcement of creditors' rights generally, and the
           application of equitable principles (whether considered in a
           proceeding at law or in equity. The landlord under the leases is not
           required to render any services to any tenant except as specifically
           provided in the leases. There are no parties in possession of the
           Real Property or entitled to possession thereof other than the
           Subsidiaries and tenants under the leases listed on Schedule 5.13.

      (g)  Neither the LLC nor the Subsidiaries has received any notice or has
           Knowledge of any pending or threatened condemnation or eminent domain
           proceedings which would affect any of the Real Property.

      (h)  The Real Property has adequate legal access to public roads and all
           buildings and other improvements are located entirely within the
           boundary lines of the Real Property. There are no encroachments on
           the Real Property and no portion of the Real Property is located
           within any Special Flood Hazard Area designated by the U.S.
           Department of Housing and Urban Development, or in any area similarly
           designated by any other Governmental Authority having jurisdiction
           thereof.

      (i)  To the Knowledge of the LLC, there are no unpaid special assessments
           affecting the Real Property and notice has not been received of any
           special improvements to be made for the benefit of any of the Real
           Property or requiring the construction of or repairs to any public
           rights of way contiguous to any of the Real Property.

      (j)  To the Knowledge of the LLC, (i) there are no "hazardous substances"
           (as defined in the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation
           and Liability Act of 1980, 42 U.S.C. (S)(S)9601 et seq., as amended)
           at the

                                      -15-
<PAGE>

           Real Property; (ii) there has been no release or threat of release of
           any such hazardous substance; (iii) the Real Property is not subject
           to regulation by any Governmental Authority as a result of the
           presence of (A) stored, leaked or spilled petroleum products, (B)
           underground storage tanks, (C) an accumulation of rubbish, debris or
           other solid waste, or because of the presence, release, threat of
           release, discharge, storage, treatment, generation or disposal of any
           "hazardous waste" (as defined in the Resource Conservation and
           Recovery Act, 42 U.S.C. (S)6901 et. seq., as amended), or "toxic
           substance" (as defined in the Toxic Substance Control Act, 15 U.S.C.
           (S)2601 et seq., as amended), including without limitation asbestos
           and items or equipment containing polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) in
           excess of 50 parts per million; (iv) no environmental conditions
           exist on the Real Property that either (X) requires the owner to
           report such condition to any authority or agency of the states in
           which the Real Property is located or (Y) requires the owner of the
           Real Property to make a notation of such condition in any public
           records or conveyancing instrument upon the conveyance of the Real
           Property; and (v) no condition exists that is or may be characterized
           by any Governmental Authority as an actual or potential danger to the
           environment or public health.

      (k)  To the Knowledge of the LLC, there are no material patent or latent
           defects in the Real Property or any part thereof.

      (l)  Each Subsidiary owns fee simple title to its respective Real
           Property, free and clear of all Liens, except Permitted Liens and
           free and clear of encumbrances and other matters of title except as
           shown on Schedule 5.13(1).
                    ----------------

      (m)  There are no pending litigation actions, suits, proceedings or claims
           with respect to any aspect of the Real Property nor, to the Knowledge
           of the LLC, have any such actions, suits, proceedings or claims been
           threatened or asserted.

      (n)  All utilities (including, without limitation, water, storm and
           sanitary sewer, gas, electricity and telephone) are available on the
           Real Property through private easements or dedicated public easements
           in capacities sufficient to serve and operate each project. Private
           drives located upon the Real Property and appurtenant easements have
           been completed and connect to public roads.

5.14  Title to Personal Property and Related Matters.
      ----------------------------------------------

      (a)  Each Subsidiary has good and marketable title to and possession of
           all tangible and intangible personal property identified on such
           Subsidiary's Balance Sheet, free and clear of all Liens, except for
           Permitted Liens.

                                      -16-
<PAGE>

           (b)  All of the tangible personal property owned or leased by the
                Subsidiaries is in good operating condition and repair (ordinary
                wear and tear excepted), is free from significant defects of
                workmanship or material and is usable and adequate for the
                operations of the business of the Subsidiaries, and requires no
                more repair, replacement and rehabilitation than is normal in
                the LLC's industry. All titles, leases and subleases pursuant to
                which any such property is owned or leased are valid,
                subsisting, binding and enforceable against the Subsidiaries, as
                applicable, in accordance with their respective terms, subject
                to applicable bankruptcy, insolvency, moratorium or other laws
                affecting the enforcement of creditors' rights generally, and
                the application of equitable principles (whether considered in a
                proceeding at law or in equity) and there are no existing
                breaches of a material provision thereof or defaults thereunder
                by the Subsidiaries, or to the Knowledge of the LLC any of the
                other parties thereto, or events that with notice or lapse of
                time or both would constitute defaults thereunder by the
                Subsidiaries, or to the Knowledge of the LLC any of the other
                parties thereto, and no party under any such contract, lease or
                sublease has given or received a written notice of termination
                thereunder.

     5.15  Governmental Permits.  Schedule 5.15 hereto contains a list of all
           --------------------   -------------
franchises, licenses, permits, certificates, authorizations, rights and
approvals of Governmental Authorities (collectively, "Governmental Permits")
held by the Subsidiaries in connection with the operation of its business.  Each
Governmental Permit held by the Subsidiaries has been duly and validly issued
and is in full force and effect, and neither the LLC or the Subsidiaries has
received any written notice that any proceeding to revoke, cancel, encumber or
adversely affect in any manner any such Governmental Permit listed on
Schedule 5.15 has been initiated or is threatened.  Other than the Governmental
-------------
Permits set forth on Schedule 5.15, no other Governmental Permits are necessary
                     -------------
to continue to conduct business in the manner currently conducted.

     5.16  Taxes and Tax Returns.
           ---------------------

           (a)  The LLC and the Subsidiaries have timely filed all of their
                United States, Federal and state tax returns required to be
                filed by them as of the date hereof (or have timely filed for
                extensions with the appropriate taxing authorities with respect
                to such tax returns). The LLC and the Subsidiaries have paid or
                made provision for the payment of all taxes, including any
                interest, penalty or addition thereto (whether or not such taxes
                are required to be shown on such tax returns), except where
                payment of any such taxes is being contested in good faith by
                appropriate proceedings.

           (b)  There is no audit or examination now pending, with respect to
                which the owner of the LLC, the LLC or the Subsidiaries has been
                notified in writing, regarding any material tax returns, the
                failure to file any material tax returns, or any material tax
                liability of any of the following: (i) LLC,

                                      -17-
<PAGE>

           (ii) the Subsidiaries, or (iii) the owner of the LLC if such item is
           related to the LLC or the Subsidiaries. None of the owner of the LLC,
           the LLC or the Subsidiaries has waived any statute of limitations in
           respect of any material taxes or agreed to any extension of time with
           respect to any tax assessment or deficiency.

      (c)  All taxes required to be deposited, withheld or collected have been
           so deposited, withheld or collected, and such deposit, withholding or
           collection has either been paid to the respective governmental
           agencies or set aside in accounts for such purpose or secured and
           reserved against and entered on the LLC's or the Subsidiaries'
           financial statements.

      (d)  There are no Liens for taxes on any properties or assets of the
           Subsidiaries (other than Liens for taxes which are not yet due and
           for which adequate reserves have been made on the Financial
           Statements).

      (e)  Neither the LLC nor the Subsidiaries is a party to or bound by or
           obligated under any tax sharing, tax benefit or similar agreement.

5.17  Employees.
      ---------

      (a)  Except as described on Schedule 5.17, the Subsidiaries have no
                                  -------------
           employees and are not a party to any written or oral employment
           contract, agreement, commitment or arrangement.

      (b)  None of the Subsidiaries is a party to or subject to (i) any labor
           union or collective bargaining agreement with respect to any of its
           employees or any representative of any such employees, (ii) any
           material labor or employment dispute, and (iii) to the Knowledge of
           the LLC, no labor union or bargaining agent or representative holds
           bargaining rights with respect to any of the Subsidiaries' employees
           or to the Knowledge of the LLC and the Subsidiaries, has applied or
           indicated an intention to apply to be elected, recognized or
           certified as the bargaining agent of any of their employees.

5.18  Employee Benefit Matters.
      ------------------------

      (a)  Neither the LLC nor the Subsidiaries maintain or contribute to or
           have any obligation or liability to or with respect to any employee
           benefit plans, programs, arrangements or employment contracts, bonus
           arrangements, stock option, incentive plans or other benefit plans or
           practices, including employee benefit plans within the meaning set
           forth in Section 3(3) of the Employee Retirement Income Security Act
           of 1974, as amended ("ERISA"), or other similar material arrangements
           for the provision of benefits (including any "Multi-employer Plan"
           within the meaning of Section 3(37) of ERISA or a "Multiple Employer
           Plan" within the meaning of Section 413(c) of the Code) (such plans,
           programs,

                                      -18-
<PAGE>

                arrangements or practices of the LLC and its Subsidiaries being
                referred to as the "Employee Plans").

           (b)  Neither the LLC nor the Subsidiaries are obligated to pay
                separation, severance, termination or similar-type benefits
                solely as a result of any transaction contemplated by this
                Agreement or solely as a result of a "change in control," as
                contemplated by Section 280G of the Code.

     5.19  Insurance.  Schedule 5.19 hereto sets forth a list of all policies or
           ---------   -------------
binders of insurance maintained, owned or held by the LLC and the Subsidiaries
covering the Subsidiaries which are in effect.  Such policies and binders are in
full force and effect and all premiums required to be paid thereunder on or
prior to the date hereof have been paid and all such premiums required to be
paid on or prior to the Closing Date shall have been paid on or prior to such
date.  The LLC and the Subsidiaries have complied in all material respects with
each of such insurance policies and binders.  Neither the LLC nor the
Subsidiaries have received any written notice of cancellation or nonrenewal of
any such policy or binder.

     5.20  Bank Accounts. Schedule 5.20 hereto sets forth the name of all bank
           -------------  -------------
accounts, lock-boxes, safe deposit boxes, money market funds, certificates of
deposit, stocks, bonds, notes and other securities in the name of or owned or
controlled by the Subsidiaries and the names of all persons authorized to draw
thereon or to have access thereto.  None of the Subsidiaries has granted a power
of attorney in favor of any Person.

     5.21  Environmental Laws.  Except as set forth in Schedule 5.21, (i) none
           ------------------                          -------------
of the Subsidiaries' operations are in violation of or delinquent under any
Environmental Laws in any material respect, nor is there any consent decree,
consent order, fine or penalty, or similar document relating to any violations
of any Environmental Law to which the LLC or the Subsidiaries are a party
relating to any property or facility currently or previously owned, leased or
operated by the Subsidiaries; (ii) to the Knowledge of the LLC, there are no
circumstances or conditions existing that would prevent or interfere with
carrying on the business of the Subsidiaries as it is currently conducted in
compliance with Environmental Laws; (iii) the Subsidiaries have obtained all
material Permits required to be obtained by them under all Environmental Laws;
and (iv) there is no Environmental Claim related to or arising out of the
Subsidiaries' past or present operations pending or, to the Knowledge of the LLC
and the Subsidiaries, threatened against any of the Subsidiaries, their assets,
properties, facilities or businesses and the LLC and the Subsidiaries have not
received a request for information under the Environmental Laws.

     5.22  Miscellaneous.
           -------------

           (a)  The LLC and the Subsidiaries are residents of the United States
                pursuant to the Code.

           (b)  The Subsidiaries have not guaranteed the obligations of the LLC
                to any third party except as will be released at Closing.

           (c)  Schedule 5.22(c) sets forth a true and complete list of all
                warranties in favor of the Subsidiaries with respect to
                improvements located on the Real

                                      -19-
<PAGE>

                Property or tangible personal property of the Subsidiaries, all
                of which warranties are in full force and effect.

     5.23  Full Disclosure. None of the representations and warranties of the
           ---------------
LLC made in this Article contains any untrue statement of a material fact or
omits to state a material fact necessary to make the statements therein, in
light of the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading.


                                  ARTICLE VI

                                   COVENANTS

     6.1   Access and Information.  Subject to the provisions of this Section
           ----------------------
6.1, from the date hereof until the Closing Date, or if earlier, the date of
termination of this Agreement pursuant to Article X, the LLC and the
Subsidiaries shall to afford to the Operating Partnership and to the Operating
Partnership's officers, employees, accountants, counsel, lenders and other
authorized representatives reasonable access, upon reasonable notice to the LLC
and the Subsidiaries, to their facilities, properties, books and records during
normal business hours for the purpose of making such investigations as the
Operating Partnership shall reasonably desire in connection with the completion
of the transactions contemplated hereby.

     6.2   Supplemental Information.  From time to time prior to the Closing
           ------------------------
Date, the LLC and the Subsidiaries will promptly advise Operating Partnership if
any matter arises hereafter which, if existing or occurring at the date of this
Agreement, would have been required to be set forth or described in this
Agreement or the Schedules, or if it becomes necessary to correct any
information in any such Schedule which has become inaccurate.

     6.3   Further Assurances.  Consistent with the terms and conditions hereof,
           ------------------
each party hereto will execute and deliver such instruments and take such other
actions as the other parties hereto may reasonably require or request in order
to carry out this Agreement and the other Acquisition Documents and the
transactions contemplated hereby and thereby and use commercially reasonable
efforts to cause the conditions precedent to the Closing to occur and/or not
fail to occur.

     6.4   Conduct of Business Prior to the Closing Date.  The LLC and the
           ---------------------------------------------
Subsidiaries agree that from the date hereof and prior to the Closing Date, and
except (i) as set forth in Schedule 6.4 hereto, (ii) otherwise consented to or
                           ------------
approved by an authorized officer of the Operating Partnership (such consent or
approval not to be unreasonably withheld) or (iii) as required by this
Agreement:

           (a)  the business of the LLC and the Subsidiaries shall be conducted
                in the ordinary course;

           (b)  no change shall be made in the Articles of Organization or
                Operating Agreements of the Subsidiaries;

                                      -20-
<PAGE>

          (c)  neither the LLC nor the Subsidiaries shall enter into nor
               terminate, amend, release or modify any Material Contract
               concerning the operations or assets of the Subsidiaries;

          (d)  neither the LLC nor the Subsidiaries will take, agree to take, or
               do anything in the conduct of its business which would be
               contrary to or in material breach of any of the terms or
               provisions of this Agreement, or which would cause any of the
               representations of the LLC or the Subsidiaries contained herein
               to be or become untrue in any material respect or which would
               result in a Material Adverse Effect to any of the Subsidiaries;
               and

          (e)  Except for the indebtedness set forth on Schedule 6.4(e), the
               Subsidiaries shall not incur any indebtedness for borrowed money,
               prepay any outstanding indebtedness for borrowed moneys on a
               "term loan" basis (except for scheduled payments or required pre-
               payments of outstanding debt), or adopt or agree to adopt any new
               employee benefit plan except as required by applicable law or
               terminate the employment or contract of any employee or
               contractor or accrue any liability beyond the Closing Date for
               severance.

