EXHIBIT 99.3

                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,
Larry W. Seay, Chief Financial  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/ Larry W. Seay
                                           -------------------------------------
                                           Larry W. Seay
                                           CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER