CONSENT OF KPMG LLP


The Board of Directors
Meritage Corporation:

We consent to incorporation by reference in Registration Statement No. 333-58793
on Form  S-3  and  Registration  Statements  Nos.  33-38230  and  333-37859  and
333-75629 on Forms S-8 of Meritage  Corporation  of our report dated February 4,
2000,  relating to the consolidated  balance sheets of Meritage  Corporation and
subsidiaries  as of  December  31,  1999 and 1998 and the  related  consolidated
statements  of  earnings,  stockholders'  equity  and cash flows for each of the
years in the  three-year  period ended  December  31, 1999 which  appears in the
December 31, 1999 annual report on Form 10-K of Meritage Corporation.

                                         /s/ KPMG LLP

Phoenix, Arizona
March 23, 2000