     6.5  Consents. Following the execution hereof, the LLC and the Subsidiaries
          --------
shall use commercially reasonable efforts to obtain all Consents prior to the
Closing Date including those shown on Schedule 6.5.  Cornerstone and the
Operating Partnership shall use commercially reasonable efforts to assist the
LLC and the Subsidiaries in obtaining all Consents prior to the Closing Date.
In addition, Cornerstone and the Operating Partnership shall take all
commercially reasonable actions to cause the lenders to the Subsidiaries to
release all guarantors or "key principals" of indebtedness shown in Schedule
11.3.  Notwithstanding any provisions in this Agreement to the contrary, nothing
in this Agreement will be deemed to constitute a transfer or attempted transfer
of any Governmental Permit or contract which by its terms or under Applicable
Law requires the Consent of a third party (including, without limitation, a
Governmental Authority) unless such Consent shall have been obtained.

     6.6  Public Announcements.
          --------------------

          (a)  The Operating Partnership and the LLC and the Subsidiaries shall
               not, and shall each cause their respective managers, managing
               partners, officers, employees and other authorized
               representatives not to, prior to the Closing Date, issue any
               press release or make any other public disclosure or announcement
               or otherwise make any disclosure to any third Persons, except
               those Persons set forth on Schedule 6.6, concerning the
                                          ------------
               transactions contemplated by this Agreement or the terms and
               provisions hereof.

          (b)  Should any press release or other public disclosure be required
               to be made, then the party required to make such release or
               disclosure shall not make such release or disclosure without
               first using its commercially reasonable efforts to obtain the
               prior consent of the other parties hereto as to both the

                                      -21-
<PAGE>

               timing and content of such press release or public disclosure,
               which consent shall not be unreasonably withheld.

     6.7  Tax Matters.  The following provisions shall govern the allocation of
          -----------
responsibility between the Operating Partnership and the LLC and the
Subsidiaries for certain tax matters following the Closing Date:

          (a)  The LLC and the Subsidiaries will include the income of the LLC
               and the Subsidiaries on the LLC's federal income tax return and
               corresponding state tax returns for all periods through the
               Closing Date and pay any federal and state income taxes
               attributable to such income. The LLC and the Subsidiaries will
               furnish tax information to Operating Partnership for inclusion in
               Operating Partnership's federal income tax return for the period
               that includes the Closing Date in accordance with the LLC's past
               custom and practice. The owner of the LLC and the LLC will take
               no position on such returns that would adversely affect the
               Operating Partnership after the Closing Date.

          (b)  The LLC agrees to indemnify the Operating Partnership for any
               additional tax owed by the Subsidiaries (including tax owed by
               Subsidiaries due to this indemnification payment) resulting from
               any transactions not in the ordinary course of business occurring
               on or before the Closing Date and any additional tax arising from
               any action taken by or at the direction of the LLC.

          (c)  The income (loss) of the LLC and the Subsidiaries shall be
               apportioned to the period up to and including the Closing Date by
               closing the books of the Subsidiaries as of the Closing Date.

     6.8  Resignations of Managers and Officers.  At the Closing, the
          -------------------------------------
Subsidiaries shall cause the resignations of all Managers and Officers of the
Subsidiaries as requested by the Operating Partnership. Concurrent with the
Closing, Cornerstone shall offer employment to all of the on-site managers
listed in Schedule 6.8. Such managers who elect to become employees of
Cornerstone shall be deemed to have become employees of Cornerstone as of the
time the Closing becomes effective contingent, to the extent permitted by law,
upon successful completion after Closing of Cornerstone's standard conditions
precedent to employment, including without limitation, Cornerstone's drug and
alcohol testing.. At the Closing, the Operating Partnership will be entitled to
ownership and possession of all the records of the Subsidiaries, including in
particular, but without limitation, their minute books, corporate seals, if any,
financial and tax records, intellectual property records, employee information,
leases, material contracts and all records relating to litigation matters.

     6.9  Registration.
          ------------

          (a)  Before the date on which the Operating Partnership Units may be
               converted into shares of Cornerstone pursuant to the Limited
               Partnership Agreement (the "Conversion Date"), Cornerstone shall
               file a Registration

                                      -22-
<PAGE>

               Statement on Form S-3 (the "Registration Statement") under the
               Securities Act with respect (i) to issuance of any such shares on
               conversion of the Operating Partnership Units and (ii) resales by
               the LLC of such shares. Cornerstone shall use its reasonable best
               efforts to cause the Registration Statement to become effective
               as promptly as practicable after the filing thereof. Cornerstone
               shall promptly prepare and file any amendments (including post-
               effective amendments) and supplements to the Registration
               Statement and to the prospectus included therein (the
               "Prospectus") as may be necessary to keep the Registration
               Statement continuously current and effective and to comply with
               the provisions of the Securities Act and the rules and
               regulations promulgated thereunder with respect to the
               disposition of the shares (the "Registered Shares") covered by
               such registration statement for the period required to effect the
               distribution of the Registered Shares, provided that such
               obligation shall expire when such shares may be sold by the LLC
               pursuant to Rule 144(k) under the Securities Act. The LLC shall
               furnish to Cornerstone such information regarding itself and the
               distribution of the Registered Shares covered by the Registration
               Statement as Cornerstone may from time to time reasonably request
               in writing and as shall be required under the Securities Act.

          (b)  Cornerstone shall notify the LLC and confirm such advice in
               writing (i) when the filing of any post-effective amendment to
               the Registration Statement or supplement to the Prospectus is
               required, when the same is filed and, in the case of the
               Registration Statement and any post-effective amendment, when the
               same becomes effective, (ii) of any request by the Securities and
               Exchange Commission for any amendment of or supplement to the
               Registration Statement or the Prospectus or for additional
               information and (iii) of the entry of any stop order suspending
               the effectiveness of the Registration Statement or the initiation
               or threatening of any proceedings for that purpose, and, if such
               stop order shall be entered, Cornerstone shall use its best
               efforts promptly to obtain the lifting thereof.

          (c)  Cornerstone shall furnish to the LLC, at Cornerstone's expense,
               such number of copies of the final Prospectus and of each post-
               effective amendment or supplement thereto, as may reasonably be
               required in order to facilitate the disposition of the Registered
               Shares in conformity with the requirements of the Securities Act
               and the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder, but only
               while Cornerstone is required under the provisions hereof to
               cause the Registration Statement to remain effective.

          (d)  Cornerstone shall use its best efforts to register or qualify
               such shares under such other securities or "blue sky" laws of
               such jurisdictions as the LLC reasonably requests and do any and
               all other acts and things which may be reasonably necessary or
               advisable to enable the LLC to consummate the disposition in such
               jurisdictions of the Registered Shares

                                      -23-
<PAGE>

                (provided that Cornerstone shall not be required to (i) qualify
                generally to do business in any jurisdiction in which it would
                not otherwise be required to qualify but for this Section 6.9,
                (ii) subject itself to taxation in any such jurisdiction, or
                (iii) consent to general service of process in any such
                jurisdiction).

           (e)  Cornerstone shall take all steps necessary to enable the LLC to
                avail itself of the prospectus delivery mechanism set forth in
                Rule 153 under the Securities Act or any successor thereto.

           (f)  If any event, fact or circumstance requiring an amendment to the
                Registration Statement or a supplement to the Prospectus shall
                exist, Cornerstone shall, upon becoming aware thereof, promptly
                so notify the LLC and prepare and furnish to the LLC, and file
                with the Securities and Exchange Commission, a post-effective
                amendment to the Registration Statement or a supplement to the
                Prospectus or any document incorporated by reference therein, or
                file any other required document, so that, as thereafter
                delivered to the purchasers of Registered Shares, the Prospectus
                will not contain an untrue statement of a material fact or omit
                to state any material fact required to be stated therein or
                necessary to make the statements therein, in the light of the
                circumstances under which they were made, not misleading.

     6.10  Indemnification and Contribution with Respect to the Registration
           -----------------------------------------------------------------
Statement.
---------
           (a)  By Cornerstone.  In connection with the registration under the
                --------------
                Securities Act of the Registered Shares for resale pursuant to
                Section 6.9, Cornerstone shall indemnify and hold harmless the
                LLC against any losses, claims, damages or liabilities, joint or
                several (or actions or proceedings, whether commenced or
                threatened, in respect thereof) ("Losses"), to which it may
                become subject, under the Securities Act or otherwise, but only
                to the extent such Losses arise out of or are based upon (1) any
                untrue statement or alleged untrue statement of any material
                fact contained, on the effective date thereof, in the
                Registration Statement, in any preliminary Prospectus (if used
                prior to the effective date of the Registration Statement) or in
                any final Prospectus or in any post-effective amendment or
                supplement thereto (if used during the period Cornerstone is
                required to keep the Registration Statement effective) including
                any document incorporated therein by reference (the "Disclosure
                Documents"), or (2) any omission or alleged omission to state in
                any of the Disclosure Documents a material fact required to be
                stated therein or necessary to make the statements made therein
                not misleading, or (3) any violation of any federal or state
                securities laws or rules or regulations thereunder committed by
                Cornerstone in connection with the performance of its
                obligations under Section 6.9; and Cornerstone will reimburse
                the LLC for all legal and other expenses reasonably incurred by
                it in investigating or defending against any such claims,
                whether or not

                                      -24-
<PAGE>

                resulting in any liability, or in connection with any
                investigation or proceeding by any governmental agency or
                instrumentality with respect to any offering of Registered
                Shares for resale pursuant to Section 6.9, including any amounts
                paid in settlement of any action, suit, arbitration, proceeding,
                litigation or investigation (collectively "Litigation"),
                commenced or threatened, provided, however, that Cornerstone
                shall not be liable to an indemnified party in any such case to
                the extent that any such Losses arise out of or are based upon
                (i) an untrue statement or omission or alleged omission made in
                any such Disclosure Documents in reliance upon and in conformity
                with written information furnished to Cornerstone by the LLC for
                use therein, or (ii) the use of any Prospectus after such time
                as Cornerstone has advised the LLC in writing that the filing of
                a post-effective amendment or supplement thereto is required,
                except the Prospectus as so amended or supplemented, or the use
                of any Prospectus after such time as the obligation of
                Cornerstone to keep the same current and effective has expired.

           (b)  By LLC.  In connection with the registration under the
                ------
                Securities Act of the Registered Shares for resale pursuant to
                Section 6.9, the LLC shall indemnify and hold harmless
                Cornerstone, each of its directors, each of its officers who
                have signed the Registration Statement, and each other person,
                if any, who controls Cornerstone within the meaning of Section
                15 of the Securities Act against any Losses to which such
                indemnified party may become subject under the Securities Act or
                otherwise, but only to the extent such Losses arise out of or
                are based upon (i) any untrue statement or alleged untrue
                statement of any material fact contained in any of the
                Disclosure Documents or any omission or alleged omission to
                state therein a material fact required to be stated therein or
                necessary to make the statements therein not misleading, if the
                statement or omission was made in reliance upon and in
                conformity with written information furnished to Cornerstone by
                or on behalf of the LLC for use therein; (ii) the use by or on
                behalf of the LLC of any Prospectus after such time as
                Cornerstone has advised the LLC in writing that the filing of a
                post-effective amendment or supplement thereto is required,
                except the Prospectus as so amended or supplemented, or after
                such time as the obligation of Cornerstone to keep the
                Registration Statement effective and current has expired, or
                (iii) any information given or representation made by or on
                behalf of the LLC in connection with the resale of Registered
                Shares which is not contained in and not in conformity with the
                Prospectus (as amended or supplemented at the time of the giving
                of such information or making of such representation); and the
                LLC shall reimburse each such indemnified party for all legal
                and other expenses reasonably incurred by such party in
                investigating or defending against any such claims, whether or
                not resulting in any liability, or in connection with any
                investigation or proceeding by any governmental agency or
                instrumentality relating to any such claims with respect to any
                offering of the Registered Shares pursuant

                                      -25-
<PAGE>

                to Section 6.9, including any amounts paid in settlement of any
                Litigation, commenced or threatened.

           (c)  Notice.  If a third party commences any action or proceeding
                ------
                against an indemnified party related to any of the matters
                subject to indemnification under Section 6.10(a) or (b) hereof,
                such indemnified party shall promptly give notice to the
                indemnifying party in writing of the commencement thereof, but
                failure so to give notice shall not relieve the indemnifying
                party from any liability which it may have hereunder unless the
                indemnifying party is prejudiced thereby.

           (d)  Control of Defense.  The indemnifying party shall be entitled to
                ------------------
                control the defense or prosecution of such claim or demand in
                the name of the indemnified party, with counsel satisfactory to
                the indemnified party, if it notifies the indemnified party in
                writing of its intention to do so within 30 days of its receipt
                of the notice from the indemnified party, subject, however, to
                the right of the indemnified party to participate therein
                through counsel of its own choosing, which participation shall
                be at the indemnified party's expense; provided, however, that
                if (i) the indemnified party shall have reasonably concluded
                that there are likely to be defenses available to it that are
                different from or additional to those available to the
                indemnifying party, or (ii) the indemnifying party shall fail
                vigorously to defend or prosecute such claim or demand within a
                reasonable time then in either case the indemnifying party shall
                not have the right to direct the defense of such action on
                behalf of the indemnified party and the indemnified shall have
                the right to employ separate counsel at the indemnifying party's
                expense and to control its own defense of such action. Whether
                or not the indemnifying party chooses to defend or prosecute
                such claim, the parties hereto shall cooperate in the
                prosecution or defense of such claim and shall furnish such
                records, information and testimony and attend such conferences,
                discovery proceedings, hearings, trials and appeals as may be
                requested in connection therewith.

           (e)  Contribution.  If the indemnification provided for in
                ------------
                subsections (a) or (b) of this Section 6.10 is unavailable to or
                insufficient to hold the indemnified party harmless under
                subsections (a) or (b) above in respect of any Losses referred
                to therein for any reason other than as specified therein, then
                the indemnifying party shall contribute to the amount paid or
                payable by such indemnified party as a result of such Losses in
                such proportion as is appropriate to reflect the relative fault
                of the indemnifying party on the one hand and such indemnified
                party on the other in connection with the statements or
                omissions which resulted in such Losses, as well as any other
                relevant equitable considerations. The relative fault shall be
                determined by reference to, among other things, whether the
                untrue or alleged untrue statement of a material fact or the
                omission or alleged omission to state a material fact relates to
                information supplied by (or omitted to be supplied by)
                Cornerstone or the LLC and the

                                      -26-
<PAGE>

                parties' relative intent, knowledge, access to information and
                opportunity to correct or prevent such statement or omission.
                The amount paid or payable by an indemnified party as a result
                of the Losses referred to above in this subsection (d) shall be
                deemed to include any legal or other expenses reasonably
                incurred by such indemnified party in connection with
                investigation or defending any such action or claim. No person
                guilty of fraudulent misrepresentation (within the meaning of
                Section 11(f) of the Securities Act) shall be entitled to
                contribution from any person who was not guilty of such
                fraudulent misrepresentation.

           (f)  Limitation of Liability of the LLC.  The indemnification
                ----------------------------------
                obligation under Section 6.10(b), and the contribution
                obligation under Section 6.10(d), of the LLC shall be limited to
                the amount of net proceeds received by the LLC upon the resale
                of Registered Shares under the Registration Statement.

           (g)  Application.  The provisions of Article IX shall not be
                -----------
                applicable to Section 6.9 and this Section 6.10.


     6.11  Financial Information.  LLC acknowledges that Cornerstone is a public
           ---------------------
entity and that it may be required to furnish financial statements to the
Securities and Exchange Commission in connection with the Acquisition.  LLC
agrees to make the information available for Cornerstone to audit the last 12
months of operation of the Subsidiaries so that a report can be generated that
is in compliance with accounting Regulation S-X of the Securities and Exchange
Commission.

                                  ARTICLE VII
                       CLOSING CONDITIONS AND DELIVERIES

     7.1   Conditions to the Operating Partnership's Consummation of the
           -------------------------------------------------------------
Acquisition.  The obligation of the Operating Partnership to consummate the
-----------
Acquisition shall be subject to the satisfaction, on or prior to the Closing
Date, of each of the following conditions, each of which may be waived by the
Operating Partnership:

           (a)  Each of the representations and warranties of the LLC and the
                Subsidiaries contained in this Agreement shall be true and
                correct in all material respects as of the Closing Date as
                though made on the Closing Date, except for those
                representations and warranties which address matters only as of
                a particular date (which shall be correct in all material
                respects as of such date).

           (b)  Each of the obligations of the LLC and the Subsidiaries to be
                performed by it on or before the Closing Date pursuant to the
                terms of this Agreement, shall have been duly performed and
                complied with in all material respects.

                                      -27-
<PAGE>

           (c)  All Consents shall have been obtained.

           (d)  No Judgment prohibiting the transactions contemplated by this
                Agreement or the other Acquisition Documents shall have been
                entered by a Governmental Authority with proper jurisdiction
                which remains in effect, and no Legal Proceeding shall have been
                instituted by any Governmental Authority challenging this
                Agreement or the Acquisition or the other transactions
                contemplated by this Agreement or the other Acquisition
                Documents.

           (e)  The LLC shall have duly executed and delivered the Operating
                Partnership Agreement in substantially the form attached as
                Exhibit A.

           (f)  The LLC and the Subsidiaries shall have tendered to the
                Operating Partnership all documents which the LLC and the
                Subsidiaries is required by Section 6.8 to deliver to the
                Operating Partnership.

           (g)  The LLC and the Subsidiaries shall have tendered to the
                Operating Partnership all documents and the Membership Interest
                required by Section 2.1.

           (h)  A rent roll (the "Rent Roll") certified by the LLC to be true
                and correct in all material respects as of the date of closing
                showing the name of, and the amount of monthly rental payable,
                by each tenant of the Real 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 the tenant.

     7.2  Conditions to the LLC's Consummation of the Acquisition.  The
obligation of the LLC to consummate the Acquisition shall be subject to the
satisfaction, on or prior to the Closing Date, of each of the following
conditions, each of which may be waived by the LLC:

           (a)  Each of the representations and warranties of Cornerstone and
                the Operating Partnership contained in this Agreement shall be
                true and correct in all material respects as of the Closing Date
                as though made on the Closing Date.

           (b)  Each of the obligations of Cornerstone and the Operating
                Partnership to be performed by it on or before the Closing Date
                pursuant to the terms of this Agreement, shall have been duly
                performed and complied with in all material respects.

           (c)  All Consents shall have been obtained.

           (d)  No Judgment prohibiting the transactions contemplated by this
                Agreement or the other Acquisition Documents shall have been
                entered by a Governmental

                                      -28-
<PAGE>

                Authority with proper jurisdiction which remains in effect, and
                no Legal Proceeding shall have been instituted by any
                Governmental Authority challenging this Agreement or the
                Acquisition or the other transactions contemplated by this
                Agreement or the other Acquisition Documents.

           (e)  Cornerstone shall have duly executed and delivered the Operating
                Partnership Agreement in substantially the form attached as
                Exhibit A.

           (f)  The Operating Partnership shall have tendered to the LLC all
                documents and the Operating Partnership Units required by
                Section 2.2.

                                 ARTICLE VIII

                                    CLOSING
     8.1   Closing.  The Closing shall take place on the Closing Date as set
           -------
forth in Section 2.3.  The Closing shall be held at the offices of the
McGuireWoods LLP, or any other place the Operating Partnership and the LLC shall
mutually agree.  At the Closing, each of the parties shall take all action and
deliver all documents, instruments, certificates, agreements and other items as
required under this Agreement in order to perform, fulfill and observe all
covenants, conditions and agreements on its part to be performed, fulfilled and
observed at or prior to the Closing Date (and not theretofore accomplished) and
cause all conditions precedent to the other party's obligations hereunder to be
satisfied in full.

     8.2   Closing Documents.
           -----------------

           (a)  At the Closing, the LLC shall deliver to the Operating
                Partnership all of the following:

                (i)    the Membership Interests, together with duly executed
                       instruments of assignment and transfer;

                (ii)   a certificate from or on behalf of the LLC certifying
                       that the conditions set forth in Section 7.1 have been
                       satisfied by the LLC;

                (iii)  written resignations (as contemplated in Section 6.8)
                       from the managers, officers and other employees of the
                       Subsidiaries that are requested by the Operating
                       Partnership; and

                (iv)   The resolutions of the LLC granting the Membership
                       Interest to the Operating Partnership.

           (b)  At the Closing, the Operating Partnership shall deliver to the
                LLC the following:

                (i)    a certificate from the Operating Partnership certifying
                       that the conditions set forth in Section 7.2 have been
                       satisfied by the Operating Partnership; and

                                      -29-
<PAGE>

                (ii)   The resolutions of the Operating Partnership, together
                       with duly executed instruments of assignment and
                       transfer, granting the Operating Partnership Units to the
                       LLC.

                                  ARTICLE IX

                                INDEMNIFICATION

     9.1  Indemnification of Operating Partnership.  The LLC hereby agrees to
          ----------------------------------------
indemnify, defend and hold harmless Cornerstone, the Operating Partnership and
the Operating Partnership Subsidiaries and their managers, officers, employees,
independent contractors, agents, successors and assigns (collectively, the
"Operating Partnership Parties") from and against any and all liabilities,
losses, costs or expenses which any of the Operating Partnership Parties may
suffer or for which any of the Operating Partnership Parties may become liable
and which are based on, the result of, arise out of or are otherwise related to
any of the following:

          (a)  any inaccuracy or misrepresentation in, or breach of any
               representation or warranty of the LLC contained in this Agreement
               or schedules hereto or any certificate furnished by the LLC or
               the Subsidiaries pursuant to this Agreement;

          (b)  any breach or failure of the LLC to perform any covenant or
               agreement required to be performed by the LLC or the Subsidiaries
               pursuant to this Agreement (except with respect to Section 6.9
               and Section 6.10);

          (c)  all liabilities of the Subsidiaries that relate to or arise out
               of the assets, business, operations, conduct or employees of the
               Subsidiaries relating to or accruing out of occurrences prior to
               the Closing Date; and

          (d)  any and all actions, suits, proceedings, demands, assessments,
               judgments, costs and expenses, including reasonable attorneys'
               fees (collectively, "Related Expenses"), incident to any of the
               foregoing (collectively, "Operating Partnership Indemnifiable
               Claims").

     9.2  Indemnification of LLC.  Cornerstone and the Operating Partnership
          ----------------------
each hereby agree to indemnify, defend and hold harmless the LLC and its owners,
managers, officers, employees, independent contractors, agents, successors and
assigns (collectively, the "LLC Parties") from and against any and all
liabilities, losses, costs or expenses which any of the LLC Parties may suffer
or for which any of the LLC Parties may become liable and which are based on,
the result of, arise out of or are otherwise related to any of the following:

          (a)  any inaccuracy or misrepresentation in, or breach of any
               representation or warranty of Cornerstone or the Operating
               Partnership contained in this Agreement or any schedule hereto or
               any certificate furnished by Cornerstone or the Operating
               Partnership pursuant to this Agreement;

                                      -30-
<PAGE>

          (b)  any breach or failure of Cornerstone or Operating Partnership to
               perform any covenant or agreement required to be performed by
               Operating Partnership pursuant to this Agreement (except with
               respect to Section 6.9 and Section 6.10); and

          (c)  any and all Related Expenses incident to any of the foregoing
               (collectively, "LLC Indemnifiable Claims").


