0001193125-12-160850.txt : 20120412 0001193125-12-160850.hdr.sgml : 20120412 20120412171316 ACCESSION NUMBER: 0001193125-12-160850 CONFORMED SUBMISSION TYPE: S-3ASR PUBLIC DOCUMENT COUNT: 10 FILED AS OF DATE: 20120412 DATE AS OF CHANGE: 20120412 EFFECTIVENESS DATE: 20120412 FILER: COMPANY DATA: COMPANY CONFORMED NAME: MERITAGE PASEO CROSSING LLC CENTRAL INDEX KEY: 0001243850 IRS NUMBER: 861006497 STATE OF INCORPORATION: AZ FILING VALUES: FORM TYPE: S-3ASR SEC ACT: 1933 Act SEC FILE NUMBER: 333-180685-11 FILM NUMBER: 12757002 MAIL ADDRESS: STREET 1: 8501 EAST PRINCESS DRIVE STREET 2: STE 290 CITY: SCOTTSDALE STATE: AZ ZIP: 85225 FILER: COMPANY DATA: COMPANY CONFORMED NAME: MERITAGE HOMES OF ARIZONA INC CENTRAL INDEX KEY: 0001243855 IRS NUMBER: 861013006 STATE OF INCORPORATION: AZ FILING VALUES: FORM TYPE: S-3ASR SEC ACT: 1933 Act SEC FILE NUMBER: 333-180685-17 FILM NUMBER: 12757008 MAIL ADDRESS: STREET 1: 8501 EAST PRINCESS DRIVE STREET 2: STE 290 CITY: SCOTTSDALE STATE: AZ ZIP: 85225 FILER: COMPANY DATA: COMPANY CONFORMED NAME: MERITAGE HOMES CONSTRUCTION INC CENTRAL INDEX KEY: 0001243856 IRS NUMBER: 861021464 STATE OF INCORPORATION: AZ FILING VALUES: FORM TYPE: S-3ASR SEC ACT: 1933 Act SEC FILE NUMBER: 333-180685-18 FILM NUMBER: 12757009 MAIL ADDRESS: STREET 1: 8501 EAST PRINCESS DRIVE STREET 2: STE 290 CITY: SCOTTSDALE STATE: AZ ZIP: 85225 FILER: COMPANY DATA: COMPANY CONFORMED NAME: MERITAGE HOLDINGS LLC CENTRAL INDEX KEY: 0001243877 IRS NUMBER: 911832213 STATE OF INCORPORATION: TX FILING VALUES: FORM TYPE: S-3ASR SEC ACT: 1933 Act SEC FILE NUMBER: 333-180685-19 FILM NUMBER: 12757010 MAIL ADDRESS: STREET 1: 8501 EAST PRINCESS DRIVE STREET 2: STE 290 CITY: SCOTTSDALE STATE: AZ ZIP: 85225 FILER: COMPANY DATA: COMPANY CONFORMED NAME: MTH CAVALIER LLC CENTRAL INDEX KEY: 0001243883 IRS NUMBER: 860863537 STATE OF INCORPORATION: AZ FILING VALUES: FORM TYPE: S-3ASR SEC ACT: 1933 Act SEC FILE NUMBER: 333-180685-09 FILM NUMBER: 12757000 MAIL ADDRESS: STREET 1: 8501 EAST PRINCESS DRIVE STREET 2: STE 290 CITY: SCOTTSDALE STATE: AZ ZIP: 85225 FILER: COMPANY DATA: COMPANY CONFORMED NAME: MTH GOLF LLC CENTRAL INDEX KEY: 0001267536 IRS NUMBER: 562379206 STATE OF INCORPORATION: AZ FILING VALUES: FORM TYPE: S-3ASR SEC ACT: 1933 Act SEC FILE NUMBER: 333-180685-08 FILM NUMBER: 12756999 MAIL ADDRESS: STREET 1: 8501 EAST PRINCESS DRIVE STE 290 STREET 2: C/O MERITAGE CORP CITY: SCOTTSDALE STATE: AZ ZIP: 85255 FILER: COMPANY DATA: COMPANY CONFORMED NAME: Meritage Homes CORP CENTRAL INDEX KEY: 0000833079 STANDARD INDUSTRIAL CLASSIFICATION: OPERATIVE BUILDERS [1531] IRS NUMBER: 860611231 STATE OF INCORPORATION: MD FISCAL YEAR END: 1231 FILING VALUES: FORM TYPE: S-3ASR SEC ACT: 1933 Act SEC FILE NUMBER: 333-180685 FILM NUMBER: 12756993 BUSINESS ADDRESS: STREET 1: 17851 NORTH 85TH STREET STREET 2: SUITE 300 CITY: SCOTTSDALE STATE: AZ ZIP: 85255 BUSINESS PHONE: 480-515-8100 MAIL ADDRESS: STREET 1: 17851 NORTH 85TH STREET STREET 2: SUITE 300 CITY: SCOTTSDALE STATE: AZ ZIP: 85255 FORMER COMPANY: FORMER CONFORMED NAME: MERITAGE CORP DATE OF NAME CHANGE: 19981009 FORMER COMPANY: FORMER CONFORMED NAME: MONTEREY HOMES CORP DATE OF NAME CHANGE: 19970113 FORMER COMPANY: FORMER CONFORMED NAME: HOMEPLEX MORTGAGE INVESTMENTS CORP DATE OF NAME CHANGE: 19920703 FILER: COMPANY DATA: COMPANY CONFORMED NAME: MERITAGE PASEO CONSTRUCTION LLC CENTRAL INDEX KEY: 0001243854 IRS NUMBER: 861028847 FISCAL YEAR END: 1231 FILING VALUES: FORM TYPE: S-3ASR SEC ACT: 1933 Act SEC FILE NUMBER: 333-180685-10 FILM NUMBER: 12757001 BUSINESS ADDRESS: STREET 1: 17851 NORTH 85TH STREET STREET 2: SUITE 300 CITY: SCOTTSDALE STATE: AZ ZIP: 85225 BUSINESS PHONE: 480-515-8100 MAIL ADDRESS: STREET 1: 17851 NORTH 85TH STREET STREET 2: SUITE 300 CITY: SCOTTSDALE STATE: AZ ZIP: 85225 FORMER COMPANY: FORMER CONFORMED NAME: MERITAGE PASCO CONSTRUCTION LLC DATE OF NAME CHANGE: 20030618 FILER: COMPANY DATA: COMPANY CONFORMED NAME: Meritage Homes of Texas Holding, Inc. CENTRAL INDEX KEY: 0001243861 IRS NUMBER: 860875147 STATE OF INCORPORATION: AZ FISCAL YEAR END: 1231 FILING VALUES: FORM TYPE: S-3ASR SEC ACT: 1933 Act SEC FILE NUMBER: 333-180685-15 FILM NUMBER: 12757006 BUSINESS ADDRESS: STREET 1: 17851 NORTH 85TH STREET STREET 2: SUITE 300 CITY: SCOTTSDALE STATE: AZ ZIP: 85225 BUSINESS PHONE: 480-515-8100 MAIL ADDRESS: STREET 1: 17851 NORTH 85TH STREET STREET 2: SUITE 300 CITY: SCOTTSDALE STATE: AZ ZIP: 85225 FORMER COMPANY: FORMER CONFORMED NAME: MTH TEXAS LP INC DATE OF NAME CHANGE: 20030618 FILER: COMPANY DATA: COMPANY CONFORMED NAME: Meritage Homes of California, Inc. CENTRAL INDEX KEY: 0001243864 IRS NUMBER: 860917765 STATE OF INCORPORATION: CA FISCAL YEAR END: 1231 FILING VALUES: FORM TYPE: S-3ASR SEC ACT: 1933 Act SEC FILE NUMBER: 333-180685-03 FILM NUMBER: 12756992 BUSINESS ADDRESS: STREET 1: 17851 NORTH 85TH STREET STREET 2: SUITE 300 CITY: SCOTTSDALE STATE: AZ ZIP: 85225 BUSINESS PHONE: 480-515-8100 MAIL ADDRESS: STREET 1: 17851 NORTH 85TH STREET STREET 2: SUITE 300 CITY: SCOTTSDALE STATE: AZ ZIP: 85225 FORMER COMPANY: FORMER CONFORMED NAME: MERITAGE HOMES OF NORTHERN CALIFORNIA INC DATE OF NAME CHANGE: 20030618 FILER: COMPANY DATA: COMPANY CONFORMED NAME: Meritage Homes of Nevada, Inc. CENTRAL INDEX KEY: 0001243876 IRS NUMBER: 431976353 STATE OF INCORPORATION: AZ FISCAL YEAR END: 1231 FILING VALUES: FORM TYPE: S-3ASR SEC ACT: 1933 Act SEC FILE NUMBER: 333-180685-16 FILM NUMBER: 12757007 BUSINESS ADDRESS: STREET 1: 17851 NORTH 85TH STREET STREET 2: STE 300 CITY: SCOTTSDALE STATE: AZ ZIP: 85225 BUSINESS PHONE: 480-515-8100 MAIL ADDRESS: STREET 1: 17851 NORTH 85TH STREET STREET 2: STE 300 CITY: SCOTTSDALE STATE: AZ ZIP: 85225 FORMER COMPANY: FORMER CONFORMED NAME: MTH HOMES NEVADA INC DATE OF NAME CHANGE: 20030618 FILER: COMPANY DATA: COMPANY CONFORMED NAME: Meritage Homes of Texas Joint Venture Holding Company, L.L.C CENTRAL INDEX KEY: 0001243886 IRS NUMBER: 752771999 STATE OF INCORPORATION: TX FILING VALUES: FORM TYPE: S-3ASR SEC ACT: 1933 Act SEC FILE NUMBER: 333-180685-14 FILM NUMBER: 12757005 BUSINESS ADDRESS: STREET 1: 17851 NORTH 25TH STREET STREET 2: STE 300 CITY: SCOTTSDALE STATE: AZ ZIP: 85225 BUSINESS PHONE: 480-515-8100 MAIL ADDRESS: STREET 1: 17851 NORTH 25TH STREET STREET 2: STE 300 CITY: SCOTTSDALE STATE: AZ ZIP: 85225 FORMER COMPANY: FORMER CONFORMED NAME: HULEN PARK VENTURE LLC DATE OF NAME CHANGE: 20030618 FILER: COMPANY DATA: COMPANY CONFORMED NAME: Meritage Homes of Colorado, Inc. CENTRAL INDEX KEY: 0001290828 IRS NUMBER: 201091787 STATE OF INCORPORATION: AZ FISCAL YEAR END: 1231 FILING VALUES: FORM TYPE: S-3ASR SEC ACT: 1933 Act SEC FILE NUMBER: 333-180685-02 FILM NUMBER: 12756991 BUSINESS ADDRESS: STREET 1: 8501 E. PRINCESS DRIVE STREET 2: SUITE 290 CITY: SCOTTSDALE STATE: AZ ZIP: 85254 BUSINESS PHONE: 480-609-3330 MAIL ADDRESS: STREET 1: 8501 E. PRINCESS DRIVE STREET 2: SUITE 290 CITY: SCOTTSDALE STATE: AZ ZIP: 85254 FILER: COMPANY DATA: COMPANY CONFORMED NAME: Meritage Homes of Florida, Inc. CENTRAL INDEX KEY: 0001321562 IRS NUMBER: 201861564 STATE OF INCORPORATION: AZ FISCAL YEAR END: 1231 FILING VALUES: FORM TYPE: S-3ASR SEC ACT: 1933 Act SEC FILE NUMBER: 333-180685-01 FILM NUMBER: 12756990 BUSINESS ADDRESS: STREET 1: 8501 E. PRINCESS DRIVE, SUITE 290 CITY: SCOTTSDALE STATE: AZ ZIP: 85254 BUSINESS PHONE: 480 609 3330 MAIL ADDRESS: STREET 1: 8501 E. PRINCESS DRIVE, SUITE 290 CITY: SCOTTSDALE STATE: AZ ZIP: 85254 FILER: COMPANY DATA: COMPANY CONFORMED NAME: California Urban Homes, LLC CENTRAL INDEX KEY: 0001324586 IRS NUMBER: 202707345 STATE OF INCORPORATION: CA FISCAL YEAR END: 1231 FILING VALUES: FORM TYPE: S-3ASR SEC ACT: 1933 Act SEC FILE NUMBER: 333-180685-20 FILM NUMBER: 12757011 BUSINESS ADDRESS: STREET 1: 1800 SUTTER STREET #500 CITY: CONCORD STATE: CA ZIP: 94520 BUSINESS PHONE: 480-222-2444 MAIL ADDRESS: STREET 1: 8501 E. PRINCESS DR. #290 CITY: SCOTTSDALE STATE: AZ ZIP: 85254 FILER: COMPANY DATA: COMPANY CONFORMED NAME: Meritage Homes of Texas, LLC CENTRAL INDEX KEY: 0001443579 IRS NUMBER: 651308131 STATE OF INCORPORATION: AZ FISCAL YEAR END: 1231 FILING VALUES: FORM TYPE: S-3ASR SEC ACT: 1933 Act SEC FILE NUMBER: 333-180685-13 FILM NUMBER: 12757004 BUSINESS ADDRESS: STREET 1: 17851 N. 85TH ST. CITY: PHOENIX STATE: AZ ZIP: 85255 BUSINESS PHONE: 480-515-8100 MAIL ADDRESS: STREET 1: 17851 N. 85TH ST. CITY: PHOENIX STATE: AZ ZIP: 85255 FILER: COMPANY DATA: COMPANY CONFORMED NAME: Meritage Homes Operating Company, LLC CENTRAL INDEX KEY: 0001443584 IRS NUMBER: 651308133 STATE OF INCORPORATION: TX FISCAL YEAR END: 1231 FILING VALUES: FORM TYPE: S-3ASR SEC ACT: 1933 Act SEC FILE NUMBER: 333-180685-12 FILM NUMBER: 12757003 BUSINESS ADDRESS: STREET 1: 17851 N. 85TH ST. CITY: PHOENIX STATE: AZ ZIP: 85255 BUSINESS PHONE: 480-515-8100 MAIL ADDRESS: STREET 1: 17851 N. 85TH ST. CITY: PHOENIX STATE: AZ ZIP: 85255 FILER: COMPANY DATA: COMPANY CONFORMED NAME: WW Project Seller, LLC CENTRAL INDEX KEY: 0001490652 IRS NUMBER: 861006497 STATE OF INCORPORATION: AZ FISCAL YEAR END: 1231 FILING VALUES: FORM TYPE: S-3ASR SEC ACT: 1933 Act SEC FILE NUMBER: 333-180685-05 FILM NUMBER: 12756995 BUSINESS ADDRESS: STREET 1: 17851 N. 85TH STREET STREET 2: SUITE 300 CITY: SCOTTSDALE STATE: AZ ZIP: 85255 BUSINESS PHONE: 480-515-8100 MAIL ADDRESS: STREET 1: 17851 N. 85TH STREET STREET 2: SUITE 300 CITY: SCOTTSDALE STATE: AZ ZIP: 85255 FILER: COMPANY DATA: COMPANY CONFORMED NAME: Carefree Title Agency, Inc. CENTRAL INDEX KEY: 0001545554 IRS NUMBER: 453742536 STATE OF INCORPORATION: TX FISCAL YEAR END: 1231 FILING VALUES: FORM TYPE: S-3ASR SEC ACT: 1933 Act SEC FILE NUMBER: 333-180685-04 FILM NUMBER: 12756994 BUSINESS ADDRESS: STREET 1: 17851 N. 85TH STREET STREET 2: SUITE 300 CITY: SCOTTSDALE STATE: AZ ZIP: 85255 BUSINESS PHONE: 480-515-8100 MAIL ADDRESS: STREET 1: 17851 N. 85TH STREET STREET 2: SUITE 300 CITY: SCOTTSDALE STATE: AZ ZIP: 85255 FILER: COMPANY DATA: COMPANY CONFORMED NAME: M&M Fort Myers Holdings, LLC CENTRAL INDEX KEY: 0001545567 IRS NUMBER: 263996740 STATE OF INCORPORATION: DE FISCAL YEAR END: 1231 FILING VALUES: FORM TYPE: S-3ASR SEC ACT: 1933 Act SEC FILE NUMBER: 333-180685-06 FILM NUMBER: 12756996 BUSINESS ADDRESS: STREET 1: 17851 N. 85TH STREET STREET 2: SUITE 300 CITY: SCOTTSDALE STATE: AZ ZIP: 85255 BUSINESS PHONE: 480-515-8100 MAIL ADDRESS: STREET 1: 17851 N. 85TH STREET STREET 2: SUITE 300 CITY: SCOTTSDALE STATE: AZ ZIP: 85255 FILER: COMPANY DATA: COMPANY CONFORMED NAME: Meritage Homes of North Carolina, Inc. CENTRAL INDEX KEY: 0001545568 IRS NUMBER: 275411983 STATE OF INCORPORATION: AZ FISCAL YEAR END: 1231 FILING VALUES: FORM TYPE: S-3ASR SEC ACT: 1933 Act SEC FILE NUMBER: 333-180685-07 FILM NUMBER: 12756998 BUSINESS ADDRESS: STREET 1: 17851 N. 85TH STREET STREET 2: SUITE 300 CITY: SCOTTSDALE STATE: AZ ZIP: 85255 BUSINESS PHONE: 480-515-8100 MAIL ADDRESS: STREET 1: 17851 N. 85TH STREET STREET 2: SUITE 300 CITY: SCOTTSDALE STATE: AZ ZIP: 85255 S-3ASR 1 d321936ds3asr.htm FORM S-3ASR Form S-3ASR
Table of Contents

As filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on April 12, 2012

Registration Statement No. 333-            

 

 

 

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549

 

 

FORM S-3

REGISTRATION STATEMENT

UNDER

THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933

 

 

Meritage Homes Corporation

Co-registrants are listed on the following page

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

 

 

 

Maryland  

17851 N. 85th Street, Suite 300

Scottsdale, Arizona 85255

(480) 515-8100

  86-0611231

(State or other jurisdiction of

incorporation or organization)

  (Address, including zip code, and telephone number, including area code, of registrant’s principal executive offices)  

(IRS Employer

Identification No.)

 

 

 

Larry W. Seay

Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer

17851 N. 85th Street, Suite 300

Scottsdale, Arizona 85255

(480) 515-8100

 

Copies to:

 

Jeffrey E. Beck

Snell & Wilmer L.L.P.

One Arizona Center

400 East Van Buren Street, Suite 1900

Phoenix, Arizona 85004-2202

(Name, Address, Including Zip Code, and Telephone Number,

Including Area Code, of Agent for Service)

  (602) 382-6316

 

 

If the only securities being registered on this form are being offered pursuant to dividend or interest reinvestment plans, please check the following box.  ¨

If any of the securities being registered on this form are to be offered on a delayed or continuous basis pursuant to Rule 415 under the Securities Act of 1933, other than securities offered only in connection with dividend or interest reinvestment plans, check the following box.  x

If this form is filed to register additional securities for an offering pursuant to Rule 462(b) under the Securities Act, please check the following box and list the Securities Act registration statement number of the earlier effective registration statement for the same offering.  ¨

If this form is a post-effective amendment filed pursuant to Rule 462(c) under the Securities Act, check the following box and list the Securities Act registration statement number of the earlier effective registration statement for the same offering.  ¨

If this form is a registration statement pursuant to General Instruction I.D. or a post-effective amendment thereto that shall become effective upon filing with the Commission pursuant to Rule 462(e) under the Securities Act, check the following box.  x

If this form is a post-effective amendment to a registration statement filed pursuant to General Instruction I.D. filed to register additional securities or additional classes of securities pursuant to Rule 413(b) under the Securities Act, check the following box.  ¨

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, or a smaller reporting company. See the definitions of “large accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer,” and “smaller reporting company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act. (Check one):

 

Large accelerated filer   ¨    Accelerated filer   x
Non-accelerated filer   ¨  (Do not check if a smaller reporting company)    Smaller reporting company   ¨

 

 

CALCULATION OF REGISTRATION FEE

 

 

Title of each class of

securities to be registered

 

Amount

to be

registered (1)

 

Proposed

maximum

offering price

per unit (1)

 

Proposed

maximum

aggregate

offering price (1)

  Amount of
registration fee (1)

Debt Securities, Common Stock (2), par value $0.01 per share, Preferred Stock (3), par value $0.01 per share, Warrants

               

Guarantees of Debt Securities (4)

               

TOTAL:

  (1)   (1)   (1)   (1)

 

 

 

(1) Omitted pursuant to Form S-3 General Instruction II.E. An indeterminate aggregate initial offering price or number of the securities of each identified class is being registered as may from time to time be issued at indeterminate prices. Separate consideration may or may not be received for securities that are issuable on exercise, conversion or exchange of other securities or that are issued in units. In accordance with Rules 456(b) and 457(r), the registrants are deferring payment of all of the registration fee.
(2) Includes an indeterminate number of shares of Meritage Homes Corporation’s common stock that may be issued upon conversion or exchange of the preferred stock or debt securities or upon exercise of warrants registered hereby.
(3) Includes an indeterminate number of shares of Meritage Homes Corporation’s preferred stock that may be issued upon conversion or exchange of debt securities or upon exercise of warrants registered hereby.
(4) The guarantees are the full and unconditional guarantee of Meritage Homes Corporation’s obligations under its debt securities by one or more of its wholly-owned subsidiaries* listed on the following page. No separate consideration will be received for the guarantees of debt securities. No additional registration fee for the guarantees will be due pursuant to Rule 457(n).

 

 

 

* The co-registrants listed on the next page are also included in this Form S-3 Registration Statement as additional registrants.

 

 

 


Table of Contents

Table of Co-Registrants

The following direct and indirect subsidiaries of Meritage Homes Corporation may issue the debt securities and/or guarantee the debt securities and are co-registrants under this registration statement. The address, including zip code, and telephone number, including area code, for each of the co-registrants is 17851 N. 85th Street, Suite 300, Scottsdale, Arizona 85255, (480) 515-8100.

 

Name of Each Co-Registrant

as Specified in Its Charter

   State or Other
Jurisdiction of
Incorporation or
Organization
   I.R.S. Employer
Identification No.

California Urban Homes, LLC

   California    20-2707345

Meritage Holdings, L.L.C.

   Texas    42-1732552

Meritage Homes Construction, Inc.

   Arizona    86-1028847

Meritage Homes of Arizona, Inc.

   Arizona    86-1028848

Meritage Homes of California, Inc.

   California    86-0917765

Meritage Homes of Colorado, Inc.

   Arizona    20-1091787

Meritage Homes of Florida, Inc.

   Florida    59-1107583

Meritage Homes of Nevada, Inc.

   Arizona    43-1976353

Meritage Homes of Texas Holding, Inc.

   Arizona    86-0875147

Meritage Homes of Texas Joint Venture Holding Company, LLC

   Texas    75-2771799

Meritage Homes of Texas, LLC

   Arizona    65-1308131

Meritage Homes Operating Company, LLC

   Arizona    65-1308133

Meritage Paseo Crossing, LLC

   Arizona    86-1006497

Meritage Paseo Construction, LLC

   Arizona    86-0863537

MTH-Cavalier, LLC

   Arizona    86-1028847

MTH Golf, LLC

   Arizona    56-2379206

WW Project Seller, LLC

   Arizona    86-1006497

Meritage Homes of North Carolina, Inc.

   Arizona    27-5411983

Carefree Title Agency, Inc.

   Texas    45-3742536

M&M Fort Myers Holdings, LLC

   Delaware    26-3996740


Table of Contents

PROSPECTUS

LOGO

Debt Securities

Common Stock

Preferred Stock

Warrants

Guarantees of Debt Securities

 

 

This prospectus describes some of the general terms that may apply to these securities. We will provide specific terms of these securities in supplements to this prospectus at the time we offer or sell any of these securities. You should read this prospectus and any supplement to this prospectus carefully before you invest.

Our common stock is listed on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol “MTH.”

Investing in our securities involves a high degree of risk. See “Risk Factors,” on page 13 of our Form  10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2011 filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission and the applicable prospectus supplement for a discussion of certain factors that should be considered in evaluating an investment in our securities.

 

 

Neither the Securities and Exchange Commission nor any state securities commission has approved or disapproved of these securities or passed upon the adequacy or accuracy of this prospectus. Any representation to the contrary is a criminal offense.

 

 

The date of this prospectus is April 12, 2012.


Table of Contents
TABLE OF CONTENTS   
     Page  

Forward-Looking Statements

     1   

About This Prospectus

     1   

Meritage Homes Corporation

     2   

Securities We May Offer

     2   

Use of Proceeds

     3   

Ratio of Earnings To Fixed Charges And Ratio of Earnings To Combined Fixed Charges And Preferred Stock Dividends

     3   

Description of Debt Securities

     4   

Description of Capital Stock

     10   

Description of Warrants

     12   

Plan of Distribution

     13   

Legal Matters

     15   

Experts

     15   

Where You Can Find More Information

     15   

Incorporation of Certain Documents By Reference

     16   

 

 

If you are in a jurisdiction where offers to sell, or solicitations of offers to purchase, the securities offered by this document are unlawful, or if you are a person to whom it is unlawful to direct these types of activities, then the offer presented in this prospectus does not extend to you.

We have not authorized anyone to provide you with any information other than the information incorporated by reference or provided in this prospectus or any prospectus supplement. We are not making an offer of these securities in any state or other jurisdiction where the offer is not permitted. You should not assume that the information in this prospectus, any prospectus supplement or any document incorporated or deemed to be incorporated by reference in this prospectus is accurate as of any date other than the date of that document.


Table of Contents

FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

Certain of the matters discussed in this prospectus or incorporated herein constitute forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”) and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”). In general, “forward-looking statements” can be identified by use of words such as “expect,” “believe,” “estimate,” “project,” “forecast,” “anticipate,” “plan,” “intend,” “may,” “will,” “could,” and “should” and similar expressions. Our forward-looking statements may address such matters as, but are not limited to, statements concerning our belief that we have ample liquidity; our intentions and the expected benefits of our Meritage Forward and Meritage Green strategies and initiatives as well as our land positioning strategies; our perceptions that the homebuilding market has stabilized; our expectations for 2012, including that we expect margin improvement in California; the extent and magnitude of our exposure to defective Chinese drywall and the sufficiency of our reserves relating thereto; our delivery of substantially all of our backlog existing as of year-end; management estimates regarding future impairments and joint venture exposure, including our exposure to joint ventures that are in default of their debt agreements; that we do not anticipate significant additional spending relating to Chinese drywall repair or claims; our positions and our expected outcome relating specifically to the litigation we are involved with concerning the South Edge/Inspirada joint venture; our intentions to not pay dividends; trends in Nevada as we wind down our operations there; the expected benefits of our call center operations; our ability to leverage our local market expertise in Florida to our new Tampa market; that we may use excess liquidity to repurchase our notes and common stock; the sustainability of our tax positions; whether certain guarantees relating to our joint ventures will be triggered and our belief that reimbursements due from lenders to our joint ventures will be repaid; expectations regarding our industry and our business into 2012 and beyond, and that we expect our cash expenditures may exceed our cash generated by operations as we expand our business; the demand for and the pricing of our homes; our land and lot acquisition strategy (including that we will redeploy cash to acquire well-positioned finished lots and that we may participate in joint ventures or opportunities outside of our existing markets if opportunities arise); that all of our option contracts initially entered into before the housing downturn have either been renegotiated or terminated; trends relating to cancellations and our general and administrative expenses; the sufficiency of our warranty reserves; demographic and other trends related to the homebuilding industry in general; the future supply of housing inventory; our expectation that existing guarantees, letters of credit and performance and surety bonds will not be drawn upon; the adequacy of our insurance coverage and warranty reserves; the expected outcome of legal proceedings (including tax audits) we are involved in; the sufficiency of our capital resources to support our business strategy; our ability and willingness to acquire land under option or contract; the future impact of deferred tax assets or liabilities; the impact of new accounting standards and changes in accounting estimates; trends and expectations concerning sales prices, sales orders, cancellations, construction costs and gross margins and future home inventories; our future cash needs; the expected vesting periods of unrecognized compensation expense; trends and expectations relating to our community count and lot inventory; the impact of seasonality; and our future compliance with debt covenants and actions we may take with respect thereto. Important factors currently known to management that could cause actual results to differ materially from those in forward-looking statements include those factors described under the caption “Risk Factors” contained in our periodic filings made with the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) and any prospectus supplement to this prospectus.

Forward-looking statements express expectations of future events. All forward-looking statements are inherently uncertain as they are based on various expectations and assumptions concerning future events and they are subject to numerous known and unknown risks and uncertainties which could cause actual events or results to differ materially from those projected. Our past performance or past or present economic conditions in our housing markets are not indicative of future performance or conditions. Due to these inherent uncertainties, current or potential investors in our securities are urged not to place undue reliance on forward-looking statements. In addition, we undertake no obligation to update or revise forward-looking statements to reflect changed assumptions, the occurrence of anticipated or unanticipated events or changes to projections over time. As a result of these and other factors, our stock, note, and warrant prices may fluctuate dramatically.

ABOUT THIS PROSPECTUS

This prospectus is part of a registration statement that we filed with the SEC utilizing a “shelf” registration process. By using a shelf registration statement, we may sell, from time to time, in one or more offerings, any combination of the securities described in this prospectus. This prospectus provides you with a general description of the securities we may offer. Each time we sell securities, we will provide a prospectus supplement that will contain specific information about the terms of that offering and the securities being sold in that offering. The prospectus supplement may also add, update or change information contained in this prospectus. You should read both this prospectus and any prospectus supplement together with additional information described under the heading “Where You Can Find More Information.”

Any statements in this prospectus or in any accompanying prospectus supplement concerning the provisions of any document are not complete. In each instance, reference is made to the copy of that document filed or incorporated or deemed to be incorporated by reference as an exhibit to the registration statement of which this prospectus is a part or otherwise filed with the SEC. Each statement concerning the provisions of any document is qualified in its entirety by reference to the document so filed.

 

1


Table of Contents

MERITAGE HOMES CORPORATION

We are a leading designer and builder of single-family attached and detached homes based on the number of home closings. We build in the historically high-growth regions of the western and southern United States and offer a variety of homes that are designed to appeal to a wide range of homebuyers, including first-time, move-up, active adult and luxury. We have operations in three regions: West, Central and East, which are comprised of seven states: Arizona, California, Nevada, Texas, Colorado, Florida, and North Carolina. These three regions are our principal business segments. In 2011, we entered the Raleigh, North Carolina market and announced our expansion within Florida into the Tampa market as well as the wind-down of our operations in Nevada.

Our homebuilding and marketing activities are conducted primarily under the Meritage Homes brand, except in Arizona and Texas, where we also operate under the name Monterey Homes. At December 31, 2011, we were actively selling homes in 157 communities, with base prices ranging from approximately $103,000 to $673,000.

SECURITIES WE MAY OFFER

Types of Securities

The types of securities that we may offer and sell from time to time by this prospectus are:

 

   

debt securities, which we may issue in one or more series and which may include guarantees of the debt securities by one or more of our subsidiaries;

 

   

common stock;

 

   

preferred stock, which we may issue in one or more series; or

 

   

warrants entitling the holders to purchase common stock, preferred stock or debt securities.

When we sell securities, we will determine the amounts of securities we will sell and the prices and other terms on which we will sell them. We may sell securities to or through underwriters, through agents or dealers or directly to purchasers.

Additional Information

We will describe in a prospectus supplement or supplements, which we will deliver with this prospectus, the terms of particular securities that we may offer in the future. In each prospectus supplement we will include the following information:

 

   

the type and amount of securities that we propose to sell;

 

   

the initial public offering price of the securities;

 

   

the names of the underwriters, agents or dealers, if any, through or to which we will sell the securities;

 

   

the compensation, if any, of those underwriters, agents or dealers;

 

   

if applicable, information about securities exchanges or automated quotation systems on which the securities will be listed or traded;

 

   

material Untied States federal income tax considerations applicable to the securities;

 

   

any material risk factors associated with the securities; and

 

   

any other material information about the offer and sale of the securities.

In addition, the prospectus supplement or supplements may also add, update or change the information contained in the prospectus.

 

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USE OF PROCEEDS

Unless we otherwise specify in the applicable prospectus supplement, the net proceeds we receive from the sale of the securities offered by this prospectus and the accompanying prospectus supplement will be used for general corporate purposes. General corporate purposes may include providing additional working capital, the development of new residential properties, the repayment of existing debt, land acquisitions and possible acquisitions of other homebuilders. The net proceeds may be invested temporarily or applied to repay short-term debt until they are used for their stated purpose.

RATIO OF EARNINGS TO FIXED CHARGES AND RATIO OF EARNINGS TO COMBINED FIXED CHARGES AND PREFERRED STOCK DIVIDENDS

The following table sets forth Meritage’s ratio of earnings to fixed charges and ratio of earnings to combined fixed charges and preferred stock dividends for each of the periods indicated:

 

      
     Years Ended December 31,
     2011   2010      2009    2008    2007

Ratio of earnings to fixed charges (a)

   0.5x(b)     1.2x       (b)    (b)    (b)

 

(a) There was no outstanding preferred stock during the periods presented; therefore, the ratio of earnings to fixed charges and earnings to combined fixed charges and preferred stock dividends were the same.
(b) Earnings were not adequate to cover fixed charges by $22.9 million, $134.9 million, $237.3 million and $408.7 million for the years ended December 31, 2011, 2009, 2008 and 2007, respectively.

 

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DESCRIPTION OF DEBT SECURITIES

This prospectus describes certain general terms and provisions of our debt securities. When we offer to sell a particular series of debt securities, we will describe the specific terms of the series in a supplement to this prospectus. We will also indicate in the applicable prospectus supplement whether the general terms and provisions described in this prospectus apply to a particular series of debt securities.

The debt securities will be issued under an indenture between us and Wells Fargo Bank, National Association, as trustee, or another trustee chosen by us, qualified to act as such under the Trust Indenture Act and appointed in a supplemental indenture with respect to a particular series. The indenture is governed by the Trust Indenture Act. We have summarized select portions of the indenture below. This summary is not complete. The form of the indenture has been filed as an exhibit to the registration statement and we urge you to read the indenture. Capitalized terms used in the summary have the meaning specified in the indenture.

When we refer to “we,” “our,” “us,” “the Company” and “Meritage” in this section, we mean Meritage Homes Corporation unless the context otherwise requires or as otherwise expressly stated.

General

The terms of each series of debt securities will be established by or pursuant to a resolution of our board of directors and set forth or determined in the manner provided in an officers’ certificate or by a supplemental indenture. The particular terms of each series of debt securities will be described in a prospectus supplement relating to that series.

Unless otherwise specified in a supplement to this prospectus, the debt securities will be the direct, unsecured obligations of Meritage Homes Corporation and will rank equally with all of its other unsecured and unsubordinated indebtedness. Meritage Homes Corporation’s payment obligations under any series of debt securities may be guaranteed by one or more co-registrants.

We may issue an unlimited amount of debt securities under the indenture that may be in one or more series with the same or various maturities, at par, at a premium or at a discount. We will set forth in a prospectus supplement, relating to any series of debt securities being offered, the aggregate principal amount and the following terms of the debt securities:

 

   

the title of the debt securities, whether the debt securities rank as senior debt securities, senior subordinated debt securities or subordinated debt securities, or any combination thereof;

 

   

the price or prices (expressed as a percentage of the principal amount) at which we will sell the debt securities;

 

   

the aggregate principal amount of the debt securities and any limit on the aggregate principal amount of the debt securities;

 

   

the date or dates on which we will pay the principal on the debt securities and the amount of principal that will be payable;

 

   

the rate or rates (which may be fixed or variable) at which the debt securities will bear interest, if any, as well as the dates from which interest will accrue, the dates on which interest will be payable and the record date for the interest payable on any payment date;

 

   

the form and terms of any guarantee, including the terms of subordination, if any, of any debt securities;

 

   

any depositories, interest rate calculation agents or other agents with respect to the debt securities;

 

   

the right, if any, of holders of the debt securities to convert them into our common stock or other securities, including any provisions intended to prevent dilution of the conversion rights;

 

   

the place or places where principal, premium, if any, and interest, if any, on the debt securities will be payable and where debt securities which are in registered form can be presented for registration of transfer or exchange and the identification of any depositary or depositaries for any global debt securities;

 

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any provisions regarding our right to redeem or purchase debt securities or the right of holders to require us to redeem or purchase debt securities;

 

   

any provision requiring or permitting us to make payments to a sinking fund to be used to redeem debt securities or a purchase fund to be used to purchase debt securities;

 

   

the denominations in which the debt securities will be issued, if other than denominations of $2,000 and integral multiples of $1,000 in excess thereof;

 

   

the percentage of the principal amount at which debt securities will be issued and, if other than the full principal amount thereof, the percentage of the principal amount of the debt securities which is payable if maturity of the debt securities is accelerated because of a default;

 

   

the currency or currencies in which principal, premium, if any, and interest, if any, will be payable;

 

   

if payments of principal of, premium or interest on the debt securities will be made in one or more currencies other than that or those in which the debt securities are denominated, the manner in which the exchange rate with respect to these payments will be determined;

 

   

the manner in which the amounts of payment of principal of, or premium or interest on the debt securities will be determined, if these amounts may be determined by reference to an index based on a currency or currencies other than that in which the debt securities are denominated or designated to be payable;

 

   

any provisions relating to any security provided for the debt securities;

 

   

any addition to or change in the events of default described in this prospectus or in the indenture with respect to the debt securities and any change in the acceleration provisions described in this prospectus or in the indenture with respect to the debt securities;

 

   

any addition to, change in or deletion from, the covenants described in this prospectus or in the indenture with respect to the debt securities; and

 

   

any other material terms of the debt securities, which may modify, supplement or delete any provision of the indenture as it applies to that series.

In addition, the indenture does not limit our ability to issue subordinated debt securities. Any subordination provisions of a particular series of debt securities will be set forth in the officers’ certificate or supplemental indenture related to that series of debt securities and will be described in the relevant prospectus supplement.

We will provide you with information on the material United States federal income tax considerations and other special considerations applicable to any of these debt securities in the applicable prospectus supplement.

Transfer and Exchange

A holder will be able to transfer or exchange debt securities only in accordance with the indenture. The registrar may require a holder, among other things, to furnish appropriate endorsements and transfer documents and to pay taxes and fees required by law or permitted by the indenture.

Change of Control

Unless we state otherwise in the applicable prospectus supplement, the debt securities will not contain any provisions that may afford holders of the debt securities protection in the event we undergo a change in control or in the event of a highly leveraged transaction (whether or not such transaction results in a change in control) that could adversely affect holders of debt securities.

Covenants

We will set forth in the applicable prospectus supplement any additional restrictive covenants applicable to any issue of debt securities.

 

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Consolidation, Merger and Sale of Assets

We may not consolidate with or merge with or into, or convey, transfer or lease all or substantially all of our properties and assets to, any person, which we refer to as a successor person, unless:

 

   

we are the surviving corporation or the successor person (if other than Meritage Homes Corporation) expressly assumes our obligations on the debt securities and under the indenture;

 

   

immediately after giving effect to the transaction, no event of default, and no event which, after notice or lapse of time, or both, would become an event of default, shall have occurred and be continuing under the indenture; and

 

   

certain other conditions that may be set forth in the applicable prospectus supplement are met.

Events of Default

Unless otherwise stated in the prospectus supplement, an event of default with respect to any series of debt securities will be defined in the indenture or applicable supplemental indenture as being:

 

   

our default in the payment of principal of or premium, if any, on any of the debt securities of such series when due and payable at maturity, upon redemption or otherwise;

 

   

our default in the payment of any interest upon any debt security of such series when it becomes due and payable, and continuance of that default for a period of 30 days;

 

   

an event of default as defined in the debt securities of that series or our failure to comply with any of our other agreements in the debt securities of such series or the indenture with respect to such series, which default continues uncured for a period of 60 days after we receive written notice from the trustee or we and the trustee receive written notice from the holders of at least 25% in principal amount of the outstanding debt securities of that series as provided in the indenture;

 

   

bankruptcy, insolvency or reorganization of our company or our significant grantor subsidiaries; and

 

   

any other event of default provided with respect to debt securities of that series which is described in the applicable prospectus supplement.

No event of default with respect to a particular series of debt securities (except as to certain events of bankruptcy, insolvency or reorganization) necessarily constitutes an event of default with respect to any other series of debt securities.

If an event of default (other than an event of default resulting from certain events of bankruptcy, insolvency or reorganization) with respect to debt securities of any series at the time outstanding occurs and is continuing, then the trustee or the holders of at least 25% in aggregate principal amount of the outstanding debt securities of that series may, by a notice in writing to us (and to the trustee if given by the holders), declare to be due and payable immediately the principal of and accrued and unpaid interest, if any, on all debt securities of that series. In the case of an event of default resulting from certain events of bankruptcy, insolvency or reorganization, the principal (or such specified amount) of and accrued and unpaid interest, if any, on all outstanding debt securities will become and be immediately due and payable without any declaration or other act on the part of the trustee or any holder of outstanding debt securities. At any time after a declaration of acceleration with respect to debt securities of any series has been made, but before a judgment or decree for payment of the money due has been obtained by the trustee, the holders of a majority in principal amount of the outstanding debt securities of that series may rescind and annul the acceleration if all events of default, other than the non-payment of accelerated principal and interest, if any, with respect to debt securities of that series, have been cured or waived as provided in the indenture.

The indenture provides that the trustee will be under no obligation to exercise any of its rights or powers under the indenture at the request of any holder of outstanding debt securities, unless the trustee receives indemnity satisfactory to it against any loss, liability or expense. Subject to certain rights of the trustee, the holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of the outstanding debt securities of any series will have the right to direct the time, method and place of conducting any proceeding for any remedy available to the trustee or exercising any trust or power conferred on the trustee with respect to the debt securities of that series.

 

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Unless stated otherwise in the applicable prospectus supplement, no holder of any debt security of any series will have any right to institute any proceeding, judicial or otherwise, with respect to the indenture or for the appointment of a receiver or trustee, or for any remedy under the indenture, unless:

 

   

that holder has previously given to the trustee written notice of a continuing event of default with respect to debt securities of that series; and

 

   

the holders of at least 25% in principal amount of the outstanding debt securities of that series have made written request, and offered indemnity satisfactory to the trustee to institute the proceeding as trustee, and the trustee has not received from the holders of a majority in principal amount of the outstanding debt securities of that series a direction inconsistent with that request and has failed to institute the proceeding within 60 days.

Notwithstanding the foregoing, the holder of any debt security will have an absolute and unconditional right to receive payment of the principal of, premium and any interest on that debt security on or after the due dates expressed in that debt security and to institute suit for the enforcement of payment.

The indenture requires us, within 90 days after the end of our fiscal year, to furnish to the trustee a statement as to compliance with the indenture. The indenture provides that the trustee may withhold notice to the holders of debt securities of any series of any default or event of default (except in payment on any debt securities of that series) with respect to debt securities of that series if it in good faith determines that withholding notice is in the interest of the holders of those debt securities.

Modification and Waiver

We may modify and amend the indenture without notice to or the consent of the holders to:

 

   

create a series and establish its terms;

 

   

cure any ambiguity, defect or inconsistency;

 

   

evidence the assumption of a successor corporation of our obligations under the indenture;

 

   

comply with any requirements of the SEC or the Trust Indenture Act;

 

   

provide for uncertificated securities in addition to or in place of certificated securities;

 

   

add, change or eliminate any other provisions of the indenture so long as that change does not apply to any then existing series of debt securities or modify the rights of the holder of any such security with respect to that provision;

 

   

make any change that does not adversely affect in any material respect the interests of the securityholders of any series; and

 

   

add Guarantors.

Subject to certain exceptions, we may amend the indenture with the consent (which may include consents obtained in connection with a tender offer or exchange offer for that series of securities) of the holders of at least a majority in aggregate principal amount of the series of the securities then outstanding, and any existing default under, or compliance with any provision of, the indenture may be waived (other than any continuing default in the payment of the principal or interest on the securities) with the consent (which may include consents obtained in connection with a tender offer or exchange offer for that series of securities) of the holders of a majority in principal amount of the securities of that series then outstanding; provided that without the consent of each holder affected, we may not:

 

  (1) change the maturity of any security;

 

  (2) reduce the amount, extend the due date or otherwise affect the terms of any scheduled payment of interest on or principal of the securities;

 

  (3) reduce any premium payable upon optional redemption of the securities, change the date on which any securities are subject to redemption or otherwise alter the provisions with respect to the redemption of the securities;

 

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  (4) make any security payable in money or currency other than that stated in the securities;

 

  (5) modify or change any provision of the indenture or the related definitions to affect the ranking of the securities or any security guarantee in a manner that adversely affects the holders;

 

  (6) reduce the percentage of holders necessary to consent to an amendment or waiver to the indenture or the securities;

 

  (7) impair the rights of holders to receive payments of principal of or interest on the securities;

 

  (8) release any guarantor from any of its obligations under its security guarantee or the indenture, except as permitted by the indenture; or

 

  (9) make any change in these amendment and waiver provisions.

Except for certain specified provisions, the holders of at least a majority in aggregate principal amount of the outstanding debt securities of any series may on behalf of the holders of all debt securities of that series waive our compliance with provisions of the indenture. The holders of a majority in principal amount of the outstanding debt securities of any series may on behalf of the holders of all the debt securities of such series waive any past default under the indenture with respect to that series and its consequences, except a default in the payment of the principal of or any interest on any debt security of that series or in respect of a covenant or provision which cannot be modified or amended without the consent of the holder of each outstanding debt security of the series affected; provided, however, that the holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of the outstanding debt securities of any series may rescind an acceleration and its consequences, including any related payment default that resulted from the acceleration.

Defeasance of Debt Securities and Certain Covenants in Certain Circumstances Legal Defeasance

Legal Defeasance. The indenture provides that, unless otherwise provided by the terms of the applicable series of debt securities, we may be discharged from any and all obligations in respect of the debt securities of any series (except for certain obligations to register the transfer or exchange of debt securities of such series, to replace stolen, lost or mutilated debt securities of such series, and to maintain paying agencies and certain provisions relating to the treatment of funds held by paying agents and fees and expenses due to the trustee, its agents and counsel). We will be so discharged upon the deposit with the trustee, in trust, of money and/or U.S. government obligations or, in the case of debt securities denominated in a single currency other than U.S. dollars, foreign government obligations, that, through the payment of interest and principal in accordance with their terms, will provide money in an amount sufficient in the opinion of a nationally recognized firm of independent public accountants to pay and discharge each installment of principal, premium and interest on and any mandatory sinking fund payments in respect of the debt securities of that series on the stated maturity of those payments in accordance with the terms of the indenture and those debt securities.

This discharge may occur only if, among other things, we have delivered to the trustee an opinion of counsel stating that we have received from, or there has been published by, the United States Internal Revenue Service a ruling or, since the date of execution of the indenture, there has been a change in the applicable United States federal income tax law, in either case to the effect that, and based thereon such opinion shall confirm that, the holders of the debt securities of that series will not recognize income, gain or loss for United States federal income tax purposes as a result of the deposit, defeasance and discharge and will be subject to United States federal income tax on the same amounts and in the same manner and at the same times as would have been the case if the deposit, defeasance and discharge had not occurred.

Defeasance of Certain Covenants. The indenture provides that, unless otherwise provided by the terms of the applicable series of debt securities, upon compliance with certain conditions:

 

   

we may omit to comply with the covenant described under the heading “Consolidation, Merger and Sale of Assets” and certain other covenants set forth in the indenture, as well as any additional covenants which may be set forth in the applicable prospectus supplement; and

 

   

any omission to comply with those covenants will not constitute a default or an event of default with respect to the debt securities of that series, or covenant defeasance.

 

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The conditions include:

 

   

depositing with the trustee money and/or U.S. government obligations or, in the case of debt securities denominated in a single currency other than U.S. dollars, foreign government obligations, that, through the payment of interest and principal in accordance with their terms, will provide money in an amount sufficient in the opinion of a nationally recognized firm of independent public accountants to pay and discharge each installment of principal of, premium and interest on and any mandatory sinking fund payments in respect of the debt securities of that series on the stated maturity of those payments in accordance with the terms of the indenture and those debt securities; and

 

   

delivering to the trustee an opinion of counsel to the effect that the holders of the debt securities of that series will not recognize income, gain or loss for United States federal income tax purposes as a result of the deposit and related covenant defeasance and will be subject to United States federal income tax on the same amounts and in the same manner and at the same times as would have been the case if the deposit and related covenant defeasance had not occurred.

Covenant Defeasance and Events of Default. In the event we exercise our option to effect covenant defeasance with respect to any series of debt securities and the debt securities of that series are declared due and payable because of the occurrence of any event of default, the amount of money and/or U.S. government obligations or foreign government obligations on deposit with the trustee will be sufficient to pay amounts due on the debt securities of that series at the time of their stated maturity but may not be sufficient to pay amounts due on the debt securities of that series at the time of the acceleration resulting from the event of default. However, we shall remain liable for those payments.

Guarantees

Our payment obligations under any series of debt securities may be guaranteed by one or more of the co-registrants. The terms of any such guarantee will be set forth in the applicable prospectus supplement.

Concerning the Trustee

In the ordinary course of its business, Wells Fargo Bank, National Association, the trustee, provides, and may continue to provide, service to us as trustee under the indenture relating to our 7% Senior Notes due 2022. The indenture contains, or will contain, limitations on the right of the trustee, should it become our creditor, to obtain payment of claims in specified cases or to realize on property received in respect of any such claim as security or otherwise. The indenture permits, or will permit, the trustee to engage in other transactions; however, if it acquires any conflicting interest, it must eliminate such conflict or resign.

The indenture provides, or will provide, that in case an event of default occurs and is not cured, the trustee will be required, in the exercise of its power, to use the degree of care of a prudent person in similar circumstances in the conduct of such person’s own affairs. The trustee may refuse to perform any duty or exercise any right or power under the indenture, unless it receives indemnity satisfactory to it against any loss, liability or expense.

Governing Law

The laws of the State of New York govern, or will govern, the indenture, the debt securities and the guarantees of debt securities.

 

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DESCRIPTION OF CAPITAL STOCK

Common Stock

We are authorized to issue up to 125,000,000 shares of common stock, $0.01 par value per share, of which 32,748,087 shares were outstanding as of March 31, 2012.

Holders of shares of common stock are entitled to participate equally and ratably in dividends and in distributions available for the common stock on liquidation. We do not intend to declare cash dividends in the foreseeable future. Earnings are expected to be retained to finance the continuing development of the business. Future cash dividends, if any, will depend upon our financial condition, results of operations, capital requirements, compliance with debt covenants of existing and future indebtedness and credit facilities, as well as other factors considered relevant by our board of directors. Each share is entitled to one vote for the election of directors and upon all other matters on which the common stockholders vote. Holders of common stock do not have preemptive rights and are not entitled to cumulative votes in the election of directors.

The transfer agent and registrar for our common stock is Computershare, Inc.

Preferred Stock

We are authorized to issue up to 10,000,000 shares of preferred stock, $0.01 par value per share, of which no shares were outstanding as of the date of this prospectus. The board of directors has the authority to determine the terms of our preferred stock without further stockholder approval. We may issue shares of preferred stock from time to time, in one or more series, as authorized by our board of directors. Prior to issuance of shares of each series, the board of directors is required by the Maryland General Corporation Law (the “MGCL”) and our charter to fix for each series, as permitted by Maryland law, the preferences, conversion or other rights, voting powers, restrictions, limitations as to dividends or other distributions, qualifications and terms or conditions of redemption.

If we issue preferred stock with voting rights, it could make it more difficult for a third party to acquire control of us and could adversely affect the rights of holders of common stock. Preferred stockholders typically are entitled to satisfaction in full of specified dividend and liquidation rights before any payment of dividends or distribution of assets on liquidation can be made to holders of common stock. Also, any voting rights granted to our preferred stock may dilute the voting rights of our common stock. Under some circumstances, control of Meritage could shift from the holders of common stock to the holders of preferred stock with voting rights. Certain fundamental matters requiring stockholder approval (such as mergers, sale of assets and certain amendments to our charter) may require approval by the separate vote of the holders of preferred stock in addition to any required vote of the common stock.

There will be a prospectus supplement relating to any offering of common stock or preferred stock offered by this prospectus.

Certain Provisions of Maryland Law

We are incorporated in Maryland and are subject to the provisions of the MGCL, certain of which provisions are discussed below.

Business Combinations. Under the Maryland Business Combination Act, “business combinations” between a Maryland corporation and an interested stockholder or an affiliate of an interested stockholder are prohibited for five years after the most recent date on which the interested stockholder becomes an interested stockholder. These business combinations include certain mergers, consolidations, share exchanges or asset transfers, loans, transfers or issuances or reclassifications of equity securities. An interested stockholder is defined as:

 

   

any person who beneficially owns ten percent or more of the voting power of the corporation’s shares; or

 

   

an affiliate or associate of the corporation who, at any time within the two-year period prior to the date in question, was the beneficial owner of 10% or more of the voting power of the then outstanding voting stock of the corporation.

 

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A person is not an interested stockholder under the statute if the board of directors approved in advance the transaction by which the stockholder otherwise would have become an interested stockholder.

After the five-year prohibition, any business combination between the Maryland corporation and an interested stockholder generally must be recommended by the board of directors of the corporation and approved by the affirmative vote of at least:

 

   

80% of the votes entitled to be cast by the outstanding shares of voting stock of the corporation voting together as a single voting group; and

 

   

two-thirds of the votes entitled to be cast by the holders of voting stock of the corporation other than shares held by the interested stockholder with whom or with whose affiliate the business combination is to be effected or held by an affiliate or associate of the interested stockholder voting together as a single voting group.

These super-majority vote requirements do not apply to certain business combinations if the corporation’s stockholders receive a minimum price, as defined under Maryland law, for their shares in the form of cash or other consideration in the same form as previously paid by the interested stockholder for its shares and the corporation and interested stockholder meet certain other requirements.

The statute provides for various exemptions from its provisions, including business combinations that are exempted by resolution of the board of directors prior to the time that the interested stockholder becomes an interested stockholder.

The business combination statute could have the effect of delaying, deferring or preventing a transaction or a change in control that might involve a premium price for holders of our common stock or otherwise be in their best interest.

A Maryland corporation may adopt an amendment to its charter electing not to be subject to the Maryland Business Combinations Act. No such amendment to our charter has been adopted.

Control Share Acquisitions. The Maryland Control Share Acquisition Act provides that “control shares” (defined as shares which, when aggregated with other shares controlled by the stockholder, entitle the stockholder to exercise one of three increasing ranges of voting power in electing directors) of a Maryland corporation acquired in a “control share acquisition” (defined as the direct or indirect acquisition of ownership or control of outstanding control shares) have no voting rights, except to the extent approved by our stockholders by the affirmative vote of at least two-thirds of the votes entitled to be cast on the matter, excluding all interested shares. Our bylaws contain a provision exempting from the control share acquisition statute any and all acquisitions by any person of our shares of common stock. We cannot give any assurance that such provision will not be amended or eliminated at any time in the future.

Certain Provisions of our Articles of Incorporation and Bylaws

Our articles of incorporation and bylaws include provisions that could make a change in control more difficult. These provisions are intended to preserve the continuity and stability of our board of directors and the policies formulated by our board of directors, as well as avoid unintended ownership changes and preserve the value of our tax benefits for future utilization. The following is a summary of the provisions or our articles of incorporation and bylaws that we consider material, but does not purport to be complete and is subject to, and qualified in its entirety by reference to, the provisions of our articles of incorporation and bylaws.

Articles of Incorporation. In 2009, we amended Article VIII of our articles of incorporation to preserve the long term value of our accumulated net operating losses (“NOLs,” and such mechanism to preserve our NOLs, the “NOL Protective Amendment”), which are not set to expire until 2028. The benefit of our NOLs would be significantly reduced if we were to experience an “ownership change” as defined in Section 382 (“Section 382”) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended. Under Section 382, calculating whether an “ownership change” has occurred is subject to inherent uncertainty. This uncertainty results from the complexity and ambiguity of the Section 382 provisions, as well as limitations on the knowledge that any publicly traded company can have about the ownership of and transactions in its securities. In the event of an “ownership change,” we would only be allowed to use a limited amount of NOLs to offset our taxable income subsequent to the “ownership change.” The NOL Protective Amendment was adopted to combat that possible situation and ensure an ownership change does not occur.

Article VIII could be deemed to have an “anti-takeover” effect because, among other things, it restricts the ability of a person, entity or group to accumulate 4.9% or more of our common stock and the ability of persons, entities or groups now owning 4.9% or more of common stock from acquiring additional shares of common stock, without the approval of the board of directors. Accordingly, any direct or indirect transfer attempted in violation of the restrictions in the articles of incorporation would be void as of the date of the purported transfer as to the purported transferee (or, in the case of an indirect transfer, the ownership of the direct owner of common stock would terminate simultaneously with the transfer), and the purported transferee (or in the case of any indirect transfer, the direct owner) would not be recognized as the owner of the shares owned in violation of the restrictions for any purpose, including for purposes of voting and receiving dividends or other distributions in respect of such common stock, or in the case of options, receiving common stock in respect of their exercise. The board of directors has the discretion to approve a transfer of common stock that would otherwise violate the transfer restrictions if it determines that such transfer is in our best interests.

Amendments of Bylaws. Our bylaws provide that only our board of directors may amend our bylaws. The board of directors may also establish, modify, amend or rescind bylaws, regulations and procedures for purposes of determining whether any transfer of common stock would jeopardize our ability to preserve and use our NOLs.

Stockholder Meeting Procedures. Our bylaws provide that a special meeting may be called by stockholders holding at least 50% of the votes entitled to be cast. In addition, our bylaws limit the matters that can be acted upon at a stockholders meeting to those included in the notice for such meeting.

Other provisions of our articles of incorporation and bylaws may also have the effect of delaying or preventing a change of control, even where the stockholders may consider it to be favorable. These provisions could also prevent or hinder an attempt by stockholders to replace our current directors and include: (i) a classified board of directors; (ii) a provision that directors may only be removed for cause; (iii) a limitation on the maximum number of directors; (iv) a limitation on the ability of stockholders to call a special meeting of stockholders; (v) a provision that only the directors can amend the bylaws; (vi) advance notice requirements for nominations for election to the board of directors or for proposing matters that can be acted on by stockholders at a stockholders’ meeting, and (vii) the ability of the board of directors to designate and cause us to issue shares of our preferred stock.

 

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Advance Notice Procedures. Our bylaws establish an advance notice procedure for stockholders to make nominations of candidates for election as directors or to bring other business before an annual meeting. These stockholder notice procedures provide that only persons that are nominated by the board of directors, or by a stockholder who was a stockholder at the time of giving notice and has given timely written notice to our secretary before the meeting at which directors are to be elected, will be eligible for election as directors. These stockholder notice procedures also provide that at an annual meeting only the business as has been brought before the meeting by our board of directors, or by a stockholder who has given timely written notice to our secretary of the stockholder’s intention to bring the business before the meeting, may be conducted. To be timely, a stockholder’s nomination or notice must be delivered to or mailed and received by our secretary at our principle executive offices not earlier than the 150th day nor later than 5:00 p.m., Eastern time, on the 120th day prior to the first anniversary date of mailing of the notice for the preceding year’s annual meeting (or, with respect to a proposal required to be included in the our proxy statement pursuant to Rule 14a-8 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, or its successor provision, the earlier date such proposal was received), provided that in the event the date of the annual meeting is advanced or delayed by more than 30 days from the first anniversary of the date of the preceding year’s annual meeting, notice by the stockholder to be timely must be so delivered not earlier than the 150th day prior to the date of such annual meeting and not later than 5:00 p.m., Eastern time, on the later of the 120th day prior to the date of such annual meeting or the tenth day following the date on which public announcement of the date of such meeting is first made.

In addition, under these stockholder notice procedures, a stockholder’s notice to us proposing to nominate a person for election as a director or relating to the conduct of business other than the nomination of directors will be required to contain specified information. If the chairman of a meeting determines that an individual was not nominated, or other business was not brought before the meeting, in accordance with our stockholder notice procedure, the individual will not be eligible for election as a director, or the business will not be conducted at the meeting, as the case may be.

DESCRIPTION OF WARRANTS

We may issue warrants for the purchase of common stock, preferred stock or debt securities or two or more of these types of securities. Warrants may be issued independently or together with our common stock, preferred stock or debt securities and may be attached to or separate from any offered securities. Each series of warrants will be issued under a separate warrant agreement to be entered into between us and a bank or trust company, as warrant agent. The warrant agent will act solely as our agent in connection with the warrants and will not have any obligation or relationship of agency or trust for or with any holders or beneficial owners of warrants. A copy of the warrant agreement will be filed with the SEC in connection with any offering of warrants.

The prospectus supplement relating to a particular issue of warrants to purchase common stock, preferred stock or debt securities will describe the terms of those warrants, including the following:

 

   

the title of the warrants;

 

   

the offering price for the warrants, if any;

 

   

the aggregate number of the warrants;

 

   

the designation and terms of the common stock, preferred stock or debt securities that may be purchased upon exercise of the warrants;

 

   

if applicable, the designation and terms of the securities that the warrants are issued with and the number of warrants issued with each security;

 

   

if applicable, the date from and after which the warrants and any securities issued with them will be separately transferable;

 

   

if applicable, the principal amount of debt securities that may be purchased upon exercise of a warrant and the price at which the debt securities may be purchased upon exercise;

 

   

if applicable, the number of shares of common stock or preferred stock that may be purchased upon exercise of a warrant and the price at which the shares may be purchased upon exercise;

 

   

the dates on which the right to exercise the warrants will commence and expire;

 

   

if applicable, the minimum or maximum amount of the warrants that may be exercised at any one time;

 

   

whether the warrants represented by the warrant certificates or debt securities that may be issued upon exercise of the warrants will be issued in registered or bearer form;

 

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information relating to book-entry procedures, if any;

 

   

the currency or currency units in which the offering price, if any, and the exercise price are payable;

 

   

if applicable, a discussion of material United States federal income tax considerations;

 

   

anti-dilution provisions of the warrants, if any;

 

   

redemption or call provisions applicable to the warrants, if any;

 

   

any additional terms of the warrants, including terms, procedures and limitations relating to the exchange and exercise of the warrants; and

 

   

any other information we think is important about the warrants.

PLAN OF DISTRIBUTION

The securities that may be offered by this prospectus may be sold:

 

   

through agents;

 

   

to or through underwriters;

 

   

to or through broker-dealers (acting as agent or principal);

 

   

in “at the market offerings” within the meaning of Rule 415(a)(4) of the Securities Act, to or through a market maker or into an existing trading market, on an exchange, or otherwise;

 

   

directly to purchasers, through a specific bidding or auction process or otherwise; or

 

   

through a combination of any such methods of sale.

Agents, underwriters or broker-dealers may be paid compensation for offering and selling the securities. That compensation may be in the form of discounts, concessions or commissions to be received from us, from the purchasers of the securities or from both us and the purchasers. The compensation received may be in excess of customary discounts, concessions or commissions. Any underwriters, dealers, agents or other investors participating in the distribution of the securities may be deemed to be “underwriters,” as that term is defined in the Securities Act, and compensation and profits received by them on sale of the securities may be deemed to be underwriting commissions, as that term is defined in the rules promulgated under the Securities Act.

Each time the securities are offered by this prospectus, the prospectus supplement, if and to the extent required, will set forth:

 

   

the name of any underwriter, dealer or agent involved in the offer and sale of the securities;

 

   

the terms of the offering;

 

   

any discounts concessions or commissions and other items constituting compensation received by the underwriters, broker-dealers or agents;

 

   

any over-allotment option under which any underwriters may purchase additional securities from us;

 

   

any initial public offering price;

 

   

any discounts or concessions allowed or reallowed or paid to dealers;

 

   

any securities exchanges on which the securities may be listed; and

 

   

the anticipated date of delivery of the securities.

The securities may be sold at a fixed price or prices, which may be changed, at market prices prevailing at the time of sale, at prices relating to the prevailing market prices or at negotiated prices. The distribution of securities may be effected from time to time in one or more transactions, by means of one or more of the following transactions, which may include crosses or block trades:

 

   

exchange offers or other transactions on the New York Stock Exchange or any other organized market where the securities may be traded;

 

   

in the over-the-counter market;

 

   

in negotiated transactions;

 

   

through put or call option transactions relating to the securities;

 

   

under delayed delivery contracts or other contractual commitments; or

 

   

a combination of such methods of sale.

 

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If underwriters are used in a sale, securities will be acquired by the underwriters for their own account and may be resold from time to time in one or more transactions. Securities may be offered to the public either through underwriting syndicates represented by one or more managing underwriters or directly by one or more firms acting as underwriters. If an underwriter or underwriters are used in the sale of securities, an underwriting agreement will be executed with the underwriter or underwriters at the time an agreement for the sale is reached. This prospectus and the applicable prospectus supplement will be used by the underwriters to resell the securities.

To comply with the securities laws of certain states, if applicable, the securities offered by this prospectus will be offered and sold in those states only through registered or licensed brokers or dealers.

Agents, underwriters and dealers may be entitled under agreements entered into with us to indemnification by us against specified liabilities, including liabilities incurred under the Securities Act, or to contribution by us to payments they may be required to make in respect of such liabilities. The applicable prospectus supplement will describe the terms and conditions of such indemnification or contribution. Some of the agents, underwriters or dealers, or their respective affiliates may be customers of, engage in transactions with or perform services for us in the ordinary course of business. We will describe in the prospectus supplement naming the underwriter the nature of any such relationship.

Our common stock is listed on the New York Stock Exchange. Unless otherwise specified in the applicable prospectus supplement, each other class or series of securities issued will be a new issue with no established trading market. We may elect to list any other class or series of securities on any exchange, but we are not currently obligated to do so. It is possible that one or more underwriters, if any, may make a market in a class or series of securities, but the underwriters will not be obligated to do so and may discontinue any market making at any time without notice. We cannot give any assurance as to the liquidity of the trading market for any of the securities.

Certain persons participating in the offering may engage in over-allotment, stabilizing transactions, short-covering transactions and penalty bids in accordance with Regulation M under the Exchange Act. We make no representation or prediction as to the direction or magnitude of any effect that such transactions may have on the price of the securities. For a description of these activities, see the information under the heading “Underwriting” in the applicable prospectus supplement.

Concurrently with any offering of debt securities that are convertible into or exercisable or exchangeable for our common stock, we may offer from time to time our common stock by means of a separate prospectus supplement. In addition, we may agree to loan common stock to affiliates of the underwriters, dealers or agents for such debt securities or common stock, which affiliates we refer to as the “share borrowers,” pursuant to a share lending agreement to be described in the applicable prospectus supplement. Such share borrowers may use the borrowed shares or the proceeds therefrom to facilitate transactions by which investors in our debt securities may hedge their investments in such debt securities. In connection with facilitating those transactions, the share borrowers and their affiliates may receive customary, negotiated fees from investors.

In connection with any offering of debt securities that are convertible into or exercisable or exchangeable for our common stock, we may enter into convertible debt security hedge transactions with affiliates of the underwriters. Such convertible debt security hedge transactions may reduce the potential dilution to us upon conversion of such debt securities. We may apply a portion of the net proceeds from the sale of the debt securities to pay the cost of such convertible debt security hedge transactions.

In connection with establishing an initial hedge of these transactions, the hedge counterparty or its affiliates may enter into various derivative transactions with respect to our common stock, concurrently with or shortly after the pricing of such debt securities. These activities could have the effect of increasing or preventing a decline in the price of our common stock concurrently with or shortly after the pricing of such debt securities.

In addition, the hedge counterparty or its affiliates will likely modify its hedge position following the pricing of such debt securities from time to time by entering into or unwinding various derivative transactions and/or purchasing or selling our common stock in secondary market transactions prior to the maturity of such debt securities (including during any settlement period in respect of any conversion of such debt securities). The effect, if any, of any of these transactions and activities on the market price of our common stock or such debt securities will depend in part on market conditions and cannot be ascertained at this time. Any of these activities could impact the price of our common stock and the value of such debt securities and, as a result, the value of the consideration and the number of shares, if any, that an investor would receive upon conversion of such debt securities and, under certain circumstances, such investor’s ability to convert such debt securities.

 

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LEGAL MATTERS

Snell & Wilmer L.L.P., Phoenix, Arizona and Venable LLP, Baltimore, Maryland have issued opinions regarding the validity of the securities being offered by this prospectus. We have filed the opinions as exhibits to the registration statement of which this prospectus is part. If counsel for any underwriters passes on legal matters in connection with an offering made by this prospectus, we will name that counsel in the prospectus supplement relating to that offering.

EXPERTS

The consolidated financial statements incorporated in this prospectus by reference from Meritage Home Corporation’s Annual Report on Form 10-K and the effectiveness of Meritage Home Corporation’s internal control over financial reporting have been audited by Deloitte & Touche LLP, an independent registered public accounting firm, as stated in their reports, which are incorporated herein by reference. Such consolidated financial statements have been so incorporated in reliance upon the reports of such firm given upon their authority as experts in accounting and auditing.

WHERE YOU CAN FIND MORE INFORMATION

Meritage Homes Corporation files annual, quarterly and current reports, proxy statements and other information with the SEC. You may read a copy this information at the Public Reference Room of the SEC, 100 F Street, N.E., Room 1580, Washington, D.C. 20549, at prescribed rates. You may obtain information on the operation of the Public Reference Room by calling the SEC at (800) SEC-0330. The SEC also maintains an internet world wide web site that contains reports, proxy statements and other information about issuers, like us, who file electronically with the SEC. The address of that web site is www.sec.gov. You can also inspect reports, proxy statements and other information about us at the offices of the New York Stock Exchange, Inc., 20 Broad Street, New York, New York 10005.

We and our guarantor subsidiaries have filed jointly with the SEC a registration statement on Form S-3 that registers the securities we are offering. The registration statement, including the attached exhibits and schedules, contains additional relevant information about us, our guarantor subsidiaries and the securities offered. The rules and regulations of the SEC allow us to omit certain information included in the registration statement from this prospectus.

 

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INCORPORATION OF CERTAIN DOCUMENTS BY REFERENCE

The SEC allows us to “incorporate by reference” information into this prospectus. This means that we can disclose important information to you by referring you to another document filed separately with the SEC. The information incorporated by reference is considered to be part of this prospectus, except for any information that is superseded by information that is included directly in this or another document.

This prospectus includes by reference the documents listed below that we have previously filed with the SEC and that are not included in or delivered with this document. They contain important information about our business, prospects and financial condition.

 

Filing

  

Period or Date Filed

Annual Report on Form 10-K    Year ended December 31, 2011
Current Report on Form 8-K   

January 5, 2012

Current Report on Form 8-K   

January 27, 2012

Current Report on Form 8-K    March 27, 2012
Current Report on Form 8-K    March 28, 2012
Current Report on Form 8-K    April 10, 2012
Proxy Statement on Schedule 14A    April 3, 2012

We incorporate by reference the description of Meritage Homes Corporation’s capital stock contained in the Form 8-A of Emerald Mortgage Investments Corporation (a predecessor of Meritage Homes Corporation) filed on July 7, 1988, including any amendment or report filed to update such description.

We also incorporate by reference any future filings we make with the SEC under Sections 13(a), 13(c), 14 or 15(d) of the Exchange Act between the date of this prospectus and the date of the closing of each offering, including all such documents we may file with the SEC after the date of the initial registration statement and prior to the effectiveness of the registration statement. These documents include periodic reports, such as Annual Reports on Form 10-K, Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q and Current Reports on Form 8-K (other than information furnished under Item 2.02 and 7.01, which is deemed not to be incorporated by reference in this prospectus), as well as proxy statements (other than information identified therein as not incorporated by reference). You should review these filings as they may disclose changes in our business, products or financial condition or other affairs after the date of this prospectus. The information that we file later with the SEC under Sections 13(a), 13(c), 14 or 15(d) of the Exchange Act and before the closing of each offering will automatically supersede previous information included or incorporated by reference in the prospectus.

You can obtain any of the documents incorporated by reference in this document from us without charge, excluding any exhibits to those documents unless the exhibit is specifically incorporated by reference in this prospectus. You can obtain documents incorporated by reference in this prospectus by requesting them in writing or by telephone from us at the following address:

Meritage Homes Corporation

17851 N. 85th Street, Suite 300

Scottsdale, Arizona 85255

Attn: Investor Relations

(480) 515-8100

We have not authorized anyone to give any information or make any recommendation about us that is different from, or in addition to, that contained in this prospectus or in any of the other materials that we have incorporated by reference into this prospectus. Therefore, if anyone does give you information of this sort, you should not rely on it. If you are in a jurisdiction where offers to sell, or solicitations or offers to purchase, the securities offered by this document are unlawful, or if you are a person to whom it is unlawful to direct these types of activities, then the offer presented in this document does not extend to you. The information in this prospectus speaks only as of the date of this prospectus, unless the information specifically indicates that another date applies.

 

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Prospectus

 

 

LOGO

Debt Securities

Common Stock

Preferred Stock

Warrants

Guarantees of Debt Securities


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PART II.

INFORMATION NOT REQUIRED IN PROSPECTUS

 

Item 14. Other Expenses of Issuance and Distribution.

The following table sets forth the estimated expenses, other than underwriting discounts and other expenses associated with offerings of particular securities, in connection with the issuance and distribution of the securities being registered.

 

SEC registration fee

   $     (1)       

Legal fees

         (2)       

Accounting fees

         (2)       

Trustees’ fees

         (2)       

Printing fees

         (2)       

Miscellaneous

         (2)       
  

 

 

 

Total

   $     (1)(2)   
  

 

 

 

 

(1) Because an indeterminate amount of securities are covered by this Registration Statement, we are deferring payment of the registration fee pursuant to Rules 456(b) and 457(r) under the Securities Act.
(2) Because an indeterminate amount of securities are covered by this Registration Statement and the number of offerings are indeterminable, the expenses in connection with the issuance and distribution of the securities are not currently determinable.

 

Item 15. Indemnification of Directors and Officers.

Meritage Homes Corporation

Under the provisions of the MGCL, a corporation’s charter may, with certain exceptions, include any provision expanding or limiting the liability of its directors and officers to the corporation or its stockholders for money damages, but may not include any provision that restricts or limits the liability of its directors or officers to the corporation or its stockholders to the extent that (1) it is proved that the person actually received an improper benefit or profit in money, property, or services for the amount of the benefit or profit in money, property, or services actually received or (2) a judgment or other final adjudication adverse to the person is entered in a proceeding based on a finding in the proceeding that the person’s action, or failure to act, was the result of active and deliberate dishonesty and was material to the cause of action adjudicated in the proceeding. Meritage’s charter contains a provision limiting the personal liability of officers and directors to Meritage and its stockholders to the fullest extent permitted under Maryland law.

In addition, the provisions of the MGCL permit a corporation to indemnify its present and former directors and officers, among others, against liability incurred, unless it is established that (1) the act or omission of the director or officer was material to the matter giving rise to the proceeding and was committed in bad faith or was the result of active and deliberate dishonesty, or (2) the director or officer actually received an improper personal benefit in money, property, or services, or (3) in the case of any criminal proceeding, the director or officer had reasonable cause to believe that the act or omission was unlawful. However, under the MGCL, a Maryland corporation may not indemnify for an adverse judgment in a suit by or in the right of the corporation or for a judgment of liability on the basis that personal benefit was improperly received, unless in either case a court orders indemnification and then only for expenses. In addition, the MGCL permits a corporation to advance reasonable expenses to a director or officer upon the corporation’s receipt of (a) a written affirmation by the director or officer of his good faith belief that he has met the standard of conduct necessary for indemnification by the corporation and (b) a written undertaking by him or on his behalf to repay the amount paid or reimbursed by the corporation if it shall ultimately be determined that the standard of conduct was not met. Meritage’s charter provides that it will indemnify and advance expenses to its directors, officers and others so designated by the board of directors to the full extent permitted under Maryland law.

Meritage Homes Corporation also maintains, for the benefit of its and its subsidiaries’ directors and officers, insurance against certain asserted or incurred liabilities, including certain liabilities under the Securities Act.

Subsidiary Guarantors

Arizona Corporate Guarantors

Arizona Revised Statutes (“ARS”) § 10-851 allows a corporation, in certain circumstances, to indemnify its directors against costs and expenses (including attorneys’ fees) reasonably incurred in connection with threatened, pending or completed civil, criminal, administrative or investigative actions, suits or proceedings, in which such persons were or are parties, or are threatened to be made parties, by reason of the fact that they were or are directors of the corporation, if such persons acted in good faith and either (1) in a manner they reasonably believed to be in the best interests of the corporation (if acting in a official capacity), or (2) in a manner they reasonably believed was at least not opposed to the corporation’s best interests (in all other cases). A corporation may indemnify its directors with respect to any criminal

 

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action or proceeding if, in addition to the above conditions being met, the individual had no reasonable cause to believe his or her conduct was unlawful. Directors may not be indemnified under ARS § 10-851 in connection with a proceeding by or in the right of the corporation in which the director was adjudged liable to the corporation or in connection with any other proceeding charging improper financial benefit to the director in which the director was adjudged liable on the basis that financial benefit was improperly received by the director. In addition, under ARS § 10-202(B), a corporation’s articles of incorporation may indemnify a director for conduct for which broader indemnification has been made permissible or mandatory under other ARS provisions.

ARS § 10-202 provides that the articles of incorporation may set forth a provision eliminating or limiting the liability of a director to the corporation or its shareholders for money damages, and permitting or making obligatory indemnification of a director, for liability for any action taken or any failure to take any action as a director, except liability for any of the following: (1) the amount of a financial benefit received by a director to which the director is not entitled, (2) an intentional infliction of harm on the corporation or the shareholders, (3) unlawful distributions and (4) an intentional violation of criminal law.

ARS § 10-850 defines a director as including an individual who is or was a director of a corporation or an individual while a director of a corporation is or was serving at the corporation’s request as a director, officer, partner, trustee, employee or agent of another corporation, partnership, joint venture, trust, employee benefit plan or other entity.

ARS § 10-852 provides for mandatory indemnification in certain situations such that, unless limited by its articles of incorporation, a corporation shall indemnify a director who was the prevailing party, on the merits or otherwise, in the defense of any proceeding to which the director was a party because the director is or was a director of the corporation against reasonable expenses incurred by the director in connection with the proceeding.

ARS § 10-856 provides that a corporation may indemnify its officers against costs and expenses (including attorneys’ fees) reasonably incurred in connection with threatened, pending or completed civil, criminal, administrative or investigative actions, suits or proceedings, in which such persons were or are parties, or are threatened to be made parties because the individual is or was an officer of the corporation to the same extent as a director. If the individual is an officer but not a director (or is both but is made a party to the proceeding solely because of an act or omission as an officer), a corporation may indemnify and advance expenses to the further extent as may be provided by the articles of incorporation, the bylaws, a resolution of the board of directors or contract except for (1) liability in connection with a proceeding by or in the right of the corporation other than for reasonable expenses incurred in connection with the proceeding or (2) liability arising out of conduct that constitutes (a) receipt by the officer of a financial benefit to which the officer is not entitled, (b) an intentional infliction of harm on the corporation or the shareholders or (c) an intentional violation of criminal law. An officer of a corporation who is not a director is entitled to mandatory indemnification as a prevailing party under ARS § 10-852.

ARS § 10-857 provides that a corporation may purchase and maintain insurance, including retrospectively rated and self-insured programs, on behalf of an individual who is or was a director or officer of the corporation or who, while a director or officer of the corporation, is or was serving at the request of the corporation as a director, officer, partner, trustee, employee or agent of another foreign or domestic corporation, partnership, joint venture, trust, employee benefit plan or other entity, against liability asserted against or incurred by the individual in that capacity or arising from the individual’s status as a director or officer, whether or not the corporation would have power to indemnify or advance expenses to the individual against the same liability under Arizona law.

The articles of incorporation of Meritage Homes of Arizona, Inc., Meritage Homes Construction, Inc., Meritage Homes of Nevada, Inc., Meritage Homes of Colorado, Inc., Meritage Homes of Texas Holding, Inc., and Meritage Homes of North Carolina, Inc., each of which is an Arizona corporation, provide that the liability of a director or former director to the corporation or its shareholders shall be eliminated to the fullest extent permitted by Arizona law. In addition, the articles of incorporation of each of these corporations, other than Meritage Homes of Texas Holding, Inc., provide that the corporation shall indemnify any and all of its existing and former directors and officers to the fullest extent permitted by Arizona law.

 

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Arizona Limited Liability Company Guarantors

ARS § 29-610 provides that, unless otherwise limited in a company’s articles of organization, an Arizona limited liability company may indemnify a member, manager, employee, officer or agent or any other person. The articles of organization for each of Meritage Homes Operating Company, LLC, Meritage Homes of Texas, LLC, Meritage Paseo Crossing, LLC, Meritage Paseo Construction, LLC, MTH-Cavalier, LLC, MTH Golf, LLC, and WW Project Seller, LLC each of which is an Arizona limited liability company, do not contain any such restrictions.

The operating agreement for each of MTH-Cavalier, LLC and MTH Golf, LLC provides that its members and their respective affiliates will be indemnified and held harmless, to the extent of the applicable company’s assets, for, from, and against any liability, damage, cost, expense, loss, claim, or judgment incurred arising out of any claim based upon acts performed or omitted to be performed by in connection with the business of the applicable company. However, the operating agreement for each of MTH-Cavalier, LLC and MTH Golf, LLC further provides that, notwithstanding the foregoing, no such person shall be indemnified or held harmless for claims based upon acts or omissions in breach of the operating agreement or that constitute fraud, gross negligence, or willful misconduct. In addition, the operating agreement for each of MTH-Cavalier, LLC and MTH Golf, LLC provides that no members or their respective affiliates shall be personally liable, responsible, or accountable in damages or otherwise to the applicable company for any act or omission performed or omitted in connection with the applicable company or its business, and that any member’s liability for the debts and obligations of the applicable company shall be limited as set forth under applicable law.

California Corporate Guarantor

Section 317 of the California General Corporation Law (the “CGCL”) allows a corporation, in certain circumstances, to indemnify its directors and officers against certain expenses (including attorneys’ fees and certain expenses of establishing a right to indemnification), judgments, fines, settlements and other amounts actually and reasonably incurred in connection with threatened, pending or completed civil, criminal, administrative or investigative actions, suits or proceedings (other than an action by or in the right of the corporation), in which such persons were or are parties, or are threatened to be made parties, by reason of the fact that they were or are directors or officers of the corporation, if such persons acted in good faith and in a manner they reasonably believed to be in the best interests of the corporation, and with respect to any criminal action or proceeding, had no reasonable cause to believe their conduct was unlawful. In addition, a corporation is, in certain circumstances, permitted to indemnify its directors and officers against certain expenses incurred in connection with the defense or settlement of a threatened, pending or completed action by or in the right of the corporation, and against amounts paid in settlement of any such action, if such persons acted in good faith and in a manner they believed to be in the best interests of the corporation and its shareholders, provided that the specified court approval is obtained. Furthermore, a corporation may purchase and maintain insurance on behalf of any agent of the corporation against any liability asserted against or incurred by the agent in such capacity or arising out of the agent’s status as such, whether or not the corporation would have the power to indemnify the agent against such liability under California law.

Section 204(a)(10) of the CGCL allows a corporation to include a provision in its articles of incorporation eliminating or limiting the personal liability of a director for monetary damages in an action brought by or in the right of the corporation for breach of the director’s duties to the corporation and its shareholders, except for the liability of a director resulting from (1) acts or omissions involving intentional misconduct or a knowing and culpable violation of law, (2) any transaction from which a director derived an improper personal benefit, (3) acts or omissions that a director believes to be contrary to the best interests of the corporation or its shareholders or that involve the absence of good faith on the part of the director, (4) acts or omissions showing a reckless disregard for the director’s duty to the corporation or its shareholders, (5) acts or omissions constituting an unexcused pattern of inattention to the director’s duty, (6) liability under California law relating to transactions between corporations and directors or corporations having interrelated directors or (7) the making of an illegal distribution or loan to shareholders.

The articles of incorporation of Meritage Homes of California, Inc., which is a California corporation, provides that the liability of directors for monetary damages shall be eliminated to the fullest extent permissible under California law and that the corporation is authorized to provide indemnification of its officers and directors through bylaw provisions, agreements with officers and directors, vote of shareholders or disinterested directors or otherwise, in excess of the indemnification otherwise permitted by Section 317 of the CGCL, subject only to the applicable limits set forth in Section 204 of the CGCL. The bylaws of Meritage Homes of California, Inc. provide that the corporation shall indemnify each of its directors and officers to the maximum extent and in the manner permitted by the CGCL.

 

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California Limited Liability Company Guarantor

Section 17155 of the California Beverly-Killea Limited Liability Company Act provides that, except for a breach of a manager’s fiduciary duties of loyalty and care owed to the limited liability company and to its members, the articles of organization or written operating agreement of a California limited liability company may provide for indemnification of any person, including, without limitation, any manager, member, officer, employee, or agent of the limited liability company, against judgments, settlements, penalties, fines, or expenses of any kind incurred as a result of acting in that capacity. Section 17155 further provides that a California limited liability company shall have power to purchase and maintain insurance on behalf of any manager, member, officer, employee, or agent of the limited liability company against any liability asserted against or incurred by the person in that capacity or arising out of the person’s status as a manager, member, officer, employee, or agent of the limited liability company.

The operating agreement for California Urban Builders, LLC, which is a California limited liability company, provides that neither the company’s member nor its manager shall be liable, responsible, or accountable in damages or otherwise to the company or to its member or its members’ assignees for any loss, damage, cost, liability or expense incurred by reason of or caused by any act or omission performed or omitted by such member or manager, whether alleged to be based upon or arising from errors in judgment, negligence or breach of duty (including alleged breach of any duty of care or duty of loyalty or other fiduciary duty), except for (1) acts or omissions the member or manager knew at the time of the acts or omissions were clearly in conflict with the interest of the company, or (2) any transaction from which the member or manager derived an improper personal benefit, (3) a willful breach of the company’s operating agreement, or (4) gross negligence, recklessness, willful misconduct, or knowing violation of law. In addition, the operating agreement provides that, without limiting the foregoing, neither the manager nor the member shall in any event be liable for (a) the failure to take any action not specifically required to be taken by the member or manager under the terms of the operating agreement or (b) any mistake, misconduct, negligence, dishonesty or bad faith on the part of any employee or other agent of the company appointed in good faith by the manager.

Delaware Limited Liability Company Guarantor

M&M Fort Myers Holdings, LLC is a Delaware limited liability company and is subject to Section 18-108 of the Delaware Limited Liability Company Act, which provides that, subject to such standards and restrictions, if any, as are set forth in its limited liability company agreement, a limited liability company may, and shall have the power to, indemnify and hold harmless any member or manager or other person from and against any and all claims and demands whatsoever.

The limited liability company agreement of M&M Fort Myers Holdings, LLC provides that it shall indemnify, defend and hold harmless the member and manager (and their respective affiliates) (each, an “Actor”) to the extent of M&M Fort Myers Holdings, LLC’s assets for, from and against any Losses (as defined in the operating agreement) stemming from actions taken in good faith in connection with M&M Fort Myers Holdings, LLC or its business; provided that the Actor will remain liable for acts in breach of the operating agreement or that constitute bad faith, fraud, willful misconduct or gross negligence. The limited liability company agreement of M&M Fort Myers Holdings, LLC also provides that Actor shall an not be liable for any actions taken in good faith in connection with M&M Fort Myers Holdings, LLC or its business; provided that the Actor will remain liable for acts in breach of the operating agreement or that constitute bad faith, fraud, willful misconduct or gross negligence.

Texas Corporate Guarantor

Section 8.101 of the Texas Business Organizations Code (the “TBOC”) provides that, subject to certain limitations and in addition to other provisions, a Texas corporation may indemnify a person who was, is, or is threatened to be made a named defendant or respondent in a proceeding because the person is or was a director only if it is determined in accordance with certain requirements that: the person: (A) acted in good faith; (B) reasonably believed: (i) in the case of conduct in the person’s official capacity, that the person’s conduct was in the enterprise’s best interests; and (ii) in any other case, that the person’s conduct was not opposed to the enterprise’s best interests; and (C) in the case of a criminal proceeding, did not have a reasonable cause to believe the person’s conduct was unlawful.

Section 8.051 of the TBOC also provides that a Texas corporation shall indemnify a director against reasonable expenses actually incurred by the director in connection with a proceeding in which the director is a named defendant or respondent because he or she is or was a director if the director is wholly successful, on the merits or otherwise, in the defense of the proceeding. In addition, Section 8.052 of the TBOC requires indemnification by a Texas corporation to the fullest extent that a court so orders.

The certificate of formation for Carefree Title Agency, Inc. provides that the liability of a director or former director to the corporation and its shareholders shall be eliminated to the fullest extent permitted under the TBOC. The certificate of formation for Carefree Title Agency, Inc. also provides that the corporation shall indemnify any and all existing and former directors and officers to the fullest extent permitted under Texas law. If the TBOC is amended to authorize corporate action further eliminating or limiting the liability of directors, or if Texas law is amended to authorize the corporation to broaden its ability to indemnify its directors and officers, the liability of a director shall be eliminated or limited, and the ability of the corporation to indemnify its directors and officers shall be expanded, to the fullest extent permitted under the TBOC and Texas law, as amended, respectively.

 

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Texas Limited Liability Company Guarantors

Section 101.402 of the TBOC provides that a Texas limited liability company may (1) indemnify a person; (2) pay in advance or reimburse expenses incurred by a person; and (3) purchase or procure or establish and maintain insurance or another arrangement to indemnify or hold harmless a person. For the purposes of Section 101.402 of the TBOC, a person includes a member, manager, or officer of a limited liability company or an assignee of a membership interest in the company. In addition, Section 101.401 of the TBOC provides that the company agreement of a limited liability company may expand or restrict any duties, including fiduciary duties, and related liabilities that a member, manager, officer, or other person has to the company or to a member or manager of the company. Therefore, under the TBOC, indemnification of the governing persons of a Texas limited liability company is a contractual matter to be governed by the entity’s company agreement or other constituent documents, as applicable, and subject to any common law established by the courts.

The regulations for Meritage Holdings, L.L.C. provide that each member shall be indemnified against any and all liability and reasonable expense that may be incurred by or in connection with or resulting from (1) any threatened, pending, or completed action, suit, or proceeding, whether civil, criminal, administrative, arbitrative, or investigative, (2) an appeal in such an event, or (3) any inquiry or investigation that could lead to such an event, all to the full extent permitted by applicable law. The regulations for Meritage Holdings, L.L.C. further provide that, upon a determination by the member to do so, Meritage Holdings, L.L.C. may indemnify its current and past officers and agents in their capacities as such and, if serving at the request of Meritage Holdings, L.L.C. as a director, manager, officer, trustee, employee, agent, or similar functionary of another foreign or domestic corporation, limited liability company, trust, partnership, joint venture, sole proprietorship, employee benefit plan, or other enterprise, in each of those capacities, against any and all liability and reasonable expense that may be incurred by them in connection with or resulting from the events listed in (1), (2), and (3) of this paragraph, all to the full extent permitted by applicable law.

Florida Corporate Guarantor

Section 607.0850 of the Florida Business Corporation Act (“FBCA”) permits, subject to certain exclusions, and in some cases requires, a corporation to indemnify its directors, officers, employees, or agents, or any person serving at its request in any such capacity, against certain expenses and liabilities incurred as a party to any proceeding brought against such person by reason of the fact that such person is or was a director, officer, employee, or agent of a corporation or is or was serving in such capacity at the request of the corporation. With respect to proceedings, other than an action by, or in the right of the corporation, such indemnification is permitted if such person acted in good faith and in a manner such person reasonably believed to be in, or not opposed to, the best interests of the corporation, and with respect to any criminal action or proceeding, if such person had no reasonable cause to believe his or her conduct was unlawful.

With respect to any action threatened, pending or completed by or in the right of a corporation to procure a judgment in its favor against any such person, a corporation may indemnify any such person against expenses and amounts paid in settlement not exceeding, in the judgment of the board of directors, the estimated expense of litigating the proceeding to conclusion, actually and reasonably incurred by him or her in connection with the defense or settlement of such action or suit, including the appeal thereof, if he or she acted in good faith and in a manner he or she reasonably believed to be in, or not opposed to, the best interests of the corporation, except that no indemnification shall be made in respect of any claim, issue or matter as to which any such person shall have been adjudged to be liable unless, and only to the extent that, the court in which the action was brought, or any other court of competent jurisdiction, determines that despite the adjudication of liability, but in view of all the circumstances in the case, such person is fairly and reasonably entitled to indemnity for such expenses which such court shall deem proper.

Section 607.0850 of the FBCA also provides that if any such person has been successful on the merits or otherwise in defense of any action, suit or proceeding whereby indemnification of persons acting on behalf of the corporation has been authorized by the corporation, whether brought in the right of a corporation or otherwise, such person shall be indemnified against expenses actually and reasonably incurred by him or her in connection therewith. Any such indemnification not made pursuant to a determination by a court shall be made by the corporation only as authorized in the specific case upon a determination made by the applicable listed alternative parties and in the manner set forth in the FBCA that indemnification of the director, officer, employee or agent is proper because he or she has met the applicable standard of conduct.

Section 607.0850 of the FBCA also contains a provision authorizing corporations to purchase and maintain liability insurance on behalf of its directors and officers.

The bylaws of Meritage Homes of Florida, Inc., which is a Florida corporation, provide that the corporation is authorized to provide indemnification of its directors, officers, employees, or agents, or any person serving at its request in any such capacity to the maximum extent permitted by the FBCA.

Commission Position on Indemnification for Securities Act Liabilities

Insofar as indemnification for liability arising under the Securities Act may be permitted to directors, officers or persons controlling Meritage pursuant to the foregoing provisions, Meritage has been informed that in the opinion of the Commission such indemnification is against public policy as expressed in the Securities Act and is therefore unenforceable.

 

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Item 16. Exhibits.

 

Exhibit
Number

  

Description

  

Page or Method of Filing

1.1

   Form of underwriting agreement for debt securities    To be filed by amendment hereto pursuant to a Current Report on Form 8-K to be incorporated herein by reference.

1.2

   Form of underwriting agreement for common stock securities    To be filed by amendment hereto pursuant to a Current Report on Form 8-K to be incorporated herein by reference.

1.3

   Form of underwriting agreement for preferred stock securities    To be filed by amendment hereto pursuant to a Current Report on Form 8-K to be incorporated herein by reference.

1.4

   Form of underwriting agreement for warrant securities    To be filed by amendment hereto pursuant to a Current Report on Form 8-K to be incorporated herein by reference.

2.1

   Agreement and Plan of Reorganization, dated as of September 13, 1996, by and among Homeplex, the Monterey Merging Companies and the Monterey Stockholders    Incorporated by reference to Appendix A of Form S-4 Registration Statement No. 333-15937 filed on November 12, 1996.

3.1

   Restated Articles of Incorporation of Meritage Homes Corporation    Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3 of Form 8-K filed on June 21, 2002.

3.1.1

   Amendment to Articles of Incorporation of Meritage Homes Corporation    Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.1 of Form 8-K filed on September 15, 2004.

3.1.2

   Amendment to Articles of Incorporation of Meritage Homes Corporation    Incorporated by reference to Appendix A of the Proxy Statement for the 2006 Annual Meeting of Stockholders filed on April 10, 2006.

3.1.3

   Amendment to Articles of Incorporation of Meritage Homes Corporation    Incorporated by reference to Appendix B of the Proxy Statement for the 2008 Annual Meeting of Stockholders filed on April 1, 2008.

3.1.4

   Amendment to Articles of Incorporation of Meritage Homes Corporation    Incorporated by reference to Appendix A of the Definitive Proxy Statement filed on January 9, 2009.

3.2

   Amended and Restated Bylaws of Meritage Homes Corporation    Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.1 of Form 8-K filed on August 21, 2007.

3.2.1

   Amendment to Amended and Restated Bylaws of Meritage Homes Corporation    Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.1 of Form 8-K filed on December 24, 2008.

3.2.2

   Amendment No. 2 to Meritage Homes Corporation Amended and Restated Bylaws    Incorporated by reference to Exhibit of Form 8-K filed on May 20, 2011.

4.1

   Form of Indenture by and among the Company, the subsidiaries signatory thereto and Wells Fargo Bank, National Association    Filed herewith.

4.1.1

   Form of debt security    To be filed by amendment hereto pursuant to a Current Report on Form 8-K to be incorporated herein by reference.

 

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Exhibit
Number

  

Description

  

Page or Method of Filing

  4.2

   Form of specimen of common stock certificate    Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.1 of Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2007.

  4.3

   Form of certificate of designation for preferred stock securities    To be filed by amendment hereto pursuant to a Current Report on Form 8-K to be incorporated herein by reference.

  4.3.1

   Form of certificate of preferred stock    To be filed by amendment hereto pursuant to a Current Report on Form 8-K to be incorporated herein by reference.

  4.4.

   Form of warrant agreement    To be filed by amendment hereto pursuant to a Current Report on Form 8-K to be incorporated herein by reference.

  5.1

   Opinion of Snell & Wilmer L.L.P.    Filed herewith.

  5.2

   Opinion of Venable LLP    Filed herewith.

12.1

   Computation of Ratio of Earnings to Fixed Charges and Ratio of Earnings to Combined Fixed Charges and Preferred Stock Dividends    Filed herewith.

23.1

   Consent of Deloitte & Touche LLP    Filed herewith.

23.2

   Consent of Snell & Wilmer L.L.P.    Contained in Exhibit 5.1.

23.3

   Consent of Venable LLP    Contained in Exhibit 5.2.

24.1

   Powers of Attorney    See signature page.

25.1

   Statement of Eligibility under the Trust Indenture Act of 1939 on Form T-1 of Wells Fargo Bank, National Association    Filed herewith.

Financial Statement Schedules:

Schedules have been omitted because of the absence of conditions under which they are required or because the required material information is included in the Consolidated Financial Statements or Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements included in the reports incorporated by reference herein.

 

Item 17. Undertakings.

The undersigned registrant hereby undertakes:

(1) To file, during any period in which offers or sales are being made, a post-effective amendment to this registration statement:

(i) To include any prospectus required by Section 10(a)(3) of the Securities Act of 1933;

(ii) To reflect in the prospectus any facts or events arising after the effective date of the registration statement (or the most recent post-effective amendment thereof) which, individually or in the aggregate, represent a fundamental change in the information set forth in the registration statement. Notwithstanding the foregoing, any increase or decrease in volume of securities offered (if the total dollar value of securities

 

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offered would not exceed that which was registered) and any deviation from the low or high end of the estimated maximum offering range may be reflected in the form of prospectus filed with the Commission pursuant to Rule 424(b) if, in the aggregate, the changes in volume and price represent no more than 20 percent change in the maximum aggregate offering price set forth in the “Calculation of Registration Fee” table in the effective registration statement; and

(iii) To include any material information with respect to the plan of distribution not previously disclosed in the registration statement or any material change to such information in the registration statement;

Provided, however, that paragraphs (i), (ii) and (iii) do not apply if the registration statement is on Form S-3 or Form F-3 and the information required to be included in a post-effective amendment by those paragraphs is contained in reports filed with or furnished to the Commission by the registrant pursuant to Section 13 or Section 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 that are incorporated by reference in the registration statement, or is contained in a form of prospectus filed pursuant to Rule 424(b) that is part of the registration statement;

(2) That, for the purpose of determining any liability under the Securities Act of 1933, each such post-effective amendment shall be deemed to be a new registration statement relating to the securities offered therein, and the offering of such securities at that time shall be deemed to be the initial bona fide offering thereof;

(3) To remove from registration by means of a post-effective amendment any of the securities being registered which remain unsold at the termination of the offering;

(4) That, for the purpose of determining liability under the Securities Act of 1933 to any purchaser:

(A) Each prospectus filed by the registrant pursuant to Rule 424(b)(3) shall be deemed to be part of the registration statement as of the date the filed prospectus was deemed part of and included in the registration statement; and

(B) Each prospectus required to be filed pursuant to Rule 424(b)(2), (b)(5) or (b)(7) as part of a registration statement in reliance on Rule 430B relating to an offering made pursuant to Rule 415(a)(1)(i), (vii) or (x) for the purpose of providing the information required by Section 10(a) of the Securities Act of 1933 shall be deemed to be part of and included in the registration statement as of the earlier of the date such form of prospectus is first used after effectiveness or the date of the first contract of sale of securities in the offering described in prospectus. As provided in Rule 430B, for liability purposes of the issuer and any person that is at that date an underwriter, such date shall be deemed to be a new effective date of the registration statement relating to the securities in the registration statement to which the prospectus relates, and the offering of such securities at that time shall be deemed to be the initial bona fide offering thereof. Provided, however, that no statement made in a registration statement or prospectus that is part of the registration statement or made in a document incorporated or deemed incorporated by reference into the registration statement or prospectus that is part of the registration statement will, as to a purchaser with a time of contract of sale prior to such effective date, supersede or modify any statement that was made in the registration statement or prospectus that was part of the registration statement or made in any such document immediately prior to such effective date; and

(5) That, for the purpose of determining liability of the registrant under the Securities Act of 1933 to any purchaser in the initial distribution of the securities, the undersigned registrant undertakes that in a primary offering of securities of the undersigned registrant pursuant to this registration statement, regardless of the underwriting method used to sell the securities to the purchaser, if the securities are offered or sold to such purchaser by means of any of the following communications, the undersigned registrant will be a seller to the purchaser and will be considered to offer or sell such securities to such purchaser:

(i) Any preliminary prospectus or prospectus of the undersigned registrant relating to the offering required to be filed pursuant to Rule 424;

 

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(ii) Any free writing prospectus relating to the offering prepared by or on behalf of the undersigned Registrant or used or referred to by the undersigned registrant;

(iii) The portion of any other free writing prospectus relating to the offering containing material information about the undersigned registrant or its securities provided by or on behalf of an undersigned registrant; and

(iv) Any other communication that is an offer in the offering made by the undersigned registrant to the purchaser.

(6) That, for purposes of determining any liability under the Securities Act of 1933, each filing of the registrant’s annual report pursuant to section 13(a) or section 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (and, where applicable, each filing of an employee benefit plan’s annual report pursuant to section 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934) that is incorporated by reference in the registration statement shall be deemed to be a new registration statement relating to the securities offered therein, and the offering of such securities at that time shall be deemed to be the initial bona fide offering thereof.

(7) The undersigned registrant hereby undertakes to supplement the prospectus, after the expiration of the subscription period, to set forth the results of the subscription offer, the transactions by the underwriters during the subscription period, the amount of unsubscribed securities to be purchased by the underwriters, and the terms of any subsequent reoffering thereof. If any public offering by the underwriters is to be made on terms differing from those set forth on the cover page of the prospectus, a post-effective amendment will be filed to set forth the terms of such offering.

(8) To file an application for the purpose of determining the eligibility of the trustee to act under subsection (a) of Section 310 of the Trust Indenture Act in accordance with the rules and regulations prescribed by the Commission under Section 305(b)(2) of the Act.

(9) Insofar as indemnification for liabilities arising under the Securities Act of 1933 may be permitted to directors, officers and controlling persons of the registrant pursuant to the provisions described in this registration statement, or otherwise, the registrant has been advised that in the opinion of the Securities and Exchange Commission such indemnification is against public policy as expressed in the Act and is, therefore, unenforceable. In the event that a claim for indemnification against such liabilities (other than the payment by the registrant of expenses incurred or paid by a director, officer or controlling person of the registrant in the successful defense of any action, suit or proceeding) is asserted by such director, officer or controlling person in connection with the securities being registered, the registrant will, unless in the opinion of its counsel the matter has been settled by controlling precedent, submit to a court of appropriate jurisdiction the question whether such indemnification by it is against public policy as expressed in the Act and will be governed by the final adjudication of such issue.

 

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SIGNATURES

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, the registrant certifies that it has reasonable grounds to believe that it meets all of the requirements for filing on Form S-3 and has duly caused this registration statement to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized, in the City of Scottsdale, State of Arizona, on April 12, 2012.

 

MERITAGE HOMES CORPORATION
By:  

/s/ STEVEN J. HILTON

  Steven J. Hilton
  Chairman and Chief Executive Officer

 

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The following direct and indirect subsidiaries of the registrant will guarantee the debt securities and are co-registrants under this registration statement.

Name of Co-Registrant

California Urban Homes, LLC (1)

Meritage Holdings, L.L.C. (2)

Meritage Homes Construction, Inc.

Meritage Homes of Arizona, Inc.

Meritage Homes of California, Inc.

Meritage Homes of Colorado, Inc.

Meritage Homes of Florida, Inc.

Meritage Homes of Nevada, Inc.

Meritage Homes of Texas Holding, Inc.

Meritage Homes of Texas Joint Venture Holding Company, LLC (3)

Meritage Homes of Texas, LLC (2)

Meritage Homes Operating Company, LLC (4)

Meritage Paseo Construction, LLC (5)

Meritage Paseo Crossing, LLC (6)

MTH-Cavalier, LLC (5)

MTH Golf, LLC (5)

WW Project Seller, LLC (7)

Meritage Homes of North Carolina, Inc.

Carefree Title Agency, Inc.

M&M Fort Myers Holdings, LLC (7)

 

as CO-REGISTRANTS
By:  

/s/ STEVEN J. HILTON

  Steven J. Hilton
  Principal Executive Officer and Director of each co-registrant
  that is a corporation and Principal
  Executive Officer and Director of the corporate
  member or manager or sole member of each co-registrant
  that is a limited liability company.

 

(1) Executed by Meritage Homes of California, Inc., as sole member
(2) Executed by Meritage Homes of Texas Holding, Inc., as sole member
(3) Executed by Meritage Homes of Texas Holding, Inc., as sole member of Meritage Homes of Texas, LLC, which is the sole member of this co-registrant
(4) Executed by Meritage Homes of Texas Holding, Inc., as 99% member of this co-registrant and the sole member of Meritage Holdings, L.L.C., which owns the remaining 1% of this co-registrant
(5) Executed by Meritage Homes Construction, Inc., as sole member
(6) Executed by Meritage Homes of Arizona, Inc., as sole member
(7) Executed by Meritage Homes of Arizona, Inc., as the sole member of Meritage Paseo Crossing, LLC, which is the sole member of this co-registrant

 

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POWER OF ATTORNEY

KNOW ALL PERSONS BY THESE PRESENTS, that each person whose signature appears below does hereby constitute and appoint Steven J. Hilton and Larry W. Seay, and each of them, with full power of substitution and full power to act without the other, his true and lawful attorney-in-fact and agent to act for him in his name, place and stead, in any and all capacities, to sign any and all amendments (including post-effective amendments) to this registration statement and any subsequent registration statement we may hereafter file with the Securities and Exchange Commission pursuant to Rule 462(b) under the Securities Act to register additional securities in connection with this registration statement, and to file this registration statement, with all exhibits thereto, and other documents in connection therewith, with the Securities and Exchange Commission, granting unto said attorneys-in-fact and agents, and each of them, full power and authority to do and perform each and every act and thing requisite and necessary to be done in order to effectuate the same as fully, to all intents and purposes, as they, he or she might or could do in person, hereby ratifying and confirming all that said attorneys-in-fact and agents, or any of them, may lawfully do or cause to be done by virtue hereof.

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, this registration statement has been signed by the following persons in the capacities and on the dates indicated.

ON BEHALF OF MERITAGE HOMES CORPORATION:

 

Signature

 

Title

 

Date

By:

  

/s/ STEVEN J. HILTON

  Chairman and Chief Executive Officer   April 12, 2012
   Steven J. Hilton   (Principal Executive Officer)  

By:

  

/s/ LARRY W. SEAY

  Executive Vice President and   April 12, 2012
   Larry W. Seay  

Chief Financial Officer

 
     (Principal Financial Officer)  

By:

  

/s/ HILLA SFERRUZZA

 

Vice President, Corporate Controller and

  April 12, 2012
  

Hilla Sferruzza

 

Chief Accounting Officer

 
     (Principal Accounting Officer)  

By:

  

/s/ PETER L. AX

  Director   April 9, 2012
  

Peter L. Ax

   

By:

  

/s/ RAYMOND OPPEL

  Director   April 9, 2012
   Raymond Oppel    

By:

  

/s/ ROBERT G. SARVER

  Director   April 12, 2012
  

Robert G. Sarver

   

By:

  

/s/ RICHARD T. BURKE, SR.

  Director   April 10, 2012
   Richard T. Burke, Sr.    

By:

  

/s/ GERALD W. HADDOCK

  Director   April 12, 2012
   Gerald W. Haddock    

By:

  

/s/ DANA BRADFORD

  Director   April 12, 2012
   Dana Bradford    

By:

  

/s/ MICHAEL R. ODELL

  Director   April 12, 2012
   Michael R. Odell    

 

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ON BEHALF OF THE FOLLOWING INCORPORATED CO-REGISTRANTS:

Name of Co-Registrant:

Meritage Homes Construction, Inc.

Meritage Homes of Arizona, Inc.

Meritage Homes of California, Inc.

Meritage Homes of Colorado, Inc.

Meritage Homes of Florida, Inc.

Meritage Homes of Nevada, Inc.

Meritage Homes of Texas Holding, Inc.

Meritage Homes of North Carolina, Inc.

Carefree Title Agency, Inc.

 

Signature

 

Title

 

Date

By:

  

/s/ STEVEN J. HILTON

  Chief Executive Officer and Director  

April 12, 2012

   Steven J. Hilton   (Principal Executive Officer)  

By:

  

/s/ LARRY W. SEAY

  Executive Vice President, Chief  

April 12, 2012

   Larry W. Seay   Financial Officer, Assistant Secretary and Director  
     (Principal Financial Officer)  

By:

  

/s/ HILLA SFERRUZZA

 

Vice President, Chief Accounting Officer,

 

April 12, 2012

   Hilla Sferruzza  

Corporate Controller and Assistant Secretary

(Principal Accounting Officer)

 

ON BEHALF OF THE FOLLOWING CO-REGISTRANT:

Name of Co-Registrant

Meritage Homes of Florida, Inc.

 

By:

  

/s/ C. TIMOTHY WHITE

  Director  

April 12, 2012

   C. Timothy White    

 

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ON BEHALF OF THE FOLLOWING LIMITED LIABILITY COMPANY CO-REGISTRANTS:

Name of Co-Registrant

California Urban Homes, LLC

Meritage Holdings, L.L.C.

Meritage Homes of Texas Joint Venture Holding Company, LLC

Meritage Homes of Texas, LLC

Meritage Homes Operating Company, LLC

Meritage Paseo Construction, LLC

Meritage Paseo Crossing, LLC

MTH-Cavalier, LLC

MTH Golf, LLC

WW Project Sellor, LLC

M&M Fort Myers Holdings, LLC

Sole Member or Manager of Co-Registrant

Meritage Homes of California, Inc.

Meritage Homes of Texas Holding, Inc.

Meritage Homes of Texas, LLC

Meritage Homes of Texas Holding, Inc.

Meritage Holdings, L.L.C.

Meritage Homes Construction, Inc.

Meritage Homes of Arizona, Inc.

Meritage Homes Construction, Inc.

Meritage Homes Construction, Inc.

Meritage Paseo Crossing, LLC

Meritage Paseo Crossing, LLC

 

Signature

 

Title

 

Date

By:   

/s/ STEVEN J. HILTON

  Chief Executive Officer and Director of each of:  

April 12, 2012

   Steven J. Hilton       Meritage Homes Construction, Inc.,  
         Meritage Homes of Arizona, Inc.,  
         Meritage Homes of California, Inc., and  
         Meritage Homes of Texas Holding, Inc.  
     (Principal Executive Officer)  
By:   

/s/ LARRY W. SEAY

  Executive Vice President, Chief Financial  

April 12, 2012

   Larry W. Seay   Officer, Assistant Secretary and Director of each of:  
         Meritage Homes Construction, Inc.,  
         Meritage Homes of Arizona, Inc.,  
         Meritage Homes of California, Inc., and  
         Meritage Homes of Texas Holding, Inc.  
     (Principal Financial Officer)  
By:   

/s/ HILLA SFERRUZZA

 

Vice President, Chief Accounting Officer,

 

April 12, 2012

  

Hilla Sferruzza

 

Corporate Controller and Assistant Secretary

    Meritage Homes Construction, Inc.,

 
         Meritage Homes of Arizona, Inc.,  
         Meritage Homes of California, Inc., and  
         Meritage Homes of Texas Holding, Inc.  
     (Principal Accounting Officer)  

 

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EX-4.1 2 d321936dex41.htm FORM OF INDENTURE BY AND AMONG THE COMPANY AND WELLS FARGO BANK Form of Indenture by and among the Company and Wells Fargo Bank

EXHIBIT 4.1

MERITAGE HOMES CORPORATION

AND

WELLS FARGO BANK, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION

AS TRUSTEE

GUARANTEED TO THE EXTENT SET FORTH THEREIN

BY THE GUARANTORS NAMED HEREIN.

INDENTURE

DATED AS OF                         


CROSS REFERENCE SHEET*

Provisions of the Trust Indenture Act of 1939 and the Indenture (the “Indenture”), dated as of                 ,         , by and among Meritage Homes Corporation, a Maryland corporation, the guarantors listed on Schedule 1 to the Indenture, and Wells Fargo Bank, National Association, as Trustee:

 

TIA Section

   Indenture
Section

310(a)(1)

   7.10

310(a)(2)

   7.10

310(a)(3)

   Not applicable

310(a)(4)

   Not applicable

310(a)(5)

   Not applicable

310(b)

   7.03; 7.08; 7.10

310(b)(1)

   7.10

310(c)

   Not applicable

311(a)

   7.03; 7.11

311(b)

   7.03; 7.11

311(c)

   Not applicable

312(a)

   2.05

312(b)

   11.03

312(c)

   11.03

313(a)

   7.06

313(b)(1)

   Not applicable

313(b)(2)

   7.06

313(c)

   7.06;11.02

313(d)

   7.06

314(a)

   4.03; 4.04; 11.02

314(b)

   Not applicable

314(c)(1)

   11.04(a)

314(c)(2)

   11.04(b)

314(c)(3)

   Not applicable

314(d)

   Not applicable

314(e)

   11.05

314(f)

   Not applicable

315(a)

   7.01(b)

315(b)

   7.05; 11.02

315(c)

   7.01(a)

315(d)

   7.01(c)

315(e)

   6.12

316(a)(1)(A)

   6.05

316(a)(1)(B)

   6.04

316(a)(2)

   Not applicable

316(a) (last sentence)

   2.08; 6.04

316(b)

   6.08

317(a)(1)

   6.09

317(a)(2)

   6.10

317(b)

   2.04; 7.12

318(a)

   11.01

 

* This cross reference sheet shall not, for any purpose, be deemed to be a part of the Indenture.


TABLE OF CONTENTS

 

         Page   
ARTICLE 1    DEFINITIONS AND INCORPORATION BY REFERENCE   
  SECTION 1.01   Certain Definitions      1   
  SECTION 1.02   Other Definitions      4   
  SECTION 1.03   Incorporation by Reference of Trust Indenture Act      5   
  SECTION 1.04   Rules of Construction      5   
ARTICLE 2    THE SECURITIES   
  SECTION 2.01   Unlimited in Amount, Issuable in Series, Form and Dating      5   
  SECTION 2.02   Execution and Authentication      8   
  SECTION 2.03   Registrar and Paying Agent      8   
  SECTION 2.04   Paying Agent to Hold Money in Trust      9   
  SECTION 2.05   Securityholder Lists      9   
  SECTION 2.06   Transfer and Exchange      9   
  SECTION 2.07   Replacement Securities      10   
  SECTION 2.08   Outstanding Securities      10   
  SECTION 2.09   Temporary Securities      11   
  SECTION 2.10   Cancellation      11   
  SECTION 2.11   Defaulted Interest      11   
  SECTION 2.12   Special Record Dates      11   
  SECTION 2.13   Global Securities      12   
  SECTION 2.14   CUSIP Numbers      13   
  SECTION 2.15   Computation of Interest      13   
  SECTION 2.16   Treasury Notes      13   
  SECTION 2.17   Acts of Holders      13   
ARTICLE 3    REDEMPTION   
  SECTION 3.01   Notices to Trustee      14   
  SECTION 3.02   Selection of Securities to be Redeemed      14   
  SECTION 3.03   Notice of Redemption      15   
  SECTION 3.04   Effect of Notice of Redemption      16   
  SECTION 3.05   Deposit of Redemption Price      16   
  SECTION 3.06   Securities Redeemed or Purchased in Part      16   
ARTICLE 4    COVENANTS   
  SECTION 4.01   Payment of Securities      16   
  SECTION 4.02   Maintenance of Office or Agency      17   
  SECTION 4.03   Reports      17   
  SECTION 4.04   Compliance Certificate      17   
  SECTION 4.05   Taxes      18   
  SECTION 4.06   Stay, Extension and Usury Laws      18   
  SECTION 4.07   Maintenance of Properties; Insurance; Compliance with Law      18   
  SECTION 4.08   Payments for Consent      19   
  SECTION 4.09   Legal Existence      19   

 

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TABLE OF CONTENTS

(continued)

 

             Page  
ARTICLE 5    SUCCESSORS   
  SECTION 5.01   When The Issuer May Merge, Etc      19   
  SECTION 5.02   Successor Person Substituted      20   
ARTICLE 6    DEFAULTS AND REMEDIES   
  SECTION 6.01   Events of Default      20   
  SECTION 6.02   Acceleration      22   
  SECTION 6.03   Other Remedies      22   
  SECTION 6.04   Waiver of Past Defaults      22   
  SECTION 6.05   Control by Majority      23   
  SECTION 6.06   Limitation on Suits      23   
  SECTION 6.07   No Personal Liability of Directors, Officers, Employees and Stockholders      23   
  SECTION 6.08   Rights of Holders to Receive Payment      24   
  SECTION 6.09   Collection Suit by Trustee      24   
  SECTION 6.10   Trustee May File Proofs of Claim      24   
  SECTION 6.11   Priorities      24   
  SECTION 6.12   Undertaking for Costs      25   
ARTICLE 7    TRUSTEE   
  SECTION 7.01   Duties of Trustee      25   
  SECTION 7.02   Rights of Trustee      26   
  SECTION 7.03   Individual Rights of Trustee      27   
  SECTION 7.04   Trustee’s Disclaimer      27   
  SECTION 7.05   Notice of Defaults      27   
  SECTION 7.06   Reports by Trustee to Holders      28   
  SECTION 7.07   Compensation and Indemnity      28   
  SECTION 7.08   Replacement of Trustee      29   
  SECTION 7.09   Successor Trustee by Merger, Etc      30   
  SECTION 7.10   Eligibility; Disqualification      30   
  SECTION 7.11   Preferential Collection of Claims Against the Issuer      30   
  SECTION 7.12   Paying Agents      30   
ARTICLE 8    SATISFACTION AND DISCHARGE; DEFEASANCE   
  SECTION 8.01   Satisfaction and Discharge      31   
  SECTION 8.02   Option to Effect Legal Defeasance or Covenant Defeasance      32   
  SECTION 8.03   Legal Defeasance and Discharge      32   
  SECTION 8.04   Covenant Defeasance      32   
  SECTION 8.05   Conditions to Legal or Covenant Defeasance      33   
  SECTION 8.06   Deposited Money and Government Securities to be Held in Trust; Other Miscellaneous Provisions      34   
  SECTION 8.07   Repayment to the Issuer      35   
  SECTION 8.08   Reinstatement      35   

 

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TABLE OF CONTENTS

(continued)

 

             Page  
ARTICLE 9    SUPPLEMENTS, AMENDMENTS AND WAIVERS   
  SECTION 9.01   Without Consent of Holders      35   
  SECTION 9.02   With Consent of Holders      36   
  SECTION 9.03   Compliance with the Trust Indenture Act      37   
  SECTION 9.04   Revocation and Effect of Consents      37   
  SECTION 9.05   Notation on or Exchange of Securities      37   
  SECTION 9.06   Trustee to Sign Amendments, Etc      38   
ARTICLE 10    GUARANTEES   
  SECTION 10.01   Guarantee      38   
ARTICLE 11    MISCELLANEOUS   
  SECTION 11.01   Trust Indenture Act Controls      38   
  SECTION 11.02   Notices      39   
  SECTION 11.03   Communication by Holders With Other Holders      39   
  SECTION 11.04   Certificate and Opinion as to Conditions Precedent      40   
  SECTION 11.05   Statements Required in Certificate or Opinion      40   
  SECTION 11.06   Rules by Trustee and Agents      40   
  SECTION 11.07   Legal Holidays      40   
  SECTION 11.08   No Recourse Against Others      41   
  SECTION 11.09   Counterparts      41   
  SECTION 11.10   Governing Law      41   
  SECTION 11.11   Submission to Jurisdiction; Service of Process; Waiver of Jury Trial      41   
  SECTION 11.12   Severability      42   
  SECTION 11.13   Effect of Headings, Table of Contents, Etc      42   
  SECTION 11.14   Successors and Assigns      42   
  SECTION 11.15   No Interpretation of Other Agreements      42   
  SECTION 11.16   U.S.A. Patriot Act      42   
  SECTION 11.17   Force Majeure      42   

 

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INDENTURE dated as of                          by and among Meritage Homes Corporation, a Maryland corporation, (the “Issuer”), the guarantors listed on Schedule 1 hereto (herein called the “Guarantors”) and Wells Fargo Bank, National Association, as Trustee (the “Trustee”).

The Issuer has duly authorized the execution and delivery of this Indenture to provide for the issuance from time to time of its debentures, notes or other evidences of indebtedness to be issued in one or more series (the “Securities”), as herein provided, up to such principal amount as may from time to time be authorized in or pursuant to one or more resolutions of the Board of Directors or by supplemental indenture.

Each party agrees as follows for the benefit of the other parties and for the equal and ratable benefit of the Holders of each series of the Securities:

ARTICLE 1

DEFINITIONS AND INCORPORATION BY REFERENCE

SECTION 1.01 Certain Definitions.

Affiliate” of any person means any other person which directly or indirectly controls or is controlled by, or is under direct or indirect common control with, the referent person. For purposes of the covenant described under “—Certain Covenants—Limitations on Transactions with Affiliates,” Affiliates shall be deemed to include, with respect to any person, any other person (1) which beneficially owns or holds, directly or indirectly, 10% or more of any class of the voting stock of the referent person, (2) of which 10% or more of the voting stock is beneficially owned or held, directly or indirectly, by the referenced person or (3) with respect to an individual, any immediate family member of such person. For purposes of this definition, “control” of a person shall mean the power to direct the management and policies of such person, directly or indirectly, whether through the ownership of voting securities, by contract or otherwise.

Agent” means any Registrar, Paying Agent, authenticating agent or co-Registrar.

asset” means any asset or property.

Board of Directors” means, with respect to any Person, the board of directors of such Person (or, if such Person is a limited liability company, the board of managers of such Person) or similar governing body or any authorized committee thereof.

Board Resolution” means a copy of a resolution certified by the Secretary or an Assistant Secretary of the Issuer to have been duly adopted by the Board of Directors or pursuant to authorization by the Board of Directors and to be in full force and effect on the date of such certification (and delivered to the Trustee, if appropriate).

Business Day” means any day other than a Legal Holiday.

Closing Date” means the date on which the Securities of a particular series were originally issued under this Indenture.


Commission” means the Securities and Exchange Commission.

Corporate Trust Office” shall mean the corporate trust office of the Trustee, which shall initially be Wells Fargo Bank, National Association, 707 Wilshire Blvd., 17th Floor, Los Angeles, CA 90017.

Default” means any event that is, or with the passage of time or the giving of notice or both would be, an Event of Default.

Depositary” means, with respect to the Securities of any series issuable or issued in whole or in part in the form of one or more Global Securities, the person designated as Depositary for such series by the Issuer, which Depositary shall be a clearing agency registered under the Exchange Act; and if at any time there is more than one such person, “Depositary” as used with respect to the Securities of any series shall mean the Depositary with respect to the Securities of such series.

Exchange Act” means the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended from time to time.

GAAP” means generally accepted accounting principles set forth in the opinions and pronouncements of the Accounting Principles Board of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants and statements and pronouncements of the Financial Accounting Standards Board or in such other statements by such other entity as have been approved by a significant segment of the accounting profession, which are applicable to the circumstances as of the applicable measurement date.

Global Security” shall mean a Security issued to evidence all or a part of any series of Securities that is executed by the Issuer and authenticated and delivered by the Trustee to a Depositary or pursuant to such Depositary’s instructions, all in accordance with this Indenture and pursuant to Section 2.01, which shall be registered as to principal and interest in the name of such Depositary or its nominee.

Holder” or “Securityholder” means a Person in whose name a Security is registered in the register of Securities kept by the Registrar.

Indenture” means this Indenture, as amended or supplemented from time to time.

Issuer” means the party named as such above until a successor replaces it pursuant to this Indenture and thereafter means the successor.

Issuer Order” means a written order signed in the name of the Issuer by two Officers, one of whom must be the Issuer’s principal executive officer, principal financial officer, treasurer, principal accounting officer or vice president and delivered to the Trustee.

maturity” when used with respect to any Security, means the date on which the principal of such Security or an installment of principal becomes due and payable as therein or herein provided, whether at stated maturity or by declaration of acceleration, call for redemption or otherwise.

 

2


Officer” means, with respect to any Person, a chairman of the board, a chief executive officer, a president, the chief financial officer, any vice-president, the treasurer, the controller, the secretary, any assistant treasurer or any assistant secretary of such Person.

Officers’ Certificate” means a certificate signed by two or more Officers, one of whom must be the principal executive officer, principal financial officer or principal accounting officer of the Issuer that meets the requirements of Section 11.05 hereof.

Opinion of Counsel” means an opinion from legal counsel who is reasonably acceptable to the Trustee that meets the requirements of Section 11.05 hereof. The counsel may be an employee of or counsel to the Issuer or the Trustee.

Person” means any individual, corporation, partnership, joint venture, association, limited liability company, joint stock company, trust, unincorporated organization or government or any agency or political subdivision thereof.

principal” of a Security means the principal amount due on the stated maturity of the Security plus the premium, if any, on the Security.

Securities” means the Securities authenticated and delivered under this Indenture.

Securities Act” means the Securities Act of 1933, as amended from time to time.

stated maturity” when used with respect to any Security or any installment of interest thereon, means the date specified in such Security as the fixed date on which the principal of such Security or such installment of interest is due and payable.

Subsidiary” means, with respect to any Person:

(1) any corporation, limited liability company, association or other business entity of which more than 50% of the total voting power of the Equity Interests entitled (without regard to the occurrence of any contingency) to vote in the election of the Board of Directors thereof are at the time owned or controlled, directly or indirectly, by such Person or one or more of the other Subsidiaries of that Person (or a combination thereof); and

(2) any partnership (a) the sole general partner or the managing general partner of which is such Person or a Subsidiary of such Person or (b) the only general partners of which are such Person or of one or more Subsidiaries of such Person (or any combination thereof).

Unless otherwise specified, “Subsidiary” refers to a Subsidiary of the Issuer.

TIA” means the Trust Indenture Act of 1939 (15 U.S.C. Sections 77aaa-77bbbb) as in effect on the date on which this Indenture is qualified under the TIA provided, however, that in the event the TIA is amended after such date, “TIA” means, to the extent required by such amendment, the Trust Indenture Act, as amended.

 

3


Trust Officer” when used with respect to the Trustee, means any officer assigned to the Corporate Trust Office of the Trustee with direct responsibility for the administration of this Indenture and also means, with respect to a particular corporate trust matter, any other officer to whom such matter is referred because of his knowledge of and familiarity with the particular subject and who shall have direct responsibility for the administration of this Indenture.

Trustee” means the party named as such above until a successor becomes such pursuant to this Indenture and thereafter means or includes each party who is then a trustee hereunder, and if at any time there is more than one such party, “Trustee” as used with respect to the Securities of any series means the Trustee with respect to Securities of that series. If Trustees with respect to different series of Securities are trustees under this Indenture, nothing herein shall constitute the Trustees co-trustees of the same trust, and each Trustee shall be the trustee of a trust separate and apart from any trust administered by any other Trustee with respect to a different series of Securities.

U.S. Government Obligations” means securities that are (i) direct obligations of the United States of America for the payment of which its full faith and credit is pledged or (ii) obligations of a person controlled or supervised by and acting as an agency or instrumentality of the United States of America, the payment of which is unconditionally guaranteed as a full faith and credit obligation by the United States of America that is not callable or redeemable at the option of the issuer thereof, and shall also include a depository receipt issued by a bank or trust company as custodian with respect to any such U.S. Government Obligation or a specific payment of interest on or principal of any such U.S. Government Obligation held by such custodian for the account of the holder of a depository receipt, provided that (except as required by law) such custodian is not authorized to make any deduction from the amount payable to the holder of such depository receipt from any amount received by the custodian in respect of the U.S. Government Obligation evidenced by such depository receipt.

SECTION 1.02 Other Definitions.

 

Term

   Defined
in Section
 

“Act”

     2.17   

“Bankruptcy Law”

     6.01   

“Custodian”

     6.01   

“Event of Default”

     6.01   

“Legal Holiday”

     11.07   

“Paying Agent”

     2.03   

“Place of Payment”

     2.01   

“redemption price”

     3.03   

“Registrar”

     2.03   

 

4


SECTION 1.03 Incorporation by Reference of Trust Indenture Act.

Whenever this Indenture refers to a provision of the TIA, the provision is incorporated by reference in and made a part of this Indenture. The following TIA terms used in this Indenture have the following meanings:

indenture securities” means the Securities.

indenture securityholder” means a Securityholder.

indenture to be qualified” means this Indenture.

indenture trustee” or “institutional trustee” means the Trustee.

obligor” on the Securities means the Issuer and any Guarantor and any successor obligor on the Securities.

All other terms used in this Indenture that are defined by the TIA, defined by TIA reference to another statute or defined by Commission rule under the TIA have the meanings so assigned to them.

SECTION 1.04 Rules of Construction.

Unless the context otherwise requires:

(i) a term has the meaning assigned to it;

(ii) an accounting term not otherwise defined has the meaning assigned to it in accordance with GAAP;

(iii) “or” is not exclusive;

(iv) words in the singular include the plural, and in the plural include the singular;

(v) provisions apply to successive events and transactions; and

(vi) references to sections of or rules under the Securities Act shall be deemed to include substitute, replacement of successor sections or rules adopted by the SEC from time to time.

ARTICLE 2

THE SECURITIES

SECTION 2.01 Unlimited in Amount, Issuable in Series, Form and Dating.

The aggregate principal amount of Securities that may be authenticated and delivered under this Indenture is unlimited. The Securities may be issued in one or more series.

There shall be established in or pursuant to a Board Resolution or an Officers’ Certificate pursuant to authority granted under a Board Resolution or established in one or more indentures supplemental hereto authorized by a Board Resolution, prior to the issuance of Securities of any series:

(a) the title of the Securities of the series, whether the Securities rank as senior Securities, senior subordinated Securities or subordinated Securities, or any combination thereof;

 

5


(b) the price or prices (expressed as a percentage of the principal amount thereof) at which the Securities of the series will be issued;

(c) the aggregate principal amount of the Securities and any limit upon the aggregate principal amount of the Securities that may be authenticated and delivered under this Indenture (except for Securities authenticated and delivered upon registration of transfer of, or in exchange for, or in lieu of, other Securities of the series pursuant to this Article 2);

(d) the date or dates on which the principal on the Securities will be payable and the amount of principal that will be payable;

(e) the rate or rates (which may be fixed or variable) at which the Securities of the series will bear interest, if any, as well as the dates from which interest will accrue, the dates on which the interest will be payable and the record date for the interest payable on any payment date;

(f) the form and terms of any guarantee of the Securities, including the terms of subordination, if any, of the series;

(g) any depositories, interest rate calculation agents or other agents with respect to Securities of such series if other than those appointed herein;

(h) the right, if any, of Holders of the Securities to convert them into common stock or other securities of the Issuer, including any provisions to prevent dilution of such conversion rights;

(i) the place or places where the principal, premium, if any, and interest, if any, on the Securities of the series will be payable and where the Securities which are in registered form can be presented for registration of transfer or exchange and the identification of any depositary or depositaries for any Global Securities;

(j) the provisions, if any, regarding the Issuer’s right to redeem, repay or purchase Securities of the series, in whole or in part, or the right of the Holders to require the Issuer to redeem, repay or purchase Securities of the series, in whole or in part;

(k) the provisions, if any, requiring or permitting the Issuer to make payments in a sinking fund or analogous provision to be used to redeem the Securities of the series or a purchase fund or analogous provision to purchase the Securities of the series;

(l) if other than denominations of $2,000 and any integral multiples of $1,000 in excess thereof, the denominations in which Securities of the series shall be issuable;

(m) the percentage of the principal amount at which the Securities of the series will be issued and, if other than the full principal amount thereof, the percentage of the principal amount of the Securities of the series which is payable if maturity of such Securities is accelerated because of a Default;

 

6


(n) the currency or currencies in which principal, premium, if any, and interest, if any, of the Securities of the series will be payable;

(o) if payments of principal of, premium or interest on the Securities of the series will be made in one or more currencies other than that or those in which the Securities of the series are denominated, the manner in which the exchange rate with respect to such payments will be determined;

(p) the manner in which the amounts of payment of principal of, or premium or interest on the Securities of the series will be determined, if these amounts may be determined by reference to an index based on a currency or currency other than that in which the Securities of the series are denominated or designated to be payable;

(q) the provisions, if any, relating to any security provided for the Securities of the series;

(r) any addition to or change in the Events of Default with respect to the Securities of a particular series and any change in the right of the Trustee or the requisite Holders of such Securities to declare the principal amount thereof due and payable pursuant to Section 6.02 hereof;

(s) any addition to, change in or deletion from, the covenants set forth in Articles 4 or 5 that applies to Securities of the series;

(t) the Trustee for the series of Securities;

(u) any other terms of the series (which terms may modify, supplement or delete any provision of this Indenture with respect to such series; provided, however, that no such term may modify or delete any provision hereof if imposed by the TIA; and provided, further, that any modification or deletion of the rights, duties or immunities of the Trustee hereunder shall have been consented to in writing by the Trustee).

All Securities of any series shall be substantially identical except as to denomination and except as may otherwise be provided in or pursuant to such Board Resolution or Officers’ Certificate or in any such indenture supplemental hereto.

The principal of and any interest on the Securities shall be payable at the office or agency of the Issuer designated in the form of Security for the series (each such place herein called the “Place of Payment”); provided, however, that payment of interest may be made at the option of the Issuer by check mailed to the address of the Person entitled thereto as such address shall appear in the register of Securities referred to in Section 2.03 hereof.

Each Security shall be in one of the forms approved from time to time by or pursuant to a Board Resolution or Officers’ Certificate, or established in one or more indentures supplemental hereto. Prior to the delivery of a Security to the Trustee for authentication in any form approved by or pursuant to a Board Resolution or Officers’ Certificate, the Issuer shall deliver to the Trustee the Board Resolution or Officers’ Certificate by or pursuant to which such form of Security has been approved, which Board Resolution or Officers’ Certificate shall have attached thereto a true and correct copy of the form of Security that has been approved by or pursuant thereto.

 

7


The Securities may have notations, legends or endorsements required by law, stock exchange rule or usage. Each Security shall be dated the date of its authentication.

SECTION 2.02 Execution and Authentication.

One or more Officers shall sign the Securities for the Issuer by manual or facsimile signature.

If an Officer whose signature is on a Security no longer holds that office at the time the Security is authenticated, the Security shall nevertheless be valid.

A Security shall not be valid until authenticated by the manual signature of the Trustee. The signature shall be conclusive evidence that the Security has been authenticated under this Indenture.

The Trustee shall authenticate Securities for original issue upon receipt of an Issuer Order.

The Trustee may appoint an authenticating agent acceptable to the Issuer to authenticate Securities. An authenticating agent may authenticate Securities whenever the Trustee may do so. Each reference in this Indenture to authentication by the Trustee includes authentication by such agent. An authenticating agent has the same rights as an Agent to deal with the Issuer or an Affiliate of the Issuer.

SECTION 2.03 Registrar and Paying Agent.

The Issuer shall maintain an office or agency (which, unless otherwise set forth in a Board Resolution or Supplemental Indenture, shall be located in the City of Minneapolis, State of Minnesota) where Securities of a particular series may be presented for registration of transfer or for exchange (the “Registrar”) and an office or agency where Securities of that series may be presented for payment (a “Paying Agent”). The Registrar for a particular series of Securities shall keep a register of the Securities of that series and of their registration of transfer and exchange. The Issuer may appoint one or more co-Registrars and one or more additional paying agents for each series of Securities. The term “Paying Agent” includes any additional paying agent. The Issuer may change any Paying Agent, Registrar or co-Registrar without prior notice to any Securityholder. The Issuer shall notify the Trustee in writing of the name and address of any Agent not a party to this Indenture.

If the Issuer fails to maintain a Registrar or Paying Agent for any series of Securities, the Trustee shall act as such. The Issuer or any of its Affiliates may act as Paying Agent, Registrar or co-Registrar.

 

8


The Issuer hereby appoints the Trustee the initial Registrar and Paying Agent for each series of Securities unless another Registrar or Paying Agent, as the case may be, is appointed prior to the time Securities of that series are first issued.

SECTION 2.04 Paying Agent to Hold Money in Trust.

Whenever the Issuer has one or more Paying Agents it will, prior to each due date of the principal of or interest on, any Securities, deposit with a Paying Agent a sum sufficient to pay the principal or interest so becoming due, such sum to be held in trust for the benefit of the Persons entitled to such principal or interest, and (unless such Paying Agent is the Trustee) the Issuer will promptly notify the Trustee of its action or failure so to act.

The Issuer shall require each Paying Agent other than the Trustee to agree in writing that such Paying Agent will hold in trust for the benefit of the Securityholders of the particular series for which it is acting, or the Trustee, all money held by the Paying Agent for the payment of principal or interest on the Securities of such series, and that such Paying Agent will notify the Trustee of any Default by the Issuer or any other obligor of the series of Securities in making any such payment and at any time during the continuance of any such Default, upon the written request of the Trustee, forthwith pay to the Trustee all sums so held in trust by such Paying Agent. If the Issuer or an Affiliate acts as Paying Agent, it shall segregate and hold in a separate trust fund for the benefit of the Securityholders of the particular series for which it is acting all money held by it as Paying Agent. The Issuer at any time may require a Paying Agent to pay all money held by it to the Trustee. Upon so doing, the Paying Agent (if other than the Issuer or an Affiliate of the Issuer) shall have no further liability for such money. Upon any bankruptcy or reorganization proceedings relating to the Issuer, the Trustee shall serve as Paying Agent for the Securities.

SECTION 2.05 Securityholder Lists.

The Trustee shall preserve in as current a form as is reasonably practicable the most recent list available to it of the names and addresses of Securityholders, separately by series, and shall otherwise comply with TIA Section 312(a). If the Trustee is not the Registrar, the Issuer shall furnish to the Trustee as of the relevant record date and at such other times as the Trustee may request in writing, a list in such form and as of such date as the Trustee may reasonably require of the names and addresses of Securityholders, separately by series, relating to such interest payment date or request, as the case may be.

SECTION 2.06 Transfer and Exchange.

Where Securities of a series are presented to the Registrar or a co-Registrar with a request to register a transfer or to exchange them for an equal principal amount of Securities of the same series of other authorized denominations, the Registrar shall register the transfer or make the exchange if its requirements for such transactions are met. To permit registrations of transfers and exchanges, the Issuer shall issue and the Trustee shall authenticate Securities at the Registrar’s request.

No service charge shall be made for any registration of transfer or exchange, but the Issuer may require payment of a sum sufficient to cover any transfer tax or similar governmental charge payable in connection therewith (other than any such transfer tax or similar governmental charge payable upon exchanges pursuant to Sections 2.09, 2.13, 3.06 or 9.05).

 

9


The Issuer need not issue, and the Registrar or co-Registrar need not register the transfer or exchange of, (i) any Security of a particular series during a period beginning at the opening of business 15 days before the day of any selection of Securities of that series for redemption under Section 3.02 and ending at the close of business on the day of selection, or (ii) any Security so selected for redemption in whole or in part, except the unredeemed portion of any Security of that series being redeemed in part.

Any Holder of a Global Security shall, by acceptance of such Global Security, agree that transfers of the beneficial interests in such Global Security may be effected only through a book entry system maintained by the Issuer of such Global Security (or its agent), and that ownership of a beneficial interest in the Global Security shall be required to be reflected in a book entry.

SECTION 2.07 Replacement Securities.

If a mutilated Security is surrendered to the Trustee or if the Holder of a Security claims that the Security has been lost, destroyed or wrongfully taken, the Issuer shall issue and the Trustee shall authenticate a replacement Security of same series if the Issuer’s and the Trustee’s requirements are met. The Trustee or the Issuer may require an indemnity bond to be furnished which is sufficient in the judgment of both to protect the Issuer, the Trustee, and any Agent from any loss which any of them may suffer if a Security is replaced. The Issuer or the Trustee may charge such Holder for its expenses in replacing a Security.

Every replacement Security is an obligation of the Issuer and shall be entitled to all the benefit of the Indenture equally and proportionately with any and all other Securities of the same series.

SECTION 2.08 Outstanding Securities.

The Securities of any series outstanding at any time are all the Securities of that series authenticated by the Trustee except for those canceled by it, those delivered to it for cancellation, and those described in this Section as not outstanding.

If a Security is replaced pursuant to Section 2.07, it ceases to be outstanding unless the Trustee receives proof satisfactory to it that the replaced Security is held by a protected purchaser.

If Securities are considered paid under Section 4.01, they cease to be outstanding and interest on them ceases to accrue.

Except as set forth in Section 2.09 hereof, a Security does not cease to be outstanding because the Issuer or an Affiliate holds the Security.

 

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SECTION 2.09 Temporary Securities.

Until definitive Securities are ready for delivery, the Issuer may prepare and the Trustee shall authenticate temporary Securities upon an Issuer Order. Temporary Securities shall be substantially in the form of definitive Securities but may have variations that the Issuer considers appropriate for temporary Securities. Without unreasonable delay, the Issuer shall prepare and the Trustee shall authenticate definitive Securities in exchange for temporary Securities.

Holders of temporary Securities shall be entitled to all of the benefits of this Indenture.

SECTION 2.10 Cancellation.

The Issuer at any time may deliver Securities to the Trustee for cancellation. The Registrar and Paying Agent shall forward to the Trustee any Securities surrendered to them for registration of transfer, exchange or payment. The Trustee shall cancel all Securities surrendered for registration of transfer, exchange, payment, replacement or cancellation in accordance with its standard procedures and provide evidence of such canceled Securities to the Issuer at the Issuer’s written request. The Issuer may not issue new Securities to replace Securities that it has paid or that have been delivered to the Trustee for cancellation.

SECTION 2.11 Defaulted Interest.

If the Issuer fails to make a payment of interest on any series of Securities, the Issuer shall pay such defaulted interest plus (to the extent lawful) any interest payable on the defaulted interest, in any lawful manner. It may elect to pay such defaulted interest, plus any such interest payable on it, to the Persons who are Holders of such Securities on which the interest is due on a subsequent special record date. The Issuer shall notify the Trustee in writing of the amount of defaulted interest proposed to be paid on each such Security and the date of the proposed payment. The Issuer shall fix or cause to be fixed any such record date and payment date for such payment; provided, however, that no such special record date shall be less than 10 days prior to the related payment date for such defaulted interest. At least 15 days before any such record date, the Issuer shall mail to Securityholders affected thereby a notice that states the record date, payment date, and amount of such interest to be paid.

SECTION 2.12 Special Record Dates.

(a) The Issuer may, but shall not be obligated to, set a record date for the purpose of determining the identity of Holders entitled to consent to any supplement, amendment or waiver permitted by this Indenture. If a record date is fixed, the Holders of Securities of that series outstanding on such record date, and no other Holders, shall be entitled to consent to such supplement, amendment or waiver or revoke any consent previously given, whether or not such Holders remain Holders after such record date. No consent shall be valid or effective for more than 90 days after such record date unless consents from Holders of the principal amount of Securities of that series required hereunder for such amendment or waiver to be effective shall have also been given and not revoked within such 90-day period.

(b) The Issuer may, but shall not be obligated to, fix any day as a record date for the purpose of determining the Holders of any series of Securities entitled to join in the giving or making of any notice of Default, any declaration of acceleration, any request to

 

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institute proceedings or any other similar direction. If a record date is fixed, the Holders of Securities of that series outstanding on such record date, and no other Holders, shall be entitled to join in such notice, declaration, request or direction, whether or not such Holders remain Holders after such record date; provided, however, that no such action shall be effective hereunder unless taken on or prior to the date 90 days after such record date.

SECTION 2.13 Global Securities.

(a) Terms of Securities. A Board Resolution, a supplemental indenture hereto or an Officers’ Certificate shall establish whether the Securities of a series shall be issued in whole or in part in the form of one or more Global Securities and the Depositary for such Global Security or Securities.

(b) Transfer and Exchange. Notwithstanding any provisions to the contrary contained in Section 2.06 of this Indenture and in addition thereto, any Global Security shall be exchangeable pursuant to Section 2.06 of this Indenture for securities registered in the names of Holders other than the Depositary for such Security or its nominee only if (i) such Depositary notifies the Issuer that it is unwilling or unable to continue as Depositary for such Global Security or if at any time such Depositary ceases to be a clearing agency registered under the Exchange Act, and, in either case, the Issuer fails to appoint a successor Depositary within 90 days of such event or (ii) the Issuer executes and delivers to the Trustee an Officers’ Certificate to the effect that such Global Security shall be so exchangeable. Any Global Security that is exchangeable pursuant to the preceding sentence shall be exchangeable for Securities registered in such names as the Depositary shall direct in writing in an aggregate principal amount equal to the principal amount of the Global Security with like tenor and terms.

Except as provided in this paragraph (b) of this Section, a Global Security may not be transferred except as a whole by the Depositary with respect to such Global Security to a nominee of such Depositary, by a nominee of such Depositary to such Depositary or another nominee of such Depositary or by the Depositary or any such nominee to a successor Depositary or a nominee of such a successor Depositary.

(c) Legend. Any Global Security issued hereunder shall bear a legend in substantially the following form:

“Unless this certificate is presented by an authorized representative of The Depository Trust Company, a New York corporation (“DTC”), New York, New York, to the issuer or its agent for registration of transfer, exchange or payment, and any certificate issued is registered in the name of Cede & Co. or such other name as may be requested by an authorized representative of DTC (and any payment is made to Cede & Co. or such other entity as may be requested by an authorized representative of DTC), ANY TRANSFER, PLEDGE OR OTHER USE HEREOF FOR VALUE OR OTHERWISE BY OR TO ANY PERSON IS WRONGFUL inasmuch as the registered owner hereof, Cede & Co. has an interest herein.”

 

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“Transfer of this Global Security shall be limited to transfers in whole, but not in part, to nominees of DTC or to a successor thereof or such successor’s nominee and limited to transfers made in accordance with the restrictions set forth in the Indenture referred to herein.”

(d) Acts of Holders. The Depositary, as a Holder, may appoint agents and otherwise authorize participants to give or take any request, demand, authorization, direction, notice, consent, waiver or other action which a Holder is entitled to give or take under this Indenture.

(e) Payments. Notwithstanding the other provisions of this Indenture, unless otherwise specified as contemplated by Section 2.01 hereof, payment of the principal of and interest, if any, on any Global Security shall be made to the Person specified therein.

(f) Consents, Declaration and Directions. Except as provided in paragraph (e) of this Section, the Issuer, the Trustee and any Agent shall treat a Person as the Holder of such principal amount of outstanding Securities of such series represented by a Global Security as shall be specified in a written statement of the Depositary with respect to such Global Security, for purposes of obtaining any consents, declarations or directions required to be given by the Holders pursuant to this Indenture.

SECTION 2.14 CUSIP Numbers.

The Issuer in issuing any series of Securities may use “CUSIP” numbers (if then generally in use), and, if so, the Trustee shall use “CUSIP” numbers in notices as a convenience to Holders; provided, however, that any such notice may state that no representation is made as to the correctness of such numbers either as printed on such Securities or as contained in any notice and that reliance may be placed only on the other identification numbers printed on such Securities, and any such action relating to such notice shall not be affected by any defect in or omission of such numbers in such notice. The Issuer shall promptly notify the Trustee of any change in the “CUSIP” numbers.

SECTION 2.15 Computation of Interest.

Unless otherwise set forth in a Board Resolution or Supplemental Indenture, interest on the Securities will be computed on the basis of a 360-day year of twelve 30-day months.

SECTION 2.16 Treasury Notes.

In determining whether the Holders of the required principal amount of Securities have concurred in any declaration of acceleration or notice of default or direction, waiver or consent or any amendment, modification or other change to this Indenture, Securities owned by the Issuer or any other Affiliate of the Issuer shall be disregarded as though they were not outstanding, except that for the purposes of determining whether the Trustee shall be protected in relying on any such direction, waiver or consent or any amendment, modification or other change to this Indenture, only Securities as to which a responsible officer of the Trustee has received an Officers’ Certificate stating that such Securities are so owned shall be so disregarded. Securities so owned which have been pledged in good faith shall not be disregarded if the pledgee established to the satisfaction of the Trustee the pledgee’s right so to act with respect to the Securities and that the pledgee is not the Issuer, a Guarantor, any other obligor on the Securities or any of their respective Affiliates.

SECTION 2.17 Acts of Holders.

(a) Any request, demand, authorization, direction, notice, consent, waiver or other action provided by this Indenture to be given or taken by Holders may be embodied in and evidenced by one or more instruments of substantially similar tenor signed by such Holders in person or by agents duly appointed in writing; and, except as herein otherwise expressly provided, such action shall become effective when such instrument or instruments are delivered to the Trustee and, where it is hereby expressly required, to the Issuer. Such instrument or instruments (and the action embodied therein and evidenced thereby) are herein sometimes referred to as the “Act” of the Holders signing such instrument or instruments. Proof of execution of any such instrument or of a writing appointing any such agent shall be sufficient for any purpose of this Indenture and conclusive in favor of the Trustee and the Issuer, if made in the manner provided in this Section 2.17.

(b) The fact and date of the execution by any Person of any such instrument or writing may be proved by the affidavit of a witness of such execution or by a certificate of a notary public or other officer authorized by law to take acknowledgments of deeds, certifying that the individual signing such instrument or writing acknowledged to such officer the execution thereof. Where such execution is by a signer acting in a capacity other than such signer’s individual capacity, such certificate or affidavit shall also constitute sufficient proof of such signer’s authority. The fact and date of the execution of any such instrument or writing, or the authority of the Person executing the same, may also be proved in any other manner which the Trustee deems sufficient.

(c) The principal amount and serial numbers of Notes held by any Person, and the date of holding the same, shall be proved by the register kept by the Registrar.

(d) Any request, demand, authorization, direction, notice, consent, waiver or other Act of the Holder of any security shall bind every future Holder of the same security and the holder of every security issued upon the registration of transfer thereof or in exchange therefor or in lieu thereof in respect of anything done, omitted or suffered to be done by the Trustee or the Issuer in reliance thereon, whether or not notation of such action is made upon such security.

(e) If the Issuer shall solicit from the Holders any request, demand, authorization, direction, notice, consent, waiver or other Act, the Issuer may, at its option, by or pursuant to a Board Resolution, fix in advance a record date for the determination of Holders entitled to give such request, demand, authorization, direction, notice, consent, waiver or other Act, but the Issuer shall have no obligation to do so. If such a record date is fixed, such request, demand, authorization, direction, notice, consent, waiver or other Act may be given before or after such record date, but only the Holders of record at the close of business on such record date shall be deemed to be Holders for the purposes of determining whether Holders of the requisite proportion of outstanding Securities (as described in Section 2.08) have authorized or agreed or consented to such request, demand, authorization, direction, notice, consent, waiver or other Act, and for that purpose the outstanding Securities (as described in Section 2.08) shall be computed as of such record date; provided that no such authorization, agreement or consent by the Holders on such record date shall be deemed effective unless it shall become effective pursuant to the provisions of this Indenture not later than six months after the record date.

 

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ARTICLE 3

REDEMPTION

SECTION 3.01 Notices to Trustee.

If the Issuer elects to redeem Securities of any series pursuant to any optional redemption provisions thereof, it shall furnish to the Trustee at least 45 days, but not more than 60 days before a redemption date, an Officers’ Certificate which shall specify (i) the provisions of such Security or this Indenture pursuant to which the redemption shall occur, (ii) the redemption date, (iii) the principal amount of Securities of that series to be redeemed and (iv) the redemption price.

If the Issuer elects to reduce the principal amount of Securities of any series to be redeemed pursuant to mandatory redemption provisions thereof, it shall notify the Trustee of the amount of, and the basis for, any such reduction. If the Issuer elects to credit against any such mandatory redemption Securities it has not previously delivered to the Trustee for cancellation, it shall deliver such Securities with such notice.

SECTION 3.02 Selection of Securities to be Redeemed.

If less than all the Securities of any series are to be redeemed, or purchased in an offer to purchase at any time, the Trustee shall select the Securities of that series to be redeemed or purchased as follows: (1) if the Securities of such series are listed on any national securities exchange, in compliance with the requirements of the principal national securities exchange on which the Securities of that series are listed or (2) if the Securities of that series are not listed on a national securities exchange, prorate, by lot or by such other method as may be required by DTC’s procedures. In the event of a partial redemption or purchase by lot, the particular Securities to be redeemed or purchased will be selected not less than 45 nor more than 60 days prior to the redemption or purchase date by the Trustee from Securities of that series outstanding and not previously called for redemption.

The Trustee shall notify the Issuer promptly in writing of the Securities or portions of Securities to be called for redemption or purchase and, in the case of any Securities selected for partial redemption or purchase, the principal amount thereof to be redeemed or purchased. Except as otherwise provided as to any particular series of Securities, Securities and portions thereof that the Trustee selects shall be in amounts equal to the minimum authorized denomination for Securities of the series to be redeemed or purchased or any integral multiple thereof, except that if all of the Securities of the series are to be redeemed or purchased, the entire outstanding amount of the Securities of the series held by such Holder, even if not equal to the minimum authorized denomination for the Securities of that series, shall be redeemed or purchased. Provisions of this Indenture that apply to Securities called for redemption also apply to portions of Securities called for redemption. The Issuer may acquire Securities by means other than redemption, whether pursuant to an Issuer tender offer, open market purchase or otherwise provided such acquisition does not otherwise violate the other terms of this Indenture.

 

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SECTION 3.03 Notice of Redemption.

Except as otherwise provided as to any particular series of Securities, at least 30 days but not more than 60 days before a redemption date, the Issuer shall mail a notice of redemption to each Holder whose Securities are to be redeemed.

The notice shall identify the Securities of the series to be redeemed and shall state:

(1) the redemption date;

(2) the redemption price fixed in accordance with the terms of the Securities of the series to be redeemed, plus accrued interest, if any, to the date fixed for redemption (the “redemption price”);

(3) if any Security is being redeemed in part, the portion of the principal amount of such Security to be redeemed and that, after the redemption date, upon surrender of such Security, a new Security or Securities in principal amount equal to the unredeemed portion will be issued upon cancellation of the original Securities;

(4) the name and address of the Paying Agent;

(5) that Securities called for redemption must be surrendered to the Paying Agent to collect the redemption price;

(6) that, unless the Issuer defaults in payment of the redemption price, interest on Securities called for redemption ceases to accrue on and after the redemption date;

(7) the CUSIP number, if any, of the Securities to be redeemed;

(8) the paragraph of the Securities and/or the section of the Indenture pursuant to which the Securities called for redemption are being redeemed; and

(9) that no representation is made as to the correctness or accuracy of the CUSIP number, if any, listed in such notice or printed on the Securities.

At the Issuer’s request, the Trustee shall give the notice of redemption in the Issuer’s name and at its expense, provided, however, that the Issuer shall have delivered to the Trustee, at least six Business Days prior to the date on which notice is to be given, an Officers’ Certificate requesting that the Trustee give such notice and setting forth the information to be stated in such notice as provided in the preceding paragraph. The notice mailed in the manner herein provided shall be conclusively presumed to have been duly given whether or not the Holder receives such notice. In any case, failure to give such notice by mail or any defect in the notice of the Holder of any Security shall not affect the validity of the proceeding for the redemption of any other Security.

 

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SECTION 3.04 Effect of Notice of Redemption.

Subject to the subordination provisions of any series of Securities, once notice of redemption is mailed in accordance with Section 3.03 hereof, Securities called for redemption become due and payable on the redemption date for the redemption price. Upon surrender to the Paying Agent, such Securities will be paid at the redemption price.

SECTION 3.05 Deposit of Redemption Price.

On or before 10:00 a.m., New York City time, on the redemption or purchase date, the Issuer shall deposit with the Trustee or Paying Agent (or, if the Issuer or any Affiliate is the Paying Agent, shall segregate and hold in trust) money sufficient to pay the redemption or purchase price of all Securities called for redemption on that date other than Securities that have previously been delivered by the Issuer to the Trustee for cancellation. The Paying Agent shall return to the Issuer any money not required for that purpose.

If the Issuer complies with the provisions of the preceding paragraph, on and after the redemption or purchase date, interest shall cease to accrue on the Securities (or the portions thereof) called for redemption or purchase. If a Security is redeemed or purchased on or after an interest record date but on or prior to the related interest payment date, then any accrued and unpaid interest shall be paid to the Person in whose name such Securities were registered at the close of business on such record date. If any Securities called for redemption or purchase shall not be so paid upon surrender for redemption because of the failure of the Issuer to comply with the preceding paragraph, interest shall be paid on the unpaid principal, from the redemption or purchase date until such principal is paid, and to the extent lawful on any interest not paid on such unpaid principal, in each case at the rate provided in accordance with the terms of the Securities of the series to be redeemed.

SECTION 3.06 Securities Redeemed or Purchased in Part.

Upon surrender of a Security that is redeemed or purchased in part, the Issuer shall issue and the Trustee shall authenticate for the Holder at the expense of the Issuer a new Security of same series equal in principal amount to the unredeemed or unpurchased portion of the Security surrendered.

ARTICLE 4

COVENANTS

SECTION 4.01 Payment of Securities.

The Issuer shall pay or cause to be paid the principal of, premium, if any, and interest on the Securities on the dates and in the manner provided in this Indenture and the Securities. Principal, premium, if any, and interest shall be considered paid on the date due if the Paying Agent, if other than the Issuer or an Affiliate, holds as of 10:00 a.m., New York City time, on that date immediately available funds designated for and sufficient to pay all principal, premium, if any, and interest then due.

 

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To the extent lawful, the Issuer shall pay interest on overdue principal and overdue installments of interest at the rate per annum borne by the applicable series of Securities.

SECTION 4.02 Maintenance of Office or Agency.

The Issuer shall maintain in the City of Minneapolis, State of Minnesota an office or agency (which may be an office of the Trustee or an affiliate of the Trustee or Registrar) where Securities may be surrendered for registration of transfer or exchange and where notices and demands to or upon the Issuer in respect of the Securities and this Indenture may be served. The Issuer shall give prompt written notice to the Trustee of the location, and any change in the location, of such office or agency. If at any time the Issuer shall fail to maintain any such required office or agency or shall fail to furnish the Trustee with the address thereof, such presentations, surrenders, notices and demands may be made or served at the Corporate Trust Office of the Trustee.

The Issuer may also from time to time designate one or more other offices or agencies where the Securities may be presented or surrendered for any or all such purposes and may from time to time rescind such designations; provided, however, that no such designation or rescission shall in any manner relieve the Issuer of its obligation to maintain an office or agency in the City of Minneapolis, State of Minnesota for such purposes. The Issuer shall give prompt written notice to the Trustee of any such designation or rescission and of any change in the location of any such other office or agency.

The Issuer hereby designates the Corporate Trust Office of the Trustee as one such office or agency of the Issuer in accordance with Section 2.03.

SECTION 4.03 Reports.

The Issuer shall deliver to the Trustee within 15 days after it files them with the Commission copies of the annual reports and of the information, documents and other reports (or copies of such portions of any of the foregoing as the Commission may by rules and regulations prescribe) that the Issuer is required to file with the Commission pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Exchange Act; provided, however, the Issuer shall not be required to deliver to the Trustee any materials for which the Issuer has sought and received confidential treatment by the Commission. The Issuer also shall comply with the other provisions of TIA Section 314(a). For the avoidance of doubt, nothing in this Section 4.03 shall require the Issuer to file any such reports, information or documents with the Commission.

Delivery of such reports, information and documents to the Trustee is for informational purposes only and the Trustee’s receipt of such shall not constitute constructive notice of any information contained therein or determinable from information contained therein, including the Issuer’s compliance with any of its covenants hereunder (as to which the Trustee is entitled to rely exclusively on Officers’ Certificates).

SECTION 4.04 Compliance Certificate.

(a) The Issuer or any Guarantors shall deliver to the Trustee, within 90 days after the end of each fiscal year of the Issuer, an Officers’ Certificate stating that a review of the

 

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activities of the Issuer and its Subsidiaries during the preceding fiscal year (which ends December 31) has been made under the supervision of the signing Officers (one of whom shall be the principal executive officer, principal financial officer or principal accounting officer of the Issuer) with a view to determining whether the Issuer has kept, observed, performed and fulfilled its obligations under this Indenture, and further stating, as to each such Officer signing such certificate, that to the best of his or her knowledge the Issuer has kept, observed, performed and fulfilled each and every covenant contained in this Indenture and is not in default in the performance or observance of any of the terms, provisions and conditions of this Indenture (or, if a Default or Event of Default shall have occurred, describing all such Defaults or Events of Default of which he or she may have knowledge and what action the Issuer is taking or proposes to take with respect thereto) and that to the best of his or her knowledge no event has occurred and remains in existence by reason of which payments on account of the principal of or interest, if any, on the Securities is prohibited or if such event has occurred, a description of the event and what action the Issuer is taking or proposes to take with respect thereto.

(b) The Issuer shall, so long as any of the Securities are outstanding, deliver to the Trustee, forthwith upon becoming aware of any Default or Event of Default, an Officers’ Certificate specifying such Default or Event of Default and what action the Issuer is taking or proposes to take with respect thereto.

SECTION 4.05 Taxes.

The Issuer shall pay prior to delinquency, all material taxes, assessments and governmental levies except such as are contested in good faith by appropriate proceedings or where the failure to effect such payment is not adverse in any material respect to the Holders of any Securities.

SECTION 4.06 Stay, Extension and Usury Laws.

The Issuer and any Guarantors covenant (to the extent that it may lawfully do so) that they shall not at any time insist upon, plead, or in any manner whatsoever claim or take the benefit or advantage of, any stay, extension or usury law wherever enacted, now or at any time hereafter in force, that may affect the covenants or the performance of this Indenture; and the Issuer and each Guarantor (to the extent that they may lawfully do so) hereby expressly waive all benefits or advantages of any such law, and covenant that they shall not, by resort to any such law, hinder, delay or impede the execution of any power herein granted to the Trustee, but shall suffer and permit the execution of every such power as though no such law has been enacted.

SECTION 4.07 Maintenance of Properties; Insurance; Compliance with Law.

(a) The Issuer shall, and shall cause each of its Subsidiaries to, at all times cause all properties used or useful in the conduct of their business to be maintained and kept in good condition, repair and working order (reasonable wear and tear excepted) and supplied with all necessary equipment, and shall cause to be made all necessary repairs, renewals, replacements, necessary betterments and necessary improvements thereto.

(b) The Issuer shall maintain, and shall cause to be maintained for each of its Subsidiaries, insurance covering such risks as are usually and customarily insured against by

 

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corporations similarly situated in the markets where the Issuer and the Subsidiaries conduct homebuilding operations, in such amounts as shall be customary for corporations similarly situated and with such deductibles and by such methods as shall be customary and reasonably consistent with past practice.

(c) The Issuer shall, and shall cause each of its Subsidiaries to, comply with all statutes, laws, ordinances or government rules and regulations to which they are subject, non-compliance with which would materially adversely affect the business, earnings, properties, assets or financial condition of the Issuer and their Subsidiaries taken as a whole.

SECTION 4.08 Payments for Consent.

The Issuer shall not, and shall not cause or permit any of its Subsidiaries to, directly or indirectly, pay or cause to be paid any consideration, whether by way of interest, fee or otherwise, to any Holder of any Securities for or as an inducement to any consent, waiver or amendment of any of the terms or provisions of this Indenture or the Securities unless such consideration is offered to be paid or agreed to be paid to all Holders which so consent, waive or agree to amend in the time frame set forth in solicitation documents relating to such consent, waiver or agreement.

SECTION 4.09 Legal Existence.

Subject to Article Five, the Issuer shall do or cause to be done all things necessary to preserve and keep in full force and effect (i) its legal existence, and the corporate, partnership or other existence of each Subsidiary, in accordance with the respective organizational documents (as the same may be amended from time to time) of each Subsidiary and the rights (charter and statutory), licenses and franchises of the Issuer and its Subsidiaries; provided that the Issuer shall not be required to preserve any such right, license or franchise, or the corporate, partnership or other existence of any of its Subsidiaries if the Board of Directors of the Issuer shall determine that the preservation thereof is no longer desirable in the conduct of the business of the Issuer and its Subsidiaries, taken as a whole, and that the loss thereof is not adverse in any material respect to the Holders.

ARTICLE 5

SUCCESSORS

SECTION 5.01 When The Issuer May Merge, Etc.

In addition to provisions applicable to a particular series of Securities, the Issuer shall not directly or indirectly: (i) consolidate or merge with or into another Person (whether or not the Issuer is the surviving Person), or (ii) sell, lease, assign, transfer, convey or otherwise dispose of all or substantially all of the properties or assets of the Issuer and its Subsidiaries in one or more related transactions to any Person unless:

(1) either:

(a) the Issuer is the surviving Person; or

 

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(b) the Person formed by or surviving any such consolidation or merger (if other than the Issuer) or to which such sale, lease, assignment, transfer, conveyance or other disposition shall have been made assumes (by supplemental indenture reasonably satisfactory to the Trustee) all the obligations of the Issuer under the Securities and this Indenture;

and

(2) immediately after the transaction no Default or Event of Default exists.

The Issuer shall deliver to the Trustee on or prior to the consummation of a transaction proposal pursuant to clause 1(b) above an Officers’ Certificate to the foregoing effect and an Opinion of Counsel stating that the proposed transaction and such supplemental indenture comply with this Indenture and constitute the legal, valid and binding obligations of the issuer, enforceable against it in accordance with its terms.

SECTION 5.02 Successor Person Substituted.

Upon any consolidation or merger, or any sale, assignment, transfer, conveyance or other disposition (other than by lease) of all or substantially all of the assets of the Issuer in accordance with Section 5.01 hereof, the successor Person formed by such consolidation or into which the Issuer is merged or to which such sale, assignment, transfer, conveyance or other disposition is made shall succeed to, and be substituted for (so that from and after the date of such consolidation, merger, sale, conveyance or other disposition, the provisions of this Indenture referring to the “Issuer” shall refer instead to the successor Person and not to the Issuer), and may exercise every right and power of, the Issuer under this Indenture with the same effect as if such successor Person had been named as the Issuer herein; provided, however, that the predecessor Issuer shall not be relieved from the obligation to pay principal of, and interest on, any Securities except in the case of a sale, assignment, transfer, conveyance or other disposition of all of the Issuer’s assets that meets the requirements of Section 5.01 hereof.

ARTICLE 6

DEFAULTS AND REMEDIES

SECTION 6.01 Events of Default.

Unless as otherwise provided in the establishing Board Resolution, Officers’ Certificate or supplemental indenture hereto, an “Event of Default” occurs with respect to Securities of any particular series if:

(1) the Issuer defaults in the payment of interest on any Security of that series when the same becomes due and payable and the Default continues for a period of 30 days;

(2) the Issuer defaults in the payment, when due, of the principal of, or premium, if any, on any Security of that series when the same becomes due and payable at maturity, upon redemption (including in connection with any offer to purchase under the terms of such Securities) or otherwise;

 

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(3) an Event of Default, as defined in the Securities of that series, occurs and is continuing, or the Issuer fails to comply with any of its other agreements in the Securities of that series or in this Indenture with respect to that series and the Default continues for the period and after the notice specified below;

(4) the Issuer pursuant to or within the meaning of any Bankruptcy Law:

(A) commences a voluntary case;

(B) consents to the entry of an order for relief against it in an involuntary case;

(C) consents to the appointment of a Custodian of it or for all or substantially all of its property;

(D) makes a general assignment for the benefit of its creditors; or

(E) admits in writing its inability generally to pay its debts as the same become due.

(5) a court of competent jurisdiction enters an order or decree under any Bankruptcy Law that:

(A) is for relief against the Issuer in an involuntary case;

(B) appoints a Custodian of the Issuer or for all or substantially all of its property; or

(C) orders the liquidation of the Issuer; and the order or decree remains unstayed and in effect for 60 days.

(6) any other Event of Default provided with respect to Securities of that series which is specified in a Board Resolution, Officers’ Certificate or supplemental indenture establishing that series of Securities.

The term “Bankruptcy Law” means Title 11, U.S. Code or any similar federal or state law for the relief of debtors. The term “Custodian” means any receiver, trustee, assignee, liquidator or similar official under any Bankruptcy Law.

A Default under clause (3) above is not an Event of Default with respect to a particular series of Securities until the Trustee or the Holders of at least 25% in principal amount of the then outstanding Securities of that series notify the Issuer of the Default and the Issuer does not cure the Default within 60 days after receipt of the notice. The notice must specify the Default, demand that it be remedied and state that the notice is a “Notice of Default.” Such notice shall be given by the Trustee if so requested in writing by the Holders of 25% of the principal amount of the then outstanding Securities of that series.

 

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SECTION 6.02 Acceleration.

If an Event of Default with respect to Securities of any series (other than an Event of Default specified in clauses (4) and (5) of Section 6.01) occurs and is continuing, the Trustee by written notice to the Issuer, or the Holders of at least 25% in principal amount of the then outstanding Securities of that series by written notice to the Issuer and the Trustee, may, subject to any prior notice requirements set forth in any supplemental indenture, declare the unpaid principal of and any accrued interest on all the Securities of that series to be due and payable on the Securities of that series. Upon such declaration the principal (or such lesser amount) and interest shall be due and payable immediately. If an Event of Default specified in clause (4) or (5) of Section 6.01 occurs, all of such amount shall become and be immediately due and payable without any declaration or other act on the part of the Trustee or any Holder. The Holders of a majority in principal amount of the then outstanding Securities of that series by written notice to the Trustee may rescind an acceleration and its consequences if the rescission would not conflict with any judgment or decree and if all existing Events of Default with respect to that series have been cured or waived except nonpayment of principal (or such lesser amount) or interest that has become due solely because of the acceleration.

SECTION 6.03 Other Remedies.

If an Event of Default with respect to Securities of any series occurs and is continuing, the Trustee may pursue any available remedy to collect the payment of principal or interest on the Securities of that series or to enforce the performance of any provision of the Securities of that series or this Indenture.

The Trustee may maintain a proceeding even if it does not possess any of the Securities or does not produce any of them in the proceeding. A delay or omission by the Trustee or any Securityholder in exercising any right or remedy accruing upon an Event of Default shall not impair the right or remedy or constitute a waiver of or acquiescence in the Event of Default. All remedies are cumulative to the extent permitted by law.

SECTION 6.04 Waiver of Past Defaults.

Subject to Sections 6.02, 6.08 and 9.02, the Holders of not less than a majority in aggregate principal amount of the then outstanding Securities of any series, by notice to the Trustee, may on behalf of the Holders of the Securities of that series, waive an existing Default or Event of Default with respect to that series and its consequences except a continuing Default or Event of Default in the payment of the principal (including any mandatory sinking fund or like payment) of, premium, if any, or interest on any Security of that series (including in connection with an offer to purchase); provided, however, that the Holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of the outstanding Securities of any series may rescind an acceleration and its consequences, including any related payment default that resulted from such acceleration and its consequences. Upon any such waiver, such Default shall cease to exist, and any Event of Default arising therefrom shall be deemed to have been cured for every purpose of this Indenture; but no such waiver shall extend to any subsequent or other Default or impair any right consequent thereon.

 

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SECTION 6.05 Control by Majority.

The Holders of a majority in principal amount of the then outstanding Securities of any series may direct the time, method and place of conducting any proceeding for exercising any remedy with respect to that series available to the Trustee or exercising any trust or power conferred on it. However, the Trustee may refuse to follow any direction that conflicts with law or this Indenture, that the Trustee determines may be unduly prejudicial to the rights of other Holders of Securities of that series, or that may involve the Trustee in personal liability. The Trustee may take any other action which it deems proper that is not inconsistent with any such direction. Notwithstanding any provision to the contrary in this Indenture, the Trustee shall not be obligated to take any action with respect to the provisions of the Section 6.02 unless directed to do so pursuant to this Section 6.05.

SECTION 6.06 Limitation on Suits.

A Holder of Securities of any series may not pursue a remedy with respect to this Indenture or the Securities unless:

(1) the Holder gives to the Trustee written notice of a continuing Event of Default with respect to that series;

(2) the Holders of at least 25% in principal amount of the then outstanding Securities of that series make a written request to the Trustee to pursue the remedy;

(3) such Holder or Holders offer, and, if requested, provide to the Trustee indemnity satisfactory to the Trustee against any loss, liability or expense;

(4) the Trustee does not comply with the request within 60 days after receipt of the request and the offer and, if requested, the provision of indemnity; and

(5) during such 60-day period the Holders of a majority in principal amount of the then outstanding Securities of that series do not give the Trustee a direction inconsistent with the request.

No Holder of any series of Securities may use this Indenture to prejudice the rights of another Holder of Securities of that series or to obtain a preference or priority over another Holder of Securities of that series.

SECTION 6.07 No Personal Liability of Directors, Officers, Employees and Stockholders.

No director, officer, employee, incorporator or stockholder of the Issuer will have any liability for any obligations of the Issuer under the Securities or this Indenture or of any Guarantor under any guarantee of any Security or this Indenture or for any claim based on, in respect of, or by reason of, such obligations or their creation. Each Holder by accepting a Security waives and releases all such liability. The waiver and release are part of the consideration for issuance of the Securities and any related Security guarantees.

 

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SECTION 6.08 Rights of Holders to Receive Payment.

Notwithstanding any other provision of this Indenture, the right of any Holder of a Security to receive payment of principal, premium, if any, and interest on the Security, on or after the respective due dates expressed in the Security (including in connection with any offer to purchase), or to bring suit for the enforcement of any such payment on or after such respective dates, shall not, except as provided in the subordination provisions, if any, applicable to such Security, be impaired or affected without the consent of the Holder.

SECTION 6.09 Collection Suit by Trustee.

If an Event of Default specified in Section 6.01(1) or (2) hereof occurs and is continuing with respect to Securities of any series, the Trustee may recover judgment in its own name and as trustee of an express trust against the Issuer for the whole amount of principal (or such portion of the principal as may be specified as due upon acceleration at that time in the terms of that series of Securities), premium, if any, and interest, remaining unpaid on the Securities of that series then outstanding, together with (to the extent lawful) interest on overdue principal and interest, and such further amount as shall be sufficient to cover the costs and, to the extent lawful, expenses of collection, including the reasonable compensation, expenses, disbursements and advances of the Trustee, its agents and counsel and any other amounts due the Trustee under Section 7.07 hereof.

SECTION 6.10 Trustee May File Proofs of Claim.

The Trustee may file such proofs of claim and other papers or documents as may be necessary or advisable in order to have the claims of the Trustee (including any claim for the reasonable compensation, expenses, disbursements and advances of the Trustee, its agents and counsel and any other amounts due to the Trustee under Section 7.07 hereof) and the Securityholders allowed in any judicial proceedings relative to the Issuer (or any other obligor on the Securities), its creditors or its property and shall be entitled to and empowered to collect, receive and distribute any money or other property payable or deliverable on any such claims, and any custodian in any such judicial proceedings is hereby authorized by each Holder to make such payments to the Trustee and, in the event that the Trustee shall consent to the making of such payments directly to the Holders, to pay to the Trustee any amount due to it for the reasonable compensation, expenses, disbursements and advances of the Trustee, its agent and counsel, and any other amounts due the Trustee under Section 7.07 hereof. Nothing contained herein shall be deemed to authorize the Trustee to authorize or consent to or accept or adopt on behalf of any Securityholder any plan of reorganization, arrangement, adjustment or composition affecting the Securities or the rights of any Holder thereof, or to authorize the Trustee to vote in respect of the claim of any Securityholder in any such proceeding.

SECTION 6.11 Priorities.

If the Trustee collects any money with respect to Securities of any series pursuant to this Article, it shall pay out the money in the following order:

First: to the Trustee, its agents and attorneys for amounts due under Section 7.07 hereof, including payment of all compensation, expense and liabilities incurred, and all advances made, by the Trustee and the costs and expenses of collection;

 

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Second: in accordance with the subordination provisions, if any, of the Securities of such series;

Third: to Securityholders for amounts due and unpaid on the Securities of such series for principal, premium, if any, and interest, ratably, without preference or priority of any kind, according to the amounts due and payable on the Securities of such series for principal, premium, if any, and interest, respectively; and

Fourth: to the Issuer or to such party as a court of competent jurisdiction shall direct.

The Trustee may fix a record date and payment date for any payment to Holders of Securities of any series pursuant to this Section. The Trustee shall notify the Issuer in writing reasonably in advance of any such record date and payment date.

SECTION 6.12 Undertaking for Costs.

In any suit for the enforcement of any right or remedy under this Indenture or in any suit against the Trustee for any action taken or omitted by it as a Trustee, a court in its discretion may require the filing by any party litigant in the suit of an undertaking to pay the costs of the suit, and the court in its discretion may assess reasonable costs, including reasonable attorneys’ fees and expenses, against any party litigant in the suit, having due regard to the merits and good faith of the claims or defense made by the party litigant. This Section does not apply to a suit by the Trustee, a suit by a Holder pursuant to Section 6.08 hereof or a suit by Holders of more than 10% in principal amount of the then outstanding Securities of any series.

ARTICLE 7

TRUSTEE

SECTION 7.01 Duties of Trustee.

(a) If an Event of Default has occurred and is continuing, the Trustee shall exercise such of the rights and powers vested in it by this Indenture, and use the same degree of care and skill in their exercise, as a prudent person would exercise or use under the circumstances in the conduct of his or her own affairs.

(b) Except during the continuance of an Event of Default known to the Trustee:

(i) the duties of the Trustee shall be determined solely by the express provisions of this Indenture or the TIA and the Trustee need perform only those duties that are specifically set forth in this Indenture or the TIA and no others, and no implied covenants or obligations shall be read into this Indenture against the Trustee; and

 

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(ii) in the absence of bad faith on its part, the Trustee may conclusively rely, as to the truth of the statements and the correctness of the opinions expressed therein, upon certificates or opinions furnished to the Trustee and conforming to the requirements of this Indenture. However, in the case of any certificates or opinions which by any provision hereof are specifically required to be furnished to the Trustee, the Trustee shall examine the certificates and opinions to determine whether or not they conform to the requirements of this Indenture (but need not confirm or investigate the accuracy of mathematical calculations or other facts stated therein).

(c) The Trustee may not be relieved from liabilities for its own negligent action, its own negligent failure to act, or its own willful misconduct, except that:

(i) this paragraph does not limit the effect of paragraph (b) of this Section;

(ii) the Trustee shall not be liable for any error of judgment made in good faith by a responsible officer of the Trustee, unless it is proved that the Trustee was negligent in ascertaining the pertinent facts; and

(iii) the Trustee shall not be liable with respect to any action it takes or omits to take in good faith in accordance with a direction received by it pursuant to Section 6.05 hereof.

(d) Whether or not therein expressly so provided, every provision of this Indenture that in any way relates to the Trustee is subject to paragraphs (a), (b) and (c) of this Section.

(e) No provision of this Indenture shall require the Trustee to expend or risk its own funds or incur any liability. The Trustee may refuse to perform any duty or exercise any right or power, including without limitation, the provisions of Section 6.05 hereof, unless it receives security and indemnity satisfactory to it against any loss, liability or expense.

(f) The Trustee shall not be liable for interest on any money received by it except as the Trustee may agree in writing with the Issuer. Absent written instruction from the Issuer, the Trustee shall not be required to invest any such money. Money held in trust by the Trustee need not be segregated from other funds except to the extent required by law.

(g) In no event shall the Trustee be responsible or liable for special, indirect, punitive or consequential loss or damage of any kind whatsoever (including, but not limited to, loss of profit) irrespective of whether the Trustee has been advised of the likelihood of such loss or damage and regardless of the form of action.

SECTION 7.02 Rights of Trustee.

Subject to TIA Section 315(a) through (d) and Section 7.01 of this Indenture:

(a) The Trustee may conclusively rely on any document believed by it to be genuine and to have been signed or presented by the proper person. The Trustee shall not be bound to make any investigation into the facts or matters stated in any resolution, certificate, statement, instrument, opinion, report, notice, request, direction, consent, order, bond, debenture, note, other evidence of indebtedness or other paper or document, but the Trustee, in its discretion, may make such further inquiry or investigation into such facts or matters as it may see fit.

 

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(b) Before the Trustee acts or refrains from acting, it shall be entitled to receive an Officers’ Certificate and an Opinion of Counsel. The Trustee shall not be liable for any action it takes or omits to take in good faith in reliance on such Officers’ Certificate or Opinion of Counsel.

(c) The Trustee may act through agents and shall not be responsible for the misconduct or negligence of any agent appointed with due care.

(d) The Trustee shall not be liable for any action it takes or omits to take in good faith which it believes to be authorized or within its rights or powers under the Indenture, unless the Trustee’s conduct constitutes negligence.

(e) Unless otherwise specifically provided in this Indenture, any demand, request, direction or notice from the Issuer shall be sufficient if signed by an Officer of the Issuer.

(f) The Trustee may consult with counsel of its selection and may rely upon the advice of such counsel or any Opinion of Counsel.

(g) The Trustee shall not be deemed to have notice of any Default or Event of Default unless a Trust Officer of the Trustee has actual knowledge thereof or unless written notice of any event that is in fact such a default is received by the Trustee at the Corporate Trust Office of the Trustee, and such notice references the Securities generally or the Securities of a particular series, as the case may be, and this Indenture;

(h) The permissive rights of the Trustee to do things enumerated in this Indenture shall not be construed as duties.

(i) any request or direction of the Company mentioned herein shall be sufficiently evidenced by an Issuer Order.

(j) the rights, privileges, protections, immunities and benefits given to the Trustee, including, without limitation, its right to be indemnified, are extended to, and shall be enforceable by, the Trustee in each of its capacities hereunder, and each agent, custodian and other Person employed to act hereunder.

(k) the Trustee shall be under no obligation to exercise any of the rights or powers vested in it by this Indenture at the request or direction of any of the Holders pursuant to this Indenture, unless such Holders shall have offered to the Trustee security or indemnity satisfactory to the Trustee against the costs, expenses and liabilities which might be incurred by it in compliance with such request or direction.

SECTION 7.03 Individual Rights of Trustee.

The Trustee in its individual or any other capacity may become the owner or pledgee of Securities and may otherwise deal with the Issuer or an Affiliate with the same rights it would have if it were not Trustee. Any Agent may do the same with like rights. However, the Trustee is subject to TIA Sections 310(b) and 311.

SECTION 7.04 Trustee’s Disclaimer.

The Trustee makes no representation as to the validity or adequacy of this Indenture or the Securities, it shall not be accountable for the Issuer’s use of the proceeds from the Securities, and it shall not be responsible for any statement in the Securities other than its certificate of authentication.

SECTION 7.05 Notice of Defaults.

If as described in Section 7.02 (g) hereof a Default or Event of Default with respect to the Securities of any series occurs and is continuing and if it is actually known to the Trustee, the Trustee shall mail to all Holders of Securities of that series a notice of the Default or Event of Default within 90 days after it occurs. Except in the case of a Default or Event of Default in payment on any such Security, the Trustee may withhold the notice if and so long as the Trustee in good faith determines that withholding the notice is in the interests of such Securityholders.

