Document:

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                                  EXHIBIT 10.4

                      EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT WITH MR. BERNON

                              EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT
                              --------------------

This agreement is made and entered into this 1st day of June, 1999, by and
between The Delaware County Bank and Trust Company (hereinafter the "Bank"), an
Ohio-chartered, FDIC-insured nonmember bank with its main office at 41 North
Sandusky Street, Delaware, Ohio and David G. Bernon (hereinafter the
"Employee"), an individual residing at 1919 Glenn Avenue, Columbus, Ohio 43212.
Any references to "Superintendent" herein shall mean the Ohio Superintendent of
Banks.

                                    RECITALS
                                    --------

A.   The Employee is being hired as Sr. Vice President of the bank.

B.   The Board of Directors of the Bank wants to assure the Bank of the
     continued services of the Employee with a written employment agreement.

C.   The parties agree that this Employment Agreement shall supersede all prior
     understandings between the parties, whether oral or written.

D.   In consideration of the mutual promises of the Bank and the Employee
     contained in this Employment Agreement, the Bank and the Employee enter
     into this Employment Agreement with the terms and conditions set forth
     herein.

                                    AGREEMENT
                                    ---------

1.   EMPLOYMENT

The Bank agrees to employ and the Employee agrees to serve as Sr. Vice President
of Lending and Branch Administration.

2.   TERM OF EMPLOYMENT

The Employee is hereby employed as Sr. Vice President of the Bank for an initial
term commencing on June 1, 1999, and ending on the 31st day of May, 2000. At the
end of this initial term, this Agreement may be extended for successive one-year
periods upon the written consent of the Employee and the Bank as set forth
herein.

3.   STANDARDS OF PERFORMANCE

Excluding periods of vacation and sick leave to which the Employee is entitled,
the Employee agrees to devote his best efforts and full time to the business and
affairs of the Bank and to discharge the duties appropriately assigned to the
Employee.

4.   BASE SALARY

The Bank agrees to pay the Employee for the term of this Agreement a salary of
Ninety-Seven Thousand twenty eight and 00/100 ($97,028.00) per annum
(hereinafter referred to as the "Base Salary"). The Base Salary provided for
herein shall be payable no less frequently than monthly and not later than the
10th day following the expiration of the month.

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5. INCENTIVE BONUS TO THE EMPLOYEE

Employee shall be entitled to participate in any bonus policy provided by
Employer at Employer's sole discretion.

6. PARTICIPATION IN RETIREMENT AND EMPLOYEE BENEFIT PLANS AND ADDITIONAL
BENEFITS

The Employee shall be entitled to participate in any plan of the Bank relating
to pension, thrift, deferred compensation, profit sharing, group life insurance,
medical insurance, education reimbursement or other retirement or employee
benefits that the Bank may then have in force for the benefit of its executive
employees.

7. VACATIONS

The Employee shall be entitled, without loss of pay, to the number of vacation
days in each calendar year determined by the Board of Directors from time to
time provided that:

     a.   The Employee shall be entitled to an annual vacation of not less than
          three (3) weeks per year.

     b.   The timing of vacations shall be scheduled in a reasonable manner by
          the Employee. The Employee shall not be entitled to receive any
          additional compensation from the Bank for his unearned vacation time
          consistent with bank policy.

8. DISABILITY

If the Employee's employment terminates by reason of the Employee's disability,
the Employee shall be paid in accordance with the standard disability policy of
the Bank in existence for the Employee at that time and the Employee shall not
be entitled to any additional salary benefits from the Bank and, specifically,
shall not be entitled to any additional compensation under Paragraphs 4 and 5 of
this Agreement.

9. TERMINATION OF EMPLOYMENT

In addition to the Bank's right to terminate the Employee at the end of the
initial term, or any one-year extension, the Bank may terminate the employment
of the Employee at any other time during the employment term. ("Employment Term"
is defined as the initial term or any additional one-year extension.)

     a.   In the event the Bank or its successor terminates the employment of
          the Employee during the Employment Term because of the Employee's
          personal dishonesty, incompetence, willful misconduct, breach of
          fiduciary duty involving personal profit, intentional failure or
          refusal to perform the duties and responsibilities assigned in this
          Agreement, willful violation of any law, rule or regulation (other
          than traffic violations or similar offenses) or final cease-and-desist
          order, conviction of a felony or for fraud or embezzlement, or
          material breach of any provision of this Agreement (hereinafter
          collectively referred to termination for "Just Cause"), the Employee
          shall have no right to receive any compensation or other benefits for
          any period after such termination.

     b.   In the event that the Bank or its successor terminates the employment
          of the Employee during the Employment Term for any reason other than
          (i) for Just Cause, (ii) the Employee's retirement at or after the
          normal retirement age under a qualified pension plan maintained by the
          Bank (hereinafter referred to as "Retirement"), or (iii) the Bank
          decides not to extend the employment Agreement pursuant to Sections 1
          and 2 of this Agreement at the end of the initial one-year term or any
          one-year extension thereafter; then the Employee shall be entitled to
          receive severance pay as follows:

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         Bank shall pay the Employee the base monthly salary for each month the
         Employee is unemployed for a maximum of twelve (12) months. In the
         event the Employee obtains employment within the twelve-month period,
         then the Employee's monthly benefit shall cease. It is the intent of
         this Agreement that the severance pay set forth herein is to defray the
         Employee's costs while searching for other employment and that said
         payment shall be in lieu of any unemployment benefits to which the
         Employee would be entitled.

         If during the term of this Agreement, the Bank merges or consolidates
         with another entity (other than a holding company formed by the Bank)
         and the successor, without the Employee's written consent during a
         period of one (1) year following the merger or consolidation does any
         of the following: i) reduces the Employee's base salary which was in
         effect on the date of the merger or consolidation; ii) substantially
         reduces benefits to be provided to the Employee under this Agreement;
         or iii) requires the Employee to relocate his office to a location in
         excess of a thirty- (30) mile radius of Delaware, Ohio, then the
         Employee shall have the right to voluntarily terminate his employment
         as a result of any of these events. In the event the Employee
         voluntarily terminates his employment as a result of the above events,
         then the Employee shall be entitled to receive severance pay in an
         amount equal to the average annual salary paid to the Employee by the
         Bank during the five (5) previous years immediately preceding the
         Employee's voluntary termination of employment for the above reasons.

     c.   Death of Employee. The employment term automatically terminates upon
          the death of the employee. In the event of such death, the Employee's
          estate shall be entitled to receive the compensation due the Employee
          through the last day of the calendar month in which the Employee's
          death occurred.

     d.   Special Regulatory Events. Notwithstanding Section 9(a) of this
          Agreement, the obligation of the Bank and of the Employee shall be as
          follows in the event of any of the following circumstances:

          i)   If the Employee is suspended and/or temporarily prohibited from
               participating in the conduct of the Bank's affairs by a notice
               served under Section 8 of the Federal Deposit Insurance Act, 12
               U.S.C. Section 1818, the Bank's obligations under this agreement
               shall be suspended as of the date of service of such notice,
               unless stayed by appropriate proceedings. If the charges in the
               notice are dismissed, the Bank may, in its sole discretion, pay
               the Employee all or part of the compensation withheld while the
               obligations of this Agreement were suspended and reinstate in
               whole or in part any of the obligations which were suspended.

          ii)  If the Employee is removed from office and/or permanently
               prohibited from participating in the conduct of the Bank's
               affairs by an order issued under Section 8 of the Federal Deposit
               Insurance Act, 12 U.S.C. Section 1818(e) or Section 1127.06 of
               the Ohio Revised Code, 11 O.R.C. Section 1127.06, all obligations
               of the Bank under this Agreement shall terminate, as of the
               effective date of the order, but vested rights of the contracting
               parties shall not be affected.

          iii) If the Bank is in default, as defined in Section 3(x)(1) of the
               Federal Deposit Insurance Act 12 U.S.C., Section 1813(x)(1), or
               declared insolvent by the Superintendent of Banks (Section
               1103.04 of the Ohio Revised Code) all obligations under this
               Agreement shall terminate as of the date of default or
               insolvency, but this provision shall not affect any vested rights
               of the parties.

          iv)  All obligations under this Agreement may be terminated by the
               FDIC at the time the FDIC enters into an agreement to provide
               assistance to or on behalf of the Bank under the authority
               contained in Section 13(c) of the Federal Deposit Insurance Act,
               12 U.S.C. Section

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               1823(c). Any rights of the parties that have already vested,
               however, shall not be affected by such action.

10.  CONFIDENTIAL INFORMATION

It is understood between the parties hereto that during the term of this
employment agreement Employee will be dealing with confidential information
regarding loans, litigation, depositor lists, information relating to the
Employer's future plans for development. Employee will have access to and be
dealing with such confidential matters in connection with his employment and
agrees that he will not disclose to anyone, either directly or indirectly
(except those persons involved in such matters, or the Board of Directors, or
other entities already having knowledge of such information), any of such
confidential matters or use this information other than in the course of his
employment with the Bank. All documents that the Employee prepares or
confidential information that has been given to the Employee in the course of
his employment are the exclusive property of the Bank and shall remain in the
Bank's possession on the termination of Employee's employment. Under no such
circumstances shall any information of this nature be removed from the Bank upon
the termination of employment. Furthermore, neither during the course of
employment nor after termination of his employment shall the Employee disclose
any knowledge of the Bank's past, present, or planned business activities to any
third person, firms, or entities for a period of two (2) years following the
termination of his employment. In the event of such a breach or a threatened
breach by the Employee of this covenant, the Bank shall be entitled to proceed
with an immediate injunction restraining the Employee from disclosing said
information in whole or in part. Nothing herein shall be construed to prohibit
the Bank from pursuing any other remedies available to the Bank for the breach
of such covenant. For the purposes of this paragraph, files generated by the
Employee as a result of his employment by the Bank shall be considered the
property of the Bank and not the property of the Employee. Litigation files,
customer files, customer lists, information relating to regulators,
correspondence with regulators, and all other working files produced by the
Employee shall be the sole property of the Bank.

11.  SUCCESSORS AND ASSIGNS

This Agreement shall be binding upon the Bank, its successors and assigns. This
Agreement is personal as to the Employee and may not be assigned by the Employee
except that the personal representative of the Employee, his heirs, or guardian,
as the case may be, shall have the right to enforce the provisions of this
Agreement relating to any compensation due to the Employee.

12.  NOTICES

All notices, requests demands and other communications hereunder shall be in
writing and shall be deemed to have been duly given if delivered by and or
mailed, certified or registered mail, return receipt requested, with postage
prepaid, to the following addresses or to such other address as either party may
designate by like notice.

          A.   If to the Bank, to:

               The Delaware County Bank and Trust Company
               41 North Sandusky Street
               Delaware, Ohio 43015
               Attention: Secretary, Board of Directors

          B.   If to the Employee, to:

               David G. Bernon
               1919 Glenn Avenue
               Columbus, OH 43212

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and to such other additional person or persons as either party shall have
designated to the other party in writing by like notices.

13.  AMENDMENTS

No amendments or additions to this Agreement shall be binding unless in writing
and signed by both parties, except as herein otherwise provided.

14.  PARAGRAPH HEADINGS

The paragraph headings used in this Agreement are included solely for
convenience and shall not affect, or be used in connection with, the
interpretation of this Agreement.

15.  SEVERABILITY

The provisions of this Agreement shall be deemed severable and the invalidity or
unenforceability of any provision shall not affect the validity or
enforceability of the other provisions hereof.

16.  GOVERNING LAW

This Agreement shall, except to the extent that Federal law (including any law,
rule, or regulation of the FDIC) shall be deemed to apply, be governed by and
construed and enforced in accordance with the laws of the State of Ohio.

17.  ARBITRATION

Any dispute or controversy arising under or in connection with this Agreement
shall be settled exclusively by arbitration in accordance with the rules of the
American Arbitration Association then in effect provided that the party which
does not prevail in its claim pays for the entire cost of the arbitration and
that any and all claims existing under federal or state law can be presented in
the arbitration. Judgement may be entered on the arbitrator's award in any court
having jurisdiction.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties have entered this Agreement on the day and year
first herein above written.

                                        THE DELAWARE COUNTY BANK
                                        AND TRUST COMPANY

                                         By:
                                            ------------------------------------

                                        Its:
                                            ------------------------------------

                                        And:
                                            ------------------------------------

                                        Its:
                                            ------------------------------------

                                       -----------------------------------------
                                           David G. Bernon (the "Employee")

                                       60<PAGE>   1
                                                                    EXHIBIT 10.5

                            FIFTH RESTATED REVOLVING
                         CREDIT LOAN, SWINGLINE LOAN AND
                       STANDBY LETTER OF CREDIT AGREEMENT,

                        effective as of November 23, 1999

                                  by and among

                          M/I SCHOTTENSTEIN HOMES, INC.

                                       and

                          M/I HOMES, INC., as Borrower

                                       and

                                  BANK ONE, NA,
                          THE HUNTINGTON NATIONAL BANK,
                               NATIONAL CITY BANK,
                                BANKBOSTON, N.A.,
                         FIFTH THIRD BANK, CENTRAL OHIO,
                      SUNTRUST BANK, CENTRAL FLORIDA, N.A.,
                                  AMSOUTH BANK,
                                  COMERICA BANK
                                       and
                          FIRSTAR BANK, N.A., as Banks

                                       and

                                  BANK ONE, NA,
                             as Agent for the Banks

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                                TABLE OF CONTENTS
<TABLE>
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<S>                                                                                                 <C>
BACKGROUND INFORMATION.....................................................................................1

AGREEMENT..................................................................................................2

     SECTION 1.     DEFINITIONS............................................................................2
         1.1        Defined Terms..........................................................................2
         1.2        Other Definitional Provisions.........................................................20

     SECTION 2.     AMOUNT AND TERMS OF COMMITMENT, REVOLVING CREDIT LOANS, SWINGLINE LOANS AND
                    STANDBY LETTERS OF CREDIT.............................................................20
         2.1        Revolving Credit Loan Commitments.....................................................20
         2.2        Revolving Credit Notes................................................................21
         2.3        Procedure for Borrowing...............................................................22
         2.4        Revolving Credit Loan Commitment Fee..................................................23
         2.5        Interest; Default Interest............................................................23
         2.6        Termination or Reduction of Commitment................................................24
         2.7        Maturity Date of Commitment; Extension................................................25
         2.8        Computation of Interest and Fees......................................................25
         2.9        Increased Costs.......................................................................26
         2.10       Use of Proceeds.......................................................................26
         2.11       Pro Rata Treatment and Payments.......................................................27
         2.12       Swingline Loans.......................................................................27
         2.13       The Standby L/Cs......................................................................29
         2.14       Issuance of Standby L/Cs..............................................................30
         2.15       Procedure for Opening Standby L/Cs....................................................30
         2.16       Standby L/C Participations............................................................30
         2.17       Payments..............................................................................31
         2.18       Standby L/C Fees......................................................................32
         2.19       Letter of Credit Reserves.............................................................32
         2.20       Further Assurances....................................................................33
         2.21       Obligations Absolute..................................................................33
         2.22       Existing Standby L/Cs; L/C Participations.............................................33

     SECTION 3.     GENERAL PROVISIONS APPLICABLE TO LOANS................................................34
         3.1        Conversion and Continuation Options...................................................34
         3.2        Inability to Determine Interest Rate..................................................35

</TABLE>

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         3.3        Illegality; Impracticability..........................................................36
         3.4        Requirements of Law...................................................................36
         3.5        Indemnity.............................................................................37

     SECTION 4.     REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES........................................................38
         4.1        Financial Statements..................................................................38
         4.2        Corporate Existence; Compliance with Law..............................................38
         4.3        Corporate Power; Authorization; Enforceable Obligations...............................39
         4.4        No Legal Bar..........................................................................39
         4.5        No Material Litigation................................................................39
         4.6        Regulation U..........................................................................39
         4.7        Investment Company Act................................................................40
         4.8        ERISA.................................................................................40
         4.9        Disclosure............................................................................40
         4.10       Subsidiary Information................................................................40
         4.11       M/I Ancillary Businesses Information..................................................40
         4.12       Schedules.............................................................................40
         4.13       Year 2000 Compliance..................................................................40
         4.14       Environment...........................................................................40

     SECTION 5.     CONDITIONS PRECEDENT..................................................................41
         5.1        Conditions to Initial Loan(s).........................................................41
         5.2        Conditions to All Loans...............................................................44

     SECTION 6.     AFFIRMATIVE COVENANTS.................................................................45
         6.1        Financial Statements..................................................................45
         6.2        Certificates; Other Information.......................................................46
         6.3        Borrowing Base Certificate............................................................46
         6.4        Compliance with Borrowing Base Requirements...........................................47
         6.5        Interest Rate Protection..............................................................47
         6.6        Payment of Obligations................................................................48
         6.7        Maintenance of Existence..............................................................48
         6.8        Maintenance of Property, Insurance....................................................48
         6.9        Inspection of Property; Books and Records; Discussions................................48
         6.10       Notices...............................................................................48
         6.11       Maintenance of Consolidated Tangible Net Worth........................................50
         6.12       Maintenance of Debt to Worth..........................................................50
         6.13       Maintenance of Liquidity Ratio........................................................50
         6.14       Maintenance of Overall Leverage Ratio.................................................51
         6.15       Maintenance of EBITDA to Consolidated Interest Incurred Ratio.........................51

</TABLE>

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         6.16       Guaranties of Wholly-Owned M/I Ancillary Businesses...................................51
         6.17       Subsidiary Guarantors.................................................................51
         6.18       Environment...........................................................................51

     SECTION 7.     NEGATIVE COVENANTS....................................................................52
         7.1        Limitation on Indebtedness............................................................52
         7.2        Limitation on Liens...................................................................53
         7.3        Limitation on Contingent Obligations..................................................54
         7.4        Limitation on Fundamental Changes.....................................................55
         7.5        Limitation on Acquisitions............................................................56
         7.6        Limitation on Dividends and Distributions.............................................56
         7.7        Limitation on Certain Real Property Expenditures......................................57
         7.8        Limitation on Speculative Houses and Eligible Model Houses............................57
         7.9        Limitation on Investments.............................................................58
         7.10       Limitation on Operating Leases........................................................59
         7.11       Transactions with Affiliates and Officers.............................................59
         7.12       Sale and Leaseback....................................................................60
         7.13       Limitation on Payments of Subordinated Indebtedness and Modification of
                    Subordination Agreements..............................................................60
         7.14       Sale of Subsidiary Securities.........................................................61
         7.15       Construction on Real Property Not Owned...............................................61
         7.16       Limitation on Subsidiaries............................................................62
         7.17       Limitation on Location of Attached Houses.............................................62
         7.18       Limitation on Rental Houses...........................................................62
         7.19       Limitation on Investments in Commercial Real Estate...................................62
         7.20       Limitation on Uncommitted Land........................................................62
         7.21       Limitation on Negative Pledges........................................................62
         7.22       Limitation on Standby L/Cs............................................................62
         7.23       HNB Joint Ventures Letter of Credit Agreement.........................................63
         7.24       Limitation on Investment in the Office Building.......................................63

     SECTION 8.     OPTIONAL SECURITY.....................................................................63

     SECTION 9.     DEFAULTS, EVENTS OF DEFAULT; DISTRIBUTION OF PROCEEDS AFTER EVENT OF DEFAULT..........63

     SECTION 10.    THE AGENT.............................................................................67
        10.1        Appointment...........................................................................67
        10.2        Delegation of Duties..................................................................67
        10.3        Exculpatory Provisions................................................................67
        10.4        Reliance by Agent.....................................................................68
        10.5        Notice of Default.....................................................................68
</TABLE>

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        10.6        Non-Reliance on Agent and Other Banks.................................................69
        10.7        Indemnification.......................................................................69
        10.8        Bank One in Its Individual Capacity...................................................69
        10.9        Successor Agent.......................................................................70

     SECTION 11.    MISCELLANEOUS.........................................................................70
        11.1        Amendments and Waivers................................................................70
        11.2        Notices...............................................................................71
        11.3        No Waiver; Cumulative Remedies........................................................74
        11.4        Participants..........................................................................74
        11.5        Survival of Representations and Warranties............................................75
        11.6        Payment of Expenses and Taxes.........................................................75
        11.7        Successors and Assigns; Assignment....................................................75
        11.8        Adjustments; Set-off..................................................................77
        11.9        Waiver of Jury Trial..................................................................78
        11.10       Confidentiality.......................................................................78
        11.11       Counterparts; Effective Date..........................................................79
        11.12       Governing Law.........................................................................79
        11.13       Headings..............................................................................79
        11.14       Joint and Several Obligations.........................................................79

</TABLE>

SCHEDULES
         1 =   Commitment Percentages of Banks
         2 =   Standby Letters of Credit previously issued
         3 =   Principal Places of Business, etc. of All Subsidiaries
         4 =   Principal Places of Business, etc. of M/I Ancillary Businesses

EXHIBITS
         A =   Form of Guaranty Agreement
         B =   Form of Revolving Note
         C =   Form of Swingline Note
         D =   Form of Borrowing Base Certificate
         E =   Form of Opinion
         F =   Form of Responsible Officer's Certificate
         G =   Form of Chief Financial Officer's Certificate
         H =   Land Holdings
         I =   Letter Agreement re: Letters of Credit
         J =   Form of Assignment Agreement

                                      -iv-
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                                                                     #8564743.05
                                                           Execution Counterpart

              FIFTH RESTATED REVOLVING CREDIT LOAN, SWINGLINE LOAN
              ----------------------------------------------------
                     AND STANDBY LETTER OF CREDIT AGREEMENT
                     --------------------------------------

         THIS FIFTH RESTATED REVOLVING CREDIT LOAN, SWINGLINE LOAN AND STANDBY
LETTER OF CREDIT AGREEMENT (this "Agreement") is made to be effective as of
November 23, 1999, by and among M/I SCHOTTENSTEIN HOMES, INC., an Ohio
corporation ("M/I") and M/I Homes, Inc., an Arizona corporation and a
wholly-owned Subsidiary of M/I ("M/I Homes") (M/I and M/I Homes are, jointly,
severally and jointly and severally, "Borrower"), BANK ONE, NA, a national
banking association ("Bank One"), THE HUNTINGTON NATIONAL BANK, a national
banking association ("HNB"), NATIONAL CITY BANK, a national banking association
("NCB"), BANKBOSTON, N.A., a national banking association, ("BKB"), FIFTH THIRD
BANK, CENTRAL OHIO, an Ohio banking corporation ("Fifth Third"), SUNTRUST BANK,
CENTRAL FLORIDA, N.A., a national banking association ("STB"), AMSOUTH BANK, an
Alabama corporation ("ASB"), COMERICA BANK, a Michigan banking corporation
("Comerica") and FIRSTAR BANK, N.A., a national banking association ("Firstar")
(Bank One, HNB, NCB, BKB, Fifth Third, STB, ASB, Comerica, Firstar and each
other lender that shall become a "Bank" pursuant to subsection 11.7 hereof, each
a "Bank" and, collectively, "Banks") and BANK ONE, NA, a national banking
association, as agent for Banks ("Agent"). For valuable consideration, the
receipt of which is hereby acknowledged, Borrower, Banks and Agent, each
intending to be legally bound, hereby recite and agree as follows:

                             BACKGROUND INFORMATION

         A. Borrower, certain of the Banks and Agent are parties to a certain
Fourth Restated Revolving Credit Loan, Swingline Loan and Standby Letter Credit
Agreement effective as of December 31, 1998, as amended by the First Amendment
thereto effective as of April 20, 1999 and Second Amendment thereto effective as
of August 27, 1999 (the "Existing Credit Agreement").

         B. Borrower, Banks and Agent wish to modify the Existing Credit
Agreement by, among other things, (i) adding Comerica and Firstar as Banks, (ii)
increasing the Revolving Credit Loan Commitment and L/C Commitment (each as
defined in the Existing Credit Agreement), (iii) reallocating the Commitments
(as defined in the Existing Credit Agreement) and (iv) modifying certain
covenants.

         Accordingly, Borrower, Banks and Agent hereby agree as follows:

<PAGE>   7

                                    AGREEMENT
                                    ---------

                             SECTION 1. DEFINITIONS

         1.1 Defined Terms. As used in this Agreement, the following terms have
the following respective meanings:

         "601RS, LLC" shall mean 601RS, LLC, an Ohio limited liability company
and a wholly-owned Subsidiary of M/I.

         "Adjustment Date" shall mean each date that is two Business Days after
February 15, May 15, August 15 and November 15 of each year of the Commitment,
subject to the provisions in the definition of "Applicable Eurodollar Margin"
for a later adjustment in certain circumstances.

         "Affiliate" shall mean (a) any Person (other than a Subsidiary of
Borrower) which, directly or indirectly, controls, is controlled by or is under
common control with Borrower or (b) any Person who is a director, officer or key
employee of Borrower, any Subsidiary of Borrower or any Person described in
clause (a) of this definition. For purposes of this definition, "control" of a
Person means the power, direct or indirect, to vote twenty percent (20%) or more
of the securities having voting power for the election of directors of such
Person or otherwise to direct or cause the direction of the management and
policies of such Person, whether by contract or otherwise.

         "Agent" shall have the meaning set forth in the preamble hereof.

         "Agreement" shall mean this Agreement, as the same may be amended,
supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time.

         "Applicable Eurodollar Margin" shall mean, during the period from the
date hereof until the first Adjustment Date, 1.60% per annum. Thereafter,
subject to the other terms and conditions of this Agreement (including the
limitations on the availability of Eurodollar Rate Loans and including the
termination of the Commitment as set forth in Section 9 hereof), the "Applicable
Eurodollar Margin" will be adjusted on each Adjustment Date to the applicable
rate per annum that corresponds to the ratio of EBITDA to Consolidated Interest
Incurred, determined from the financial statements and compliance certificate
that relate to the last month of the fiscal quarter immediately preceding such
Adjustment Date, as set forth below:

                                      -2-
<PAGE>   8

     If the ratio of EBITDA to
     Consolidated Interest                         Applicable Eurodollar Margin
     Incurred is:                                  for Eurodollar Rate Loans is
     ------------------------                      ----------------------------
     less than 1.75 to 1.0                                2.30% per annum

     equal to or greater
     than 1.75 to 1.0 but less than 2.0 to 1.0
                                                          2.10% per annum
     equal to or greater
     than 2.0 to 1.0 but
     less than 2.50 to 1.0                                1.95% per annum

     equal to or greater
     than 2.50 to 1.0 but less than 3.0 to 1.0
                                                          1.75% per annum
     equal to or greater
     than 3.0 to 1.0                                      1.60% per annum

If, however, the financial statements required to be delivered pursuant to
subsection 6.1(b) hereof and the related compliance certificate required to be
delivered pursuant to subsection 6.2(a) hereof are not delivered when due, then:

                  (a) if such financial statements and compliance certificate
are delivered after the date such financial statements and compliance
certificate were required to be delivered but before the expiration of any
applicable cure period and the Applicable Eurodollar Margin increases from that
previously in effect as a result of a change in the ratio of EBITDA to
Consolidated Interest Incurred as determined from such financial statements and
compliance certificate, then the Applicable Eurodollar Margin during the period
from the date upon which such financial statements were required to be delivered
but before the expiration of any applicable cure period until the date upon
which they actually are delivered shall be the Applicable Eurodollar Margin as
so increased;

                  (b) if such financial statements and compliance certificate
are delivered after the date such financial statements and compliance
certificate were required to be delivered but before the expiration of any
applicable cure period and the Applicable Eurodollar Margin decreases from that
previously in effect as a result of a change in the ratio of EBITDA to
Consolidated Interest Incurred as determined from such financial statements and
compliance certificate, then such decrease in the Applicable Eurodollar Margin
shall not become applicable

                                      -3-
<PAGE>   9

until the date upon which the financial statements and compliance certificates
are actually delivered; and

                  (c) if such financial statements and certificate are not
delivered prior to the expiration of the applicable cure period, the Applicable
Eurodollar Margin for the period beginning as of the date upon which such
financial statements and compliance certificate were required to be delivered
without regard to any applicable cure period until two Business Days following
the date upon which they actually are delivered shall be, per annum, one percent
(1.0%) plus the Applicable Eurodollar Margin that was in effect at the time of
such expiration (it being understood that the foregoing shall not limit the
rights of the Agent and the Banks set forth in Section 9).

         "BankBoston Agreement" shall mean the credit agreement dated August 29,
1997 between M/I and BankBoston, N.A., in its capacities as lender and as agent,
and any other parties which may become lenders thereunder, and any subsequent
successors or assigns, which credit agreement governs certain subordinated
indebtedness to BankBoston, N.A. in the principal amount of $50,000,000.

         "Banks" shall have the meaning set forth in the preamble hereof.

         "Borrowing Base" shall mean, as of any date of determination, an amount
     equal to the sum of:

                  (a) the amount calculated by multiplying .90 by the value of
     Eligible Production Inventory; plus

                  (b) the amount calculated by multiplying .85 by the aggregate
     value of Eligible Model Houses which are not over two (2) years old (as
     measured from the date of the completion of construction); plus

                  (c) the amount calculated by multiplying .75 by the aggregate
     value of Eligible Model Houses which are over two (2) years old (as
     measured from the date of the completion of construction); plus

                  (d) the amount calculated by multiplying .80 by the value of
     Eligible Developed Lots Sold; plus

                  (e) the amount calculated by multiplying .50 by the value of
     Eligible Developed Lots Unsold; plus

                  (f) the amount calculated by multiplying .25 by the value of
     Eligible Raw Land and Land Under Development; plus

                                      -4-
<PAGE>   10

                  (g) the amount calculated by multiplying .25 by the value of
     Investments in Joint Ventures;

less the sum of (i) the aggregate amount of Customer Deposits then held by
Borrower and its Subsidiaries and (ii) the aggregate outstanding amount of Liens
incurred by Borrower and its Subsidiaries of the type permitted by subsection
7.2(i) hereof. In calculating the "Borrowing Base", the "value" of each
component of the Borrowing Base set forth in clauses (a) through (g) above (and
any subcomponent thereof) shall not exceed the amount thereof permitted under
Section 7 of this Agreement (including amounts permitted pursuant to any waiver
of any provision of said Section that is consented to by the Banks in accordance
with subsection 11.1 of this Agreement).

         "Borrowing Base Certificate" shall have the meaning set forth in
subsection 5.1(c) hereof.

         "Borrowing Date" shall mean any Business Day specified pursuant to (a)
subsection 2.3 hereof as a date on which Banks make a disbursement of the
Revolving Credit Loans hereunder, (b) subsection 2.12 hereof as a date on which
Bank One makes, at Borrower's request, a disbursement of the Swingline Loans
hereunder, or (c) subsection 2.13 hereof as a date on which Agent issues, at
Borrower's request, a Standby L/C hereunder.

         "Business Day" shall mean a day other than a Saturday, Sunday or other
day on which commercial banks in Columbus, Ohio are authorized or required by
law to close, except that when used in connection with Eurodollar Rate Loans,
"Business Day" shall mean any Business Day on which dealings in Dollars between
banks may be carried on in London, England and Columbus, Ohio.

         "Cash Equivalents" shall mean (a) securities with maturities of 180
days or less from the date of acquisition issued or fully guaranteed or insured
by the United States Government or any agency thereof, (b) certificates of
deposit and bankers' acceptances, each issued by a Bank hereunder and each with
a maturity of 180 days or less from the date of acquisition, and (c) commercial
paper of a domestic issuer rated at least A-1 by Standard & Poor's Corporation
or P-1 by Moody's Investors Service, Inc. with a maturity of not more than 180
days.

         "Code" shall mean the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended or
superseded from time to time. Any reference to a specific provision of the Code
shall be construed to include any comparable provision of the Code as hereafter
amended or superseded.

         "Commitment" shall mean the aggregate of (a) the Revolving Credit Loan
Commitments and (b) the L/C Commitments as set forth on Schedule 1 hereto.

                                      -5-
<PAGE>   11

         "Commitment Period" shall mean the period from and including the date
hereof to the Maturity Date, or such earlier or later date as the Commitment
shall terminate as provided herein.

         "Commonly Controlled Entity" shall mean an entity, whether or not
incorporated, which is under common control with Borrower within the meaning of
Section 414(b) or (c) of the Code.

         "Consolidated Earnings" at any date shall mean the amount which would
be set forth opposite the caption "net income" (or any like caption) in a
consolidated statement of income or operations of Borrower and Borrower's
Subsidiaries at such date prepared in accordance with GAAP.

         "Consolidated Interest Expense" shall mean, for any period, interest
expense on Indebtedness of the Borrower and Borrower's Subsidiaries for such
period, in each case determined on a consolidated basis in accordance with GAAP.

         "Consolidated Interest Incurred" shall mean, for any rolling 12 month
period, all interest incurred during such period on outstanding Indebtedness of
Borrower and Borrower's Subsidiaries irrespective of whether such interest is
expensed or capitalized by Borrower or Borrower's Subsidiaries, in each case
determined on a consolidated basis.

         "Consolidated Liabilities" at any date shall mean the total of all
amounts which would be properly classified as liabilities in a consolidated
balance sheet of Borrower and Borrower's Subsidiaries at such date prepared in
accordance with GAAP, including without limitation deferred income taxes and
capital lease obligations, if any.

         "Consolidated Tangible Net Worth" at any date shall be the excess, if
any, of the total amount of assets over the total amount of liabilities,
deferred credits and minority interests, as the same would appear in a
consolidated balance sheet of Borrower and Borrower's Subsidiaries at such date
prepared in accordance with GAAP, less the book value of all intangible assets,
determined in accordance with GAAP.

         "Consolidated Unsubordinated Liabilities" at any date shall mean
Consolidated Liabilities less Subordinated Indebtedness.

         "Construction Bonds" shall mean bonds issued by surety bond companies
for the benefit of, and as required by, municipalities or other political
subdivisions to secure the performance by Borrower or any Subsidiary of its
obligations relating to lot improvements and subdivision development and
completion.

                                      -6-
<PAGE>   12

         "Contingent Obligation" shall mean as to any Person, any reimbursement
obligations (including Reimbursement Obligations) of such Person in respect of
drafts that may be drawn under letters of credit, any reimbursement obligations
of such Person in respect of surety bonds (including reimbursement obligations
in respect of Construction Bonds), and any obligation of such Person
guaranteeing or in effect guaranteeing any Indebtedness, leases, dividends or
other obligations primarily to pay money ("primary obligations") of any other
Person (the "primary obligor") in any manner, whether directly or indirectly,
including without limitation any obligation of such Person, whether or not
contingent, (a) to purchase any such primary obligation or any property
constituting direct or indirect security therefor, (b) to advance or supply
funds (i) for the purchase or payment of any such primary obligation, or (ii) to
maintain working capital or equity capital of the primary obligor or otherwise
to maintain the net worth or solvency of the primary obligor, (c) to purchase
property, securities or services primarily for the purpose of assuring the
obligee under any such primary obligation of the ability of the primary obligor
to make payment of such primary obligation, or (d) otherwise to assure or hold
harmless the obligee under such primary obligation against loss in respect
thereof; provided, however, that the term "Contingent Obligation" shall not
include (A) endorsements of instruments for deposit or collection in the
ordinary course of business, (B) Mortgage Loan Repurchase Obligations, or (C)
obligations under lot purchase contracts entered into in the ordinary course of
business.

         "Contractual Obligation" shall mean as to any Person, any provision of
any security issued by such Person or of any agreement, instrument or
undertaking to which such Person is a party or by which it or any of its
property is bound.

         "Customer Deposits" shall mean cash deposits made by customers of
Borrower or any Subsidiary in connection with the execution of purchase
contracts, which deposits shall be shown as liabilities on Borrower's
consolidated financial statements.

         "Default" shall mean any of the events specified in Section 9 hereof,
whether or not any requirement for the giving of notice, the lapse of time, or
both, has been satisfied.

         "Developed Lots" shall mean (a) all residential lots with respect to
which (i) development has been completed to such an extent that permits that
allow use and construction, including building, sanitary sewer and water, could
be obtained for a detached or attached single family house (including a
townhouse condominium building or condominium building) on each such lot, and
(ii) Start of Construction has not occurred; and (b) all lots zoned for
commercial use that have sewer and water available for use at such lots. The
value of Developed Lots shall be calculated in accordance with GAAP and shall
include all associated costs required to be capitalized under GAAP; provided,
however, that the total value (calculated in accordance with GAAP) of commercial
lots constituting Developed Lots shall not exceed $1,000,000 at any one time.

                                      -7-
<PAGE>   13

         "Dollars" and "$" shall mean dollars in lawful currency of the United
States of America.

         "EBITDA" shall mean, for any rolling 12 month period, on a consolidated
basis for Borrower and Borrower's Subsidiaries, the sum of the amounts for such
period of (a) Consolidated Earnings, plus (b) charges against income for
federal, state and local income taxes, plus (c) Consolidated Interest Expense,
plus (d) depreciation and amortization expense, plus (e) extraordinary losses
exclusive of any such losses that are attributable to the write-down or other
downward revaluation of assets (including the establishment of reserves), minus
(x) interest income, minus (y) all extraordinary gains.

         "Eligible Assignee" shall mean (a) any Bank or any affiliate of a Bank
and (b) any other commercial bank, financial institution, institutional lender
or "accredited investor" (as defined in Regulation D promulgated under the
Securities Act of 1933 by the Securities and Exchange Commission) with capital
of at least $500,000,000 and with an office in the United States.

         "Eligible Developed Lots Sold" shall mean all Developed Lots which
Borrower or any Subsidiary has recorded as sold in accordance with its usual
accounting practices to any Person other than an Affiliate or Subsidiary of
Borrower. The value of Eligible Developed Lots Sold shall be calculated in
accordance with GAAP and shall include all associated costs required to be
capitalized under GAAP, but shall be reduced by the then outstanding aggregate
amount of Indebtedness secured by any Eligible Developed Lots Sold and permitted
by subsection 7.1(d) hereof.

         "Eligible Developed Lots Unsold" shall mean all Developed Lots which
Borrower or any Subsidiary has not recorded as sold in accordance with its usual
accounting practices, or which Borrower or any Subsidiary has recorded as sold
to an Affiliate or Subsidiary of Borrower. The value of Eligible Developed Lots
Unsold shall be calculated in accordance with GAAP and shall include all
associated costs required to be capitalized under GAAP, but shall be reduced by
the then outstanding aggregate amount of Indebtedness secured by any Eligible
Developed Lots Unsold and permitted by subsection 7.1(d) hereof.

         "Eligible Model Houses" shall mean (a) all completed detached or
attached single family houses (including townhouse condominiums and
condominiums) which are being used by Borrower or any Subsidiary as sales
models, and the lots on which such houses are located and (b) detached or
attached (including townhouse condominiums and condominiums) single family
houses for which there has been a Start of Construction which upon completion
will be used by Borrower or any Subsidiary as sales models, and the lots on
which such houses are located. The value of Eligible Model Houses shall be
calculated in accordance with GAAP and shall include all associated costs
required to be capitalized under GAAP except for the costs of any furnishings,
but

                                      -8-
<PAGE>   14

shall be reduced by the then outstanding aggregate amount of Indebtedness
secured by any Eligible Model Houses and permitted by subsection 7.1(d) hereof.

         "Eligible Mortgage Loan" shall mean at any date an original (not a
rewritten or renewed) loan evidenced by a note and secured by a first mortgage
on residential real property which (a) M/I Financial Corp. has made to enable a
natural person or persons to purchase a home from Borrower, any Subsidiary of
Borrower or another Person that is substantially completed, (b) is not more than
60 days old as determined by the date of the note which evidences such loan, and
(c) is subject, or M/I Financial Corp. reasonably believes is subject, to a
Purchase Commitment; provided, however, that the amount of Eligible Mortgage
Loans consisting of loans made by M/I Financial Corp. for the purchase of homes
from any Person other than Borrower or any Subsidiary of Borrower shall not, in
the aggregate at any one time outstanding, exceed the amount of $5,000,000.

         "Eligible Production Inventory" shall mean all detached or attached
(including townhouse condominiums and condominiums) single family houses of
Borrower or any Subsidiary which are completed (including Speculative Houses but
excluding Eligible Model Houses and Rental Houses, if any) or for which there
has been a Start of Construction (including Speculative Houses but excluding
Eligible Model Houses and Rental Houses, if any), and the lots on which such
houses are located. The value of Eligible Production Inventory shall be
calculated in accordance with GAAP and shall include all associated costs
required to be capitalized under GAAP, but shall be reduced by the then
outstanding aggregate amount of Indebtedness secured by any Eligible Production
Inventory and permitted by subsection 7.1(d) hereof; provided that the cost of
obtaining commitments for financing terms to be provided to the buyers of
Eligible Production Inventory shall be excluded.

         "Eligible Raw Land and Land Under Development" shall mean all land of
Borrower or any Subsidiary other than land included in the definition of
Eligible Model Houses, Rental Houses (if any), Eligible Production Inventory,
Eligible Developed Lots Sold, or Eligible Developed Lots Unsold. The value of
Eligible Raw Land and Land Under Development shall be calculated in accordance
with GAAP and shall include all associated costs required to be capitalized in
accordance with GAAP, but shall be reduced by the then outstanding aggregate
amount of Indebtedness secured by any Eligible Raw Land and Land Under
Development and permitted by subsection 7.1(d) hereof.

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

         "Eurocurrency Reserve Requirements" shall mean, for any day as applied
to a Eurodollar Rate Loan, the aggregate (without duplication) of the rates
(expressed as a decimal fraction) of reserve requirements in effect on such day
(including, without limitation, basic, supplemental, marginal and emergency
reserves under any regulations of the Board or other

                                      -9-
<PAGE>   15

Governmental Authority having jurisdiction with respect thereto) dealing with
reserve requirements prescribed for eurocurrency funding (currently referred to
as "Eurocurrency Liabilities" in Regulation D of the Board) maintained by a
member bank of the Federal Reserve System.

         "Eurodollar Base Rate" shall mean, with respect to each day during each
Interest Period, the rate per annum equal to the rate at which Agent is offered
Dollar deposits at or about 10:00 A.M., Columbus, Ohio time, two Business Days
prior to the beginning of such Interest Period in the interbank eurodollar
market where the eurodollar and foreign currency and exchange operations in
respect of its Eurodollar Rate Loans are then being conducted for delivery on
the first day of such Interest Period for the number of days comprised therein
and in an amount comparable to the amount of its Eurodollar Rate Loan to be
outstanding during such Interest Period.

         "Eurodollar Rate Loans" shall mean Revolving Credit Loans the rate of
interest applicable to which is based upon the Eurodollar Rate.

         "Eurodollar Rate" shall mean with respect to each day during each
Interest Period pertaining to a Eurodollar Rate Loan, a rate per annum
determined for such day in accordance with the following formula (rounded upward
to the nearest 1/100th of 1%):

                              Eurodollar Base Rate
                              --------------------
                    1.00 - Eurocurrency Reserve Requirements

         "Event of Default" shall mean any of the events specified in Section 9
hereof, provided that any requirement for the giving of notice, the lapse of
time, or both, has been satisfied.

         "Existing Office Building Mortgage Indebtedness" shall have the meaning
set forth in subsection 7.1(j) hereof.

         "Fannie Mae" shall mean the Federal National Mortgage Association, or
any successor thereto.

         "GAAP" shall mean generally accepted accounting principles in the
United States of America as in effect at the time any determination is made or
financial statement is required hereunder as promulgated by the American
Institute of Certified Public Accountants, the Accounting Principles Board, the
Financial Accounting Standards Board or any other body existing from time to
time which is authorized to establish or interpret such principles, applied on a
consistent basis throughout any applicable period, subject to any change
required by a change in GAAP; provided, however, that if any change in generally
accepted accounting principles from those applied in preparing the financial
statements referred to in subsection 4.1 hereof affects the calculation of any
financial covenant contained herein, Borrower, Banks and Agent hereby agree to
amend the Agreement to the effect that each such financial covenant is not more
or less restrictive

                                      -10-
<PAGE>   16

than such covenant as in effect on the date hereof using generally accepted
accounting principles consistent with those reflected in such financial
statements.

         "Governmental Authority" shall mean any nation or government, any state
or other political subdivision thereof and any entity exercising executive,
legislative, judicial, regulatory or administrative functions of or pertaining
to government.

         "Guaranteed HNB Joint Ventures Letters of Credit" shall mean that
portion of the standby letters of credit (including joint venture letters of
credit issued by HNB prior to the date of this Agreement that will remain in
place after the effective date of this Agreement) issued by HNB pursuant to the
HNB Joint Ventures Letter of Credit Agreement for the account of joint ventures
of which Borrower is a partner which Borrower has guaranteed in accordance with
the terms of the HNB Joint Ventures Letter of Credit Agreement, provided that
the portion of such letters of credit that has been guaranteed by Borrower shall
not exceed in the aggregate $6,500,000 at any one time outstanding.

         "Guaranty Agreement" shall mean a Guaranty Agreement substantially in
the form of Exhibit A attached to this Agreement, between each of Borrower's
Subsidiaries listed on the signature pages thereto (and each M/I Ancillary
Business and Subsidiary of the Borrower which becomes a "Guarantor" thereunder
as provided in subsections 6.16 and 6.17 hereof) and Bank One, N.A., as Agent
for the Banks, as the same shall be modified and supplemented and in effect from
time to time.

         "HNB Joint Ventures Letter of Credit Agreement" shall mean the
Agreement to Issue Letters of Credit dated as of June 8, 1994, as amended and to
be amended from time to time, with respect to standby letters of credit issued
or to be issued by HNB for the account of certain joint ventures of which
Borrower is a partner.

         "Indebtedness" shall mean as to any Person, at a particular time, (a)
indebtedness for borrowed money or for the deferred purchase price of property
or services (including without limitation any such indebtedness which is
non-recourse to the credit of such Person but is secured by assets of such
Person) other than current (due and payable within 12 months or less), unsecured
obligations for operating expense items incurred in the ordinary course of
business, (b) any other indebtedness evidenced by promissory notes or other debt
instruments, (c) obligations under material leases which shall have been or
should be, in accordance with GAAP, recorded as capitalized leases, (d)
indebtedness arising under acceptance facilities, (e) indebtedness arising under
unpaid reimbursement obligations (including Reimbursement Obligations) in
respect of all drafts actually drawn under letters or credit (including Standby
L/Cs) issued for the account of such Person, (f) indebtedness arising under
unpaid reimbursement obligations in respect of all payments actually made under
surety bonds (including payments actually made under Construction Bonds), and
(g) the incurrence of withdrawal liability under Title IV of ERISA by such
Person or a Commonly Controlled Entity to a Multiemployer Plan.

                                      -11-
<PAGE>   17

         "Interest Payment Date" shall mean, (a) with respect to any Prime Rate
Loan, the last day of each March, June, September and December, commencing on
the first of such days to occur after the first Borrowing Date, (b) with respect
to any Eurodollar Rate Loan having an Interest Period of three months or less,
the last day of such Interest Period, and (c) with respect to any Eurodollar
Rate Loan having an Interest Period longer than three months, (x) each day which
is three months, or a whole multiple thereof, after the first day of such
Interest Period, and (y) the last day of such Interest Period.

         "Interest Period" shall mean with respect to any Eurodollar Rate Loan:

                  (i) initially, the period commencing on the Borrowing Date or
conversion date, as the case may be, with respect to such Eurodollar Rate Loan
and ending one, two, three or six months thereafter, as selected by Borrower in
Borrower's notice of borrowing or notice of conversion, as the case may be,
given with respect thereto; and

                  (ii) thereafter, each period commencing on the last day of the
next preceding Interest Period applicable to such Eurodollar Rate Loan and
ending one, two, three or six months thereafter, as selected by Borrower by
irrevocable notice to the Agent not less than three Business Days prior to the
last day of the then current Interest Period with respect thereto;

provided that all of the foregoing provisions relating to Interest Periods are
subject to the following:

                           (1) if any Interest Period would otherwise end on a
day that is not a Business Day, such Interest Period shall be extended to the
next succeeding Business Day unless the result of such extension would be to
carry such Interest Period into another calendar month in which event such
Interest Period shall end on the immediately preceding Business Day;

                           (2) any Interest Period that begins on the last
Business Day of a calendar month (or on a day for which there is no numerically
corresponding day in the calendar month at the end of such Interest Period)
shall end on the last Business Day of a calendar month; and

                           (3) no Interest Period shall be for less than one
month, and Borrower shall not select an Interest Period for a Eurodollar Rate
Loan as a Revolving Credit Loan if the last day of such Interest Period would be
after the last day of the Commitment Period.

         "Interest Rate Contract" shall mean any interest rate swap agreement,
interest rate cap agreement, interest rate collar agreement, interest rate
insurance arrangement, or any other agreement or arrangement designed to provide
protection against fluctuation in interest rates.

                                      -12-
<PAGE>   18

         "Investments in Joint Ventures" shall mean investments (as defined in
subsection 7.9 hereof) in joint ventures that are general partnerships, limited
partnerships, limited liability companies, corporations or any other business
association formed for the purpose of acquiring land, the majority of which land
is zoned residential and is to be developed into residential lots for attached
or detached single family housing (including a townhouse condominium building or
condominium building), and/or performing such development. The value of
Investments in Joint Ventures shall be calculated in accordance with GAAP.

         "L/C Commitment" shall mean, as to any L/C Participant, the percentage
(the "L/C Commitment Percentage") and amount set forth opposite its name on
Schedule 1 hereto under the headings "L/C Commitment Percentage" and "L/C
Commitment"; and collectively, as to all L/C Participants, the "L/C
Commitments".

         "L/C Participant(s)" shall mean any one or more of the Banks.

         "Lien" shall mean any mortgage, deed of trust, pledge, hypothecation,
assignment, deposit arrangement, charge, encumbrance, lien (statutory or other),
preference, priority or other security agreement or similar preferential
arrangement of any kind or nature whatsoever (including without limitation any
conditional sale or other title retention agreement, any financing lease having
substantially the same economic effect as any of the foregoing, and the
authorized filing by or against a Person of any financing statement as debtor
under the Uniform Commercial Code or comparable law of any jurisdiction). A
restriction, covenant, easement, right of way, or similar encumbrance affecting
any interest in real property owned by Borrower and which does not secure an
obligation to pay money is not a Lien.

         "Liquidity Ratio" at any date shall mean the ratio, determined on a
consolidated basis for Borrower and all Subsidiaries of Borrower with the
exception of M/I Financial Corp., of (a) the sum of (i) cash, (ii) trade
receivables (exclusive of any receivables due from Affiliates or Subsidiaries),
(iii) Eligible Production Inventory, (iv) the aggregate cost of Developed Lots,
and (v) the aggregate costs of all Eligible Model Houses that are not more than
two years old as measured from the date of completion of construction thereof,
to (b) the sum of all of (i) accounts payable, (ii) accruals, (iii) Customer
Deposits, and (iv) Indebtedness permitted pursuant to subsection 7.1(a) hereof.
The amount of each asset included in (a) above shall be the book value of such
asset (net of any applicable reserves) determined in accordance with GAAP and
the value of each liability included in (b) above shall be determined in
accordance with GAAP.

         "Loans" shall mean the Revolving Credit Loans and the Swingline Loans.

         "Maturity Date" shall mean September 30, 2003.

         "Maximum Swingline Amount" shall mean $5,000,000.

                                      -13-
<PAGE>   19

         "MHO, LLC" shall mean MHO, LLC, an Arizona limited liability company
and a wholly-owned Subsidiary of M/I Homes and an indirect Subsidiary of M/I.

         "M/I" shall mean M/I Schottenstein Homes, Inc. and, jointly, severally
and jointly and severally with M/I Homes, Borrower under this Agreement.

         "M/I Ancillary Businesses" shall mean the businesses listed as M/I
Ancillary Businesses on Schedule 4 hereto and each business in which investments
are made as permitted under subsection 7.9(k) hereof and (unless already an M/I
Ancillary Business) which are at such time designated as an "M/I Ancillary
Business" by M/I, each of which shall be a corporation, limited partnership,
limited liability partnership or limited liability company which is engaged
solely in activities reasonably related to the sale of single family housing,
provided that such investment or other ownership interest shall be as (a) a
shareholder if the business is a corporation, (b) a limited partner if the
business is a limited partnership, (c) a limited liability partner if the
business is a limited liability partnership, or (d) a limited liability member
if the business is a limited liability company. As used herein, the term
"Subsidiary" shall not include any M/I Ancillary Business.

         "M/I Financial Corp." shall mean M/I Financial Corp., an Ohio
corporation and a wholly-owned Subsidiary of M/I.

         "M/I Financial Corp. Loan Agreement" shall mean the Revolving Credit
Agreement by and among M/I Financial Corp., M/I and Bank One, effective as of
June 22, 1998, as the same may be amended, extended, renewed or replaced from
time to time.

         "M/I Homes Construction, Inc." shall mean M/I Homes Construction, Inc.,
an Arizona corporation and a wholly-owned Subsidiary of M/I.

         "M/I Homes" shall mean M/I Homes, Inc., an Arizona corporation, a
wholly-owned Subsidiary of M/I and jointly, severally and jointly and severally
with M/I, Borrower under this Agreement.

         "M/I Service Corp." shall mean M/I Schottenstein Homes Service Corp.,
an Ohio corporation and a wholly-owned Subsidiary of M/I.

         "Mortgage Loan Repurchase Obligations" shall mean those obligations (as
more particularly described in this definition) of M/I Financial Corp. under a
Purchase Commitment to repurchase (a) Eligible Mortgage Loans, (b) first
mortgage loans that are not Eligible Mortgage Loans solely because either (i)
the mortgagor did not purchase from Borrower the home subject to such mortgage
loan, or (ii) such mortgage loan is more than 60 days old as determined by the
date of the note which evidences such loan, (c) those second mortgage loans
permitted by subsection 7.9(g) hereof, and (d) those first mortgage refinancing
loans permitted by

                                      -14-
<PAGE>   20

subsection 7.9(h) hereof; provided, the obligations to repurchase the mortgage
loans described in clauses (a) through (d) of this definition shall exist only
if (A) such mortgage loans do not meet for any reason the investor guidelines
regarding loan origination, loan processing or loan closing and regarding
underwriting criteria for such Purchase Commitment or defects are noted in
origination, processing or closing of Mortgage Loans by investor, (B) M/I
Financial Corp. or its employees engage in any fraudulent conduct or
misrepresentation, (C) the mortgagor fails to make timely payment of any of the
first, second, third or fourth installments due under such mortgage loan, and
such delinquency remains uncured for a period of more than 30 days or results in
a foreclosure action, (D) the mortgagor fails to make timely payment of two or
more monthly installments within six months from the date such mortgage loan is
purchased by such secondary market lender, (E) the mortgagor engages in
fraudulent conduct or misrepresentation or (F) with respect to mortgage loans
issued pursuant to the North Carolina Housing Finance Authority bond programs,
the mortgagor fails to make timely payment of the first installment due under
such mortgage loans.

         "Net Cost of Shares Acquired" shall mean an amount equal to the
aggregate cost of any Stock Acquisition by M/I or a Subsidiary of M/I subsequent
to December 31, 1997 less the aggregate amount of cash proceeds received by M/I
from the sale of capital stock of M/I pursuant to stock options subsequent to
December 31, 1997, provided, however, that such net cost shall in no case be
less than zero.

         "Northeast Office Venture" shall mean Northeast Office Venture, Limited
Liability Company, a Delaware limited liability company and a wholly-owned
Subsidiary of M/I.

         "Notes" shall mean the Revolving Credit Notes and the Swingline Note.

         "Office Building" shall mean the office building at 3 Easton Oval,
Columbus, Ohio 43219 in which M/I is a tenant.

         "Operating Lease" at any date shall mean any lease other than a lease
which is required to be capitalized in accordance with GAAP, provided such lease
has, as of the date of determination, a remaining term of 12 months or more, or
may at the option of the lessor or lessee be extended for a term of 12 months or
more.

         "Participants" shall have the meaning set forth in subsection 11.4
hereof.

         "PBGC" shall mean the Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation established
pursuant to Subtitle A of Title IV of ERISA.

         "Person" shall mean an individual, a partnership (including without
limitation a joint venture), a limited liability company (including without
limitation a joint venture), a corporation (including without limitation a joint
venture), a business trust, a joint stock company,

                                      -15-
<PAGE>   21

a trust, an unincorporated association, a Governmental Authority or any other
entity of whatever nature (including without limitation a joint venture).

         "Plan" shall mean any pension plan which is covered by Title IV of
ERISA and in respect of which Borrower or a Commonly Controlled Entity is an
"employer" as defined in Section 3(5) of ERISA.

         "Prime Rate" shall mean the rate of interest per annum announced by
Agent from time to time as its prime rate, with any change thereto effective as
of the opening of business on the day of the change; which Prime Rate is not
necessarily the best interest rate offered by Agent.

         "Prime Rate Loans" shall mean Loans the rate of interest applicable to
which is based on the Prime Rate.

         "Proceeds after Default" shall have the meaning set forth in Section 9
hereof.

         "Purchase Commitment" shall mean a commitment from a secondary market
lender, pursuant to an agreement with M/I Financial Corp., either with respect
to a particular mortgage loan or with respect to mortgage loans meeting
specified criteria, to purchase such mortgage loan or loans without recourse
(except for Mortgage Loan Repurchase Obligations) for an amount not less than
the difference of (a) the face amount of the note evidencing such mortgage
loan(s), minus (b) the sum of (i) the points agreed upon between M/I Financial
Corp. and such secondary market lender, and (ii) the amount of funds (for
example, without limitation, escrow funds and origination fees), other than
points, received by M/I Financial Corp. at the loan closing from the mortgagor.

         "Reimbursement Obligations" shall mean Borrower's obligations to
reimburse (a) Agent or, (b) in the case of Standby L/Cs previously issued which
will remain in place after the execution of this Agreement, Agent or HNB, as
appropriate, as a result of draws on one or more Standby L/Cs.

         "Rental Houses" shall mean (a) all completed detached or attached
(including townhouse condominiums and condominiums) single family houses which
are rented to third parties or held for rental by Borrower or which were
previously so held and are currently held for sale and (b) detached or attached
(including townhouse condominiums and condominiums) single family houses for
which there has been a Start of Construction which upon completion will be
rented to third parties or will be held for rental by Borrower. The value of
Rental Houses shall be calculated in accordance with GAAP and shall include all
associated costs required to be capitalized under GAAP.

                                      -16-
<PAGE>   22

         "Reportable Event" shall mean any of the events set forth in Section
4043(b) of ERISA or the regulations thereunder.

         "Required Banks" shall mean, at any particular time, Banks having at
least 55% of the aggregate amount of the Commitment, whether or not Borrower has
drawn all or any portion of the Commitment.

         "Requirement of Law" shall mean as to any Person, the Certificate (or
Articles) of Incorporation, By-Laws (or Code of Regulations), Close Corporation
Agreement (where applicable) or other organizational or governing documents of
such Person, and any law, treaty, rule or regulation, or determination,
including without limitation all environmental laws, rules, regulations and
determinations, of an arbitrator or a court or other Governmental Authority, in
each case applicable to or binding upon such Person or any of its property or to
which such Person or any of its property is subject.

         "Responsible Officer" shall mean as to Borrower or any of Borrower's
Subsidiaries, the Chairman, President, Senior Executive Vice President or a
Senior Vice President of such Person and, with respect to financial matters, the
chief financial officer, treasurer or controller of such Person, in each case
acting in his or her capacity as such.

         "Revolving Credit Loan Commitment" shall mean, as to any Bank that has
committed to make Revolving Credit Loans hereunder, the percentage (the
"Revolving Credit Loan Commitment Percentage") and amount set forth opposite its
name on Schedule 1 hereto under the headings "Revolving Credit Loan Commitment
Percentage" and "Revolving Credit Loan Commitment" as such amount may be reduced
from time to time in accordance with the provisions of subsection 2.6 hereof;
and collectively, as to all Banks that have committed to make Revolving Credit
Loans hereunder, the "Revolving Credit Loan Commitments".

         "Revolving Credit Loans" shall mean the revolving credit loans made
pursuant to this Agreement that are more particularly described in subsection
2.1 hereof.

         "Revolving Credit Notes" shall have the meaning set forth in subsection
2.2 hereof.

         "S Corporation" shall have the meaning set forth in Section 1361(a)(1)
of the Code.

         "Single Employer Plan" shall mean any Plan which is not a Multiemployer
Plan (as defined in ERISA).

         "Speculative Houses" shall mean the aggregate value, as determined in
accordance with GAAP, of: (a) all uncompleted houses for which there has been a
Start of

                                      -17-
<PAGE>   23

Construction except (1) Eligible Model Houses, (2) Rental Houses, if any, and
(3) those which are less than nine months old as measured from the date on which
construction was begun and are subject to valid noncontingent, except for
financing, contracts of sale (A) to Persons who are not Affiliates or
Subsidiaries, and (B) that provide for closing within 30 days after completion;
and (b) all completed houses except (1) Eligible Model Houses, (2) Rental
Houses, if any, and (3) those subject to valid noncontingent, except for
financing, contracts of sale (A) to Persons who are not Affiliates or
Subsidiaries, and (B) that provide for closing on or before the later of 60 days
after the date of the contract or 30 days after completion of construction.

         "Standby L/C" shall mean an irrevocable letter of credit, including any
extensions or renewals, (a) issued by Agent pursuant to this Agreement or (b)
previously issued by Agent pursuant to the Existing Credit Agreement, or by Bank
One in its individual capacity or as Agent or HNB pursuant to any predecessor to
the Existing Credit Agreement, and which will remain in place as of the first
Borrowing Date, in which each L/C Participant agrees to purchase a participation
equal to its L/C Commitment Percentage and the issuing bank agrees to make
payments in Dollars for the account of Borrower, on behalf of Borrower or any
Subsidiary thereof in respect of obligations of Borrower or such Subsidiary
incurred pursuant to contracts made or performances undertaken or to be
undertaken or like matters relating to contracts to which Borrower or such
Subsidiary is or proposes to become a party in the ordinary course of Borrower's
or such Subsidiary's business. The term "Standby L/C" shall not include any
letters of credit issued (x) pursuant to the HNB Joint Ventures Letter of Credit
Agreement or (y) by any Bank other than pursuant to this Agreement or as
provided in clause (b) of this definition.

         "Standby L/C Application" shall have the meaning set forth in
subsection 2.14 hereof.

         "Start of Construction" shall mean the commencement of the digging of
the foundation or footer for a detached or attached single family house
(including a townhouse condominium building or condominium building).

         "Stock Acquisition" shall have the meaning set forth in subsection
7.6(b) hereof.

         "Stockholder Payment" shall have the meaning set forth in subsection
7.6(a) hereof.

         "Subordinated Indebtedness" at any date shall mean (i) the unsecured
Indebtedness of M/I created as a result of the BankBoston Agreement, and (ii)
all other future unsecured subordinated Indebtedness of M/I, the terms and
manner (including without limitation the terms and manner with respect to
subordination) of which are satisfactory to Required Banks in their sole
discretion and approved in writing by Required Banks and which is subordinate to
(a) M/I's obligations to Banks and Agent under this Agreement and the Notes and
(b) M/I's

                                      -18-
<PAGE>   24

obligations, if any, as a guarantor or otherwise of the obligations of M/I
Financial Corp. (including without limitation the obligations with respect to
the M/I Financial Corp. Loan Agreement).

         "Subsidiary" shall mean as to any Person, a corporation, limited
liability company or other entity of which shares of stock or other ownership
interests having ordinary voting power (other than stock or such other ownership
interests having such power only by reason of the happening of a contingency) to
elect a majority of the board of directors or other managers of such
corporation, limited liability company or other entity are at the time owned, or
the management of which is otherwise controlled, directly, or indirectly through
one or more intermediaries, or both, by such Person, and with respect to
Borrower shall include all Subsidiaries of Subsidiaries of Borrower. Unless
otherwise specified, "Subsidiary" means a Subsidiary of Borrower (including
Subsidiaries of Subsidiaries); provided that "Subsidiary" shall not include any
M/I Ancillary Business.

         "Swingline Expiry Date" shall mean the date which is ten (10) Business
Days prior to the Maturity Date.

         "Swingline Loan" shall have the meaning provided in subsection 2.12
hereof.

         "Swingline Note" shall have the meaning provided in subsection 2.12
hereof.

         "Tranche" shall mean the collective reference to those Eurodollar Rate
Loans, the then current Interest Periods with respect to all of which begin on
the same date and end on the same date (whether or not such Eurodollar Rate
Loans shall originally have been made on the same day).

         "Uncommitted Land" shall mean the aggregate value as determined in
accordance with GAAP of: (a) Eligible Raw Land and Land Under Development, (b)
Eligible Developed Lots Unsold, (c) Borrower's pro rata share of land that
constitutes part of Investments in Joint Ventures which is not subject to an
agreement for sale, and (d) deposits for land purchases and purchase options.

         "Uniform Customs" shall mean the Uniform Customs and Practice for
Documentary Credits, 1993 revision, ICC Publication No. 500, or amendment
thereof or successor thereto referenced in Agent's issued letters of credit;
provided, however, as to any letter of credit issued prior to January 1, 1994,
"Uniform Customs" shall mean the Uniform Customs and Practice for Documentary
Credits, 1983 revision, ICC Publication No. 400.

                                      -19-
<PAGE>   25

         "Washington, D.C. Market" shall mean the geographic area consisting of
Washington, D.C., Virginia and Maryland.

         "Year 2000 Compliance" shall mean that all hardware, software,
operating systems, peripherals, networks and other devices and systems owned,
leased, licensed or used by Borrower or any of Borrower's Subsidiaries will be
able accurately to process, utilize and present, and will not be impacted
negatively by, processing, utilizing, or presenting, date information from, into
and between any times, days or periods prior to, on or after January 1, 2000.

         1.2 Other Definitional Provisions.

                  (a) All terms defined in this Agreement shall have the defined
meanings when used in the Notes or any certificate or other document made or
delivered pursuant hereto or thereto unless otherwise defined therein.

                  (b) As used herein, in the Notes or in any certificate or
other document made or delivered pursuant hereto or thereto, accounting terms
relating to Borrower and Borrower's Subsidiaries not defined in subsection 1.1
hereof, to the extent not defined, shall have the respective meanings given to
them under GAAP.

                  (c) Any reference to "value" of property shall mean the lower
of cost or market value of such property, determined in accordance with GAAP.

                  (d) The definition of any document or instrument includes all
schedules, attachments and exhibits thereto and all renewals, extensions,
supplements and amendments thereof; terms otherwise defined herein have the same
meanings throughout this Agreement.

                  (e) "Hereunder," "herein," "hereto," "this Agreement" and
words of similar import refer to this entire document; "including" is used by
way of illustration and not by way of limitation, unless the context clearly
indicates the contrary; and the singular includes the plural and conversely.

              SECTION 2. AMOUNT AND TERMS OF COMMITMENT, REVOLVING
           CREDIT LOANS, SWINGLINE LOANS AND STANDBY LETTERS OF CREDIT

         2.1 Revolving Credit Loan Commitments. Subject to the terms and
conditions of this Agreement, each Bank severally agrees to make revolving
credit loans ("Revolving Credit Loans") to Borrower from time to time during the
Commitment Period in an aggregate principal amount at any one time outstanding
not to exceed that Bank's Revolving Credit Loan Commitment Percentage of the
lesser of (a) the Borrowing Base (determined as of the most recent month end or,
if Borrower elects to provide an interim Borrowing Base Certificate pursuant to
subsection 6.4 hereof, as of the date stated in such Borrowing Base Certificate)
minus

                                      -20-
<PAGE>   26

the sum of (i) the aggregate principal amount of undrawn and drawn Standby L/Cs,
exclusive of the amount of Standby L/Cs issued for the purpose of satisfying
bonding requirements, then outstanding, (ii) the aggregate principal amount of
undrawn and drawn Guaranteed HNB Joint Ventures Letters of Credit, exclusive of
the amount of Guaranteed HNB Joint Ventures Letters of Credit issued for the
purpose of satisfying bonding requirements, then outstanding and (iii) the
aggregate principal amount of Swingline Loans which remain outstanding after
giving effect to any repayment of Swingline Loans with the proceeds of a
borrowing of Revolving Credit Loans, or (b) Two Hundred Fifty Million and 00/100
Dollars ($250,000,000.00) minus the aggregate principal amount of all Swingline
Loans which remain outstanding after giving effect to any repayment of Swingline
Loans with the proceeds of a borrowing of Revolving Credit Loans. During the
Commitment Period and as long as no Default exists, Borrower may use the
Revolving Credit Loan Commitments by borrowing, prepaying the Revolving Credit
Loans in whole or in part, and reborrowing, all in accordance with the terms and
conditions hereof.

         Subject to the terms and conditions of this Agreement (including the
limitations on the availability of Eurodollar Rate Loans and including the
termination of the Commitment as set forth in Section 9 hereof), the Revolving
Credit Loans may from time to time be (i) Eurodollar Rate Loans, (ii) Prime Rate
Loans, or (iii) a combination thereof, as determined by Borrower and notified to
Agent in accordance with subsection 2.3 hereof, provided (a) that no Revolving
Credit Loan shall be made as a Eurodollar Rate Loan after the day that is one
month prior to the last day of the Commitment Period, and (b) that the maximum
number of Tranches that may be outstanding at any one time as Revolving Credit
Loans may not exceed eight in the aggregate.

         2.2 Revolving Credit Notes. The Revolving Credit Loans made by Banks
pursuant hereto shall be evidenced by promissory notes of Borrower,
substantially in the form of Exhibit B attached hereto (each a "Revolving Credit
Note" and collectively the "Revolving Credit Notes"), payable to the order of
the respective Bank and evidencing the obligation of Borrower to pay the
aggregate unpaid principal amount of the Revolving Credit Loans made by such
Bank, with interest thereon as prescribed in subsection 2.5 hereof. Each Bank is
hereby authorized to record electronically or otherwise the date and amount of
each Revolving Credit Loan disbursement made by such Bank, and the date and
amount of each payment or prepayment of principal thereof, and any such
recordation shall constitute prima facie evidence of the accuracy of the
information so recorded; provided, however, the failure of such Bank to make any
such recordation(s) shall not affect the obligation of Borrower to repay
outstanding principal, interest, or any other amount due hereunder or under the
Revolving Credit Notes in accordance with the terms hereof and thereof. Each
Revolving Credit Note shall (a) be dated as of the date hereof, (b) be stated to
mature on the Maturity Date, which Maturity Date may be extended as provided in
subsection 2.7 hereof, and (c) bear interest for the period from and including
the date thereof on the unpaid principal amount thereof from time to time
outstanding at the applicable interest rate per annum determined as provided in
subsection 2.5 hereof. Interest on each Revolving Credit Note shall be payable
as specified in subsection 2.5 hereof.

                                      -21-
<PAGE>   27

         2.3 Procedure for Borrowing. Borrower may borrow under the Revolving
Credit Loan Commitments (subject to the limitations on the availability of
Eurodollar Rate Loans), during the Commitment Period, provided Borrower shall
give Agent telephonic or written notice (the "Notice of Borrowing"), which
Notice of Borrowing must be received (a) prior to 12:00 Noon, Columbus, Ohio
time, at least three Business Days prior to the requested Borrowing Date for
that part of the requested borrowing that is to be Eurodollar Rate Loans, or (b)
prior to 11:00 a.m., Columbus, Ohio time on or before the requested Borrowing
Date for that part of the requested borrowing that is to be Prime Rate Loans
which Notice of Borrowing, in the case of Prime Rate Loan(s), shall be
irrevocable. Each Notice of Borrowing shall specify (i) the Borrowing Date
(which shall be a Business Day), (ii) the amount of the requested borrowing,
(iii) whether the borrowing is to be of Eurodollar Rate Loans, Prime Rate Loans
or a combination thereof and (iv) if the borrowing is to be entirely or partly
of Eurodollar Rate Loans, the amount of each Prime Rate Loan, if any, and the
respective amounts of each such Eurodollar Rate Loan and the respective lengths
of the initial Interest Periods therefor. Each borrowing pursuant to the
Revolving Credit Loan Commitments shall be in the principal amount (a) in the
case of Prime Rate Loans, of the lesser of (i) $1,000,000 or any larger amount
which is an even multiple of $100,000, and (ii) the then undrawn Revolving
Credit Loan Commitments, and (b) in the case of Eurodollar Rate Loans, of
$10,000,000 or any larger amount which is an even multiple of $1,000,000 so long
as the principal amount of the requested borrowing is less than the then undrawn
Revolving Credit Loan Commitments.

         After the Borrower gives a Notice of Borrowing with respect to
Eurodollar Rate Loans, Agent, by 10:00 a.m., Columbus, Ohio time, two Business
Days prior to the requested Borrowing Date, shall advise the Borrower of the
applicable interest rate(s) (which is the sum of the applicable Eurodollar
Rate(s) and the Applicable Eurodollar Margin) for the Eurodollar Rate Loan(s)
and Interest Period(s) requested in the Notice of Borrowing. Not more than two
hours thereafter, the Borrower shall give Agent written irrevocable confirmation
of whether or not the Borrower wants Eurodollar Rate Loan(s) on such Borrowing
Date and, if so, the amount(s) and Interest Period(s) of such Eurodollar Rate
Loan(s).

         If the Borrower's written confirmation is timely made, the Borrower
shall be deemed to be requesting borrowing(s) of Eurodollar Rate Loan(s) in the
amount(s) and for the Interest Period(s) stated in the confirmation. If the
Borrower's confirmation is not timely made, the Borrower shall be deemed to have
requested a borrowing entirely as a Prime Rate Loan in the aggregate amount and
on the Borrowing Date specified in the Notice of Borrowing.

         By 2:00 p.m., Columbus, Ohio time, two Business Days prior to the
requested Borrowing Date, Agent shall give telephonic or written notice to each
Bank of such request, specifying (i) the Borrowing Date (which shall be a
Business Day), (ii) the amount of the requested borrowing, (iii) whether the
borrowing is to be of Eurodollar Rate Loans, Prime Rate Loans or a combination
thereof, and (iv) if the borrowing is to be entirely or partly of Eurodollar

                                      -22-
<PAGE>   28

Rate Loans, the amount of each Prime Rate Loan, if any, and the respective
amounts of each such Eurodollar Rate Loan, the applicable Eurodollar Rate for
each such Eurodollar Rate Loan and the respective lengths of the initial
Interest Periods therefor. Subject to satisfaction of the terms and conditions
of this Agreement, each Bank shall deposit funds with Agent for the account of
Borrower by 2:00 p.m. on the Borrowing Date by wire transfer or other
immediately available funds equal to its Revolving Credit Loan Commitment
Percentage of the Revolving Credit Loans to be made on the Borrowing Date. The
Loan(s) will then be made available to Borrower by Agent crediting the account
of Borrower on the books of Agent with the aggregate amounts made available to
Agent by Banks, and in like funds as received by Agent. Unless the Agent shall
have been notified by any Bank prior to the Borrowing Date that such Bank does
not intend to make available to the Agent its portion of the Loan(s) to be made
on such date, the Agent may assume that such Bank has made such amount available
to the Agent on such Borrowing Date, and the Agent, in reliance upon such
assumption, may (in its sole discretion and without any obligation to do so)
make available to the Borrower a corresponding amount. If such corresponding
amount is not in fact made available to the Agent by such Bank and the Agent has
made available same to the Borrower, the Agent shall be entitled to recover such
corresponding amount from such Bank. If such Bank does not pay such
corresponding amount forthwith upon the Agent's demand therefor, the Agent shall
promptly notify the Borrower, and the Borrower shall immediately pay such
corresponding amount to the Agent. The Agent shall also be entitled to recover
from the Bank or the Borrower, as the case may be, interest on such
corresponding amount in respect of each day from the date such corresponding
amount was made available by the Agent to the Borrower to the date such
corresponding amount is recovered by the Agent, at a rate per annum equal to (x)
if paid by such Bank, the overnight Federal funds rate or (y) if paid by the
Borrower, the then applicable rate of interest, calculated in accordance with
subsection 2.5 hereof, for the respective Loan(s). The provisions for conversion
and continuation of the Loans are set forth in subsection 3.1 hereof.

         2.4 Revolving Credit Loan Commitment Fee. Borrower agrees to pay to
Agent for the benefit of each Bank a commitment fee for the Commitment Period,
computed at the rate of 1/4 of 1 percent (1/4%) per annum on the average daily
unused amount of each Bank's Revolving Credit Loan Commitment (for which purpose
only, the aggregate principal amount of any Swingline Loans shall be deemed a
utilization of Bank One's Revolving Credit Commitment) during the Commitment
Period, payable quarterly in arrears and due on the last day of each March,
June, September and December and on the last day of the Commitment Period,
commencing on the first of such dates to occur after the date hereof.

         2.5 Interest; Default Interest.

                  (a) Except as provided in subsection 2.5(b) hereof, (i) the
Revolving Credit Loans shall bear interest on the unpaid principal amount
thereof at a rate per annum equal to (y) in the case of Prime Rate Loans, the
Prime Rate in effect from time to time and (z) in the case of Eurodollar Rate
Loans, if permitted hereunder at such time, the Eurodollar Rate

                                      -23-
<PAGE>   29

determined for such day plus the Applicable Eurodollar Margin in effect for such
day, and (ii) the Swingline Loans shall bear interest on the unpaid principal
amount thereof at a rate per annum equal to the Prime Rate in effect from time
to time.

                  (b) If all or a portion of the principal amount of any of the
Revolving Credit Loans made hereunder (whether as Prime Rate Loans or Eurodollar
Rate Loans or a combination thereof) or the Swingline Loans shall not be paid
when due (whether at the stated maturity, by acceleration or otherwise), any
such overdue principal amount and, to the extent permitted by applicable law,
any overdue installment of interest on any Revolving Credit Loan or Swingline
Loan shall, without limiting any other rights of Banks, bear interest at a rate
per annum which is the sum of one percent (1.0%) plus the Prime Rate in effect
from time to time from the date of such non-payment until paid in full (before,
as well as after, judgment); provided, however, if all or any portion of any
principal on any Revolving Credit Loan made as a Eurodollar Rate Loan hereunder
shall not be paid when due and the then current Interest Period for such
Eurodollar Rate Loan has not yet expired, the entire principal amount of such
Eurodollar Rate Loan and, to the extent permitted by applicable law, any overdue
installment of interest on such Eurodollar Rate Loan shall, without limiting any
other rights of Banks, bear interest at a rate per annum which is the sum of one
percent (1.0%) plus the applicable non-default interest rate (which is the sum
of the applicable Eurodollar Rate and the Applicable Eurodollar Margin) on such
Eurodollar Rate Loan then in effect from the date of such non-payment until the
expiration of the then current Interest Period with respect to such Eurodollar
Rate Loan (before, as well as after, judgment); thereafter, the entire principal
amount of such Eurodollar Rate Loan and, to the extent permitted by applicable
law, any overdue installment of interest on such Eurodollar Rate Loan shall,
without limiting any other rights of Banks, bear interest at a rate per annum
which is the sum of one percent (1.0%) plus the Prime Rate in effect from time
to time until paid in full (before, as well as after, judgment).

                  (c) Interest shall be payable in arrears and shall be due on
each Interest Payment Date.

         2.6 Termination or Reduction of Commitment.

                  (a) Borrower shall have the right to terminate the Commitment
or, from time to time (and so long as no Default or Event of Default exists),
reduce the amount of the Commitment, upon not less than five Business Days'
written notice to each Bank specifying (i) either a reduction or termination and
(ii) in the case of a reduction, whether any prepayment, if required by this
Agreement, shall be of Prime Rate Loans, Eurodollar Rate Loans or a combination
thereof, and, in each case if a combination thereof, the principal allocable to
each.

                  (b) Any reduction of the Commitment shall be in the amount of
$5,000,000 or a whole multiple of $1,000,000 in excess thereof and shall reduce
permanently the amount of the Commitment then in effect. Any such reduction
shall be accompanied by (i)

                                      -24-
<PAGE>   30
prepayment of the Revolving Credit Loans made hereunder to the extent, if any,
that the amount of such Revolving Credit Loans then outstanding exceeds the
amount of the Revolving Credit Loan Commitments, as then reduced, together with
accrued interest on the amount so prepaid to the date of such prepayment, and
(ii) if a Revolving Credit Loan is a Eurodollar Rate Loan that is prepaid other
than at the end of the Interest Period applicable thereto, by any amounts
payable pursuant to subsection 3.5 hereof, Indemnity. Any such reduction of the
L/C Commitment, if the L/C Commitment is being reduced, shall be accompanied by
either (A) return to Agent of the outstanding Standby L/Cs or (B) payment by
Borrower to Agent of cash to fully collateralize outstanding Standby L/Cs, to
the extent, if any, that the amount of such Standby L/Cs then outstanding
exceeds the L/C Commitment portion of the Commitment as then reduced.

                  (c) Any such termination of the Commitment shall be
accompanied (i) by prepayment in full of the Revolving Credit Loans then
outstanding hereunder, together with accrued interest thereon to the date of
such prepayment, and the payment of any unpaid commitment fee then accrued
hereunder; (ii) with respect to Standby L/Cs, by Borrower's compliance with the
terms of subsection 2.14(b) hereof; and (iii) if a Revolving Credit Loan is a
Eurodollar Rate Loan that is prepaid other than at the end of the Interest
Period applicable thereto, by any amounts payable pursuant to subsection 3.5
hereof, Indemnity.

                  (d) Any such reduction or termination of the Revolving Credit
Loan Commitments and/or L/C Commitments portion(s) of the Commitment shall be
allocated to each Bank ratably in proportion to that Bank's Revolving Credit
Loan Commitment Percentage and/or L/C Commitment Percentage, as appropriate.

         2.7 Maturity Date of Commitment; Extension. Unless earlier terminated
pursuant to the terms of this Agreement, the Commitment shall terminate on the
Maturity Date, and the unpaid balance of the Revolving Credit Loans outstanding
shall be paid on the Maturity Date; provided, however, that once each year
during each and every year of the Commitment Period (without regard to whether
or not all Banks elected to extend the Commitment Period in any preceding year
during the Commitment Period) all Banks shall make an election whether or not,
in all Banks' sole discretion, to extend the Maturity Date by one year. If all
Banks elect to extend the Maturity Date by one year, such election shall be made
on or before September 30 of each year (or the first Business Day after
September 30 if September 30 is not a Business Day) by written notice from Agent
to Borrower. Each notice granting an extension shall be attached to each of the
Notes and shall constitute an amendment extending the maturity date of each Note
by one year. If all Banks do not unanimously elect to extend the Maturity Date
by one year, Agent shall not be required to give notice to Borrower of such
election not to extend. If Borrower has not received notice from Agent as stated
herein that all Banks have elected to extend the Maturity Date by one year, the
Maturity Date shall be deemed not to have been extended.

         2.8 Computation of Interest and Fees. Commitment fees on the Commitment
and interest in respect of the Revolving Credit Loans shall be calculated on the
basis of a 360 day

                                      -25-
<PAGE>   31

year for the actual days elapsed. Any change in the interest rate on the Loans
and the Notes resulting from a change in the Prime Rate or the Eurocurrency
Reserve Requirements shall become effective as of the opening of business of the
day on which such change in the Prime Rate or the Eurocurrency Reserve
Requirements shall become effective, without notice to Banks or Borrower.
However, Agent shall give Borrower and Banks prompt notice of all changes in the
Prime Rate or the Eurocurrency Reserve Requirements. Each determination of an
interest rate by Agent pursuant to any provision of this Agreement shall be
conclusive and binding on Banks and Borrower in the absence of manifest error.

         2.9 Increased Costs. In the event that at any time after the date of
this Agreement any law, rule or regulation regarding capital adequacy, or any
change therein or in the interpretation or application thereof or compliance by
any Bank (including Agent) with any request or directive regarding capital
adequacy (whether or not having the force of law) from any central bank or other
Governmental Authority, agency or instrumentality, does or shall have, in the
opinion of such Bank, the effect of reducing the rate of return on the capital
of such Bank or any corporation controlling such Bank as a consequence of such
Bank's obligations hereunder to a level below that which such Bank or any
corporation controlling such Bank could have achieved but for its adoption,
change or compliance (taking into account such Bank's or such corporation's
policies, as the case may be, with respect to capital adequacy) by an amount
deemed by such Bank to be material, then, from time to time, after submission by
such Bank to Borrower of a written request therefor, Borrower shall pay to such
Bank additional amount or amounts as will compensate such Bank or such
corporation, as the case may be, for such reduction. Such Bank's written request
to Borrower for compensation shall set forth in reasonable detail the
computation of any additional amounts payable to such Bank by Borrower, and such
request and computation shall be conclusive in the absence of manifest error.
This provision shall remain in full force and effect, with respect to the
Revolving Credit Loans until the later of (a) the termination of this Agreement
or (b) the payment in full of all Notes (provided that before accepting final
payment on the Notes, Bank shall calculate any amounts due in accordance with
this subsection 2.9 and give notice to Borrower of such amounts as stated
herein, and Borrower shall include such amounts in Borrower's final payment).
This provision shall survive the termination of all Standby L/Cs and, with
respect to Standby L/Cs, shall remain in full force and effect until there is no
existing or future obligation of Agent or any L/C Participant under any Standby
L/C. The provisions of this subsection 2.9 shall be supplemented by the
provisions of Section 3 hereof.

