EXHIBIT 99.1

                CERTIFICATION PURSUANT TO 18 U.S.C. SECTION 1350,
      AS ADOPTED PURSUANT TO SECTION 906 OF THE SARBANES-OXLEY ACT OF 2002

     In  connection  with the  Quarterly  Report of  Meritage  Corporation  (the
"Company") on Form 10-Q for the period ending  September 30, 2002, as filed with
the Securities  and Exchange  Commission on the date hereof (the  "Report"),  I,
Steven J. Hilton, Co-Chief Executive Officer of the Company certify, pursuant to
18 U.S.C. ss. 1350, as adopted pursuant to ss. 906 of the  Sarbanes-Oxley Act of
2002, that to my knowledge:

     (1)  The Report fully  complies with the  requirements  of Section 13(a) or
          15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934; and

     (2)  The  information  contained  in the  Report  fairly  presents,  in all
          material respects,  the financial  condition and results of operations
          of the Company.


                                        MERITAGE CORPORATION,
                                        a Maryland Corporation


                                        By /s/ Steven J. Hilton
                                           -------------------------------------
                                           Steven J. Hilton
                                           CO-CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER