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 Current Report of Meritage Corporation (the
"Company") on Form 8-K/A No. 2 dated July 12, 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, to the best of my knowledge,
that:

     (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

                                           June 12, 2003
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                                           Date