         2.10 Use of Proceeds. The proceeds of the initial Revolving Credit
Loans made hereunder shall be used by Borrower to pay in full the obligations
outstanding on the Revolving Credit Loans (as defined in the Existing Credit
Agreement), under the Existing Credit Agreement. Upon Borrower's irrevocable
payment in full of the obligations outstanding under the Existing Credit
Agreement (other than Standby L/Cs that remain in existence), each of the Banks
party thereto shall cancel the Existing Credit Agreement (except for Standby
L/Cs that remain in existence and all reimbursement agreements related to such
Standby L/Cs) and all promissory notes

                                      -26-
<PAGE>   32

and guaranties executed pursuant to the Existing Credit Agreement. Thereafter,
the proceeds of the Revolving Credit Loans made hereunder shall be used by
Borrower for lawful purposes in Borrower's business.

         2.11 Pro Rata Treatment and Payments.

                  (a) Each borrowing by Borrower from Banks hereunder, each
payment (including each prepayment) by Borrower on account of principal of and
interest on the Revolving Credit Loans, each payment by Borrower on account of
any commitment fee hereunder and any reduction of the Revolving Credit Loan
Commitments and/or the L/C Commitments shall be made pro rata according to the
respective Revolving Credit Loan Commitment Percentage and/or L/C Commitment
Percentage, as appropriate, then held by Banks. All payments (including
prepayments) to be made by Borrower hereunder and under the Notes, whether on
account of principal, interest, fees or otherwise, shall be made without set-off
or counterclaim and shall be made prior to 12:00 Noon, Columbus, Ohio time, on
the due date thereof to Agent, for the account of Banks, at Agent's 100 East
Broad Street office in Columbus, Ohio, in Dollars and in immediately available
funds. Agent shall distribute such payments to Banks promptly upon receipt in
like funds as received. If any payment hereunder on a Prime Rate Loan becomes
due and payable on a day other than a Business Day, such payment shall be
extended to the next succeeding Business Day, and, with respect to payments of
principal, interest thereon shall be payable at the then applicable rate during
such extension. If any payment hereunder on a Eurodollar Rate Loan becomes due
and payable on a day other than a Business Day, such payment shall be extended
to the next succeeding Business Day (and, with respect to payments of principal,
interest thereon shall be payable at the then applicable rate during such
extension) unless the result of such extension would be to extend such payment
into another calendar month, in which event such payment shall be made on the
immediately preceding Business Day.

         2.12 Swingline Loans.

                  (a) Subject to the terms and conditions of this Agreement,
Bank One in its individual capacity agrees to make at any time and from time to
time after the initial Borrowing Date and prior to the Swingline Expiry Date
swingline loans to Borrower ("Swingline Loans"), which Swingline Loans (i) shall
be made and maintained as Prime Rate Loans, (ii) shall be denominated in U.S.
Dollars, (iii) may be repaid and reborrowed in accordance with the provisions
hereof, (iv) shall not exceed in aggregate principal amount at any one time
outstanding, when combined with the aggregate principal amount of all Revolving
Credit Loans then outstanding, the Revolving Credit Loan Commitments and (v)
shall not exceed in aggregate principal amount at any time outstanding the
lesser of (y) the Borrowing Base (determined as of the most recent month end or,
if Borrower elects to provide an interim Borrowing Base Certificate pursuant to
subsection 6.4 hereof, as of the date stated in such Borrowing Base Certificate)
minus the sum of (1) the aggregate principal amount of undrawn and drawn Standby

                                      -27-
<PAGE>   33

L/Cs, exclusive of the amount of Standby L/Cs issued for the purpose of
satisfying bonding requirements, then outstanding, (2) the aggregate principal
amount of undrawn and drawn Guaranteed HNB Joint Ventures Letters of Credit,
exclusive of the amount of Guaranteed HNB Joint Ventures Letters of Credit
issued for the purpose of satisfying bonding requirements, then outstanding, and
(3) the aggregate principal amount of all Revolving Credit Loans then
outstanding, or (z) the Maximum Swingline Amount. Bank One will not make a
Swingline Loan after it has received written notice from Borrower or the
Required Banks stating that a Default or an Event of Default exists until such
time as Bank One shall have received a written notice of (i) rescission of such
notice from the party or parties originally delivering the same or (ii) a waiver
of such Default or Event of Default, as required by the Credit Agreement.

                  (b) Borrower shall give Bank One irrevocable telephonic or
written notice prior to 3:00 p.m., Columbus, Ohio time on the requested
Borrowing Date specifying the amount of the requested Swingline Loan which shall
be in a minimum amount of $100,000 or whole multiples of $10,000 in excess
thereof. The Swingline Loans will then be made available to Borrower by Bank One
by crediting the account of Borrower on the books of Bank One.

                  (c) The Swingline Loans shall be evidenced by a promissory
note of Borrower, substantially in the form of Exhibit C attached hereto, (the
"Swingline Note"), payable to the order of Bank One and evidencing the
obligation of Borrower to pay the aggregate unpaid principal amount of the
Swingline Loans made by Bank One with interest thereon as prescribed in
subsection 2.5 hereof. Bank One is hereby authorized to record electronically or
otherwise the date and amount of each Swingline Loan, and the date and amount of
each payment or prepayment of principal thereof, and any such recordation shall
constitute prima facie evidence of the accuracy of the information so recorded,
provided, however, the failure of Bank One to make any such recordation(s) shall
not affect the obligation of Borrower to repay outstanding principal, interest,
or any other amount due hereunder or under the Swingline Note in accordance with
the terms hereof and thereof. The Swingline Note shall (i) be dated as of the
date hereof, (ii) be stated to mature on the Swingline Expiry Date, and (iii)
bear interest for the period from and including the date thereof on the unpaid
principal amount thereof from time to time outstanding at the applicable
interest rate per annum determined as provided in subsection 2.5 hereof.
Interest on each Swingline Note shall be payable as specified in subsection 2.5
hereof.

                  (d) Bank One, at any time and in its sole and absolute
discretion, may, on behalf of Borrower (which hereby irrevocably directs Bank
One to act on Borrower's behalf), request each Bank, including Bank One, to make
a Revolving Credit Loan (each, a "Mandatory Borrowing") in an amount equal to
such Bank's Revolving Credit Loan Commitment Percentage of the amount of the
Swingline Loans (provided that each such request shall be deemed to have been
automatically given upon the occurrence of a Default or an Event of Default
under Section 9 or upon the exercise of any of the remedies provided in the last
paragraph of Section 9), in which case each Bank shall make the proceeds of its
Revolving Credit Loan available to Bank One on the immediately succeeding
Business Day pro rata based on each Bank's Revolving

                                      -28-
<PAGE>   34

Credit Loan Commitment Percentage, and the proceeds thereof shall be applied
directly to repay Bank One for such outstanding Swingline Loans. Each Bank
hereby irrevocably agrees to make Prime Rate Loans upon one Business Day's
notice pursuant to each Mandatory Borrowing in the amount and in the manner
specified in the preceding sentence and on the date specified by Bank One
notwithstanding (i) that the amount of the Mandatory Borrowing may not comply
with the minimum borrowing amount otherwise required hereunder, (ii) whether any
conditions specified in Section 5 are then satisfied, (iii) whether a Default or
an Event of Default has occurred and is continuing, (iv) the date of such
Mandatory Borrowing, (v) any reduction in the Revolving Credit Commitments after
any such Swingline Loans were made, (vi) Borrower's compliance with Borrowing
Base requirements, (vii) any set-off, counterclaim, recoupment, defense or other
right which such Bank may have against Bank One, Borrower or any other Person
for any reason whatsoever, or (viii) any other circumstance, happening or event
whatsoever, whether or not similar to any of the foregoing. In the event that
any Mandatory Borrowing cannot for any reason be made on the date otherwise
required above (including, without limitation, as a result of the commencement
of a proceeding under the Bankruptcy Code in respect of Borrower), each Bank
(other than Bank One) hereby agrees that it shall forthwith purchase from Bank
One (without recourse or warranty) such assignment of the outstanding Swingline
Loans as shall be necessary to cause the Banks to share in such Swingline Loans
ratably based upon their respective Revolving Credit Loan Commitment
Percentages, provided that all interest payable on the Swingline Loans shall be
for the account of Bank One until the date the Mandatory Borrowing is made, and,
to the extent attributable to the Mandatory Borrowing, shall be payable to the
Bank making such Mandatory Borrowing from and after the date such Mandatory
Borrowing is made.

                  (e) Whenever, at any time after Bank One has received from any
Bank such Bank's participating interest in a Swingline Loan and Bank One
receives any payment on account thereof, Bank One will distribute to such Bank
its participating interest in such amount (appropriately adjusted, in the case
of interest payments, to reflect the period of time during which such Bank's
participating interest was outstanding and funded); provided, however, that in
the event that such payment received by Bank One is required to be returned,
such Bank will return to Bank One any portion thereof previously distributed by
Bank One to it.

         2.13 The Standby L/Cs. So long as no Default or Event of Default
exists, Agent agrees to issue Standby L/Cs, pursuant to the terms and conditions
hereof, provided that the aggregate of the undrawn and drawn amounts of the
Standby L/Cs at any one time outstanding, including the amount of Standby L/Cs
issued for the purpose of satisfying bonding requirements, shall not exceed
Thirty Five Million and 00/100 Dollars ($35,000,000), of which the amount of
Standby L/Cs issued for purposes other than satisfying bonding requirements
shall not exceed the lesser of (x) (i) the Borrowing Base (determined as of the
most recent month end or, if Borrower elects to provide an interim Borrowing
Base Certificate pursuant to subsection 6.4 hereof, as of the date stated in
such Borrowing Base Certificate) minus (ii) the sum of (A) the aggregate
principal amount of Revolving Credit Loans then outstanding, (B) the aggregate
principal amount of Swingline Loans then outstanding and (C) the aggregate
principal amount of undrawn and drawn

                                      -29-
<PAGE>   35

Guaranteed HNB Joint Ventures Letters of Credit, exclusive of the amount of
Guaranteed HNB Joint Ventures Letters of Credit issued for the purpose of
satisfying bonding requirements, then outstanding, or (y) Twelve Million and
00/100 Dollars ($12,000,000).

         2.14 Issuance of Standby L/Cs.

                  (a) Borrower may request Agent to issue a Standby L/C by
delivering to Agent, no later than 11:00 a.m. two Business Days prior to the
date on which issuance of the Standby L/C is requested by Borrower, a standby
letter of credit application and reimbursement agreement in Agent's then
customary form (the "Standby L/C Application") completed to the satisfaction of
Agent, together with the proposed form of such letter of credit (which shall
comply with the applicable requirements of subsection 2.14(b) below) and such
other certificates, documents and other papers and information as Agent may
reasonably request.

                  (b) Each Standby L/C issued hereunder shall, among other
things, (i) be in such form requested by Borrower as shall be acceptable to
Agent in its sole discretion, and (ii) have an expiry date occurring not later
than three years after such Standby L/C's date of issuance. If the Commitment is
terminated (whether by acceleration, demand, or otherwise), then, not later than
simultaneously with such termination, all outstanding Standby L/Cs shall be
returned to Agent or Borrower shall provide cash to Agent to fully collateralize
all outstanding Standby L/Cs. Each Standby L/C Application and each Standby L/C
shall be subject to the Uniform Customs and, to the extent not inconsistent
therewith, the laws of the State of Ohio.

         2.15 Procedure for Opening Standby L/Cs. Upon receipt of any Standby
L/C Application from Borrower, Agent will process such Standby L/C Application,
and the other certificates, documents and other papers delivered to Agent in
connection therewith, in accordance with its customary procedures and send a
copy thereof to each L/C Participant, and, upon satisfaction of all conditions
contained in this Agreement, shall promptly open such Standby L/C by issuing the
original of such Standby L/C to the beneficiary thereof and by furnishing a copy
thereof to Borrower.

         2.16 Standby L/C Participations.

                  (a) Agent irrevocably agrees to grant and hereby grants to
each L/C Participant, and, to induce such Agent to issue Standby L/Cs hereunder,
each L/C Participant irrevocably agrees to accept and purchase and hereby
accepts and purchases from Agent, on the terms and conditions hereinafter
stated, for such L/C Participant's own account and risk, an undivided interest
equal to such L/C Participant's L/C Commitment Percentage in Agent's obligations
and rights under each Standby L/C and the amount of each draft paid by Agent.
Each L/C Participant's obligations as set forth in the immediately preceding
sentence shall be limited to the term of this Agreement, subject to the
condition that each L/C Participant unconditionally and irrevocably agrees with
Agent that, if a draft is paid at any time (whether during or after the term of

                                      -30-
<PAGE>   36

this Agreement) under any Standby L/C issued prior to the end of the term of
this Agreement for which Agent is not reimbursed in full by Borrower (including
failure by Borrower to provide cash collateral as provided in subsection 2.14(b)
hereof) at any time in accordance with the terms of this Agreement or for which
Agent is required at any time to return any portion of such reimbursement
(whether because of Borrower's bankruptcy or otherwise), such L/C Participant
shall pay to Agent upon demand at Agent's address for notices specified herein
an amount equal to such L/C Participant's L/C Commitment Percentage of the
amount of such draft, or any part thereof, which is not so reimbursed or which
Agent is required to return.

                  (b) If any amount required to be paid by any L/C Participant
to Agent in respect of any unreimbursed portion of any payment made by Agent
under any Standby L/C is not paid to Agent on the date such payment is due but
is paid within three Business Days after such payment is due, such L/C
Participant shall pay to Agent on demand an amount equal to the product of (i)
such amount, multiplied by (ii) the daily average Federal funds rate, as quoted
by Agent, during the period from and including the date such payment is required
to the date on which such payment is immediately available to Agent, multiplied
by (iii) a fraction the numerator of which is the number of days that elapse
during such period and the denominator of which is 360. If any such amount
required to be paid by any L/C Participant pursuant to this subsection 2.16 is
not paid to Agent by such L/C Participant within three Business Days after the
date such payment is due, Agent shall be entitled to recover from such L/C
Participant, on demand, such amount with interest thereon calculated from the
fourth Business Day after such due date until paid at the rate per annum
applicable to Loans made as Prime Rate Loans hereunder. A certificate of Agent
submitted to any L/C Participant with respect to any amounts owing under this
subsection 2.16 shall be conclusive in the absence of manifest error.

                  (c) Whenever, at any time after Agent has made payment under
any Standby L/C and has received from any L/C Participant its pro rata share of
such payment, Agent receives any payment related to such Standby L/C (whether
directly from Borrower or otherwise, including proceeds of collateral applied
thereto by Agent), or any payment of interest on account thereof, Agent will
distribute to such L/C Participant its pro rata share thereof; provided,
however, that in the event that any such payment received by Agent shall be
required to be returned by Agent, such L/C Participant shall return to Agent the
portion thereof previously distributed by Agent to it.

         2.17 Payments. Borrower agrees (a) to reimburse Agent, for the pro rata
benefit of the L/C Participants in accordance with each L/C Participant's
respective L/C Commitment Percentage, forthwith upon its demand and otherwise in
accordance with the terms of the Standby L/C Application relating thereto, for
any expenditure or payment made by Agent or L/C Participants under any Standby
L/C, and (b) to pay interest on any unreimbursed portion of any such payments
from the date of such payment until reimbursement in full thereof at a rate per
annum equal to (i) prior to the date which is (A) one Business Day after the day
on which Agent demands

                                      -31-
<PAGE>   37

reimbursement from Borrower for such payment if such demand is made prior to
11:00 a.m., Columbus, Ohio time or (B) two Business Days after the day on which
Agent demands reimbursement if such demand is made at or after 11:00 a.m.
Columbus, Ohio time, the rate which would then be payable on any outstanding
Loan made as a Prime Rate Loan which is not in default, and (ii) thereafter, the
rate which would then be payable on any outstanding Loan made as a Prime Rate
Loan which is in default.

         2.18 Standby L/C Fees. In lieu of any letter of credit commissions and
fees provided for in any Standby L/C Application (other than standard issuance,
amendment and negotiation fees), Borrower agrees to pay Agent, for the pro rata
benefit of the L/C Participants according to each L/C Participant's respective
L/C Commitment Percentage, with respect to each Standby L/C, a Standby L/C fee
(which shall be refundable on a pro rata basis to the extent (i) such Standby
L/C is cancelled prior to its expiry date or (ii) the face amount of such
Standby L/C is reduced from time to time) equal to and payable in accordance
with one of the following options selected by Borrower with respect to each
Standby L/C: (a) one percent (1%) per annum on the face amount of each Standby
L/C, payable in advance not later than the date of issuance thereof; or (b) one
and one-quarter percent (1 1/4%) per annum on the face amount of the Standby
L/C, payable in advance on the first day of each January, April, July and
October, beginning on the first of such dates to occur after the date of
issuance of the Standby L/C, occurring prior to the expiry date of the Standby
L/C. In addition, Agent shall charge and retain for its own account, and
Borrower agrees to pay, Agent's usual and customary charges with respect to the
issuance and administration of the Standby L/C.

         2.19 Letter of Credit Reserves. If any change in any law or regulation
or in the interpretation or application thereof by any court or other
governmental authority charged with the administration thereof shall either (a)
impose, modify, deem or make applicable any reserve, special deposit, assessment
or similar requirement against letters of credit issued by Agent, or (b) impose
on Agent or any L/C Participant any other condition regarding this Agreement or
any Standby L/C, and the result of any event referred to in clause (a) or (b)
above shall be to increase the cost to Agent or any L/C Participant of issuing
or maintaining any Standby L/C (which increase in cost shall be the result of
Agent's or any L/C Participant's reasonable allocation of the aggregate of such
cost increases resulting from such events), then, upon demand by Agent or any
L/C Participant, Borrower shall immediately pay to Agent, for the pro rata
benefit of such L/C Participant(s), from time to time as specified by Agent or
such L/C Participant(s), additional amounts which shall be sufficient to
compensate Agent or such L/C Participant(s) for such increased cost, together
with interest on each such amount from the date demanded until payment in full
thereof at a rate per annum equal to the then applicable interest rate on the
Revolving Credit Loans made as Prime Rate Loans. A certificate as to such
increased cost incurred by Agent or such L/C Participant(s), submitted by Agent
or such L/C Participant(s) to Borrower, shall be conclusive, absent manifest
error, as to the amount thereof. This provision shall survive the termination of
this Agreement and shall remain in full force and effect until there is no
existing or future obligation of Agent or any L/C Participant under any Standby
L/C.

                                      -32-
<PAGE>   38

         2.20 Further Assurances. Borrower hereby agrees to do and perform any
and all acts and to execute any and all further instruments reasonably requested
by Agent more fully to effect the purposes of this Agreement and the issuance of
Standby L/Cs hereunder, and further agrees to execute any and all instruments
reasonably requested by Agent in connection with the obtaining and/or
maintaining of any insurance coverage applicable to any Standby L/C.

         2.21 Obligations Absolute. The contingent reimbursement obligations and
the Reimbursement Obligations of Borrower with respect to Standby L/Cs under
this Agreement shall be unconditional and irrevocable and shall be paid strictly
in accordance with the terms of this Agreement under all circumstances,
including without limitation the following:

                  (a) the existence of any claim, set-off, defense or other
right which Borrower may have at any time against any beneficiary, or any
transferee, of any Standby L/C (or any Persons for whom any such beneficiary or
any such transferee may be acting), Agent, or any other Person, whether in
connection with this Agreement, the transaction contemplated herein, or any
unrelated transaction;

                  (b) any statement or any other document presented under any
Standby L/C proving to be forged, fraudulent, invalid or insufficient in any
respect or any statement therein being untrue or inaccurate in any respect;

                  (c) payment by Agent under any Standby L/C against
presentation of a draft or certificate which does not comply with the terms of
such Standby L/C provided that Agent has made such payment to the beneficiary
set forth on the face of such Standby L/C; or

                  (d) any other circumstances or happening whatsoever, whether
or not similar to any of the foregoing.

         2.22 Existing Standby L/Cs; L/C Participations. Attached hereto as
Schedule 2 is a list of all Standby L/Cs previously issued by Bank One or HNB
for the account of Borrower that are outstanding and will remain in place as of
the first Borrowing Date ("Existing Standby L/Cs"). The amount of the Existing
Standby L/Cs shall be deemed to be included in the aggregate amount of Standby
L/Cs outstanding as of the first Borrowing Date for purposes of subsection 2.13
hereof. Where appropriate, in any provision in subsections 2.16 through 2.21
hereof that provides for Borrower to make payment to Agent or that grants other
rights to Agent with respect to Standby L/Cs, or that provides for the purchase
by L/C Participants of an interest in Standby L/Cs, the words "Bank One or HNB,
as appropriate" shall be substituted for "Agent" with respect to Existing
Standby L/Cs. Not later than the first Borrowing Date, each L/C Participant
shall enter into a letter agreement in substantially the form of Exhibit I
attached hereto whereby (a) each L/C Participant shall purchase or sell, as
appropriate, participations in each Existing Standby L/C in such amounts to make
each L/C Participant's respective percentage interest in each Existing Standby
L/C equal to such L/C Participant's L/C Commitment Percentage and (b) each L/C
Participant shall share in the

                                      -33-
<PAGE>   39

fees paid and earned beginning as of the first Borrowing Date (including that
portion of fees paid prior to the first Borrowing Date that have not been earned
as of the first Borrowing Date), and shall pay to Bank One or HNB, as
appropriate, for the account of Borrower such L/C Participant's respective L/C
Commitment Percentage of the refund (as provided in subsection 2.18 hereof) of
any fees for any Existing Standby L/C that is terminated early or reduced in
amount and for which a fee has been allocated in accordance with such letter
agreement.

                SECTION 3. GENERAL PROVISIONS APPLICABLE TO LOANS

         3.1 Conversion and Continuation Options.

                  (a) Borrower may elect from time to time to convert
outstanding Revolving Credit Loans from Eurodollar Rate Loans to Prime Rate
Loans by giving the Agent at least two Business Days' prior irrevocable notice
of such election, provided that any such conversion of Eurodollar Rate Loans may
only be made on the last day of an Interest Period with respect thereto. Subject
to the limitations on the availability of Eurodollar Rate Loans, Borrower may
elect from time to time to convert outstanding Revolving Credit Loans from Prime
Rate Loans to Eurodollar Rate Loans by giving the Agent telephonic or written
notice (the "Notice of Conversion"), which Notice of Conversion must be received
prior to 12:00 Noon, Columbus, Ohio time, at least three Business Days prior to
the requested date for the conversion, which Notice of Conversion shall specify
(i) the date for the conversion; (ii) the aggregate amount of Prime Rate Loans
to be converted; and (iii) and for each such Prime Rate Loan to be converted to
a Eurodollar Rate Loan, the respective amount and the respective length of the
initial Interest Period. Each conversion from Prime Rate Loans to Eurodollar
Rate Loans shall be in the principal amount of $10,000,000 or any larger amount
which is an even multiple of $1,000,000. After Borrower gives a Notice of
Conversion from Prime Rate Loans to Eurodollar Rate Loans, Agent, by 10:00 a.m.,
Columbus, Ohio time, two Business Days prior to the requested date for the
conversion, shall advise Borrower of the applicable interest rate(s) (which is
the sum of the applicable Eurodollar Rate(s) and the Applicable Eurodollar
Margin) for the Eurodollar Rate Loan(s) and Interest Period(s) requested in the
Notice of Conversion. Not more than two hours thereafter, Borrower shall give
Agent written irrevocable confirmation of whether or not Borrower wants to
convert the Prime Rate Loans to Eurodollar Rate Loan(s) on such requested date
and, if so, the amount and the Interest Period for each such Eurodollar Rate
Loan. If Borrower's confirmation is not timely made, Borrower shall be deemed to
have withdrawn Borrower's Notice of Conversion and the Prime Rate Loans that
were the subject of such Notice of Conversion shall continue as Prime Rate
Loans. If Borrower's written confirmation is timely made, Borrower shall be
deemed to be requesting a conversion from Prime Rate Loans to Eurodollar Rate
Loan(s) in the amount(s) and for the Interest Period(s) stated in the
confirmation. By 2:00 p.m., Columbus, Ohio time, two Business Days prior to the
requested Borrowing Date, Agent shall give telephonic or written notice to each
Bank of Borrower's request for conversion, specifying (i) the date for the
conversion; (ii) the aggregate amount of Prime Rate Loans to be converted; and
(iii) and, for each such Prime Rate Loan to be converted to a Eurodollar Rate

                                      -34-
<PAGE>   40

Loan, the respective amount, the respective Eurodollar Rate, and the respective
length of the initial Interest Period applicable thereto. All or any part of
outstanding Eurodollar Rate Loans and Prime Rate Loans may be converted as
provided herein, provided that (i) (unless the Required Banks otherwise consent)
no Prime Rate Loan may be converted into a Eurodollar Rate Loan when any Default
or Event of Default has occurred and is continuing and (ii) no Prime Rate Loan
may be converted into a Eurodollar Rate Loan after the date that is one month
prior to the last day of the Commitment Period.

                  (b) Subject to the limitations on the availability of
Eurodollar Rate Loans, any Eurodollar Rate Loans may be continued as such upon
the expiration of the then current Interest Period with respect thereto by
Borrower giving Agent telephonic or written notice, which notice must be
received prior to 12:00 Noon, Columbus, Ohio time, at least three Business Days
prior to such last day of the then current Interest Period, and which notice
shall specify the amount of the Eurodollar Rate Loans to be continued as such
and the respective amount and the respective length of the Interest Period for
each Eurodollar Rate Loan. After Borrower gives such notice, Agent, by 10:00
a.m. two Business Days prior to the end of the Interest Period, shall advise
Borrower of the applicable interest rate(s) (which is the sum of the applicable
Eurodollar Rate(s) and the Applicable Eurodollar Margin) for the Eurodollar Rate
Loan(s) and Interest Period(s) requested in such notice. Not more than two hours
thereafter, Borrower shall give Agent written irrevocable confirmation of
whether or not Borrower wants to continue the Eurodollar Rate Loan(s) as such
and, if so, the amount and the Interest Period for each such Eurodollar Rate
Loan. If Borrower's confirmation is not timely made, Borrower shall be deemed to
have withdrawn Borrower's notice for a continuation and the Eurodollar Rate
Loans that were the subject of such request shall convert automatically to a
Prime Rate Loan upon the expiration of the then current Interest Period. If
Borrower's written confirmation is timely made, Borrower shall be deemed to be
requesting a continuation of the Eurodollar Rate Loan(s) in the amount(s) and
for the Interest Period(s) stated in such notice. Agent shall give prompt
telephonic or written notice to each Bank of such request for continuation,
specifying the aggregate amount of the Eurodollar Rate Loans to be continued as
such and, for each such Eurodollar Rate Loan to be continued, the respective
amount, the respective Eurodollar Rate, and the respective length of the
Interest Period applicable thereto. All or any part of outstanding Eurodollar
Rate Loans may be continued as provided herein, provided that (i) (unless the
Required Banks otherwise consent) no Eurodollar Rate Loan may be continued when
any Default or Event of Default has occurred and is continuing and (ii) no
Eurodollar Rate Loan may be continued as a Eurodollar Rate Loan after the date
that is one month prior to the last day of the Commitment Period.

         3.2 Inability to Determine Interest Rate. If prior to the first day of
any Interest Period, the Agent or the Required Banks shall have determined
(which determination shall be conclusive and binding upon Borrower) that, by
reason of circumstances affecting the relevant market, adequate and reasonable
means do not exist for ascertaining the Eurodollar Rate for such Interest
Period, the Agent shall give telecopy, telephonic or written notice thereof to
Borrower

                                      -35-
<PAGE>   41

and the Banks as soon as practicable thereafter. If such notice is given (x) any
Eurodollar Rate Loans requested to be made on the first day of such Interest
Period shall be made as Prime Rate Loans and (y) any Loans that were to have
been converted on the first day of such Interest Period to or continued as
Eurodollar Rate Loans shall be converted to or continued as Prime Rate Loans.
Until such notice has been withdrawn by the Agent, no further Eurodollar Rate
Loans shall be made or continued as such, nor shall Borrower have the right to
convert Prime Rate Loans to Eurodollar Rate Loans.

         3.3 Illegality; Impracticability. Notwithstanding any other provision
herein, if the adoption of or any change in any Requirement of Law or in the
interpretation or application thereof shall make it unlawful, or if compliance
by any Bank or its applicable lending office, branch or any affiliate thereof
with any request or directive (whether or not having the force of law) from any
central bank or other Governmental Authority occurring after the date hereof
(or, if later, the date on which such Bank becomes a Bank pursuant to any
permitted assignment) shall make it impracticable, for any Bank, or its
applicable lending office, branch or any affiliate thereof, to make or maintain
Eurodollar Rate Loans as contemplated by this Agreement, (a) such Bank shall
promptly give written notice of such circumstances to Borrower and the Agent
(which notice shall be withdrawn whenever such circumstances no longer exist),
(b) the commitment of such Bank hereunder to make Eurodollar Rate Loans,
continue Eurodollar Rate Loans as such and convert Prime Rate Loans to
Eurodollar Rate Loans shall forthwith be canceled and, until such time as it
shall no longer be unlawful for such Bank to make or maintain Eurodollar Rate
Loans, such Bank shall then have a commitment only to make a Prime Rate Loan
when a Eurodollar Rate Loan is requested and (c) such Bank's Loans then
outstanding as Eurodollar Rate Loans, if any, shall be converted automatically
to Prime Rate Loans on the respective last days of the then current Interest
Periods with respect to such Loans or within such earlier period as required by
law. If any such conversion of a Eurodollar Rate Loan occurs on a day which is
not the last day of the then current Interest Period with respect thereto,
Borrower shall pay to such Bank such amounts, if any, as may be required
pursuant to subsection 3.5 hereof, Indemnity.

         3.4 Requirements of Law. If the adoption of or any change in any
Requirement of Law or in the interpretation or application thereof applicable to
any Bank, or its applicable lending office, branch or any affiliate thereof, or
compliance by any Bank, or its applicable lending office, branch or any
affiliate thereof, with any request or directive (whether or not having the
force of law) from any central bank or other Governmental Authority, in each
case made subsequent to the date hereof (or, if later, the date on which such
Bank becomes a Bank pursuant to any permitted assignment):

                  (a) shall subject such Bank, or its applicable lending office,
branch or any affiliate thereof, to any tax of any kind whatsoever with respect
to any Eurodollar Rate Loans made by it or its obligation to make Eurodollar
Rate Loans, or change the basis of taxation of payments to such Bank in respect
thereof and changes in taxes measured by or imposed upon the overall net income,
or franchise taxes, or taxes measured by or imposed upon overall capital or

                                      -36-
<PAGE>   42

net worth, or branch taxes (in the case of such capital, net worth or branch
taxes, imposed in lieu of such net income tax), of such Bank or its applicable
lending office, branch, or any affiliate thereof;

                  (b) shall impose, modify or hold applicable any reserve,
special deposit, compulsory loan or similar requirement against assets held by,
deposits or other liabilities in or for the account of, advances, loans or other
extensions of credit by, or any other acquisition of funds by, any office of
such Bank which is not otherwise included in the determination of the Eurodollar
Rate hereunder; or

                  (c) shall impose on such Bank, or its applicable lending
office, branch or any affiliate thereof, any other condition;

and the result of any of the foregoing is to increase the cost to such Bank, by
an amount which such Bank, or its applicable lending office, branch or any
affiliate thereof, deems to be material, of making, converting into, continuing
or maintaining Eurodollar Rate Loans or to reduce any amount receivable
hereunder in respect thereof, then, in any such case, upon notice to Borrower
from such Bank, through the Agent, in accordance herewith, Borrower shall
promptly pay such Bank, upon its demand, any additional amounts necessary to
compensate such Bank for such increased cost or reduced amount receivable; in
addition, in any such case, Borrower may elect to convert the Eurodollar Rate
Loans made by such Bank hereunder to Prime Rate Loans by giving the Agent at
least one Business Day's notice of such election, in which case Borrower shall
promptly pay to such Bank, upon demand, without duplication, such amounts, if
any, as may be required pursuant to subsection 3.5 hereof. If any Bank becomes
entitled to claim any additional amounts pursuant to this subsection, it shall
provide prompt notice thereof to Borrower, through the Agent, certifying (x)
that one of the events described in this paragraph (a) has occurred and
describing in reasonable detail the nature of such event, (y) as to the
increased cost or reduced amount receivable hereunder resulting from such event
and (z) as to the additional amount demanded by such Bank and a reasonably
detailed explanation of the calculation thereof. Such a certificate as to any
additional amounts payable pursuant to this subsection submitted by such Bank,
through the Agent, to Borrower shall be conclusive in the absence of manifest
error. This covenant shall survive the termination of this Agreement and the
payment of the Loans and all other amounts payable hereunder.

         3.5 Indemnity. Borrower agrees to indemnify each Bank and to hold each
Bank harmless from any loss or expense which such Bank may sustain or incur
(other than through such Bank's gross negligence or willful misconduct) as a
consequence of (a) default by Borrower in making a borrowing of, conversion into
or continuation of Eurodollar Rate Loans after Borrower has given Agent written
irrevocable confirmation that Borrower wants such Eurodollar Rate Loans in
accordance with subsection 2.3 or subsection 3.1 hereof, as appropriate, of this
Agreement, (b) default by Borrower in making any prepayment or conversion of a
Eurodollar Rate Loan after Borrower has given a notice thereof in accordance
with the provisions

                                      -37-
<PAGE>   43

of this Agreement or (c) the making of a prepayment of Eurodollar Rate Loans on
a day which is not the last day of an Interest Period with respect thereto
(whether by acceleration, demand or otherwise). Such indemnification may
include, without limitation, an amount equal to the excess, if any, of (i) the
amount of interest which would have accrued on the amount so prepaid, or
converted, or not so borrowed, converted or continued, for the period from the
date of such prepayment or conversion or of such failure to borrow, convert or
continue to the last day of the applicable Interest Period (or, in the case of a
failure to borrow, convert or continue, the Interest Period that would have
commenced on the date of such failure) in each case at the applicable rate of
interest for such Eurodollar Rate Loans provided for herein over (ii) the amount
of interest (as reasonably determined by such Bank) which would have accrued to
such Bank on such amount by placing such amount on deposit for a comparable
period with leading banks in the interbank eurodollar market. This covenant
shall survive the termination of this Agreement and the payment of the Loans and
all other amounts payable hereunder.

                    SECTION 4. REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES

         In order to induce Banks and Agent to enter into this Agreement and to
make the Revolving Credit Loans and Swingline Loans and to issue the Standby
L/Cs herein provided for, Borrower hereby covenants, represents and warrants to
each Bank and to Agent that on the date hereof:

         4.1 Financial Statements. Borrower has heretofore furnished to each
Bank (a) the consolidated balance sheet of Borrower and Borrower's Subsidiaries
as of December 31, 1998, and the related consolidated statements of income, of
stockholders' equity and of cash flows for the fiscal year of Borrower then
ended, certified by an independent public accountant of recognized national
standing and (b) the consolidated unaudited balance sheet and income statement
of Borrower and Borrower's Subsidiaries as of September 30, 1999. Each of the
foregoing financial statements fairly presents the financial condition of
Borrower and Borrower's Subsidiaries as of the date thereof and the results of
the operations of Borrower and Borrower's Subsidiaries for the period then ended
(subject, in the case of the September 30, 1999 statements, to year-end audit
adjustments) and, from the respective dates of the foregoing financial
statements to the date hereof, there has been no material adverse change in such
condition.

         4.2 Corporate Existence; Compliance with Law. Each of Borrower and
Borrower's Subsidiaries (a) is duly organized, validly existing and in good
standing under the laws of the jurisdiction of its incorporation, formation or
organization, as appropriate, (b) has the requisite power and authority to
conduct the business in which it is currently engaged, (c) is qualified as a
foreign entity to do business under the laws of any jurisdiction where the
failure to so qualify would have a material adverse effect on the business of
Borrower and Borrower's Subsidiaries taken as a whole, and (d) is in compliance
with all Requirements of Law except to the extent that the failure to comply
therewith would not, in the aggregate, have a material adverse

                                      -38-
<PAGE>   44

effect on the business, operations, property or financial or other condition of
Borrower and Borrower's Subsidiaries taken as a whole and would not materially
adversely affect the ability of Borrower to perform Borrower's obligations under
this Agreement and the Notes.

         4.3 Corporate Power; Authorization; Enforceable Obligations. Borrower
has the corporate power and authority to make, deliver and perform this
Agreement and the Notes and to borrow hereunder, and has taken all corporate
action necessary to be taken by it to authorize (a) the borrowings on the terms
and conditions of this Agreement and the Notes, and (b) the execution, delivery
and performance of this Agreement and the Notes. No consent, waiver or
authorization of, or filing with any Person (including without limitation any
Governmental Authority) is required to be made or obtained by Borrower in
connection with the borrowings hereunder or the execution, delivery,
performance, validity or enforceability of this Agreement and the Notes. This
Agreement has been, and each Note will be, duly executed and delivered on behalf
of Borrower and this Agreement constitutes, and each Note when executed and
delivered hereunder will constitute, a legal, valid and binding obligation of
Borrower enforceable against Borrower in accordance with its terms, subject to
the effect, if any, of bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization, arrangement or
other similar laws relating to or affecting the rights of creditors generally
and the limitations, if any, imposed by the general principles of equity and
public policy.

         4.4 No Legal Bar. The execution, delivery and performance of this
Agreement and the Notes, the borrowings hereunder and the use of the proceeds
thereof do not and will not violate any Requirement of Law or Contractual
Obligation (including, without limitation, the BankBoston Agreement) of Borrower
or any of Borrower's Subsidiaries and do not and will not result in, or require,
the creation or imposition of any Lien on any of its properties or revenues
pursuant to any Requirement of Law or Contractual Obligation.

         4.5 No Material Litigation. No litigation, investigation or proceeding
of or before any arbitrator or Governmental Authority is pending or, to the best
knowledge of Borrower, threatened by or against Borrower or any of Borrower's
Subsidiaries or against any of their respective properties or revenues (a) with
respect to this Agreement or the Notes or any of the transactions contemplated
hereby or thereby, or (b) which could reasonably be expected to have a material
adverse effect on the business, operations, property or financial or other
condition of Borrower and Borrower's Subsidiaries taken as a whole.

         4.6 Regulation U. Neither Borrower nor any of Borrower's Subsidiaries
is engaged, nor will either of them engage, principally or as one of its
important activities, in the business of extending credit for the purpose of
"purchasing" or "carrying" any "margin stock" within the respective meanings of
each of the quoted terms under Regulation U of the Board of Governors of the
Federal Reserve System as now and from time to time hereafter in effect. No part
of the proceeds of any loans hereunder will be used for "purchasing" or
"carrying" "margin stock" as so defined or for any purpose which violates, or
which would be inconsistent with, the provisions of the Regulations of such
Board of Governors. If requested by Agent, Borrower and each of

                                      -39-
<PAGE>   45

Borrower's Subsidiaries will furnish to Agent a statement in conformity with the
requirements of Federal Reserve Form U-1 referred to in said Regulation U to the
foregoing effect.

         4.7 Investment Company Act. Neither Borrower nor any of Borrower's
Subsidiaries is an "investment company" or a company "controlled" by an
"investment company," within the meaning of the Investment Company Act of 1940,
as amended.

         4.8 ERISA. Borrower and Borrower's Subsidiaries are in compliance in
all material respects with ERISA. There has been no Reportable Event with
respect to any Plan. There has been no institution of proceedings or any other
action by PBGC or Borrower or any Commonly Controlled Entity to terminate or
withdraw or partially withdraw from any Plan under any circumstances which could
lead to material liabilities to PBGC or, with respect to a Multiemployer Plan,
the Reorganization or Insolvency (as each such term is defined in ERISA) of the
Plan.

         4.9 Disclosure. No representations or warranties made by Borrower in
this Agreement or in any other document furnished from time to time in
connection herewith (as such other documents may be supplemented from time to
time) contains or will contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omits
or will omit to state any material fact necessary to make the statements herein
or therein not misleading.

         4.10 Subsidiary Information. Schedule 3 attached hereto contains the
name, principal place of business, all other places of business and percentage
of ownership of all of the Subsidiaries of Borrower.

         4.11 M/I Ancillary Businesses Information. Schedule 4 attached hereto
contains the name, principal place of business, all other places of business and
percentage of ownership of all of the M/I Ancillary Businesses.

         4.12 Schedules. Each of the Schedules to this Agreement contains true,
complete and correct information in all material respects.

         4.13 Year 2000 Compliance. Borrower has identified the issues with
respect to Year 2000 Compliance and has a realistic and achievable program for
achieving Year 2000 Compliance on a timely basis. Based on such identification
and program, Borrower does not reasonably anticipate that any issue with respect
to Year 2000 Compliance will have a material adverse effect on Borrower's
consolidated operations, business or financial condition.

         4.14 Environment. Borrower and Borrower's Subsidiaries have been issued
and will maintain all required federal, state, and local permits, licenses,
certificates and approvals relating to (1) emissions; (2) discharges to service
water or groundwater; (3) noise emissions; (4) solid or liquid waste disposal;
(5) the use, generation, storage, transportation or disposal of

                                      -40-
<PAGE>   46

toxic or hazardous substances or hazardous wastes; or (6) other environmental,
health or safety matters, except to the extent the failure to have any such
permit, license, certificate or approval would not have a material adverse
effect on Borrower's consolidated operations, business or financial condition.
Neither Borrower nor any of Borrower's Subsidiaries have received notice of, or
has actual knowledge of any material violations of any federal, state or local
environmental, health or safety laws, codes or ordinances or any rules or
regulations promulgated thereunder. Except in accordance with a valid
governmental permit, license, certificate or approval, there has been no
material emission, spill, release or discharge into or upon (1) the air; (2)
soils; (3) service water or groundwater; (4) the sewer, septic system or waste
treatment, storage or disposal system servicing the premises of any toxic or
hazardous substances or hazardous wastes at or from the premises; and
accordingly the premises of Borrower and Borrower's Subsidiaries have not been
adversely affected, in any material respect, by any toxic or hazardous
substances or wastes. There has been no complaint, order, directive, claim,
citation or notice by any Governmental Authority or any person or entity with
respect to material violations of law or damages by reason of Borrower or
Borrower's Subsidiaries (1) air emissions; (2) spills, releases or discharges to
soils or improvements located thereon, surface water, groundwater or the sewer,
septic system or waste treatment, storage or disposal system servicing the
premises; (3) noise emissions; (4) solid or liquid waste disposal; (5) use,
generation, storage, transportation or disposal of toxic or hazardous substances
or hazardous wastes; or (6) other environmental, health or safety matters
affecting Borrower or any of Borrower's Subsidiaries. Neither Borrower nor any
of Borrower's Subsidiaries have any material indebtedness, obligation or
liability, absolute or contingent, matured or unmatured, with respect to the
storage, treatment, cleanup or disposal of any solid waste, hazardous wastes, or
other toxic or hazardous substances. For purposes of this subsection 4.14, a
violation, emission, spill, release, discharge, damage, adverse effect,
indebtedness, obligation or liability shall be deemed material if, and only if,
such violation, emission, spill, release, discharge, damage, adverse effect,
indebtedness, obligation or liability would have a material adverse effect on
Borrower's consolidated operations, business or financial condition.

                         SECTION 5. CONDITIONS PRECEDENT

         5.1 Conditions to Initial Loan(s). The obligation of the Banks to make
the initial Loan(s), of Bank One to make Swingline Loans and of Agent to issue
any Standby L/C hereunder on the first Borrowing Date is subject to the
satisfaction of the following conditions precedent on or prior to such date:

                  (a) Notes.

                           (i) Each Bank shall have received its respective
     Revolving Credit Note, conforming to the requirements hereof and duly
     executed and delivered by a duly authorized officer of Borrower; and

                                      -41-
<PAGE>   47

                           (ii) Bank One shall have received its Swingline Note,
     conforming to the requirements hereof and duly executed and delivered by a
     duly authorized officer of Borrower.

                  (b) Guaranty Agreement. The Guaranty Agreement shall have been
duly executed and delivered by the parties thereto, conforming to the
requirements hereof.

                  (c) Borrowing Base Compliance. Borrower shall have delivered
to each Bank and Agent a Borrowing Base Certificate in the form of Exhibit D
attached hereto ("Borrowing Base Certificate"), certified by a Responsible
Officer of M/I, which shows that the Borrowing Base as of October 31, 1999 is at
least equal to the Loans requested hereunder plus the amount of any Standby L/Cs
either (i) issued hereunder or (ii) issued under the Existing Credit Agreement
or any predecessor to the Existing Credit Agreement and which remain in place as
Standby L/Cs hereunder.

                  (d) Legal Opinions of Counsel to Borrower. Each Bank and Agent
shall have received an executed legal opinion of Paul S. Coppel, Esq., counsel
to Borrower and Borrower's Subsidiaries, dated as of the date hereof and
addressed to each Bank and Agent, substantially in the form of Exhibit E
attached hereto, and otherwise in form and substance satisfactory to each Bank
and Agent and covering such other matters incident to the transactions
contemplated hereby as each Bank and Agent or their respective counsel may
reasonably require.

                  (e) Corporate Proceedings of Borrower. Each Bank and Agent
shall have received a copy of the respective resolutions (in form and substance
satisfactory to each Bank and Agent) of the Board of Directors of M/I and the
sole shareholder of M/I Homes authorizing (i) the execution, delivery and
performance of this Agreement, (ii) the consummation of the transactions
contemplated hereby, (iii) the borrowings herein provided for, and (iv) the
execution, delivery and performance of the Notes and the other documents
provided for in this Agreement, all certified by the Secretary or the Assistant
Secretary of Borrower as of the date hereof. Such certificate shall state that
the resolutions set forth therein have not been amended, modified, revoked or
rescinded as of the date hereof.

                  (f) Proceedings of Subsidiaries of Borrower which are
Guarantors. Each Bank and Agent shall have received a copy of the resolutions
(in form and substance satisfactory to Agent) of (i) M/I Schottenstein Homes,
Inc., as the sole shareholder of each of M/I Financial Corp., M/I Homes
Construction, Inc. and M/I Service Corp., and as the sole member of Northeast
Office Venture and 601RS, LLC; and (ii) M/I Homes, as the sole member of MHO,
LLC, each resolution authorizing the execution, delivery and performance of the
Guaranty Agreement, all certified by the Secretary (or other person in a
comparable position) of the respective Subsidiary as of the date hereof. Such
certificate shall state that the resolutions set forth therein have not been
amended, modified, revoked or rescinded as of the date hereof.

                                      -42-
<PAGE>   48

                  (g) Incumbency Certificate of Borrower. Each Bank and Agent
shall have received a certificate of the Secretary or an Assistant Secretary of
each of M/I and M/I Homes, dated the date hereof, as to the incumbency and
signature of the officer(s) of each executing this Agreement, the Notes and any
certificate or other documents to be delivered pursuant hereto or thereto.

                  (h) Incumbency Certificates of Subsidiaries. Each Bank and
Agent shall have received a certificate of the Secretary (or other person in a
comparable position) of each of the Subsidiaries of Borrower, dated the date
hereof, as to the incumbency and signatures of the officer(s) (or other
person(s) in a comparable position) of each executing the Guaranty Agreement.

                  (i) No Proceeding or Litigation; No Injunctive Relief. No
action, suit or proceeding before any arbitrator or any Governmental Authority
shall have been commenced, no investigation by any Governmental Authority shall
have been commenced and no action, suit, proceeding or investigation by any
Governmental Authority shall have been threatened, against Borrower or any
Subsidiary of Borrower or any of the officers, directors or managers of Borrower
or any Subsidiary of Borrower, seeking to restrain, prevent or change the
transactions contemplated by this Agreement in whole or in part or questioning
the validity or legality of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement or
seeking damages in connection with such transactions.

                  (j) Consents, Licenses, Approvals, etc. Each Bank and Agent
shall have received true copies (certified to be such by Borrower or other
appropriate party) of all consents, licenses and approvals required in
accordance with applicable law in connection with the execution, delivery,
performance, validity and enforceability of this Agreement, the Notes and the
Guaranty Agreement, if the failure to obtain such consents, licenses or
approvals, individually or in the aggregate, would have a material adverse
effect on Borrower and Borrower's Subsidiaries taken as a whole, or would
adversely affect the validity or enforceability of any of the foregoing
documents, and approvals obtained shall be in full force and effect and be
satisfactory in form and substance to each Bank and Agent.

                  (k) Compliance with Law. Neither Borrower nor any of
Borrower's Subsidiaries shall be in violation in any material respect of any
applicable statute, regulation or ordinance, including without limitation
statutes, regulations or ordinances relating to environmental matters, of any
governmental entity, or any agency thereof, in any respect materially and
adversely affecting the business, property, assets, operations or condition,
financial or otherwise, of Borrower and Borrower's Subsidiaries taken as a
whole.

                  (l) No Default or Event of Default. No Default or Event of
Default shall have occurred and be continuing hereunder prior to or after giving
effect to the making of the initial loans (including the issuance of Standby
L/Cs) on the first Borrowing Date hereunder.

                                      -43-
<PAGE>   49

                  (m) No Material Adverse Change. There shall have been no
material adverse change in the consolidated financial condition or business or
operations of Borrower and Borrower's Subsidiaries from the date of Borrower's
September 30, 1999 unaudited consolidated financial statements to the first
Borrowing Date.

                  (n) Additional Matters. All corporate and other proceedings
and all other documents and legal matters in connection with the transactions
contemplated by this Agreement, the Notes and the Guaranty Agreement shall be
satisfactory in form and substance to each Bank and Agent and their respective
counsel.

                  (o) Standby L/C Application. If the issuance of any Standby
L/C is part of the initial loan(s), Borrower shall have delivered to Agent a
Standby L/C Application in accordance with subsection 2.14 hereof for each
Standby L/C that Borrower has requested Agent to issue on the first Borrowing
Date.

         5.2 Conditions to All Loans. In addition to the other terms and
conditions of this Agreement with respect to the making of Loans and the
issuance of Standby L/Cs, the obligation of each Bank to make any Loan and of
Agent to issue of any Standby L/C hereunder on any date (including without
limitation the first Borrowing Date) is subject to the satisfaction of the
following conditions precedent as of such date:

                  (a) Representations and Warranties. The representations and
warranties made by Borrower in this Agreement and any representations and
warranties made by Borrower or any Subsidiary of Borrower which are contained in
any certificate, document or financial or other statement furnished at any time
under or in connection herewith or therewith, shall be true and correct in all
material respects on and as of the date of such Loan as if made on and as of
such date unless stated to relate to a specific earlier date.

                  (b) No Default or Event of Default. No Default or Event of
Default shall have occurred and be continuing on such date or after giving
effect to the Loan to be made or Standby L/C to be issued on such date.

                  (c) Standby L/C Application. If the issuance of any Standby
L/C is part of any borrowing, Borrower shall have delivered to Agent a Standby
L/C Application in accordance with subsection 2.14 hereof for each Standby L/C
that Borrower has requested Agent to issue as part of such borrowing.

                  (d) BankBoston Agreement. Each Loan made or Standby L/C issued
hereunder shall constitute Superior Indebtedness (as defined therein) under the
BankBoston Agreement.

                                      -44-
<PAGE>   50

Each borrowing by Borrower (including the submission of a Standby L/C
Application) under this Agreement shall constitute a representation and warranty
by Borrower as of the date of such borrowing that the conditions contained in
the foregoing paragraphs (a), (b), (c) and (d) of this subsection 5.2 have been
satisfied.

                        SECTION 6. AFFIRMATIVE COVENANTS

         Borrower hereby agrees that, from the date hereof and so long as the
Commitment remains in effect, any portion of any Note or Reimbursement
Obligation remains outstanding and unpaid, any Standby L/C remains outstanding
that is not fully collateralized with cash in a manner satisfactory to Agent, or
any other amount is owing to Agent or any Bank hereunder, M/I shall, and in the
case of subsections 6.6, 6.7, 6.8, 6.9 and 6.18 hereof, shall cause each of its
Subsidiaries to, and in the case of subsection 6.4 hereof, M/I Homes shall also:

         6.1 Financial Statements. Furnish to each Bank and Agent:

                  (a) as soon as available, but in any event within 90 days
after the end of each fiscal year of Borrower, a copy of the audited
consolidated balance sheet of Borrower and Borrower's consolidated Subsidiaries
as of the end of such year and the related audited consolidated statements of
income, of stockholders' equity and of cash flows for such year, setting forth
in each case in comparative form the figures for the previous year, together
with the opinion of independent certified public accountants of nationally
recognized standing, which opinion shall not contain a "going concern" or like
qualification or exception, or qualification arising out of the scope of the
audit or qualification which would affect the computation of financial covenants
contained herein other than a qualification for consistency due to a change in
the application of GAAP with which Borrower's independent certified public
accountants concur; and

                  (b) as soon as available, but in any event not later than 45
days after the end of each monthly accounting period (including the monthly
accounting period for the last month of each fiscal year of the Commitment
Period), the unaudited consolidated balance sheet of Borrower and Borrower's
consolidated Subsidiaries as of the end of each such month and the related
unaudited consolidated statements of income and of stockholders' equity of
Borrower and Borrower's consolidated Subsidiaries for such month and the portion
of the fiscal year through such date setting forth in each case in comparative
form the figures for the previous year, and including in each case: (i) the
relevant figures broken down with respect to each division of Borrower and
Borrower's Subsidiaries and (ii) a listing of all residential and commercial
lots, land under development and unsold lots;

all such financial statements to be complete and correct in all material
respects and prepared in reasonable detail and in accordance with GAAP (except,
in the case of the financial statements referred to in subparagraph (b) of this
subsection 6.1, that such financial statements need not contain footnotes and
may be subject to year-end audit adjustments).

                                      -45-
<PAGE>   51

         6.2 Certificates; Other Information. Furnish to each Bank and Agent:

                  (a) concurrently with the delivery of each financial statement
referred to in subsection 6.1(a) above and each financial statement referred to
in subsection 6.1(b) above, a certificate of a Responsible Officer of M/I (in
the form of Exhibit F attached hereto or such other form as shall be reasonably
acceptable to each Bank and Agent) stated to have been made after due
examination by such Responsible Officer (i) stating that, to the best of such
officer's knowledge, M/I and each of M/I's Subsidiaries during such period has
observed or performed in all material respects all of its covenants and other
agreements, and satisfied every condition contained in this Agreement and the
Notes to be observed, performed or satisfied by it, and that such officer has
obtained no knowledge of any Default or Event of Default except as specified in
such certificate, and (ii) showing in detail the calculations supporting such
statement in respect of subsections 6.11, 6.12, 6.13, 6.14, 6.15, 7.1(d),
7.3(a), 7.3(c), 7.6, 7.7, 7.8, 7.9(e), 7.9(k), 7.9(l), 7.20 and 7.22 hereof;

                  (b) not later than March 31 of each year, comprehensive
projections for that year, setting forth projected income and cash flow for each
quarter of that year, and the projected balance sheet as of the end of each
quarter of that year, together with a summary of the assumptions upon which such
projections are based and a certificate in the form of Exhibit G hereto of the
chief financial officer or the controller of M/I with respect to such
projections;

                  (c) promptly after the same are sent, copies of all financial
statements, reports and notices which Borrower or any of Borrower's Subsidiaries
sends to its stockholders as stockholders and, so long as Borrower is a
reporting company under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, promptly after the
same are filed, copies of all financial statements which Borrower may make to,
or file with, and copies of all material notices Borrower receives from, the
Securities and Exchange Commission or any public body succeeding to any or all
of the functions of the Securities and Exchange Commission;

                  (d) promptly upon receipt thereof, copies of all final reports
submitted to Borrower by independent certified public accountants in connection
with each annual, interim or special audit of the books of Borrower or any of
Borrower's Subsidiaries made by such accountants, including without limitation
any final comment letter submitted by such accountants to management in
connection with their annual audit; and

                  (e) promptly, on reasonable notice to Borrower, such
additional financial and other information as any Bank may from time to time
reasonably request.

         6.3 Borrowing Base Certificate. Furnish to each Bank and Agent as soon
as available, but in any event within twenty-five (25) days after the end of
each month, a Borrowing

                                      -46-
<PAGE>   52

Base Certificate in substantially the form of Exhibit D, certified by the chief
financial officer or the controller of M/I, showing the calculation of the
Borrowing Base for such month.

         6.4 Compliance with Borrowing Base Requirements. At any time any
Borrowing Base Certificate required to be furnished to each Bank and Agent in
accordance with subsection 6.3 hereof indicates that the aggregate principal
amount of the Loans and undrawn and drawn Standby L/Cs then outstanding exceeds
the amount of Loans and Standby L/Cs then permitted hereunder, within five
calendar days after the delivery of such Borrowing Base Certificate to each Bank
and Agent, (a) reduce the principal amount of the Loans and undrawn and drawn
Standby L/Cs then outstanding by an amount sufficient to make the Loans and
undrawn and drawn Standby L/Cs then outstanding not more than the Loans and
Standby L/Cs then permitted hereunder, or (b) deliver to each Bank and Agent a
more current Borrowing Base Certificate that demonstrates that the aggregate
principal amount of the Loans and undrawn and drawn Standby L/Cs outstanding as
of the date of such Borrowing Base Certificate is not in excess of the Loans and
Standby L/Cs permitted hereunder at such time.

         6.5 Interest Rate Protection. At any time the Eurodollar Base Rate for
an Interest Period of one month shall equal or exceed six and one-half percent
(6.50%) per annum and Borrower shall not have in effect an Interest Rate
Contract or series of Interest Rate Contracts that provide to Borrower an
effective fixed rate of interest on a total of fifty percent (50%) of the
maximum amount of Revolving Credit Loans available hereunder, the Required
Banks, by written notice from the Agent to Borrower, may require Borrower to
enter into an Interest Rate Contract or series of Interest Rate Contracts
satisfactory to the Required Banks that provide to Borrower, when combined with
all other Interest Rate Contracts then in effect, an effective fixed rate of
interest on a total of fifty percent (50%) of the maximum amount of Revolving
Credit Loans available hereunder. In such event, Borrower, within 30 days of
receipt of such notice from Agent, shall enter into an Interest Rate Contract or
series of Interest Rate Contracts, and provide a copy or copies thereof to each
Bank and Agent, which Interest Rate Contract or series of Interest Rate
Contracts shall, when combined with all other Interest Rate Contracts then in
effect, (i) provide interest rate protection to Borrower on a total of fifty
percent (50%) of the maximum Revolving Credit Loans available hereunder by
providing to Borrower an effective fixed rate of interest on a total of fifty
percent (50%) of the maximum amount of Revolving Credit Loans available
hereunder, (ii) be in effect for a period of at least two years from the later
of (A) the date of acquisition of such Interest Rate Contract or series of
Interest Rate Contracts or (B) the date of Agent's notice to Borrower hereunder
(provided that if such period exceeds the Maturity Date, including any permitted
extensions of the Maturity Date, the Interest Rate Contract(s) need only be in
effect until the Maturity Date), and (iii) be entered into with (A) any Bank, or
(B) a bank or other financial institution that has unsecured, uninsured and
unguaranteed long-term debt which is rated at least A-3 by Moody's Investor
Service, Inc. or at least A- by Standard & Poor's Corporation.

                                      -47-
<PAGE>   53

         6.6 Payment of Obligations. Pay, discharge or otherwise satisfy at or
before maturity or before they become delinquent, as the case may be, all its
Indebtedness and other material obligations of whatever nature, except, (a)
without prejudice to the effectiveness of paragraph (5) of Section 9 hereof, for
any Indebtedness or other obligations (including any obligations for taxes),
when the amount or validity thereof is currently being contested in good faith
by appropriate proceedings and reserves in conformity with GAAP with respect
thereto have been provided on the books of Borrower or Borrower's Subsidiaries,
as the case may be, and (b) for any Indebtedness secured by a mortgage on real
estate if such Indebtedness is, by its terms, exculpatory (i.e., non-recourse to
Borrower and its Subsidiaries).

         6.7 Maintenance of Existence. Except as may be permitted under
subsection 7.4 hereof, preserve, renew and keep in full force and effect its
corporate existence and take all reasonable action to maintain all rights,
privileges, contracts, copyrights, patents, trademarks, trade names and
franchises necessary or desirable in the normal conduct of its business, and
comply with all Contractual Obligations and Requirements of Law except to the
extent that the failure to take such actions or comply with such Contractual
Obligations and Requirements of Law would not, in the aggregate, have a material
adverse effect on the business, operations, property or financial or other
condition of M/I or of M/I and its Subsidiaries, taken as a whole. M/I and M/I's
Subsidiaries have no duty to renew or extend contracts which expire by their
terms.

         6.8 Maintenance of Property, Insurance. Keep all property useful in and
necessary to its business in good working order and condition; maintain with
financially sound and reputable insurance companies insurance on all i ts
property in at least such amounts and against at least such risks (but including
in any event public liability, general liability and business interruption
insurance) as are usually insured against in the same general area by companies
engaged in the same or a similar business; and furnish to each Bank and Agent,
upon written request, full information as to the insurance carried.

         6.9 Inspection of Property; Books and Records; Discussions. Keep proper
books of record and account in which full, true and correct entries in
conformity with GAAP and all Requirements of Law shall be made of all dealings
and transactions in relation to its business and activities, subject in the case
of interim statements to year-end audit adjustments; and permit representatives
of each Bank and Agent to visit and inspect any of its properties, and examine
and make abstracts from any of its books and records at any reasonable time and
as often as may reasonably be requested, and to discuss the business,
operations, properties and financial and other condition of Borrower and
Borrower's Subsidiaries with officers and employees of Borrower and Borrower's
Subsidiaries and, if notice thereof is given to Borrower prior to the date of
such discussions, with its independent certified public accountants.

         6.10 Notices. Promptly give notice to each Bank and Agent:

                  (a) of the occurrence of any Default or Event of Default;

                                      -48-
<PAGE>   54

                  (b) of any (i) default or event of default under any loan or
letter of credit agreement binding upon Borrower or any of Borrower's
Subsidiaries, (ii) default under any other Contractual Obligation that would
enable the obligee of the Contractual Obligations to compel Borrower or any of
Borrower's Subsidiaries to immediately pay all amounts owing thereunder or
otherwise accelerate payments thereunder and would have a material adverse
effect on Borrower and Borrower's Subsidiaries taken as a whole, or (iii)
litigation, investigation or proceeding which may exist at any time between
Borrower and Borrower's Subsidiaries and any Governmental Authority, which, if
adversely determined, would have a material adverse effect on the business,
operations, property or financial or other condition of Borrower and Borrower's
Subsidiaries taken as a whole;

                  (c) of any litigation or proceeding affecting Borrower or any
of Borrower's Subsidiaries (i) (A) in which the amount involved is $750,000.00
or more and not covered by insurance, or (B) which, in the reasonable opinion of
a Responsible Officer of M/I, would, if adversely determined, have a material
adverse effect on Borrower and Borrower's Subsidiaries taken as a whole, or (ii)
in which injunctive or similar relief is sought and which, in the reasonable
opinion of a Responsible Officer of M/I, would, if adversely determined, have a
material adverse effect on Borrower and Borrower's Subsidiaries taken as a
whole;

                  (d) of the following events, as soon as possible and in any
event within 30 days after Borrower knows or has reason to know thereof: (i) the
occurrence of any Reportable Event with respect to any Plan with respect to
which the PBGC has not waived the 30 day reporting requirement, or (ii) the
institution of proceedings or the taking or expected taking of any other action
by PBGC or Borrower or any Commonly Controlled Entity to terminate or withdraw
or partially withdraw from any Plan under circumstances which could lead to
material liability to the PBGC or, with respect to a Multiemployer Plan, the
Reorganization or Insolvency (as each such term is defined in ERISA) of the Plan
and in addition to such notice, deliver to each Bank and Agent whichever of the
following may be applicable: (A) a certificate of a Responsible Officer of M/I
setting forth details as to such Reportable Event and the action that Borrower
or Commonly Controlled Entity proposes to take with respect thereto, together
with a copy of any notice of such Reportable Event that may be required to be
filed with PBGC, or (B) any notice delivered by PBGC evidencing its intent to
institute such proceedings or any notice to PBGC that such Plan is to be
terminated, as the case may be; and

                  (e) of a material adverse change in the business, operations,
property or financial or other condition of Borrower and Borrower's Subsidiaries
taken as a whole.

Each notice pursuant to this subsection 6.10 shall be accompanied by a statement
of the chief executive officer or chief financial officer or other Responsible
Officer of M/I setting forth details of the occurrence referred to therein and
stating what action Borrower proposes to take with respect thereto. For all
purposes of clause (d) of this subsection 6.10, Borrower shall be deemed to have
all

                                      -49-
<PAGE>   55

knowledge or knowledge of all facts attributable to the administrator of such
Plan if such Plan is a Single Employer Plan.

         6.11 Maintenance of Consolidated Tangible Net Worth. Maintain
Borrower's Consolidated Tangible Net Worth in amounts at all times equal to at
least the following amounts during the following periods:

               Period                        Amount

 Date hereof to and including 12/31/99       $140,059,603.00

 1/1/00 to and including 12/31/00            Consolidated Tangible Net Worth
                                             required for 1999 plus 50% of
                                             audited Consolidated Earnings for
                                             fiscal year 1999

 1/1/01 to and including 12/31/01            Consolidated Tangible Net Worth
                                             required for 2000 plus 50% of
                                             audited Consolidated Earnings for
                                             fiscal year 2000

 1/1/02 to and including 12/31/02            Consolidated Tangible Net Worth
                                             required for 2001 plus 50% of
                                             audited Consolidated Earnings for
                                             fiscal year 2001

 1/1/03 and thereafter                       Consolidated Tangible Net Worth
                                             required for 2002 plus 50% of
                                             audited Consolidated Earnings for
                                             fiscal year 2002

provided, however, that the Consolidated Tangible Net Worth requirements shall
not be reduced if Consolidated Earnings is zero or negative for any applicable
fiscal year or any applicable interim period; and further provided, however,
that each of the foregoing Consolidated Tangible Net Worth amounts shall be
increased by 90% of the aggregate increase in Borrower's Consolidated Tangible
Net Worth as a result of the issuance of additional stock of M/I after the date
hereof.

         6.12 Maintenance of Debt to Worth. Maintain at all times during the
Commitment Period a ratio of Consolidated Unsubordinated Liabilities to the sum
of Consolidated Tangible Net Worth and Subordinated Indebtedness not in excess
of 2.0 to 1.0.

         6.13 Maintenance of Liquidity Ratio. Maintain at all times during the
Commitment Period a Liquidity Ratio of not less than (a) from the date hereof to
and including December 31, 1999, 0.95 to 1.0; and (b) from January 1, 2000 and
thereafter, 1.05 to 1.0.

                                      -50-
<PAGE>   56

         6.14 Maintenance of Overall Leverage Ratio. Maintain at all times
during the Commitment Period (a) a ratio of Consolidated Tangible Net Worth to
Subordinated Indebtedness of not less than 1.0 to 1.0, and (b) a ratio of
Consolidated Liabilities to Consolidated Tangible Net Worth not in excess of 2.5
to 1.0.

         6.15 Maintenance of EBITDA to Consolidated Interest Incurred Ratio.
Maintain at all times during the Commitment Period a ratio of EBITDA to
Consolidated Interest Incurred of not less than 1.70 to 1.0.

         6.16 Guaranties of Wholly-Owned M/I Ancillary Businesses. Upon the
request of the Agent on behalf of the Required Banks, cause each of the M/I
Ancillary Businesses that is wholly-owned by the Borrower or by any Subsidiary,
that has total assets of at least $200,000.00 and that is not precluded by law
from executing the Guaranty Agreement to become a "Guarantor" under the Guaranty
Agreement pursuant to documentation in form and substance satisfactory to the
Agent, and to deliver such proof of corporate or other appropriate action,
incumbency of officers, opinions of counsel and other documents delivered by the
subsidiaries of the Borrower pursuant to Section 5.1 hereof or as the Agent
shall have requested.

         6.17 Subsidiary Guarantors. Without limiting the obligation of Borrower
to obtain the consent of the Required Banks pursuant to subsection 7.16 hereof
with respect to the creation of any such Subsidiary, cause each new wholly-owned
Subsidiary of Borrower or any Subsidiary of Borrower formed or acquired after
the date hereof, to become a "Guarantor" under the Guaranty Agreement pursuant
to documentation in form and substance satisfactory to the Agent, and to deliver
such proof of corporate or other appropriate action, incumbency of officers,
opinions of counsel and other documents delivered by the subsidiaries of the
Borrower pursuant to Section 5.1 hereof or as the Agent shall have requested.

         6.18 Environment. (a) Comply with all federal, state and local
environmental, health and safety laws, codes and ordinances and all rules and
regulations issued thereunder except to the extent the failure to do so would
not have a material adverse effect on Borrower's consolidated operations,
business or financial condition; (b) notify the Agent promptly of any notice of
a hazardous discharge or environmental complaint received from any governmental
agency or any other party (and the Agent shall notify the Banks promptly
following its receipt of any such notice) that, if adversely determined, could
have a material adverse effect on Borrower's consolidated operations, business
or financial condition; and (c) notify the Agent promptly of any hazardous
discharge from or affecting its premises (and the Agent shall notify the Banks
promptly following its receipt of any such notice) that could have a material
adverse effect on Borrower's consolidated operations, business or financial
condition. In the case of clauses (b) and (c) above, (i) promptly contain and
remove any such hazardous discharge, in compliance with all applicable laws;
(ii) promptly pay any fine or penalty assessed in connection therewith; (iii)
permit the Agent to inspect the premises, to conduct tests thereon and to
inspect all books, correspondence and records pertaining thereto; and (iv) at
the Agent's request, and at

                                      -51-
<PAGE>   57
M/I's expense, provide a report of a qualified environmental engineer,
satisfactory in scope, form and content to the Required Banks, that the
condition has been corrected.

                          SECTION 7. NEGATIVE COVENANTS

         Borrower hereby agrees that, from the date hereof and so long as the
Commitment remains in effect, any portion of any Note or Reimbursement
Obligation remains outstanding and unpaid, any Standby L/C remains outstanding
that is not fully collateralized with cash in a manner satisfactory to Agent, or
any other amount is owing to Agent or any Bank hereunder, M/I shall not, nor
shall it permit any of its Subsidiaries and, in the case of subsections 7.1,
7.2, 7.3 and 7.21 hereof, permit any M/I Ancillary Business that is wholly-owned
by M/I or by any Subsidiary to, directly or indirectly:

         7.1 Limitation on Indebtedness. Create, incur, assume or suffer to
exist any Indebtedness except:

                  (a) Indebtedness in respect of the Notes;

                  (b) Indebtedness of M/I and M/I Financial Corp. under the M/I
Financial Corp. Loan Agreement, which shall not exceed the aggregate principal
amount of $40,000,000 at any time;

                  (c) Subordinated Indebtedness of M/I, subject to the
limitations of subsection 6.14 hereof;

                  (d) Indebtedness in respect of capitalized lease obligations
and purchase money obligations within the limitations set forth in subsection
7.2(c) hereof; provided, however, that the aggregate amount of any such
Indebtedness at any one time outstanding shall not exceed $15,000,000 on a
consolidated basis;

                  (e) Indebtedness of Borrower and Borrower's Subsidiaries
arising out of or under unpaid reimbursement and guaranty obligations in respect
of payments actually made by (i) issuers or otherwise on all drafts or
borrowings under standby letters of credit and (ii) bonding companies on
Construction Bonds, as each is permitted by subsection 7.3(a) hereof, provided
payment of said Indebtedness is not yet due, and further provided that the
aggregate amount of said Indebtedness does not exceed $2,000,000 at any one time
outstanding;

                  (f) Indebtedness of Borrower in respect of Standby L/Cs,
provided payment of said Indebtedness is not yet due;

                  (g) Indebtedness of M/I with respect to loans from any of the
Subsidiaries of M/I;

                                      -52-
<PAGE>   58

                  (h) Indebtedness of any wholly-owned Subsidiary of M/I with
respect to loans from M/I or from any other Subsidiaries of Borrower; provided
that each such Subsidiary which is not also a borrower hereunder shall have
delivered to the Agent, prior to the making of any such loans, the Guaranty
Agreement (or become a party thereto pursuant to documentation in form and
substance satisfactory to the Agent), in each case conforming to the
requirements of this Agreement;

                  (i) Indebtedness of M/I and/or 601RS, LLC not in excess of
$5,000,000 secured by a Lien permitted by subsection 7.2(j) hereof; and

                  (j) Indebtedness of Northeast Office Venture currently
outstanding and secured by a mortgage on the Office Building in the principal
amount of $8,209,403 (the "Existing Office Building Mortgage Indebtedness") and
extensions, renewals and replacements of the Existing Office Building Mortgage
Indebtedness not to exceed $12,000,000.00, provided that any such extension,
renewal or replacement is non-recourse to M/I or any of its Subsidiaries and
does not include any assignment of leases.

                  7.2 Limitation on Liens. Create, incur, assume or suffer to
exist any Lien upon any of its property, assets or revenues, whether owned or
hereafter acquired, except:

                  (a) Liens in favor of Agent, for the ratable benefit of Banks,
including without limitation Liens in favor of Agent on M/I's real property
inventory situated in the State of Indiana to secure the Indebtedness to Banks;

                  (b) Liens granted by M/I Financial Corp. on mortgage notes
receivable, which Liens secure Indebtedness permitted under subsection 7.1(b)
hereof not in excess of $40,000,000;

                  (c) Liens securing Indebtedness permitted under subsection
7.1(d) hereof; provided, however, that (i) such Liens do not at any time
encumber any property other than the property financed by such secured
Indebtedness, and (ii) the Indebtedness secured thereby shall not exceed the
cost or fair market value, whichever is lower, of the property being acquired on
the date of acquisition;

                  (d) Liens for taxes and special assessments not yet due or
which are being contested in good faith and by appropriate proceedings if
adequate reserves with respect thereto are maintained on the books of Borrower
and Borrower's Subsidiaries in accordance with GAAP;

                  (e) carriers', warehousemen's, mechanics', materialmen's,
repairmen's, or other like Liens arising in the ordinary course of business
which are not overdue for a period

                                      -53-
<PAGE>   59

of more than 30 days or which are being contested in good faith and by
appropriate proceedings if adequate reserves with respect thereto are maintained
on the books of Borrower and Borrower's Subsidiaries in accordance with GAAP;

                  (f) pledges or deposits in connection with workers'
compensation, unemployment insurance and other social security legislation;

                  (g) (i) deposits to secure the performance of: bids; trade

contracts (other than for borrowed money or the purchase price of property or
services); leases; statutory and other obligations required by law; surety,
appeal and performance bonds (including Construction Bonds); and other
obligations of a like nature incurred in the ordinary course of business; and
(ii) Liens in favor of surety bond companies pursuant to indemnity agreements to
secure the reimbursement obligations of Borrower or any Subsidiary on
Construction Bonds, provided (A) the Liens securing Construction Bonds shall be
limited to the assets of, as appropriate, Borrower or such Subsidiary at, and
the rights of, as appropriate, Borrower or such Subsidiary arising out of, the
projects that are the subject of the Construction Bonds, (B) the Liens shall not
attach to any real estate, and (C) the aggregate amount of such Liens at any
time shall not exceed the dollar amount of Construction Bonds then outstanding,
and in any event shall not exceed the amount of reimbursement obligations on
Construction Bonds permitted to Borrower pursuant to subsection 7.3(a) hereof;

                  (h) Liens of landlords, arising solely by operation of law, on
fixtures and moveable property located on premises leased in the ordinary course
of business; provided, however, that the rental payments secured thereby are not
yet due;

                  (i) Liens arising as a result of a judgment or judgments
against M/I or any of its Subsidiaries which do not in the aggregate exceed
$500,000 at any one time outstanding, which are being diligently contested in
good faith, which are not the subject of any attachment, levy or enforcement
proceeding, and as to which appropriate reserves have been established in
accordance with GAAP;

                  (j) a first priority Lien on an aircraft owned by 601RS, LLC
from time to time to secure the Indebtedness of 601RS, LLC and/or M/I not in
excess of $5,000,000;

                  (k) a first mortgage Lien to secure the Indebtedness permitted
by subsection 7.1(j) hereof; and

                  (l) a first Lien on all leases assigned to secure the Existing
Office Building Mortgage Indebtedness permitted by subsection 7.1(j) hereof.

         7.3 Limitation on Contingent Obligations. Agree to or assume,
guarantee, indorse or otherwise in any way be or become responsible or liable
for, directly or indirectly, any

                                      -54-
<PAGE>   60

Contingent Obligation, including but not limited to Contingent Obligations
incurred as a general partner in any limited partnership or general partnership,
except:

                  (a)(i) reimbursement and other obligations under standby
letters of credit (including letters of credit issued for the purpose of
satisfying bonding requirements) issued by Persons including the Banks; (ii)
Contingent Obligations of M/I as the guarantor of letters of credit issued for
the account of joint ventures in which M/I is a partner (including Guaranteed
HNB Joint Ventures Letters of Credit), provided that M/I's Contingent Obligation
on any such guaranty shall be limited to a percentage of the amount of that
joint venture's letters of credit equal to M/I's pro rata equitable ownership
interest in such joint venture, provided further that the sum of the obligations
permitted by clauses (a)(i) and (a)(ii) shall not exceed the aggregate amount of
$11,500,000 at any one time outstanding on a consolidated basis, which
$11,500,000 limitation shall not include any obligations in connection with
Standby L/Cs; and (iii) reimbursement obligations not in excess of $20,000,000
at any one time outstanding on a consolidated basis under Construction Bonds;

                  (b) Contingent Obligations consisting of (i) guaranties by M/I
of M/I Financial Corp.'s lease obligations in an amount not to exceed $1,000,000
in any period of 12 consecutive months,(ii) M/I's obligations under the M/I
Financial Corp. Loan Agreement in a principal amount not to exceed $40,000,000,
(iii) guaranties by any Subsidiary of the obligations of Borrower under this
Agreement, and (iv) guaranties by any Subsidiary of any other obligation of M/I
to the Banks;

                  (c) Contingent Obligations related to Indebtedness of joint
ventures in which M/I has made Investments in Joint Ventures as permitted by
subsection 7.9(e) hereof and in which M/I is a partner, member or shareholder;
provided, however, that the aggregate amount of such Contingent Obligations at
any one time outstanding pursuant to this subsection 7.3(c) shall not exceed (i)
$15,000,000 less (ii) the aggregate amount of secured and unsecured Indebtedness
then outstanding pursuant to subsection 7.1(d) hereof; and

                  (d) other Contingent Obligations of M/I which do not in the
aggregate at any one time outstanding exceed $4,000,000, subject to the
limitations of subsection 7.9(k) hereof.

         7.4 Limitation on Fundamental Changes. Subject to any investments
permitted pursuant to subsection 7.9(d) hereof, enter into any transaction of
merger, consolidation, amalgamation or reorganization (including without
limitation any election to be taxed as an S Corporation), or liquidate, wind up
or dissolve itself (or suffer any liquidation or dissolution), or, except for
the sale of land, lots and houses from inventory in the ordinary course of
business, convey, sell, lease, transfer or otherwise dispose of, in one
transaction or a series of transactions, all or any substantial part of its
business or assets, whether now owned or hereafter acquired, or make any
material change in the method by which it conducts business, except any
Subsidiary of M/I may be (i) merged, amalgamated or consolidated with or into
M/I or any wholly-owned Subsidiary of

                                      -55-
<PAGE>   61

M/I, or (ii) liquidated, wound up or dissolved into, or all or substantially all
of its business, property or assets may be conveyed, sold, leased, transferred
or otherwise disposed of, in one transaction or a series of transactions, to M/I
or any wholly-owned Subsidiary of M/I; provided, however, that, in the case of
such a merger, liquidation or consolidation, M/I or such wholly-owned
Subsidiary, as the case may be, shall be the continuing or surviving
corporation.

         7.5 Limitation on Acquisitions. Except for the acquisition of land,
lots and houses in the ordinary course of business to the extent not otherwise
prohibited hereunder, acquire all or any material part of the business or assets
of, any Person without the prior written consent of the Required Banks.

         7.6 Limitation on Dividends and Distributions.

                  (a) Limitation on Dividends. Make any distributions or declare
any dividends (other than dividends payable solely in the common stock of MI) on
any class of capital stock of M/I, whether now or hereafter outstanding, or make
any other distribution in respect thereof, either directly or indirectly,
whether in cash or property or in obligations of M/I or any of M/I's
Subsidiaries (each of the foregoing a "Stockholder Payment"), except (i) so long
as no Default or Event of Default has occurred and is continuing or would result
therefrom, M/I may from time to time make Stockholder Payments in amounts that,
when added to all other Stockholder Payments made subsequent to December 31,
1997 do not exceed an amount equal to (A) twenty five percent (25%) of
cumulative Consolidated Earnings (taking into account losses, if any) of M/I
subsequent to December 31, 1997 plus (B) $800,000 less (C) the Net Cost of
Shares Acquired; and (ii) any Subsidiary of M/I may declare and pay dividends or
make distributions, and such dividends or distributions shall not be considered
Stockholder Payments. In determining compliance with the foregoing, M/I shall be
in compliance if, as of the last day of the calendar month immediately preceding
the month in which any such Stockholder Payments are made, the cumulative
Stockholder Payments previously made subsequent to December 31, 1997 plus the
Stockholder Payments made during the current month would not in the aggregate
exceed the amount permitted by clause (i) of this subsection 7.6(a).

                  (b) Limitation on Stock Acquisitions. Make any payment on
account of, or set apart assets for a sinking or other analogous fund for, the
purchase, redemption, retirement or other acquisition of any shares of any class
of capital stock of M/I, whether now or hereafter outstanding, either directly
or indirectly, whether in cash or property or in the obligations of M/I or any
of M/I's Subsidiaries (a "Stock Acquisition") except so long as no Default or
Event of Default has occurred and is continuing or would result therefrom, M/I
may from time to time make Stock Acquisitions in amounts that, when added to all
other Stock Acquisitions made subsequent to December 31, 1997 do not exceed an
amount equal to (i) twenty five percent (25%) of cumulative Consolidated
Earnings (taking into account losses, if any) of M/I subsequent to December 31,
1997 plus (ii) the sum of $800,000 and the aggregate amount of cash proceeds
received by M/I from the sale of shares of M/I capital stock pursuant to

                                      -56-
<PAGE>   62

stock options subsequent to December 31, 1997 less (iii) the aggregate amount of
Stockholder Payments made subsequent to December 31, 1997. In determining
compliance with the foregoing, M/I shall be in compliance if, as of the last day
of the calendar month immediately preceding the month in which any such Stock
Acquisitions are made, the cumulative Stock Acquisitions previously made
subsequent to December 31, 1997 plus the Stock Acquisitions made during the
current month would not in the aggregate exceed the amount permitted by this
subsection 7.6(b).

         7.7 Limitation on Certain Real Property Expenditures. Purchase or
acquire any Eligible Raw Land and Land Under Development by the expenditure of
cash, the incurrence of Indebtedness, as a result of Investment in Joint
Venture(s), or otherwise, if as a result of such purchase or acquisition the
aggregate cost of all the foregoing then owned by Borrower and Borrower's
Subsidiaries (including their pro rata share of any undeveloped land that
constitutes part of an Investment in Joint Venture) shall at any time exceed (a)
as to undeveloped land only, 40% of the sum of (i) Consolidated Tangible Net
Worth and (ii) Subordinated Indebtedness; and (b) as to the sum of undeveloped
land and land under development, 100% of the sum of (i) Consolidated Tangible
Net Worth and (ii) Subordinated Indebtedness; provided further, that the
aggregate cost of any individual tract of land acquired by Borrower or any of
Borrower's Subsidiaries, or their pro rata share of any tract that constitutes
part of an Investment in Joint Venture may not exceed $4,000,000 except for land
holdings set forth on Exhibit H attached hereto. For purposes of this subsection
7.7, the cost of undeveloped land and land under development shall be determined
in accordance with GAAP. Further, for purposes of this subsection 7.7, any tract
of land shall cease to be classified as undeveloped land after (i) commencement
of the development of such tract into residential lots in good faith and
provided the development thereof is completed over a period of not more than one
year, or (ii) such tract is the subject of a valid, noncontingent contract of
sale with a person who is not an Affiliate or Subsidiary and who is satisfactory
to the Required Banks in their sole discretion, provided the sale contemplated
by such contract is to be completed not more than two years after the date of
the contract. In the event the development of any tract is discontinued for a
period of 60 days or longer or not completed within one year, such tract shall
automatically be deemed to be undeveloped land.

         7.8 Limitation on Speculative Houses and Eligible Model Houses. Permit
the aggregate cost, as determined in accordance with GAAP on a consolidated
basis, of (a) Speculative Houses owned by Borrower and Borrower's Subsidiaries
to exceed $32,000,000 at any one time outstanding, of which not more than
$10,000,000 in the aggregate may consist of attached (including townhouse
condominiums and condominiums) single family homes in the Washington, D.C.
Market and in Florida, provided that (i) not more than $5,000,000 of which may
be located in the Washington, D.C. Market and (ii) not more than $5,000,000 of
which may be located in Florida or (b) Eligible Model Houses owned by Borrower
and Borrower's Subsidiaries to exceed $30,000,000 at any one time outstanding,
of which not more than $6,000,000 in the aggregate may consist of attached
(including townhouse condominiums and condominiums) single family homes in the
Washington, D.C. Market and in Florida, provided that (i) not more than
$3,000,000 of

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<PAGE>   63

which may be located in the Washington, D.C. Market and (ii) not more than
$3,000,000 of which may be located in Florida.

         7.9 Limitation on Investments. Make or commit to make any advance,
loan, extension of credit or capital contribution to, or purchase of any stock,
bonds, note, debenture or other security of, or make any other investment in,
any Person (all such transactions being herein called "investments"), except:

                  (a) investments in Cash Equivalents;

                  (b) extensions of credit in connection with the sale of land,
secured by land sold, which do not exceed in the aggregate $1,000,000 at any one
time outstanding and which have a maximum maturity of five years;

                  (c) loans and advances to officers and employees of Borrower
or Borrower's Subsidiaries, to other Persons in the ordinary course of business
or as permitted by the respective Code of Regulations of M/I and M/I Homes,
which do not exceed in the aggregate $2,000,000 at any one time outstanding;

                  (d) any investments in M/I Financial Corp.; M/I Homes; M/I
Homes Construction, Inc.; Northeast Office Venture; 601RS, LLC; MHO, LLC; M/I
Service Corp.; or any other Subsidiary created with the consent of the Required
Banks hereafter;

                  (e) any Investments in Joint Ventures, the aggregate cost of
which, as determined in accordance with GAAP (excluding, however, Borrower's or
Borrower's Subsidiaries' equity in the undistributed earnings or losses in each
such joint venture, whether such joint venture is a general or limited
partnership, a limited liability company, a corporation or any other form of
business association), does not at any one time outstanding exceed $30,000,000;
provided, however, that with respect to each such joint venture, whether such
joint venture is a general partnership, a limited partnership, a limited
liability company, a corporation or any other form of business association,
Borrower shall have at least a 33 1/3% ownership interest in such joint venture
and all decisions with respect to the management and control of each such joint
venture's business (other than decisions with respect to development of
undeveloped land owned by such joint venture) shall require the consent and
approval of Borrower; and provided further, however, that no such investment may
be made if it causes or results (singly or with other actions or events) in (i)
any violation of subsection 7.3 hereof or any other covenant or condition
hereof, or (ii) any other Default or Event of Default;

                  (f) first mortgage loans made in the ordinary course of M/I
Financial Corp.'s business to natural persons for the purchase of residential
real property;

                                      -58-
<PAGE>   64

                  (g) second mortgage loans made in the ordinary course of M/I
Financial Corp.'s business to natural persons for the purchase of residential
real property, provided that such second mortgage loans (i) shall be made only
in connection with a specific financing program to natural persons who have a
first mortgage loan from M/I Financial Corp. with respect to the same real
property, and (ii) shall not in the aggregate exceed $4,000,000 at any one time
outstanding;

                  (h) first mortgage loans made in the ordinary course of M/I
Financial Corp.'s business to natural persons for the purpose of refinancing an
existing first mortgage loan, provided that the amount of such refinancing
mortgage loans shall not exceed $5,000,000 in the aggregate at any one time
outstanding;

                  (i) investments by M/I Financial Corp. in the stock of Fannie
Mae to the extent required for M/I Financial Corp. to sell mortgages to Fannie
Mae, but the amount of such investments in Fannie Mae stock shall in no event
exceed $100,000;

                  (j) investments by M/I Financial Corp. in the ordinary course
of its business in standard instruments hedging against interest rate risk
incurred in the origination and sale of mortgage loans, in each case matching a
hedging instrument or instruments to specific mortgages or specific groups of
mortgages, but in no event including investments in futures contracts, options
contracts or other derivative investment vehicles acquired as independent
investments;

                  (k) investments in, advances to, and Contingent Obligations
related to the obligations of, the M/I Ancillary Businesses in an amount not to
exceed $100,000 in the aggregate; and

                  (l) other investments or advances directly related to the
Borrower's business, provided that the aggregate amount of such investments and
advances shall not at any time exceed $2,000,000.00 in the aggregate.

         7.10 Limitation on Operating Leases. Enter into or renew any Operating
Lease if, as a result thereof, on a consolidated basis: (a) the aggregate
rentals payable by Borrower and all of Borrower's Subsidiaries under all
Operating Leases would exceed in any period of 12 consecutive months the
aggregate amount of $5,000,000; or (b) the term of (i) any Operating Lease with
respect to Eligible Model Houses and furnishings for Eligible Model Houses would
exceed three years, or (ii) any other Operating Lease would exceed five years,
provided that so long as the initial term or any renewal of an Operating Lease
included within this clause (b) does not exceed five years or three years, as
appropriate, the aggregate of the initial term and all renewals of such
Operating Lease may exceed five years or three years, as appropriate, if any
right of renewal is solely at the option of the Borrower or Borrower's
Subsidiaries.

         7.11 Transactions with Affiliates and Officers.

                                      -59-
<PAGE>   65

                  (a) Except for (i) any consulting agreements or employment
agreements to which Borrower is a party and which were in effect as of March 1,
1994 and (ii) compensation arrangements in the ordinary course of business with
the officers, directors, and employees of Borrower and Borrower's Subsidiaries,
enter into any transaction, including without limitation the purchase, sale or
exchange of property or the rendering of any services, with any Affiliate or any
officer or director thereof, or enter into, assume or suffer to exist any
employment or consulting contract with any Affiliate or an officer or director
thereof, except any transaction or contract which is in the ordinary course of
Borrower's or any of Borrower's Subsidiaries' business and which is upon fair
and reasonable terms no less favorable to Borrower or Borrower's Subsidiaries
than it would obtain in a comparable arm's length transaction with a Person not
an Affiliate;

                  (b) make any advance or loan to any Affiliate or any director
or officer thereof or of Borrower or any Subsidiary of Borrower or to any trust
of which any of the foregoing is a beneficiary, or to any Person on the
guarantee of any of the foregoing, except as expressly permitted by subsection
7.9(c) hereof; or

                  (c) pay any fees or expenses to, or reimburse or assume any
obligation for the reimbursement of any expenses incurred by, any Affiliate or
any officer or director thereof, except as may be permitted in accordance with
clauses (a) and (b) of this subsection 7.11.

         7.12 Sale and Leaseback. Enter into any arrangement with any Person
providing for the leasing by Borrower or any of Borrower's Subsidiaries of real
or personal property which has been or is to be sold or transferred by Borrower
or any of Borrower's Subsidiaries to such Person or to any other Person to whom
funds have been or are to be advanced by such Person on the security of such
property or rental obligations of Borrower or any of Borrower's Subsidiaries;
provided, however, that such arrangements shall be permitted with respect to
Eligible Model Houses, so long as any such arrangement with respect to Eligible
Model Houses does not result in: (a) the creation of a lease which is required
to be capitalized in accordance with GAAP; (b) the initial term of such
arrangement plus any options or renewals exercisable by lessor or lessee
exceeding four years; or (c) the violation of any term, condition or covenant
hereof, including without limitation subsection 7.10 hereof.

         7.13 Limitation on Payments of Subordinated Indebtedness and
Modification of Subordination Agreements.

                  Without the prior written consent of the Required Banks,

                  (a) repay, prepay, purchase, redeem, or otherwise acquire any
of M/I's Subordinated Indebtedness; or

                                      -60-
<PAGE>   66

                  (b) make any other payments, including without limitation
payment of interest, on any Subordinated Indebtedness if an Event of Default
exists or if such payment would cause an Event of Default to occur; or

                  (c) permit the modification, waiver or amendment of any of the
terms of any Subordinated Indebtedness; or

                  (d) permit (whether or not within the control of M/I or any of
M/I's Subsidiaries) the modification, waiver, or amendment of, or release of any
parties to, any subordination agreement with respect to any Subordinated
Indebtedness; provided, however, nothing contained in this subsection 7.13 shall
prevent M/I from making regularly scheduled payments on any Subordinated
Indebtedness if no Event of Default exists and the payment would not cause an
Event of Default to occur. With respect to the Subordinated Indebtedness
pursuant to the BankBoston Agreement, "regularly scheduled payments" shall mean
only (i) on August 29, 2004, the payment of the principal balance of the Fixed
Rate Senior Subordinated Note made by M/I to the order of BankBoston, N.A. on
August 29, 1997 in the principal face amount of $50,000,000 and each other note
executed and delivered by M/I in exchange or replacement for such note pursuant
to the BankBoston Agreement (collectively, the "BankBoston Notes"); and (ii) on
each February 28, May 29, August 29 and November 29 (or within any applicable
cure period) during the term of the BankBoston Notes interest on the BankBoston
Notes.

         The parties hereby agree that this clarification regarding what
payments of Subordinated Indebtedness pursuant to the BankBoston Agreement
constitute "regularly scheduled payments" is not intended to modify the rights
and obligations of BankBoston, N.A. (including any of its successors and
assigns) and M/I, or the rights of the Banks and the Agent, pursuant to or
arising out of the Subordinated Indebtedness pursuant to the BankBoston
Agreement; provided that nothing herein shall be construed to be a consent by
the Banks (in their capacity as Banks under this Agreement) and the Agent to any
payment of any Subordinated Indebtedness that is prohibited by this Agreement.

         7.14 Sale of Subsidiary Securities. Sell any security, debt or equity
of any Subsidiary, or permit any Subsidiary to sell or issue any security, debt
or equity to any Person other than (i) security, debt or equity sold or issued
to Borrower or (ii) debt sold to a Bank; provided, however, Borrower may sell
through M/I Financial Corp. mortgage loans on a non-recourse basis, subject to
Mortgage Loan Repurchase Obligations; provided further, however, that this
subsection 7.14 shall not prohibit Indebtedness of any Subsidiary permitted
under subsection 7.1 hereof.

         7.15 Construction on Real Property Not Owned. Make investments in
construction on real property that is not then owned by Borrower or a
Subsidiary; provided, however, that Borrower and Borrower's Subsidiaries may
make investments in construction on such real property if the contract price for
the land, plus the cost of investment in construction less any

                                      -61-
<PAGE>   67

related Customer Deposits with respect to all such real property does not in the
aggregate exceed $1,000,000 at any one time outstanding.

         7.16 Limitation on Subsidiaries. Create any Subsidiaries without the
prior written consent of the Required Banks, provided that nothing in this
subsection 7.16 shall prevent investments in the M/I Ancillary Businesses to the
extent permitted in subsection 7.9(k) hereof.

         7.17 Limitation on Location of Attached Houses. Construct or make
investments in construction of any attached (including townhouse condominiums
and condominiums) single family houses in any area outside of the Washington,
D.C. Market and Florida.

         7.18 Limitation on Rental Houses. Permit investments in Rental Houses,
determined in accordance with GAAP, to exceed $500,000 in aggregate at any time.

         7.19 Limitation on Investments in Commercial Real Estate. Permit
investments (including investments attributed to Borrower's pro rata share of
land owned by partnerships in which Borrower is a general or limited partner or
by limited liability companies of which Borrower is a member) in commercial real
estate (including raw land, land under development and commercial Developed Lots
but excluding the Office Building), determined in accordance with GAAP, to
exceed $1,500,000.00 in the aggregate at any one time outstanding.

         7.20 Limitation on Uncommitted Land. Permit the ratio of (a)
Uncommitted Land to (b) the sum of Borrower's (i) Consolidated Tangible Net
Worth, and (ii) Subordinated Indebtedness to exceed at any one time: (A) from
the date hereof through and including December 31, 1999, 1.35 to 1.0; (B) from
January 1, 2000 through and including December 31, 2000, 1.30 to 1.0; (C) from
January 1, 2001 through and including December 31, 2001, 1.25 to 1.0; and (D)
from January 1, 2002 and thereafter, 1.20 to 1.0.

         7.21 Limitation on Negative Pledges. Enter into any agreement other
than this Agreement which prohibits or limits the ability of Borrower, any of
Borrower's Subsidiaries or any of the M/I Ancillary Businesses that are
wholly-owned by the Borrower or by any Subsidiary to create, incur, assume or
suffer to exist any Lien upon any of its assets, rights, revenues or property,
real, personal or mixed, tangible or intangible, whether now owned or hereafter
acquired.

         7.22 Limitation on Standby L/Cs. Have drawn and undrawn Standby L/Cs
outstanding at any time in an amount in excess of the amounts permitted at such
time by subsection 2.13 hereof for (a) Standby L/Cs, including those issued for
the purpose of satisfying bonding requirements, and (b) Standby L/Cs, exclusive
of those issued for the purpose of satisfying bonding requirements,
respectively.

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<PAGE>   68

         7.23 HNB Joint Ventures Letter of Credit Agreement. Modify or amend the
HNB Joint Ventures Letter of Credit Agreement in any way without the written
consent of the Required Banks.

         7.24 Limitation on Investment in the Office Building. Incur capital
expenditures in connection with the Office Building which exceed, based upon the
original cost, the aggregate amount of $17,500,000.00.

                          SECTION 8. OPTIONAL SECURITY

         Notwithstanding any other provision of this Agreement, from time to
time if Agent requests and Borrower consents, Borrower may grant to Agent, for
the pro rata benefit of Banks, mortgages on specific parcels of real property
owned by Borrower in the State of Indiana, each securing Borrower's Indebtedness
to Banks hereunder. Unless an Event of Default has occurred and is continuing,
each such mortgage shall be released by Agent upon Borrower's sale of the
subject real property, without the requirement of any payment to Agent (other
than reimbursement of costs incurred) or the consent of any Banks. If an Event
of Default that has not been waived by all Banks has occurred and is continuing,
Agent shall release any such mortgage(s) only upon (a) payment to Agent for the
pro rata benefit of Banks (in accordance with the pro rata distribution as
described in Section 9 hereof with respect to distribution of Proceeds after
Default) of the amount secured by such mortgage(s) and (b) the consent of all
Banks.

             SECTION 9. DEFAULTS, EVENTS OF DEFAULT; DISTRIBUTION OF
                         PROCEEDS AFTER EVENT OF DEFAULT

         Upon the occurrence of any of the following events:

                  (1) Borrower shall fail to pay any principal of any Note or
make any reimbursement (including payment of Reimbursement Obligations) in
connection with any Standby L/C when due in accordance with the terms thereof;
or

                  (2) Borrower shall fail to pay (a) any interest on any Note or
in connection with any Standby L/C, or (b) any fee, charge or other amount
payable hereunder, within three days after Agent or any Bank notifies Borrower
that such interest, fee or amount has become due in accordance with the terms
thereof or hereof and has not been paid; or Borrower shall fail to comply with
the provisions of any one or more of subsections 6.4, 6.5, 6.17, 7.4, 7.5, 7.10,
7.12, 7.13, 7.14, 7.16, 7.17, 7.21, 7.22, 7.23, 7.24 hereof or the limitations
set forth in 7.9(j) hereof; or

                  (3) any representation or warranty made or deemed made by
Borrower herein or which is contained in any certificate, document or financial
or other statement furnished at

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<PAGE>   69

any time under or in connection herewith or therewith, shall prove to have been
incorrect in any material respect on or as of the date made or deemed made; or

                  (4) Borrower shall default in the observance or performance of
any covenant or agreement contained in (a) subsection 6.3 hereof and such
default remains uncured for five days (notice to Borrower from Agent or any Bank
of such default is not required), (b) subsections 6.2(c), 6.2(d), 6.6, 6.10,
6.11, 6.12, 6.13, 6.14, 6.15, 6.16, 6.18, 7.1, 7.2, 7.3, 7.6, 7.7, 7.8, 7.9
(other than failure to comply with the limitations of 7.9(j)), 7.11, 7.15, 7.18,
7.19 or 7.20 hereof and such default remains uncured ten days after Agent or any
Bank notifies Borrower that such default has occurred, (c) subsection 6.9 hereof
and such default remains uncured for ten days after Agent or any Bank notifies
Borrower that such default has occurred, provided, that for any default under
subsection 6.9 hereof for which cure cannot reasonably be accomplished within
ten days, if cure is commenced within such ten-day period, Borrower may have an
additional period of up to 30 days after notice to cure such default before it
is an Event of Default, (d) any one or more of subsections 6.1(b), 6.2(a) or
6.2(b) hereof and such default remains uncured 15 days after Agent or any Bank
notifies Borrower that such default has occurred, or (e) any other provision of
this Agreement (including without limitation subsections 6.1(a), 6.2(e), 6.7 and
6.8 hereof) which default shall remain uncured 30 days after Agent or any Bank
notifies Borrower that such a default has occurred, which notice shall specify
the nature of the default; or

                  (5) (a) Borrower or any of Borrower's Subsidiaries shall
commence any case, proceeding or other action (i) under any existing or future
law of any jurisdiction, domestic or foreign, relating to bankruptcy,
insolvency, reorganization or relief of debtors, seeking to have an order for
relief entered with respect to it, or seeking to adjudicate it a bankrupt or
insolvent, or seeking reorganization, arrangement, adjustment, winding-up,
liquidation, dissolution, composition or other relief with respect to it or its
debts, or (ii) seeking appointment of a receiver, trustee, custodian or other
similar official for it or for all or any substantial part of its assets, or
Borrower or any of Borrower's Subsidiaries shall make a general assignment for
the benefit of its creditors; or (b) there shall be commenced against Borrower
or any of Borrower's Subsidiaries any case, proceeding or other action of a
nature referred to in clause (a) above which (i) results in the entry of an
order for relief or any such adjudication or appointment, and (ii) remains
undismissed, undischarged or unbonded for a period of 60 days; or (c) there
shall be commenced against Borrower or any of Borrower's Subsidiaries any case,
proceeding or other action seeking issuance of a warrant of attachment,
execution, distraint or similar process against all or any substantial part of
its assets which results in the entry of an order for any such relief which
shall not have been vacated, discharged, or stayed or bonded pending appeal
within 60 days from the entry thereof; or (d) Borrower or any of Borrower's
Subsidiaries shall take any action in furtherance of, or indicating its consent
to, approval of, or acquiescence in, any of the acts set forth in clauses (a),
(b) or (c) above; or (e) Borrower or any of Borrower's Subsidiaries shall
generally not, or shall be unable to, or shall admit in writing its inability
to, pay its debts as they become due; or

                                      -64-
<PAGE>   70

                  (6) Borrower or any Subsidiary of Borrower shall (a) default
in any payment of principal of or interest on any Indebtedness (other than the
Notes and Reimbursement Obligations) or in the payment of any Contingent
Obligation beyond the period of grace, if any, provided in the instrument or
agreement under which such Indebtedness or Contingent Obligation was created,
and the aggregate principal amount then outstanding of all such Indebtedness and
Contingent Obligations of Borrower and all Subsidiaries exceeds $500,000.00, or
(b) default in the observance or performance of any other agreement or condition
relating to any such Indebtedness or Contingent Obligation or contained in any
instrument or agreement evidencing, securing or relating thereto, or any other
event shall occur or condition exist, the effect of which default or other event
or condition is to cause, or to permit the holder or holders of such
Indebtedness or beneficiary or beneficiaries of such Contingent Obligation (or a
trustee or agent on behalf of such holder or holders or beneficiary or
beneficiaries) to cause, with the giving of notice if required, such
Indebtedness to become due prior to its stated maturity or such Contingent
Obligation to become payable; provided, however, that it shall not constitute a
Default or Event of Default if (x) Borrower or any Subsidiary of Borrower
defaults on Indebtedness secured by a mortgage on real estate if such
Indebtedness is by its terms exculpatory, i.e., non-recourse to Borrower and
Borrower's Subsidiaries, or (y) a draw is made on a standby letter of credit or
payment is made on a performance bond, so long as any reimbursement obligation
of Borrower with respect to such letter of credit or performance bond is made
within the time required by the document creating the reimbursement obligation;
or

                  (7) (a) any party in interest (as defined in Section 3(14) of
ERISA) affiliated with Borrower or any of Borrower's Subsidiaries shall engage
in any "prohibited transaction" (as defined in Section 406 of ERISA or Section
4975 of the Code) involving any Plan, (b) any "accumulated funding deficiency"
(as defined in Section 302 of ERISA), whether or not waived, shall exist with
respect to any Plan, (c) a Reportable Event shall occur with respect to, or
proceedings shall commence to have a trustee appointed, or a trustee shall be
appointed, to administer or to terminate, any Single Employer Plan, which
Reportable Event or institution of proceedings is, in the opinion of the
Required Banks, likely to result in the termination of such Plan for purposes of
Title IV of ERISA, and, in the case of a Reportable Event, the continuance of
such Reportable Event unremedied for 30 days after notice of such Reportable
Event pursuant to Section 4043(a), (c) or (d) of ERISA is given or, in the case
of institution of proceedings, the continuance of such proceedings for 30 days
after commencement thereof, (d) any Single Employer Plan shall terminate for
purposes of Title IV of ERISA, or (e) any other event or condition shall occur
or exist with respect to a Single Employer Plan and in each case in clauses (a)
through (e) above, such event or condition, together with all other such events
or conditions, if any, could subject Borrower or any of Borrower's Subsidiaries
to any tax, penalty or other liabilities in the aggregate material in relation
to the business, operations, property or financial or other condition of
Borrower or of Borrower and Borrower's Subsidiaries taken as a whole; or

                  (8) one or more judgments or decrees shall be entered against
Borrower or any of Borrower's Subsidiaries involving in the aggregate a
liability (not covered by insurance) of

                                      -65-
<PAGE>   71

$500,000.00 or more and all such judgments or decrees in excess of $500,000.00
shall not have been vacated, satisfied, discharged, or stayed or bonded pending
appeal within 30 days from the entry thereof; or

                  (9) any Person or group of related Persons (other than Irving
E. Schottenstein, and the immediate family of Irving E. Schottenstein or trusts
for the benefit of his children and grandchildren) owns or controls more than
twenty-five percent (25%) of the outstanding voting capital stock of Borrower;
or

                  (10) any subordination agreement that evidences any
Subordinated Indebtedness (i) ceases to be the legal, valid and binding
agreement of any Person party thereto, enforceable against such Person in
accordance with its terms or a payment is made by Borrower in violation of any
provision thereof, or (ii) shall be terminated, invalidated or set aside, or be
declared ineffective or inoperative or the Indebtedness related thereto is in
any way not fully subordinate to all of Borrower's Indebtedness and other
liabilities to Banks and Agent under this Agreement and the Notes and to
Borrower's obligations, if any, as a guarantor or otherwise of the Indebtedness
and other liabilities of M/I Financial Corp. (including without limitation the
obligations with respect to the M/I Financial Corp. Loan Agreement);

then, and in any such event, (a) if such event is an Event of Default specified
in paragraph (5) above, the Commitment, if still outstanding, shall
automatically and immediately terminate and the full amount of all outstanding
Revolving Credit Loans hereunder (with accrued interest thereon) and all other
amounts owing under this Agreement and/or the Notes shall immediately become due
and payable, (b) if such event is any other Event of Default and is continuing,
either or both of the following actions may be taken: (i) with the consent of
the Required Banks Agent may, or upon the request of the Required Banks Agent
shall, by notice to Borrower, declare the Commitment to be terminated forthwith,
whereupon the Commitment shall immediately terminate and Agent shall have the
rights set forth in subsection 2.14(b) hereof with respect to the Standby L/Cs
upon the termination of the Commitment; and (ii) with the consent of the
Required Banks Agent may, or upon the request of the Required Banks Agent shall,
by notice of default to Borrower, declare the full amount of all outstanding
Revolving Credit Loans hereunder (with accrued interest thereon) and all other
amounts owing under this Agreement and the Notes to be due and payable
forthwith, whereupon the same shall immediately become due and payable, and (c)
if such event is any payment Event of Default, then, in addition to the rights
given to Agent in clause (b), each Bank may, by notice of default to Borrower
and each other Bank, declare the full amount of all of the obligations owing by
Borrower to such Bank pursuant to the Revolving Credit Loans (with accrued
interest thereon) and all other amounts owing to such Bank under this Agreement
and the Notes to be due and payable forthwith, whereupon the same shall
immediately become due and payable. Except as expressly provided above in this
Section 9, presentment, demand, protest and all other notices of any kind are
hereby expressly waived. Additionally, Agent and each Bank may exercise any and
all other rights and remedies available to Agent and each Bank at law or in
equity to the extent not inconsistent with the rights specifically granted to
Agent and each Bank hereunder.

                                      -66-
<PAGE>   72

         Notwithstanding any provisions concerning distribution of payments to
the contrary in this Agreement, so long as any Event of Default exists that has
not been waived by all Banks, each Bank shall share in any payments or proceeds,
including proceeds of any collateral, received by Agent or any Bank (including
without limitation proceeds received by HNB with respect to Guaranteed HNB Joint
Ventures Letters of Credit) made or received at any time from and after any
Event of Default ("Proceeds after Default") in an amount equal to the Proceeds
after Default multiplied by such Bank's Total Commitment Percentage as set forth
on Schedule 1 hereto as such Schedule may be amended from time to time;
provided, however, if any one or more of the Bank(s) has not made any funding
when required hereunder, the distribution of Proceeds after Default shall be
adjusted so that each Bank shall receive Proceeds after Default in an amount
equal to (a) the Proceeds after Default multiplied by (b) the percentage
(rounded to five decimal places) of the total amount outstanding funded by all
Banks that such Bank has actually funded (including the amount of such Bank's
participation in outstanding Standby L/Cs). If necessary, Agent and each Bank
shall use the adjustments procedure set forth in subsection 11.8(a) hereof to
make the appropriate distributions to Banks as set forth in this paragraph of
this Section 9.

                              SECTION 10. THE AGENT

         10.1 Appointment. Each Bank hereby irrevocably designates and appoints
Bank One, NA as Agent of such Bank under this Agreement and each of the Notes
and the Guaranty Agreement, and each Bank hereby irrevocably authorizes Bank
One, NA, as Agent for such Bank, to take such action on its behalf under the
provisions of this Agreement, the Notes and the Guaranty Agreement and to
exercise such powers and perform such duties as are expressly delegated to Agent
by the terms of this Agreement, the Notes and the Guaranty Agreement, together
with such other powers as are reasonably incidental thereto. Notwithstanding any
provision to the contrary elsewhere in this Agreement or any Note or the
Guaranty Agreement, Agent shall not have any duties or responsibilities, except
those expressly set forth herein, or any fiduciary relationship with any Bank,
and no implied covenants, functions, responsibilities, duties, obligations or
liabilities shall be read into this Agreement or any Note or the Guaranty
Agreement or otherwise exist against Agent.

         10.2 Delegation of Duties. Agent may execute any of its duties under
this Agreement by or through agents or attorneys-in-fact and shall be entitled
to advice of counsel concerning all matters pertaining to such duties. Agent
shall not be responsible for the negligence or misconduct of any agents or
attorneys-in-fact selected by it with reasonable care.

         10.3 Exculpatory Provisions. Neither Agent nor any of its officers,
directors, employees, agents, attorneys-in-fact or affiliates shall be (i)
liable for any action lawfully taken or omitted to be taken by it or such Person
under or in connection with this Agreement or any Note or the Guaranty Agreement
(except for its or such Person's own gross negligence or willful misconduct) or
(ii) responsible in any manner to any of the Banks for any recitals, statements,

                                      -67-
<PAGE>   73

representations or warranties made by Borrower or any of Borrower's Subsidiaries
or any officer thereof contained in this Agreement or any Note or the Guaranty
Agreement or in any certificate, report, statement or other document referred to
or provided for in, or received by Agent under or in connection with, this
Agreement or any Note or the Guaranty Agreement or for the value, validity,
effectiveness, genuineness, enforceability or sufficiency of this Agreement, the
Notes or the Guaranty Agreement, or for any failure of Borrower or any of
Borrower's Subsidiaries to perform its obligations hereunder or thereunder.
Agent shall be under no obligation to any Bank to ascertain or to inquire as to
the observance or performance of any of the agreements contained in, or
conditions of, this Agreement, the Notes, or the Guaranty Agreement, or to
inspect the properties, books or records of Borrower or any of Borrower's
Subsidiaries.

         10.4 Reliance by Agent. Agent shall be entitled to rely, and shall be
fully protected in relying, upon any Note, the Guaranty Agreement, writing,
resolution, notice, consent, certificate, affidavit, letter, cablegram,
telegram, facsimile, telecopy, telex or teletype message, statement, order or
other document or conversation believed by it to be genuine and correct and to
have been signed, sent or made by the proper Person or Persons and upon advice
and statements of legal counsel (including, without limitation, counsel to
Borrower or any of Borrower's Subsidiaries), independent accountants and other
experts selected by Agent. Agent may deem and treat the payee of any Note as the
owner thereof for all purposes. Agent shall be fully justified in failing or
refusing to take any action under this Agreement, the Notes or the Guaranty
Agreement unless it shall first receive such advice or concurrence of the
Required Banks or, in the case of items set forth in subsection 11.1 hereof that
require written consent of all Banks, all Banks as it deems appropriate or it
shall first be indemnified to its satisfaction by all Banks against any and all
liability and expense which may be incurred by it by reason of taking or
continuing to take any such action. Agent shall in all cases be fully protected
in acting, or in refraining from acting, under this Agreement, the Notes and the
Guaranty Agreement in accordance with a request of the Required Banks or, in the
case of items set forth in subsection 11.1 hereof that require written consent
of all Banks, all Banks, and such request and any action taken or failure to act
pursuant thereto shall be binding upon all Banks and all future holders of the
Notes.

