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 on Forms S-8
of Meritage Corporation  (previously known as Monterey Homes Corporation) of our
report dated February 4, 1999,  relating to the  consolidated  balance sheets of
Meritage  Corporation and  subsidiaries as of December 31, 1998 and 1997 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, 1998 which
appears  in the  December  31,  1998  annual  report  on Form  10-K of  Meritage
Corporation.

                                                      /s/ KPMG LLP

Phoenix, Arizona
March 19, 1999