     9.3  Third Party Claims. The obligation of an indemnifying party to
          ------------------
indemnify another party to this Agreement under the provisions of this Article
with respect to claims resulting from the assertion of liability by Persons not
parties to this Agreement (including governmental claims for penalties, fines
and assessments) shall be subject to the following terms and conditions:

          (a)  The indemnified party shall give prompt written notice to the
               indemnifying party of any assertion of liability by a third party
               which might give rise to a claim for indemnification, which
               notice shall state the nature and basis of the assertion and the
               amount thereof, to the extent known, provided, however, that no
               delay on the part of the indemnified party in giving notice shall
               relieve the indemnifying party of any obligation to indemnify
               unless (and then solely to the extent that) the indemnifying
               party is prejudiced by such delay.

          (b)  If any action, suit or proceeding (a "Legal Action") is brought
               against an indemnified party with respect to which the
               indemnifying party may have an obligation to indemnify, the Legal
               Action shall be defended by the indemnifying party and such
               defense shall include all proceedings and appeals which counsel
               for the indemnified party shall reasonably deem appropriate.

          (c)  Notwithstanding the provisions of the previous subsection of this
               Article, until the indemnifying party shall have assumed the
               defense of any such Legal Action, the defense shall be handled by
               the indemnified party. Furthermore, (i) if the indemnified party
               shall have reasonably concluded that there are likely to be
               defenses available to the indemnified party that are different
               from or in addition to those available to the indemnifying party;
               (ii) if the indemnifying party fails to provide the indemnified
               party with evidence reasonably acceptable to the indemnified
               party that the indemnifying party has sufficient financial
               resources to defend and fulfill its indemnification obligation
               with respect to the Legal Action; (iii if the Legal Action
               involves other than money damages and seeks injunctive or other
               equitable relief; or (iv) if a judgment against the indemnified
               party will, in the good faith opinion of the indemnified party,
               establish a custom or precedent which will be materially adverse
               to the best interests of its continuing business, the
               indemnifying party shall not be entitled to assume the defense of
               the Legal Action and the defense shall be handled by the
               indemnified party. If the defense of the Legal Action is handled
               by the

                                      -31-
<PAGE>

               indemnified party under the provisions of this subsection, the
               indemnifying party shall pay all legal and other expenses
               reasonably incurred by the indemnified party in conducting such
               defense.

          (d)  In any Legal Action initiated by a third party and defended by
               the indemnifying party (i) the indemnified party shall have the
               right to be represented by advisory counsel and accountants, at
               its own expense, (ii) the indemnifying party shall keep the
               indemnified party fully informed as to the status of such Legal
               Action at all stages thereof, whether or not the indemnified
               party is represented by its own counsel, (iii) the indemnifying
               party shall make available to the indemnified party, and its
               attorneys, accountants and other representatives, all books and
               records of the indemnifying party relating to such Legal Action
               and (iv) the parties shall render to each other such assistance
               as may be reasonably required in order to ensure the proper and
               adequate defense of the Legal Action.

          (e)  In any Legal Action initiated by a third party and defended by
               the indemnifying party, the indemnifying party shall not make any
               settlement of any claim without the written consent of the
               indemnified party, which consent shall not be unreasonably
               withheld. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, it
               shall not be deemed unreasonable to withhold consent to a
               settlement involving injunctive or other equitable relief against
               the indemnified party or its assets, employees or business, or
               relief which the indemnified party reasonably believes could
               establish a custom or precedent which will be adverse to the best
               interests of its continuing business.

     9.4  Limitation on Indemnities.
          -------------------------

          (a)  Any provision of this Agreement to the contrary notwithstanding,
               no claim for indemnification by an indemnified party against an
               indemnifying party pursuant to this Article IX for any inaccuracy
               or misrepresentation in, or breach of any representation or
               warranty shall be valid and capable of assertion unless and until
               the aggregate amount of all claims against the indemnifying party
               exceeds $75,000 (the "Basket Amount"), but then the indemnified
               party may seek indemnification for the full amount of such
               claims.

          (b)  Any provision of this Agreement to the contrary notwithstanding,
               the maximum amount for which an indemnifying party may be liable
               to the indemnified party hereunder for any inaccuracy or
               misrepresentation in, or breach of any representation or warranty
               shall not exceed, in the aggregate, the sum of $10,601,143 ("Cap
               Amount").

          (c)  Notwithstanding anything to the contrary herein, no indemnified
               party shall be subject to the Basket Amount or the Cap Amount in
               seeking

                                      -32-
<PAGE>

               indemnification from an indemnifying party involving fraud or
               willful or intentional misrepresentations.

          (d)  In the event that the LLC is the indemnifying party hereunder,
               the LLC shall have the option of transferring Operating
               Partnership Units to the Operating Partnership in partial or
               complete satisfaction of claims. The parties shall seek to treat
               any such claim which is satisfied through the transfer of
               Operating Partnership Units as a unit adjustment rather than a
               separate independent taxable event.

     9.5  Survival.   The representations and warranties of Cornerstone and the
          --------
Operating Partnership in Article III and the LLC in Articles IV and V hereof
shall survive for a period of 36 months after the Closing Date, except that the
representations and warranties of the LLC in Sections 3.2, 3.3, 3.5, 5.3,
5.13(l) and 5.14(a) shall survive indefinitely and the representations and
warranties of the LLC in Sections 5.16 and 5.21 shall survive for the applicable
statute of limitations.


                                   ARTICLE X

                                  TERMINATION

     10.1 Termination Events.  This Agreement may be terminated and the
          ------------------
transactions contemplated hereby may be abandoned:

          (a)  At any time, by the mutual written agreement of the Operating
               Partnership and the LLC;

          (b)  By either the Operating Partnership or the LLC, upon written
               notice to the other, if the conditions to its obligations set
               forth in Sections 7.1 and 7.2, respectively, shall not have been
               satisfied or waived on or before the Drop Dead Date for any
               reason other than a breach or default by such terminating party
               of its respective covenants, agreements or other obligations
               hereunder, or any of its representations or warranties herein not
               being true and accurate when made or when otherwise required by
               this Agreement to be true and accurate in all material respects;

          (c)  By the Operating Partnership by reason of a material breach or
               default by the LLC under this Agreement and provided that the
               Operating Partnership has not materially breached or defaulted
               hereunder and has performed or stands ready, willing and able to
               perform, its obligations under this Agreement in all material
               respects; provided that, if the breach or default by the LLC is
               capable of being cured, the LLC shall have had 30 days following
               notice of such breach or default to cure, and such breach or
               default shall not have been cured; or

                                      -33-
<PAGE>

           (d)  By the LLC by reason of a material breach or default by the
                Operating Partnership under this Agreement and provided that the
                LLC has not materially breached or defaulted hereunder and has
                performed or stands ready, willing and able to perform, its
                obligations under this Agreement in all material respects;
                provided that, if the breach or default by the Operating
                Partnership is capable of being cured, the Operating Partnership
                shall have had 30 days following notice of such breach or
                default to cure, and such breach or default shall not have been
                cured.

     10.2  Manner of Exercise. In the event of the termination of this Agreement
           ------------------
by either the Operating Partnership or the LLC pursuant to this Article X,
notice thereof shall forthwith be given to the other party and this Agreement
shall terminate and the transactions contemplated hereunder shall be abandoned
without further action by the Operating Partnership or the LLC.