         10.5 Notice of Default. Agent shall not be deemed to have knowledge or
notice of the occurrence of any Default or Event of Default hereunder unless
Agent has received notice from any Bank or Borrower referring to this Agreement,
describing such Default or Event of Default and stating that such notice is a
"notice of default". If Agent receives such a notice, Agent shall give notice
thereof to Banks. Agent shall take such action with respect to such Default or
Event of Default as shall be reasonably directed by the Required Banks or, in
the case of items set forth in subsection 11.1 hereof that require written
consent of all Banks, all Banks; provided that, unless and until Agent shall
have received such directions, Agent may (but shall not be obligated to) take
such action, or refrain from taking such action, with respect to such Default or
Event of Default as it shall reasonably deem advisable in the best interests of
Banks.

                                      -68-
<PAGE>   74

         10.6 Non-Reliance on Agent and Other Banks. Each Bank expressly
acknowledges that neither Agent nor any of its officers, directors, employees,
agents, attorneys-in-fact or affiliates has made any representations or
warranties to it and that no act by Agent hereinafter taken, including any
review of the affairs of Borrower and Borrower's Subsidiaries shall be deemed to
constitute any representation or warranty by Agent to any Bank. Each Bank
represents to Agent that it has, independently and without reliance upon Agent
or any other Bank, and based on such documents and information as it has deemed
appropriate, made its own appraisal of and investigation into the business,
operations, property, financial and other condition and creditworthiness of
Borrower and Borrower's Subsidiaries and made its own decision to make its
extensions of credit hereunder and enter into this Agreement. Each Bank also
represents that it will, independently and without reliance upon Agent or any
other Bank, and based on such documents and information as it shall deem
appropriate at the time, continue to make its own credit analysis, appraisals
and decisions in taking or not taking action under this Agreement, the Notes and
the Guaranty Agreement, and to make such investigation as it deems necessary to
inform itself as to the business, operations, property, financial and other
condition and creditworthiness of Borrower and Borrower's Subsidiaries. Except
for notices, reports and other documents expressly required to be furnished to
the Banks by Agent hereunder, Agent shall not have any duty or responsibility to
provide any Bank with any credit or other information concerning the business,
operations, property, financial and other condition or creditworthiness of
Borrower or any of Borrower's Subsidiaries which may come into the possession of
Agent or any of its officers, directors, employees, agents, attorneys-in-fact or
affiliates.

         10.7 Indemnification. Each Bank agrees to indemnify Agent in its
capacity as such (to the extent not reimbursed by Borrower and any of Borrower's
Subsidiaries and without limiting the obligation of Borrower and Borrower's
Subsidiaries to do so), ratably according to the respective amounts of its
original (a) Revolving Credit Loan Commitment Percentage, in the case of
Revolving Credit Loans, and (b) L/C Commitment Percentage, in the case of
Standby L/Cs, from and against any and all liabilities, obligations, losses,
damages, penalties, actions, judgments, suits, costs, expenses or disbursements
of any kind whatsoever which may at any time (including, without limitation, at
any time following the payment of the Notes) be imposed on, incurred by or
asserted against Agent in any way relating to or arising out of this Agreement,
the Notes, the Guaranty Agreement or any documents contemplated by or referred
to herein or the transactions contemplated hereby or any action taken or omitted
by Agent under or in connection with any of the foregoing; provided that no Bank
shall be liable for the payment of any portion of such liabilities, obligations,
losses, damages, penalties, actions, judgments, suits, costs, expenses or
disbursements resulting solely from Agent's gross negligence or willful
misconduct. The agreements in this subsection shall survive the payment of the
Notes and all other amounts payable hereunder.

         10.8 Bank One in Its Individual Capacity. Bank One and its affiliates
may make loans to, accept deposits from and generally engage in any kind of
business with Borrower or any of Borrower's Subsidiaries as though Bank One were
not the Agent hereunder. With respect to its loans made or renewed by it and any
Note issued to it and with respect to any Standby L/C issued

                                      -69-
<PAGE>   75

by it either as Bank One or Agent, Bank One shall have the same rights and
powers under this Agreement as any Bank and may exercise the same as though it
were not the Agent, and the terms "Bank" and "Banks" shall include Bank One in
its individual capacity.

         10.9 Successor Agent. Agent may resign as agent upon 30 days' notice to
the Banks. If Agent shall resign as agent under this Agreement, then the
Required Banks shall appoint from among the Banks a successor agent for the
Banks, whereupon such successor agent shall succeed to the rights, powers and
duties of Agent, and the term "Agent" shall mean such successor agent effective
upon its appointment, and the former Agent's rights, powers and duties as Agent
shall be terminated, without any other or further act or deed on the part of
such former Agent or any of the parties to this Agreement or any holders of the
Notes. After any retiring Agent's resignation hereunder as agent, the provisions
of this Section 10 shall inure to its benefit as to any actions taken or omitted
to be taken by it while it was Agent under this Agreement.

                            SECTION 11. MISCELLANEOUS

         11.1 Amendments and Waivers. Agent and Borrower may, from time to time,
with the written consent of the Required Banks, enter into written amendments,
supplements or modifications for the purpose of adding any provisions to this
Agreement or the Notes or changing in any manner the rights of Banks or Borrower
hereunder or thereunder, and with the consent of the Required Banks, Agent on
behalf of Banks may execute and deliver to Borrower a written instrument
waiving, on such terms and conditions as Agent may specify in such instrument,
any of the requirements of this Agreement, the Notes or any Default or Event of
Default and its consequences; provided, however, that no such waiver and no such
amendment, supplement or modification shall extend the final maturity of any
Note, or reduce the rate or extend the time of payment of interest or fees
thereon or reduce the principal amount thereof, or change the amount or terms of
any Bank's Revolving Credit Loan or L/C Commitment Percentage, or change the
Borrowing Base, or amend, modify, change any provision of the Guaranty
Agreement, or release the guaranties provided under the Guaranty Agreement, or
amend, modify, change or waive any provision of this subsection, or reduce the
percentage specified in the definition of Required Banks, or consent to the
assignment or transfer by Borrower of any of its rights and obligations under
this Agreement, or consent to the modification or termination of any
subordination agreement or provisions that evidence Subordinated Indebtedness,
or consent to the release of any collateral (except as provided in Section 8
hereof with respect to collateral that is the subject of a mortgage in the State
of Indiana), or amend, modify or change any other provision of this Agreement
that requires the consent of all Banks, in each case without the written consent
of all Banks; and provided, further, that no such waiver and no such amendment,
supplement or modification shall alter in any way Bank One's rights or
obligations with respect to Swingline Loans without the consent of Bank One; and
provided, further, that no such waiver and no such amendment, supplement or
modification shall amend, modify, change or waive any provision relating to the
rights or obligations of Agent without the consent of Agent. Any such waiver and
any such amendment, supplement or modification shall be binding upon Borrower,
Agent and each Bank,

                                      -70-
<PAGE>   76

and all future holders of the Notes. In the case of any waiver, Borrower, Agent
and each Bank shall be restored to their former position and rights hereunder
and under the outstanding Notes, and any Default or Event of Default waived
shall be deemed to be cured and not continuing; but no such waiver shall extend
to any subsequent or other Default or Event of Default, or impair any right
consequent thereon.

         11.2 Notices. All notices, requests and demands to or upon the
respective parties hereto to be effective shall be in writing or by telecopy or
other electronic facsimile and, unless otherwise expressly provided herein,
shall be deemed to have been duly given or made when delivered by hand, or when
deposited in the United States mail, Registered or Certified, Return Receipt
Requested, postage prepaid, or, in the case of telecopy or other electronic
facsimile notice, when receipt confirmed by sender's electronic facsimile
machine, addressed as follows in the case of Borrower, Agent and each Bank, or
to such other address as may be hereafter notified by the respective parties
hereto and any future holders of any Note:

                                      -71-
<PAGE>   77

         Borrower:                        M/I Schottenstein Homes, Inc. ("M/I")
                                          3 Easton Oval
                                          Columbus, Ohio  43219
                                          Attention: Irving E. Schottenstein
                                           with a copy to: Phillip G. Creek
                                          Facsimile:  (614) 418-8080
                                           with a copy to: Paul S. Coppel, Esq.
                                          Facsimile:  (614) 418-8030

                                          M/I Homes, Inc. ("M/I Homes")
                                          14505 North Hayden Road
                                          Suite 341
                                          Scottsdale, Arizona  85260
                                          Attention:  Gary Carlson

         Agent and/or
         Bank One:                        Bank One, NA
                                          100 East Broad Street
                                          7th Floor
                                          Columbus, Ohio  43271
                                          Attention:  Thomas D. Igoe/
                                           Thomas Redmond
                                          Facsimile:  (614) 248-5518

         HNB:                             The Huntington National Bank
                                          41 South High Street
                                          8th Floor
                                          Columbus, Ohio 43287
                                          Attention:  R.H. Friend
                                          Facsimile: (614) 480-5791

         NCB:                             National City Bank
                                          155 East Broad Street
                                          3rd Floor
                                          Columbus, Ohio 43251
                                          Attention:  Ralph A. Kaparos/
                                           Joseph L. Kwasny, Jr.
                                          Facsimile:  (614) 463-8572

                                      -72-
<PAGE>   78

         BKB:                             BankBoston, N.A.
                                          115 Perimeter Center Place
                                          Suite 500
                                          Atlanta, Georgia 30346
                                          Attention:  Kevin C. Hake
                                          Facsimile: (770) 390-8434

         Fifth Third:                     Fifth Third Bank, Central Ohio
                                          21 East State Street
                                          Columbus, Ohio  43215
                                          Attention:  Mark E. Ransom
                                          Facsimile: (614) 341-2606

         STB:                             SunTrust Bank, Central Florida, N.A.
                                          Mail Code 1931
                                          303 Peachtree Street, N.E.
                                          3rd Floor
                                          Atlanta, Georgia 30308
                                          Attention:  Donald L. Gaudette, Jr.
                                          Facsimile: (404) 588-8505

         ASB:                             AmSouth Bank
                                          Sonat Building, 10th Floor
                                          Residential Construction Lending
                                          1900 Fifth Avenue North
                                          P.O. Box 11007
                                          Birmingham, Alabama  35203
                                          Attention:  Ronny Hudspeth
                                          Facsimile: (205) 801-0138

         Comerica:                        Comerica Bank
                                          500 Woodward Avenue
                                          Detroit, Michigan  48226
                                          Attention:  Charles Weddell
                                          Facsimile:  (313) 222-9295

         Firstar:                         Firstar Bank, NA
                                          175 South Third Street, 4th Fl.
                                          Columbus, Ohio  43215
                                          Attention:  Roger Reeves
                                          Facsimile:  (614) 232-8033

                                      -73-
<PAGE>   79

         11.3 No Waiver; Cumulative Remedies. No failure to exercise and no
delay in exercising, on the part of Agent or any Bank, any right, remedy, power
or privilege hereunder shall operate as a waiver thereof; nor shall any single
or partial exercise of any right, remedy, power or privilege hereunder preclude
any other or further exercise thereof or the exercise of any other right,
remedy, power or privilege. The rights, remedies, powers and privileges herein
provided are cumulative and, except for rights the exercise of which require
consent of the Required Banks or all Banks, as appropriate, under this
Agreement, not exclusive of any rights, remedies, powers and privileges provided
by law.

         11.4 Participants.

                  (a) Any Bank may, in the ordinary course of its commercial
banking business and in accordance with applicable law, at any time sell to one
or more banks or other financial institutions ("Participants") participating
interests in any Revolving Credit Loan owing to such Bank, any Note held by such
Bank, any interest (including any Reimbursement Obligation) in any Standby L/C
with respect to such Bank, any Revolving Credit Loan Commitment of such Bank, or
any other interest of such Bank hereunder; provided, however, that upon the sale
of any participating interest the selling Bank shall provide promptly to
Borrower and Agent notice of such sale; and provided further, however, that no
Participant's consent shall be required to approve any amendments, waivers or
other modifications of this Agreement or of any document contemplated by this
Agreement, and no participation agreement shall provide any Participant with
such rights. In the event of any such sale by a Bank of participating interests
to a Participant, such Bank's obligations under this Agreement to the other
parties to this Agreement shall remain unchanged, such Bank shall remain solely
responsible for the performance thereof, and such Bank shall remain the holder
of any such Note for all purposes under this Agreement, and, except as provided
in the immediately following sentence, Borrower, the other Banks, and Agent
shall continue to deal solely and directly with such Bank in connection with
such Bank's rights and obligations under this Agreement. However, any
Participant that is an affiliate of any Bank shall have the right to deal
directly with any other Bank and Borrower with respect to any matter that is the
subject of this Agreement, and Banks and Borrower agree to deal directly with
such affiliate Participant(s); provided, however, that each Bank needs to deal
only with other Banks (and not such other Banks' affiliate Participant(s)), in
those matters in which the consent of any one or more Banks is required. The
rights set forth in the immediately preceding sentence shall apply only to
Participants that are affiliates of any Bank, and such rights do not apply to
any Participants that are not affiliates of any Bank. Borrower agrees that if
amounts outstanding under this Agreement or the Notes are due and unpaid, or
shall have been declared or shall have become due and payable upon the
occurrence of a Default or an Event of Default, each Participant shall be deemed
to have the right of set-off provided to Banks in this Agreement in respect of
its participating interest in amounts owing under this Agreement or any Note or
Reimbursement Obligation to the same extent as if the amount of its
participating interests were owing directly to it as a Bank under this
Agreement, any Note or any Standby L/C or participation in any Standby L/C.

                                      -74-
<PAGE>   80

                  (b) Borrower authorizes each Bank and Agent to disclose to any
Participant and any prospective Participant any and all financial information in
such Bank's or Agent's possession concerning Borrower and any of Borrower's
Subsidiaries which has been delivered to such Bank or Agent by Borrower or
Borrower's Subsidiaries pursuant to this Agreement or which has been delivered
to such Bank or Agent by Borrower or Borrower's Subsidiaries in connection with
such Bank's or Agent's credit evaluation of Borrower and Borrower's Subsidiaries
prior to entering into this Agreement. Any Participant or prospective
Participant shall be subject to the confidentiality provisions of this
Agreement.

                  (c) Except for the sale of participating interests as
described in this subsection 11.4 and the assignments as described in subsection
11.7 hereof, no Bank may sell or assign its rights and interests under this
Agreement without the written consent of each Bank and Borrower, provided that
after the occurrence of a Default or an Event of Default that has not been
waived by all Banks, Borrower's consent to such sale or assignment shall not be
required.

         11.5 Survival of Representations and Warranties. All representations
and warranties made hereunder and in any document, certificate or statement
delivered pursuant hereto or in connection herewith shall survive the execution
and delivery of this Agreement and the Notes and shall remain in full force and
effect until this Agreement is terminated, all Standby L/Cs are cancelled or are
fully collateralized with cash in a manner satisfactory to Agent and all
indebtedness (including Reimbursement Obligations with respect to Standby L/Cs
that are not fully collateralized with cash) created or evidenced by this
Agreement and/or each Note is paid in full.

         11.6 Payment of Expenses and Taxes. Borrower agrees:

                  (a) to pay or reimburse Agent and each Bank for all its
out-of-pocket costs and expenses incurred in connection with the development,
preparation and execution of, and any amendment, supplement or modification to,
this Agreement, the Notes, the Guaranty Agreement, the Standby L/Cs and any
other documents prepared in connection herewith, and the consummation of the
transactions contemplated hereby and thereby, including without limitation the
reasonable fees and disbursements of counsel to Agent and each Bank; and

                  (b) to pay or reimburse Agent and each Bank for all its costs
and expenses incurred in connection with the enforcement or preservation of any
rights under this Agreement, the Notes, the Guaranty Agreement, the Standby L/Cs
and any such other documents, including without limitation the reasonable fees
and disbursements of counsel to Agent and each Bank.

                  11.7     Successors and Assigns; Assignment.

                  (a) This Agreement shall be binding upon and inure to the
benefit of Borrower, Agent and each Bank, all future holders of the Notes and
their respective successors and

                                      -75-
<PAGE>   81

assigns, except that Borrower may not assign or transfer any of its rights or
obligations under this Agreement without the prior written consent of all Banks,
which consent may be withheld by any Bank in its sole discretion; and provided
further that the rights of each Bank to transfer or assign its rights and/or
obligations hereunder shall be limited as set forth below in part (b) of this
subsection 11.7. Notwithstanding the above (including anything set forth in part
(b) of this subsection 11.7), nothing herein shall restrict, prevent or prohibit
any Bank from (A) pledging its Loans hereunder to a Federal Reserve Bank in
support of borrowings made by such Bank from such Federal Reserve Bank, (B)
granting assignments in such Bank's Loans and/or Commitment hereunder to its
parent company and/or to any affiliate of such Bank or to any existing Bank or
affiliate thereof, or (C) selling participations as set forth in subsection 11.4
hereof.

                  (b) In addition to the assignments permitted by subsection
11.7(a) hereof, each Bank may, with the prior written consent of the Borrower
and the Agent (provided that no consent of the Borrower shall be required during
the existence and continuation of an Event of Default), which consent shall not
be unreasonably withheld or delayed, assign all or a portion of its rights and
obligations hereunder pursuant to an assignment agreement substantially in the
form of Exhibit J attached hereto and made a part hereof (the "Assignment
Agreement") to one or more Eligible Assignees; provided that (i) any such
assignment shall be in a minimum aggregate amount of the lesser of (a)
$10,000,000 or any larger amount which is an even multiple of $1,000,000 or (b)
the remaining amount of the Commitment held by such Bank, and (ii) each such
assignment shall be of a constant, not varying, percentage of all of the
assigning Bank's rights and obligations under the Commitment being assigned. Any
assignment under this subsection 11.7(b) shall be effective upon satisfaction of
the conditions set forth above and delivery to the Agent of a duly executed
Assignment Agreement together with a transfer fee of $3,500 payable to the Agent
for its own account. Upon the effectiveness of any such assignment, the assignee
shall become a "Bank" for all purposes of this Agreement and the other documents
contemplated hereby and, to the extent of such assignment, the assigning Bank
shall be relieved of its obligations hereunder to the extent of the Loans and
Commitment components being assigned. The Borrower agrees that upon notice of
any such assignment and surrender of the appropriate Note , it will promptly
provide to the assigning Bank and to the assignee separate promissory notes in
the amount of their respective interests substantially in the form of the
original Note (but with notation thereon that it is given in substitution for
and replacement of the original Note or any replacement notes thereof).

                  By executing and delivering an Assignment Agreement in
accordance with this subsection 11.7(b), the assigning Bank thereunder and the
assignee thereunder shall be deemed to confirm to and agree with each other and
the other parties hereto as follows: (i) such assigning Bank warrants that it is
the legal and beneficial owner of the interest being assigned thereby free and
clear of any adverse claim and the assignee warrants that it is an Eligible
Assignee; (ii) except as set forth in clause (i) above, such assigning Bank
makes no representation or warranty and assumes no responsibility with respect
to any statements, warranties or representations made in or in connection with
this Agreement, any of the other

                                      -76-
<PAGE>   82

documents contemplated hereby or any other instrument or document furnished
pursuant hereto or thereto, or the execution, legality, validity,
enforceability, genuineness, sufficiency or value of this Agreement, any of the
other documents contemplated hereby or any other instrument or document
furnished pursuant hereto or thereto or the financial condition of Borrower or
the performance or observance by Borrower of any of its obligations under this
Agreement, any of the other documents contemplated hereby or any other
instrument or document furnished pursuant hereto or thereto; (iii) such assignee
represents and warrants that it is legally authorized to enter into such
Assignment Agreement; (iv) such assignee confirms that it has received a copy of
this Agreement, the other documents contemplated hereby and such other documents
and information as it has deemed appropriate to make its own credit analysis and
decision to enter into such Assignment Agreement; (v) such assignee will
independently and without reliance upon the Agent, such assigning Bank or any
other Bank, and based on such documents and information as it shall deem
appropriate at the time, continue to make its own credit decisions in taking or
not taking action under this Agreement and other documents contemplated hereby;
(vi) such assignee appoints and authorizes the Agent to take such action on its
behalf and to exercise such powers under this Agreement or any other document
contemplated thereby as are delegated to the Agent by the terms hereof or
thereof, together with such powers as are reasonably incidental thereto; and
(vii) such assignee agrees that it will perform in accordance with their terms
all the obligations which by the terms of this Agreement and the other documents
contemplated hereby are required to be performed by it as a Bank.

         11.8 Adjustments; Set-off.

                  (a) If any Bank (a "benefited Bank") shall at any time receive
any payment of all or part of its Loans or Reimbursement Obligations owing to
it, or interest thereon, or receive any collateral in respect thereof (whether
voluntarily or involuntarily, by set-off, pursuant to events or proceedings of
the nature referred to in paragraph (5) of Section 9 hereof, or otherwise) in a
greater proportion than any such payment to any other Bank in respect of such
other Bank's Loans or Reimbursement Obligations owing to it, or interest
thereon, such benefited Bank shall purchase for cash from the other Banks such
portion of each such other Bank's Loans or Reimbursement Obligations owing to
it, as shall be necessary to cause such benefited Bank to share the excess
payment or benefits of such collateral or proceeds ratably with each of the
Banks; provided, however, that if all or any portion of such excess payment or
benefits is thereafter recovered from such benefited Bank, such purchase shall
be rescinded, and the purchase price and benefits returned, to the extent of
such recovery, but without interest. Borrower agrees that each Bank so
purchasing a portion of another Bank's Loans or Reimbursement Obligations owing
to it may exercise all rights of payment (including, without limitation, rights
of set-off) with respect to such portion as fully as if such Bank were the
direct holder of such portion.

                  (b) In addition to those rights and remedies of each Bank
provided by law, subject to the terms and conditions of this Agreement, upon the
occurrence of an Event of Default and acceleration of the obligations owing in
connection with this Agreement, each Bank

                                      -77-
<PAGE>   83

shall have the right, without prior notice to Borrower or Borrower's
Subsidiaries, any such notice being expressly waived by Borrower and Borrower's
Subsidiaries to the extent permitted by applicable law, to set-off and apply
against any indebtedness, whether matured or unmatured, of Borrower to such
Bank, any amount held by or owing from such Bank to or for the credit or the
account of Borrower or Borrower's Subsidiaries at, or at any time after, the
happening of any of the above-mentioned events, and the aforesaid right of
set-off may be exercised by each Bank against Borrower and Borrower's
Subsidiaries or against any trustee in bankruptcy, debtor-in-possession,
assignee for the benefit of creditors, receiver, custodian or execution,
judgment or attachment creditor of Borrower and Borrower's Subsidiaries, or
against anyone else claiming through or against Borrower and Borrower's
Subsidiaries or such trustee in bankruptcy, debtor-in-possession, assignee for
the benefit of creditors, receiver, custodian or execution, judgment or
attachment creditor, notwithstanding the fact that such right of set-off shall
not have been exercised by such Bank prior to the making, filing or issuance of,
or service upon such Bank of, or of notice of, any such petition; assignment for
the benefit of creditors; appointment or application for the appointment of a
receiver; or issuance of execution, subpoena, order or warrant. Each Bank agrees
promptly to notify Borrower and, if set-off is made against Borrower's
Subsidiaries, Borrower's Subsidiaries after any such set-off and application
made by such Bank, provided that the failure to give such notice shall not
affect the validity of such set-off and application.

         11.9 WAIVER OF JURY TRIAL. AGENT, EACH BANK AND BORROWER, AFTER
CONSULTING OR HAVING HAD THE OPPORTUNITY TO CONSULT WITH COUNSEL, KNOWINGLY,
VOLUNTARILY AND INTENTIONALLY WAIVE ANY RIGHT ANY OF THEM MAY HAVE TO A TRIAL BY
JURY IN ANY LITIGATION BASED UPON OR ARISING OUT OF THE AGREEMENT OR ANY RELATED
INSTRUMENT OR AGREEMENT OR ANY OF THE TRANSACTIONS CONTEMPLATED BY THE AGREEMENT
OR ANY COURSE OF CONDUCT, DEALING, STATEMENTS (WHETHER ORAL OR WRITTEN) OR
ACTIONS OF ANY OF THEM. NONE OF AGENT, ANY BANK OR BORROWER SHALL SEEK TO
CONSOLIDATE, BY COUNTERCLAIM OR OTHERWISE, ANY SUCH ACTION IN WHICH A JURY TRIAL
HAS BEEN WAIVED WITH ANY OTHER ACTION IN WHICH A JURY TRIAL CANNOT BE OR HAS NOT
BEEN WAIVED. THESE PROVISIONS SHALL NOT BE DEEMED TO HAVE BEEN MODIFIED IN ANY
RESPECT OR RELINQUISHED BY ANY OF AGENT, ANY BANK OR BORROWER EXCEPT BY A
WRITTEN INSTRUMENT EXECUTED BY ALL OF THEM.

         11.10 Confidentiality. Agent and each Bank shall hold all confidential
information obtained pursuant to the requirements of the Agreement which has
been identified as such by Borrower in accordance with Borrower's customary
procedures for handling confidential information of this nature and in
accordance with safe and sound banking practices and in any event may make
disclosure to its examiners, affiliates, outside auditors, counsel and other
professional advisors in connection with the Agreement or as reasonably required
by any bona fide Participant or prospective Participant in connection with any
contemplated participation therein or as required or

                                      -78-
<PAGE>   84

requested by any governmental agency or representative thereof or pursuant to
legal process. Without limiting the foregoing, it is expressly understood that
such confidential information which, at the time of disclosure is in the public
domain or which, after disclosure, other than disclosure by Agent or any Bank,
becomes part of the public domain or information which is obtained by Agent or
any Bank prior to the time of disclosure and identification by Borrower under
this subsection, or information received by Agent or any Bank from a third party
shall not be subject to the confidentiality requirements of this subsection
11.10. Nothing in this subsection or otherwise shall prohibit Agent or any Bank
from disclosing any confidential information to any other Bank in connection
with the Loans contemplated by this Agreement or render it liable in connection
with any such disclosure.

         11.11 Counterparts; Effective Date. This Agreement may be executed by
one or more of the parties to this Agreement on any number of separate
counterparts and all of said counterparts taken together shall be deemed to
constitute one and the same instrument. This Agreement shall become effective
upon the receipt by Agent and each Bank of executed counterparts of this
Agreement by each of the parties hereto.

         11.12 Governing Law. This Agreement, the Notes and the rights and
obligations of the parties under this Agreement and the Notes shall be governed
by, and construed and interpreted in accordance with, the local laws of the
State of Ohio.

         11.13 Headings. The headings of the Sections and subsections of this
Agreement are inserted for convenience only and shall not be deemed to
constitute a part hereof.

         11.14 Joint and Several Obligations. The obligations of Borrower under
this Agreement shall be joint and several.

            [THE REMAINDER OF THIS PAGE IS INTENTIONALLY LEFT BLANK.]

                                      -79-
<PAGE>   85

         IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have caused this Agreement to be
duly executed and delivered by their proper and duly authorized officers as of
the day and year first above written.

M/I SCHOTTENSTEIN HOMES, INC.

By                                            Executed at Columbus, Ohio
  -----------------------------------------
  Robert H. Schottenstein
  Title:  President and Assistant Secretary

M/I HOMES, INC.

By                                            Executed at Scottsdale, Arizona
  -----------------------------------------
  Robert H. Schottenstein
  Title:  Vice Chairman

                                      -80-
<PAGE>   86

BANKS

BANK ONE, NA,
as Agent and as a Bank

By
  -----------------------------------------
  Thomas D. Igoe
  Title:  Senior Vice President

THE HUNTINGTON NATIONAL BANK

By
  -----------------------------------------
  R. H. Friend
  Title:  Vice President

NATIONAL CITY BANK

By
  -----------------------------------------

  -----------------------------------------
  Title:
        -----------------------------------

BANKBOSTON, N.A.

By
  -----------------------------------------
  Daniel L. Silbert
  Title: Vice President

FIFTH THIRD BANK, CENTRAL OHIO

By
  -----------------------------------------
  Mark E. Ransom
  Title: Vice President

                                      -81-
<PAGE>   87

SUNTRUST BANK, CENTRAL FLORIDA, N.A.

By
  -----------------------------------------
  Donald L. Gaudette, Jr.
  Title: Director

AMSOUTH BANK

By
  -----------------------------------------
  Ronny Hudspeth
  Title: Senior Vice President

COMERICA BANK

By
  -----------------------------------------
  Charles L. Weddell
  Title: Vice President

FIRSTAR BANK, N.A.

By
  -----------------------------------------
  Roger W. Reeves
  Title: Vice President

                                      -82-

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