Meritage Homes CORP (NYSE: MTH)

Meritage Homes Corporation is a leading designer and builder of single family attached and detached homes. The company focuses on entry level and first move up homes in high growth markets across the United States.

Revenue is generated primarily from the sale of homes built by the company's homebuilding operations. Additionally the company earns fees from its financial services segment which provides title and escrow mortgage and insurance services to homebuyers.

The company operates through the following segments.

• The homebuilding segment designs and constructs and sells single family attached and detached homes in twelve states across the West Central and East regions.

• The financial services segment provides title and escrow mortgage and insurance services to homebuyers through wholly owned subsidiaries and an unconsolidated joint venture.

Meritage Homes Corporation is one of the largest public homebuilders in the United States and ranks as the fifth largest homebuilder nationwide. The company competes with other national and regional builders as well as with existing resale housing. Its competitive advantages include a focus on affordable move in ready homes that meet ENERGY STAR standards a 60 day closing guarantee and strong relationships with third party real estate agents. These factors help the company attract entry level and first move up buyers seeking energy efficient and technologically integrated homes.

The company serves individual homebuyers seeking entry level and first move up homes. It also works with real estate agents who facilitate sales and with mortgage lenders through its financial services unit.