     10.3  Effect of Termination. In the event of the termination and
           ---------------------
abandonment of this Agreement, the obligations of the parties under Section 12.1
shall survive any such termination. If this Agreement is terminated pursuant to
Section 10.1(a), no party shall have any liability for any costs, expenses, loss
of anticipated profits or any further obligation for breach of warranty or
otherwise to any party to this Agreement. Any termination of this Agreement
pursuant to Sections 10.1(b), 10.1(c) or 10.1(d) shall be without prejudice to
any other rights or remedies of the respective parties.

                                  ARTICLE XI

                                  DEFINITIONS

          As used in this Agreement, the following terms shall have the meaning
assigned thereto in this Article (or the meaning assigned thereto in the
referenced Section or Article of this Agreement):

          "Acquisition" shall have the meaning assigned thereto in Section 2.1
of this Agreement.

          "Acquisition Documents" shall mean this Agreement and all documents
executed in connection with this Agreement.

          "Affiliate" shall mean, with respect to any Person, any other Person
or entity which shall be directly or indirectly controlling or controlled by or
under common control with such Person.  For purposes of this Agreement, a
particular Person shall be deemed to control another entity if that Person or
possesses, directly or indirectly, the power to direct or cause the direction of
the management and policies of such entity, whether through ownership of voting
securities, by contract or otherwise.

          "Agreement" shall have the meaning assigned thereto in the
introduction to this Agreement and as the same may be amended from time to time
in accordance with its terms.

                                      -34-
<PAGE>

          "Applicable Law" shall mean any Federal, state, local or foreign code,
law, ordinance, regulation, reporting or licensing requirement, rule or statute
applicable to a Person or its assets, properties, liabilities or business,
including those promulgated, interpreted or enforced by any Governmental
Authority.

          "Balance Sheet Date" shall have the meaning assigned thereto in
Section 5.7(a) of this Agreement.

          "Basket Amount" shall have the meaning assigned thereto in Section
9.4(a) of this Agreement.

          "Cap Amount" shall have the meaning assigned thereto in Section 9.4(b)
of this Agreement.

          "Closing" shall have the meaning assigned thereto in Section 2.3 of
this Agreement.

          "Closing Date" shall have the meaning assigned thereto in Section 2.3
of this Agreement.

          "Code" shall mean the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended from
time to time, and any successor statute thereto and all final or temporary rules
and regulations promulgated thereunder, and all published and generally
applicable rulings entitled to precedential effect, in each case to the extent
such rules, regulations or rulings are effective and applicable.

          "Consents" shall mean the consents, permits, approvals and
authorizations of Governmental Authorities and other Persons necessary to
transfer the Membership Interests to the Operating Partnership or the Operating
Partnership Units to the LLC or otherwise to consummate the transactions
contemplated by this Agreement.

          "Contribution Adjustment" shall have the meaning assigned thereto in
Section 2.4(a) of this Agreement.

          "Contribution Adjustment Notice" shall have the meaning assigned
thereto in Section 2.4(b) of this Agreement.

          "Conversion Date" shall have the meaning assigned thereto in Section
6.9(a) of this Agreement.

          "Disclosure Documents" shall have the meaning assigned thereto in
Section 6.10(a) of this Agreement.

          "Drop-Dead Date" shall have the meaning assigned thereto in Section
2.3 of this Agreement.

                                      -35-
<PAGE>

          "Employee Plans" shall have the meaning assigned thereto in Section
5.18 of this Agreement.

          "Environmental Claim" means any claim, demand, complaint, action, suit
proceeding, investigation or notice by any Person alleging potential liability
arising out of, based on, or relating to Environmental Laws.

          "Environmental Laws" means all federal, state, and local laws
(including, without limitation, common law), statutes, ordinances, judgments,
decrees, agreements with any Governmental Authority, licenses, permits, rules
and regulations relating to pollution or the environment or occupational or
worker health and safety including, without limitation, laws, statutes,
ordinances, judgments, decrees, agreements with any Governmental Authority,
licenses, permits, rules and regulations relating to the release of any
Hazardous Material at any location or otherwise relating to the use, treatment,
storage, disposal, transport, or handling of any Hazardous Material.

          "ERISA" shall mean the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of
1974, as amended from time to time.

          "Exchange Act" shall mean the Securities and Exchange Act of 1934, as
amended.

          "Governmental Authority" shall have the meaning assigned thereto in
Section 3.4(c) of this Agreement.

          "Governmental Permit" shall have the meaning assigned thereto in
Section 5.15 of this Agreement.

          "Hazardous Material" means any material, substance or compound
regulated under Environmental Laws.

          "Intellectual Property"  shall mean all right, title and interest in
and to all trade names, trademarks, and service marks, along with the goodwill
appurtenant to any of the foregoing, and all domain names, copyrights, trade
secrets (including client and vendor lists), and other information, data and
materials developed by or on behalf of the Subsidiaries, but only to the extent
that any Subsidiary has used such Intellectual Property in, or that such
Intellectual Property is necessary to, the conduct of such Subsidiary's
ownership or operation of its business as such business is presently being
conducted.

          "Investments" shall mean any (a) investment in shares of capital
stock, evidence of indebtedness or other securities issued by any other Person,
(b) loan, advance or extension of credit to, or contribution to the capital of,
any other Person, (c) purchase of the securities or business of any other Person
or commitment to make such purchase, and (d) other investment in any other
Person.

                                      -36-
<PAGE>

          "Judgment" shall have the meaning assigned thereto in Section 3.4(c)
of this Agreement.

          "Knowledge of Cornerstone" shall mean the actual knowledge after
reasonable inquiry of the officers of Cornerstone listed on Schedule 11.1.

          "Knowledge of the LLC" shall mean the actual knowledge after
reasonable inquiry of the Managers or Officers of the LLC and the Subsidiaries
listed on Schedule 11.2.

          "Legal Action" shall have the meaning assigned thereto in Section
9.3(b) of this Agreement.

          "Legal Proceeding" shall have the meaning assigned thereto in Section
5.9 of this Agreement.

          "Lien" shall mean (a) any encumbrance, mortgage, pledge, lien, charge
or other security interest of any kind upon any property or upon the income or
profits therefrom, (b) any right of redemption, put or call option or other
right to sell or acquire any property, or (c) any acquisition of or agreement to
have an option to acquire any property or assets upon conditional sale or other
title retention agreement, device or arrangement (including a capitalized
lease).

          "Litigation" shall have the meaning assigned thereto in Section
6.10(a) of this Agreement.

          "Losses" shall have the meaning assigned thereto in Section 6.10(a) of
this Agreement.

          "Material Adverse Effect" in respect of a Person shall mean any
material adverse effect on the business, assets, properties, condition
(financial or other) or results of operations of such Person, taken as a whole
together with any subsidiary, or on the ability of such Person to consummate the
Acquisition or to carry out the other transactions contemplated by this
Agreement and the other Acquisition Documents.

          "Material Contract" shall have the meaning assigned thereto in Section
5.12(a) of this Agreement.

          "Mediator" shall have the meaning assigned thereto in Section 2.4(b)
of this Agreement.

          "Membership Interests" shall have the meaning assigned thereto in
Section 2.1 of this Agreement.

          "Operating Partnership Units" shall have the meaning assigned thereto
in Section 2.2 of this Agreement.

                                      -37-
<PAGE>

          "Options" shall mean, with respect to any Person, securities or other
rights or interests which are convertible into or exchangeable or exercisable
for shares of capital stock of such Person, or any other options, warrants,
rights, contracts, commitments, understandings or arrangements or claims of any
character pursuant to which such Person is or may become bound to issue,
transfer, sell, repurchase or otherwise acquire or retire any shares of capital
stock of such Person or any Membership Interests.

          "Permitted Lien" shall mean (a) liens for taxes and assessments or
governmental charges or levies not at the time due or the validity of which is
currently being contested in good faith by appropriate proceedings, for which
adequate reserves have been recorded on the books and financial statements in
accordance with federal income tax law, (b) liens incurred in the ordinary
course of business in respect of pledges or deposits under workers' compensation
laws or similar legislation, carriers', warehousemen's, mechanics', laborers'
and materialmen's and similar liens, if the obligations secured by such liens
are not then delinquent or are being contested in good faith by appropriate
proceedings, for which adequate reserves have been recorded on the books and
financial statements, (c) liens incidental to the conduct of the business which
were not incurred in connection with the borrowing of money or the obtaining of
advances or credit and which do not, individually or in the aggregate,
materially detract from the value of the property or materially impair the use
thereof in the operation of the business, (d) liens arising out of this
Agreement or any other Acquisition Document to which the Operating Partnership
is or shall be a party, and (e) indebtedness and collateral obligations set
forth in Schedule 11.3.

          "Person" shall mean a natural person, a sole proprietorship, a
partnership, a joint venture, a corporation, a limited liability company, a
trust, an unincorporated organization, an institution, a government or any
department, division or agency thereof, and any other entity.

          "Prospectus" shall have the meaning assigned thereto in Section 6.9(a)
of this Agreement.

          "Real Property" shall have the meaning assigned thereto in Section
5.13(a) of this Agreement.

          "Registered Shares" shall have the meaning assigned thereto in Section
6.9(a) of this Agreement.

          "Registration Statement" shall have the meaning assigned thereto in
Section 6.9(a) of this Agreement.

          "Rent Roll" shall have the meaning assigned thereto in Section 7.1(h)
of this Agreement.

          "SEC" shall have the meaning assigned thereto in Section 4.1 of this
Agreement.

          "SEC Documents" shall have the meaning assigned thereto in Section 4.1
of this Agreement.

                                      -38-
<PAGE>

          "Securities Act" shall mean the Securities Act of 1933, as amended.

          "Subsidiaries" shall have the meaning assigned thereto in Section 2.1
of this Agreement.

                                  ARTICLE XII

                                 MISCELLANEOUS

     12.1 Expenses.   Each of the parties hereto shall bear its own costs, fees
          --------
and expenses in connection with the negotiation, preparation, execution,
delivery and performance of this Agreement and the consummation of the
transactions contemplated hereby, including, without limitation, fees,
commissions and expenses (including, without limitation, all filing, printing,
copying, mailing, telephone, transportation and delivery charges) payable to
brokers, finders, investment bankers, consultants, exchange, transfer or paying
agents, attorneys, accountants and other professionals, whether or not the
transactions contemplated by this Agreement are consummated.

     12.2 GOVERNING LAW.  THIS AGREEMENT SHALL BE GOVERNED BY AND CONSTRUED IN
          -------------
ACCORDANCE WITH THE INTERNAL SUBSTANTIVE LAWS OF THE COMMONWEALTH OF VIRGINIA
WITHOUT CONSIDERATION OF PRINCIPLES OF CONFLICTS OR CHOICE OF LAWS.

     12.3 Notices.  All notices, requests, demands or other communications made
          -------
pursuant to this Agreement shall be in writing in the English language and shall
be deemed to have been duly given upon receipt when delivered personally, by
mail, by courier, by facsimile, telegram, telex or similar means of
communication (in all instances other than delivery by mail with confirmation by
mail to be provided by the party giving notice) to the recipient party, to the
following addresses:


                         If to Cornerstone or the Operating Partnership:
                         Cornerstone Realty Group, Inc.
                         306 East Main Street
                         Richmond, Va  23219
                         Facsimile:  (804) 782-9302
                         Attention:  Gus G. Remppies

                         with a copy to:

                         McGuireWoods LLP
                         901 East Cary Street
                         Richmond, VA  23219
                         Facsimile:  (804) 698-2259
                         Attention: James W. C. Canup, Esq.

                                      -39-
<PAGE>

                         If to State Street I, LLC:

                         State Street Companies, Inc., Manager
                         211 East Boulevard
                         Charlotte, NC  28203
                         Facsimile:  (704) 372-3704
                         Attention:  Jeffery W. Kentner, President

                         with copy to:

                         Womble Carlyle Sandridge & Rice, PLLC
                         200 West Second Street
                         Winston-Salem, NC 27102
                         Facsimile:  (336) 721-3660
                         Attention:  C. Mark Wiley, Esquire

Any party may change its address for purposes of this Section 12.3 by notice to
the others of such change in the manner specified above. Notices, requests,
demands or other communications shall be deemed given (i) if delivered
personally, upon delivery, (ii) if delivered by registered or certified mail
(postage prepaid, return receipt requested), upon the earlier of actual delivery
or three business days after being mailed, (iii) if delivered by overnight
courier or similar service, upon delivery, or (iv) if given by facsimile, upon
receipt of confirmation of transmission by facsimile; provided that if such
notices or other communications would otherwise be deemed given on a day which
is not a business day, the delivery shall be deemed the first business day
following such day.

     12.4 Assignment; Successors. This Agreement and all of the provisions
          ----------------------
hereof shall be binding upon and inure to the benefit of the parties hereto and
their respective successors and permitted assigns, but neither this Agreement
nor any of the rights, interests, or obligations hereunder shall be assigned by
any of the parties hereto, either in whole or in part, without the prior written
consent of the other parties hereto.

     12.5 Annexes; Entire Agreement.  The Schedules and Exhibits hereto
          -------------------------
constitute an integral part of this Agreement.  This Agreement and the other
Acquisition Documents constitute the entire and sole agreement and understanding
between the parties hereto with respect to the subject matter hereof and thereof
and supersede any prior or contemporaneous understanding, agreements,
representations or warranties, whether oral or written, with respect to the
subject matter hereof and thereof.

     12.6 Severability.  Any provision of this Agreement which may be determined
          ------------
by competent authority to be prohibited or unenforceable in any jurisdiction
shall, as to such jurisdiction, be ineffective to the extent of such prohibition
or unenforceability without invalidating the remaining provisions of this
Agreement, and any such prohibition or unenforceability in such jurisdiction
shall not invalidate or render unenforceable such provision in any other
jurisdiction.

                                      -40-
<PAGE>

     12.7 Time.  Subject to any required notice and the lapse of any applicable
          ----
cure periods, time is of the essence of this Agreement with respect to each and
every provision of this Agreement in which time is specifically expressed to be
a factor.

     12.8 Modification, Amendment, Waiver.  No modification or amendment of any
          -------------------------------
provision of this Agreement shall be effective unless approved in writing by the
parties to the Agreement.  No party shall be deemed to have waived compliance by
any other party with any provision of this Agreement unless such waiver is in
writing, and the failure of any party at any time to enforce any of the
provisions of this Agreement shall in no way be construed as a waiver of such
provisions and shall not affect the rights of any party thereafter to enforce
such provisions in accordance with their terms.  No waiver of any provision of
this Agreement shall be deemed to be a waiver of any other provision of this
Agreement.  No waiver of any breach of any provision of this Agreement shall be
deemed the waiver of any subsequent breach thereof or of any other provision of
this Agreement.

     12.9 Counterparts; Facsimile.  This Agreement may be executed in any number
          -----------------------
of counterparts and by different parties hereto in separate counterparts, with
the same effect as if all parties had signed the same document.  All such
counterparts will be deemed to be an original, shall be construed together and
shall constitute one and the same instrument.  Photostatic or facsimile
reproductions of this Agreement may be made and relied upon to the same extent
as originals.

                                      -41-
<PAGE>

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


                    CORNERSTONE REALTY
                    INCOME TRUST, INC.


                    By:  ________________________________
                         Name:
                         Title:



                    CORNERSTONE NC OPERATING
                    LIMITED PARTNERSHIP


                    By:  ________________________________
                         Name:
                         Title:



                    STATE STREET I, LLC


                    By:  ________________________________
                         Name:
                         Title:



                                      -42-