 

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SECTION 7.06 Reports by Trustee to Holders.

Within 60 days after January 1 of any year (commencing January 1, 2013), the Trustee with respect to any series of Securities shall mail to Holders of Securities of that series as provided in TIA Section 313(c) a brief report dated as of such January 1 that complies with TIA Section 313(a) (if such report is required by TIA Section 313(a)). The Trustee shall also comply with TIA Section 313(b)(2).

A copy of each report at the time of its mailing to Securityholders shall be mailed to the Issuer and filed with the Commission and each stock exchange on which any of the Securities are listed, as required by TIA Section 313(d). The Issuer shall notify the Trustee when the Securities are listed on any stock exchange, and of any delisting thereof.

SECTION 7.07 Compensation and Indemnity.

The Issuer shall pay to the Trustee from time to time such compensation as shall be agreed upon in writing for its services hereunder (which compensation shall not be limited by any provision of law in regard to compensation of a trustee of an express trust). The Issuer shall reimburse the Trustee upon written request for all reasonable out-of-pocket expenses incurred by it. Such expenses shall include the reasonable compensation and out-of-pocket expenses of the Trustee’s agents and counsel.

The Issuer shall indemnify and hold harmless each of the Trustee or any predecessor Trustee and each of their directors, officers, employees and agents for any loss, liability, damage, claims or expenses, including taxes (other than taxes based upon, measured by or determined by the income of the Trustee) incurred by it, without negligence or willful misconduct on its part, in connection with the acceptance or administration of this Indenture and its duties hereunder including the costs of defending itself against any claim (whether asserted by the Company or any Holder or any other Person) or in connection with enforcing the provisions of this Section. The Trustee shall notify the Issuer promptly of any claim for which it may seek indemnity. The Trustee may have separate counsel and the Issuer shall pay the reasonable fees and expenses of such counsel. The Issuer need not pay for any settlement made without its consent.

Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Issuer and the Guarantors need not reimburse the Trustee for any expense or indemnify it against any loss or liability incurred by the Trustee through its negligence or willful misconduct. To secure the Issuer’s payment obligations in this Section, the Trustee shall have a lien prior to the Securities on all money or property held or collected by the Trustee in its capacity as Trustee, except money or property held in trust to pay principal and interest on particular Securities. Such lien will survive the satisfaction and discharge of this Indenture and the resignation or removal of the Trustee. If the Trustee incurs expenses or renders services after an Event of Default specified in Section 6.01(4) or (5) hereof occurs, the expenses and the compensation for the services will be intended to constitute expenses of administration under any applicable Bankruptcy Law.

This Section 7.07 shall survive the resignation or renewal of the Trustee and the termination of this Indenture.

 

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SECTION 7.08 Replacement of Trustee.

A resignation or removal of the Trustee with respect to one or more or all series of Securities and appointment of a successor Trustee shall become effective only upon the successor Trustee’s acceptance of appointment as provided in this Section.

The Trustee may resign at any time with respect to one or more or all series of Securities by so notifying the Issuer in writing. The Holders of a majority in principal amount of the then outstanding Securities of any series may remove the Trustee as to that series by so notifying the Trustee in writing and may appoint a successor Trustee with the Issuer’s consent. The Issuer may remove the Trustee with respect to one or more or all series of Securities if:

 

  (1) the Trustee fails to comply with Section 7.10 hereof;

 

  (2) the Trustee is adjudged a bankrupt or an insolvent;

 

  (3) a receiver or other public officer takes charge of the Trustee or its property; or

 

  (4) the Trustee becomes incapable of acting.

If, as to any series of Securities, the Trustee resigns or is removed or if a vacancy exists in the office of Trustee for any reason, the Issuer shall promptly appoint a successor Trustee for that series. Within one year after the successor Trustee with respect to any series takes office, the Holders of a majority in principal amount of the then outstanding Securities of that series may appoint a successor Trustee to replace the successor Trustee appointed by the Issuer. If a successor Trustee as to a particular series does not take office within 60 days after the retiring Trustee resigns or is removed, the retiring Trustee, the Issuer or the Holders of at least 10% in principal amount of the then outstanding Securities of that series may petition any court of competent jurisdiction for the appointment of a successor Trustee.

If the Trustee fails to comply with Section 7.10 hereof with respect to any series, any Holder of Securities of that series who satisfies the requirements of TIA Section 310(b) may petition any court of competent jurisdiction for the removal of the Trustee and the appointment of a successor Trustee for that series.

A successor Trustee as to any series of Securities shall deliver a written acceptance of its appointment to the retiring Trustee and to the Issuer. Immediately after that, the retiring Trustee shall promptly transfer all property held by it as Trustee to the successor Trustee (subject to the lien provided for in Section 7.07 hereof), the resignation or removal of the retiring Trustee shall become effective, and the successor Trustee shall have all the rights, powers and duties of the Trustee under this Indenture as to that series. The successor Trustee shall mail a notice of its succession to the Holders of Securities of that series.

Notwithstanding replacement of the Trustee pursuant to this Section 7.08, the Issuer’s obligations under Section 7.07 hereof shall continue for the benefit of the retiring trustee.

 

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In case of the appointment hereunder of a successor Trustee with respect to the Securities of one or more (but not all) series, the Issuer, the retiring Trustee and each successor Trustee with respect to the Securities of one or more series shall execute and deliver an indenture supplemental hereto or any such other documentation as the retiring Trustee shall require wherein each successor Trustee shall accept such appointment and that (1) shall contain such provisions as shall be necessary or desirable to transfer and confirm to, and to vest in, each successor Trustee all the rights, powers, trusts and duties of the retiring Trustee with respect to the Securities of that or those series to which the appointment of such successor Trustee relates, (2) shall contain such provisions as shall be necessary or desirable to confirm that all the rights, powers, trusts and duties of the retiring Trustee with respect to the Securities of that or those series as to which the retiring Trustee is not retiring shall continue to be vested in the retiring Trustee, and (3) shall add to or change any of the provisions of this Indenture as shall be necessary or desirable to provide for or facilitate the administration of the trusts hereunder by more than one Trustee; provided, however, that nothing herein or in such supplemental Indenture shall constitute such Trustee co-trustees of the same trust and that each such Trustee shall be trustee of a trust hereunder separate and apart from any trust hereunder administered by any other such Trustee.

Upon the execution and delivery of such supplemental Indenture the resignation or removal of the retiring Trustee shall become effective to the extent provided therein and each such successor Trustee, without any further act, deed or conveyance, shall become vested with all the rights, powers, trusts and duties of the retiring Trustee with respect to the Securities of that or those series to which the appointment of such successor Trustee relates.

SECTION 7.09 Successor Trustee by Merger, Etc.

If the Trustee as to any series of Securities consolidates, merges or converts into, or transfers all or substantially all of its corporate trust business to, another corporation, the successor corporation without any further act shall be the successor Trustee as to that series.

SECTION 7.10 Eligibility; Disqualification.

Each series of Securities shall always have a Trustee who satisfies the requirements of TIA Section 310(a)(1) and (2). The Trustee as to any series of Securities shall always have a combined capital and surplus of at least $100,000,000 as set forth in its most recent published annual report of condition. The Trustee is subject to TIA Section 310(b), including the provision in Section 310(b)(1).

SECTION 7.11 Preferential Collection of Claims Against the Issuer.

The Trustee shall comply with TIA Section 311(a), excluding any creditor relationship listed in TIA Section 311(b). A Trustee who has resigned or been removed shall be subject to TIA Section 311(a) to the extent indicated therein.

SECTION 7.12 Paying Agents.

The Issuer shall cause each Paying Agent other than the Trustee to execute and deliver to it and the Trustee an instrument in which such agent shall agree with the Trustee, subject to the provisions of this Section 7.12:

(a) that it will hold all sums held by it as agent for the payment of principal of, or premium, if any, or interest on, the Securities (whether such sums have been paid to it by the Issuer or by any obligor on the Securities) in trust for the benefit of Holders or the Trustee;

 

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(b) that it will at any time during the continuance of any Event of Default, upon written request from the Trustee, deliver to the Trustee all sums so held in trust by it together with a full accounting thereof; and

(c) that it will give the Trustee written notice within three (3) Business Days of any failure of the Issuer (or by any obligor on the Securities) in the payment of any installment of the principal of, premium, if any, or interest on, the Securities when the same shall be due and payable.

ARTICLE 8

SATISFACTION AND DISCHARGE; DEFEASANCE

SECTION 8.01 Satisfaction and Discharge.

This Indenture will be discharged and will cease to be of further effect with respect to any series of Securities issued hereunder, when either:

(1) all Securities of such series that have been authenticated (except lost, stolen or destroyed Securities that have been replaced or paid and Securities for whose payment money has theretofore been deposited in trust and thereafter repaid to the Issuer) have been delivered to the Trustee for cancellation; or

(2) (a) all Securities of such series that have not been delivered to the Trustee for cancellation have become due and payable by reason of the making of a notice of redemption or otherwise or will become due and payable within one year and the Issuer or any Guarantor has irrevocably deposited or caused to be deposited with the Trustee as trust funds in trust solely for the benefit of the Holders, cash in U.S. dollars, non-callable U.S. Government Obligations, or a combination thereof, in such amounts as will be sufficient without consideration of any reinvestment of interest, to pay and discharge the entire indebtedness on the Securities not delivered to the Trustee for cancellation for principal, premium and accrued interest to the date of maturity or redemption,

(b) no Default or Event of Default with respect to such series of Securities shall have occurred and be continuing on the date of such deposit or shall occur as a result of such deposit and such deposit will not result in a breach or violation of, or constitute a default under, any other material instrument to which the Issuer or any Guarantor is a party to or by which the Issuer or any Guarantor is bound;

(c) the Issuer or any Guarantor has paid or caused to be paid all sums payable by it under this Indenture with respect to such series of Securities; and

 

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(d) the Issuer has delivered irrevocable instructions to the Trustee under this Indenture to apply the deposited money toward the payment of the Securities of such series at maturity or the redemption date, as the case may be.

In addition, the Issuer must deliver an Officers’ Certificate and an Opinion of Counsel to the Trustee stating that all conditions precedent to satisfaction and discharge have been satisfied.

Notwithstanding, the satisfaction and discharge of this Indenture with respect to a series of Securities, if money shall have been deposited with the Trustee pursuant to subclause (a) of clause (2) of this Section, the provisions of Section 8.06 shall survive.

SECTION 8.02 Option to Effect Legal Defeasance or Covenant Defeasance.

Unless Section 8.03 or 8.04 is otherwise specified to be inapplicable to Securities of a series, the Issuer may, at the option of its Board of Directors evidenced by a resolution set forth in an Officers’ Certificate, at any time, elect to have either Section 8.03 or 8.04 hereof be applied to all outstanding Securities of any such series upon compliance with the conditions set forth below in this Article Eight.

SECTION 8.03 Legal Defeasance and Discharge.

Upon the Issuer’s exercise under Section 8.02 hereof of the option applicable to this Section 8.03, the Issuer and any Guarantor shall, subject to the satisfaction of the conditions set forth in Section 8.05 hereof, be deemed to have been discharged from their respective obligations with respect to all outstanding Securities of any series on the date the conditions set forth below are satisfied (hereinafter, “Legal Defeasance”). For this purpose, Legal Defeasance means that the Issuer and any Guarantor shall be deemed to have paid and discharged the entire Indebtedness represented by the outstanding Securities of a series, which shall thereafter be deemed to be “outstanding” only for the purposes of Section 8.06 hereof and the other Sections of this Indenture referred to in (a) and (b) below, and to have satisfied all its other obligations under such Securities and this Indenture (and the Trustee, on demand of and at the expense of the Issuer, shall execute proper instruments acknowledging the same), except for the following provisions which shall survive until otherwise terminated or discharged hereunder: (a) the rights of Holders of outstanding Securities to receive solely from the trust fund described in Section 8.05 hereof, and as more fully set forth in such Section, payments in respect of the principal of, premium and interest on such Securities when such payments are due, (b) the Issuer’s obligations with respect to such Securities under Article 2 and Section 4.03 hereof, (c) the rights, powers, trusts, duties and immunities of the Trustee hereunder and the Issuer’s or any Guarantors’ obligations in connection therewith and (d) this Article Eight. Subject to compliance with this Article Eight, the Issuer may exercise its option under this Section 8.03 notwithstanding the prior exercise of its option under Section 8.04 hereof.

SECTION 8.04 Covenant Defeasance.

Upon the Issuer’s exercise under Section 8.02 hereof of the option applicable to this Section 8.04, the Issuer or any Guarantors shall, subject to the satisfaction of the conditions set forth in Section 8.05 hereof, be released from their respective obligations under the covenants contained in Sections 4.03, 4.04, 4.05, 4.06, 4.07 and 4.08, and Section 5.01 hereof with respect to the outstanding

 

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Securities of any series on and after the date the conditions set forth in Section 8.05 are satisfied (hereinafter, “Covenant Defeasance”), and the Securities of such series shall thereafter be deemed not “outstanding” for the purposes of any direction, waiver, consent or declaration or act of Holders (and the consequences of any thereof) in connection with such covenants, but shall continue to be deemed “outstanding” for all other purposes hereunder (it being understood that such Securities shall not be deemed outstanding for accounting purposes). For this purpose, Covenant Defeasance means that, with respect to the outstanding Securities of any series, the Issuer or any Guarantors may omit to comply with and shall have no liability in respect of any term, condition or limitation set forth in any such covenant, whether directly or indirectly, by reason of any reference elsewhere herein to any such covenant or by reason of any reference in any such covenant to any other provision herein or in any other document and such omission to comply shall not constitute a Default or an Event of Default under Section 6.01 hereof, but, except as specified above, the remainder of this Indenture and such Securities shall be unaffected thereby. In addition, upon the Issuer’s exercise under Section 8.02 hereof of the option applicable to this Section 8.04 hereof, subject to the satisfaction of the conditions set forth in Section 8.05 hereof, Sections 6.01(3) through 6.01(6) hereof shall not constitute Events of Default.

SECTION 8.05 Conditions to Legal or Covenant Defeasance.

The following shall be the conditions to the application of either Section 8.03 or 8.04 hereof to the outstanding Securities of any series. In order to exercise either Legal Defeasance or Covenant Defeasance:

(a) the Issuer must irrevocably deposit with the Trustee, in trust, for the benefit of the Holders, cash in United States dollars, non-callable U.S. Government Obligations, or a combination thereof, in such amounts as will be sufficient, in the opinion of a nationally recognized firm of independent public accountants, to pay the principal of, premium and interest on the outstanding Securities on the stated date for payment thereof or on the applicable redemption date, as the case may be;

(b) in the case of an election under Section 8.03 hereof, the Issuer shall have delivered to the Trustee an Opinion of Counsel in the United States reasonably acceptable to the Trustee confirming that (A) the Issuer has received from, or there has been published by, the Internal Revenue Service a ruling or (B) since the date hereof, there has been a change in the applicable federal income tax law, in either case to the effect that, and based thereon such Opinion of Counsel shall confirm that, the Holders of the outstanding Securities will not recognize income, gain or loss for federal income tax purposes as a result of such Legal Defeasance and will be subject to federal income tax on the same amounts, in the same manner and at the same times as would have been the case if such Legal Defeasance had not occurred;

(c) in the case of an election under Section 8.04 hereof, the Issuer shall have delivered to the Trustee an Opinion of Counsel in the United States reasonably acceptable to the Trustee confirming that the Holders of the outstanding Securities will not recognize income, gain or loss for federal income tax purposes as a result of such Covenant Defeasance and will be subject to federal income tax on the same amounts, in the same manner and at the same times as would have been the case if such Covenant Defeasance had not occurred;

 

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(d) no Default or Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing on the date of such deposit (other than a Default or Event of Default resulting from the incurrence of Indebtedness all or a portion of the proceeds of which will be used to defease the Securities pursuant to this Article Eight concurrently with such incurrence) or insofar as Sections 6.01(4) or 6.01(5) hereof is concerned, at any time in the period ending on the 91st day after the date of deposit;

(e) such Legal Defeasance or Covenant Defeasance shall not result in a breach or violation of, or constitute a default under, any material agreement or instrument (other than this Indenture) to which the Issuer or any of its Subsidiaries is a party or by which the Issuer or any of its Subsidiaries is bound;

(f) the Issuer shall have delivered to the Trustee an Officers’ Certificate stating that the deposit was not made by the Issuer with the intent of preferring the Holders over any other creditors of the Issuer or with the intent of defeating, hindering, delaying or defrauding any other creditors of the Issuer; and

(g) the Issuer shall have delivered to the Trustee an Officers’ Certificate and an Opinion of Counsel, each stating that all conditions precedent provided for or relating to the Legal Defeasance or the Covenant Defeasance have been complied with.

SECTION 8.06 Deposited Money and Government Securities to be Held in Trust; Other Miscellaneous Provisions

Subject to Section 8.07 hereof, all money and non-callable U.S. Government Obligations (including the proceeds thereof) deposited with the Trustee (or other qualifying trustee, collectively for purposes of this Section 8.06, the “Trustee”) pursuant to Section 8.01 or Section 8.05 hereof in respect of the outstanding Securities shall be held in trust and applied by the Trustee, in accordance with the provisions of such Securities and this Indenture, to the payment, either directly or through any Paying Agent (including the Issuer acting as Paying Agent) as the Trustee may determine, to the Holders of such Securities of all sums due and to become due thereon in respect of principal, premium, if any, and interest, but such money need not be segregated from other funds except to the extent required by law.

The Issuer shall pay and indemnify the Trustee against any tax, fee or other charge imposed on or assessed against the cash or non-callable U.S. Government Obligations deposited pursuant to Section 8.05 hereof or the principal and interest received in respect thereof other than any such tax, fee or other charge which by law is for the account of the Holders of the outstanding Securities.

Anything in this Article Eight to the contrary notwithstanding, the Trustee shall deliver or pay to the Issuer from time to time upon the request of the Issuer any money or non-callable U.S. Government Obligations held by it as provided in Section 8.05 hereof which, in the opinion of a nationally recognized firm of independent public accountants expressed in a written certification thereof delivered to the Trustee (which may be the opinion delivered under Section 8.05(a) hereof), are in excess of the amount thereof that would then be required to be deposited to effect an equivalent Legal Defeasance or Covenant Defeasance.

 

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SECTION 8.07 Repayment to the Issuer.

Any money deposited with the Trustee or any Paying Agent, or then held by the Issuer, in trust for the payment of the principal of, premium, if any, or interest on any Securities and remaining unclaimed for two years after such principal, and premium, if any, or interest has become due and payable shall be paid to the Issuer on its request or (if then held by the Issuer) shall be discharged from such trust; and the Holder of such Securities shall thereafter look only to the Issuer for payment thereof, and all liability of the Trustee or such Paying Agent with respect to such trust money, and all liability of the Issuer as trustee thereof, shall thereupon cease; provided, however, that the Trustee or such Paying Agent, before being required to make any such repayment, may at the expense of the Issuer cause to be published once, in the New York Times and The Wall Street Journal (national edition), notice that such money remains unclaimed and that, after a date specified therein, which shall not be less than 30 days from the date of such notification or publication, any unclaimed balance of such money then remaining will be repaid to the Issuer.

SECTION 8.08 Reinstatement.

If the Trustee or Paying Agent is unable to apply any United States dollars or non-callable U.S. Government Securities in accordance with Section 8.01, 8.03 or 8.04 hereof, as the case may be, by reason of any order or judgment of any court or governmental authority enjoining, restraining or otherwise prohibiting such application, then the Issuer’s obligations under this Indenture and the Securities shall be revived and reinstated as though no deposit had occurred pursuant to Section 8.03 or 8.04 hereof until such time as the Trustee or Paying Agent is permitted to apply all such money in accordance with Section 8.03 or 8.04 hereof, as the case may be; provided, however, that, if the Issuer makes any payment of principal of, premium, if any, or interest on any Securities following the reinstatement of its obligations, the Issuer shall be subrogated to the rights of the Holders of such Securities to receive such payment from the money held by the Trustee or Paying Agent.

ARTICLE 9

SUPPLEMENTS, AMENDMENTS AND WAIVERS

SECTION 9.01 Without Consent of Holders.

The Issuer and the Trustee as to any series of Securities may supplement or amend this Indenture or the Securities without notice to or the consent of any Securityholder:

(1) to cure any ambiguity, defect or inconsistency;

(2) to comply with Article 5;

(3) to comply with any requirements of the Commission in connection with the qualification of this Indenture under the TIA;

(4) to provide for uncertificated Securities in addition to or in place of certificated Securities;

 

35


(5) to add to, change or eliminate any of the provisions of this Indenture in respect of one or more series of Securities; provided, however, that any such addition, change or elimination (A) shall neither (i) apply to any Security of any series created prior to the execution of such supplemental indenture and entitled to the benefit of such provision nor (ii) modify the rights of the Holder of any such Security with respect to such provision or (B) shall become effective only when there is no outstanding Security of any series created prior to the execution of such supplemental indenture and entitled to the benefit of such provision;

(6) to make any change that does not adversely affect in any material respect the interests of the Securityholders of any series;

(7) to establish additional series of Securities as permitted by Section 2.01 hereof; or

(8) to add a Guarantor

SECTION 9.02 With Consent of Holders.

This Indenture or any series of Securities may be amended with the consent (which may include consents obtained in connection with a tender offer or exchange offer for that series of Securities) of the Holders of at least a majority in aggregate principal amount of the series of the Securities then outstanding, and any existing Default under, or compliance with any provision of, this Indenture may be waived (other than any continuing Default in the payment of the principal or interest on the Securities) with the consent (which may include consents obtained in connection with a tender offer or exchange offer for that series of Securities) of the Holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of the Securities of that series then outstanding; provided that without the consent of each Holder affected, the Issuer and the Trustee may not:

(1) change the maturity of any Security;

(2) reduce the amount, extend the due date or otherwise affect the terms of any scheduled payment of interest on or principal of the Securities;

(3) reduce any premium payable upon optional redemption of the Securities, change the date on which any Securities are subject to redemption or otherwise alter the provisions with respect to the redemption of the Securities;

(4) make any Security payable in money or currency other than that stated in the Securities;

(5) modify or change any provision of this Indenture or the related definitions to affect the ranking of the Securities or any Security guarantee in a manner that adversely affects the Holders;

(6) reduce the percentage of Holders necessary to consent to an amendment or waiver to this Indenture or the Securities;

(7) impair the rights of Holders to receive payments of principal of or interest on the Securities;

 

36


(8) release any Guarantor from any of its obligations under its Security guarantee or this Indenture, except as permitted by this Indenture; or

(9) make any change in this Section 9.02.

After an amendment, supplement or waiver under this Section 9.02 becomes effective, the Issuer shall mail to the Holders a notice briefly describing the amendment, supplement or waiver.

Upon the written request of the Issuer, accompanied by a Board Resolution authorizing the execution of any such supplemental indenture, and upon the receipt by the Trustee of evidence reasonably satisfactory to the Trustee of the consent of the Holders as aforesaid and upon receipt by the Trustee of the documents described in Section 9.06, the Trustee shall join with the Issuer and the Guarantors in the execution of such supplemental indenture unless such supplemental indenture affects the Trustee’s own rights, duties or immunities under this Indenture, in which case the Trustee may, but shall not be obligated to, enter into such supplemental indenture.

It shall not be necessary for the consent of the Holders under this Section to approve the particular form of any proposed amendment, supplement or waiver, but it shall be sufficient if such consent approves the substance thereof.

SECTION 9.03 Compliance with the Trust Indenture Act.

Every amendment or supplement to this Indenture or the Securities shall comply with the TIA as then in effect.

SECTION 9.04 Revocation and Effect of Consents.

Until an amendment or waiver becomes effective, a consent to it by a Holder of a Security is a continuing consent by the Holder and every subsequent Holder of a Security or portion of a Security that evidences the same debt as the consenting Holder’s Security, even if notation of the consent is not made on any Security; provided, however, any such Holder or subsequent Holder may revoke the consent as to his Security or portion of a Security if the Trustee receives the written notice of revocation before the date on which the amendment, supplement or waiver becomes effective. An amendment, supplement or waiver shall become effective in accordance with its terms and thereafter shall bind every Holder of Securities of that series.

SECTION 9.05 Notation on or Exchange of Securities.

If an amendment, supplement or waiver changes the terms of a Security: (a) the Trustee may require the Holder of the Security to deliver it to the Trustee, the Trustee may, at the written direction of the Issuer and at the Issuer’s expense, place an appropriate notation on the Security about the changed terms and return it to the Holder and the Trustee may place an appropriate notation on any Security thereafter authenticated; or (b) if the Issuer or the Trustee so determines, the Issuer in exchange for the Security shall issue and the Trustee shall authenticate a new Security that reflects the changed terms.

 

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Failure to make the appropriate notation or issue a new Security shall not affect the validity and effect of such amendment, supplement or waiver.

SECTION 9.06 Trustee to Sign Amendments, Etc.

Subject to the preceding sentence, the Trustee shall sign any amendment of supplement Indenture if the same does not adversely affect the rights, duties, liabilities or immunities of the Trustee. The Trustee may, but shall not be obligated to, execute any such amendment, supplement or waiver that affects the Trustee’s own rights, duties, liabilities or immunities under this Indenture or otherwise. The Issuer may not sign an amendment or supplemental Indenture until the Board of Directors approves it. In executing any amended or supplemental Indenture, the Trustee shall be entitled to receive and (subject to Section 7.01) shall be fully protected in relying upon, in addition to the documents required by Section 11.04 hereof, an Officers’ Certificate and an Opinion of Counsel stating that the execution of such amended or supplemental Indenture is authorized or permitted by this Indenture and constitutes the legal, valid and binding obligation of the issuer, enforceable against it in accordance with its terms.

ARTICLE 10

GUARANTEES

SECTION 10.01 Guarantee.

Any series of Securities may be guaranteed by one or more of the Guarantors. The terms and the form of any such guarantee will be established in the manner contemplated by Section 2.01 for that particular series of Securities.

ARTICLE 11

MISCELLANEOUS

SECTION 11.01 Trust Indenture Act Controls.

If any provision of this Indenture limits, qualifies or conflicts with another provision which is required to be included in this Indenture by the TIA, the required provision shall control. If any provision of this Indenture modifies any TIA provision that may be so modified, such TIA provision shall be deemed to apply to this Indenture as so modified. If any provision of this Indenture excludes any TIA provision that may be so excluded, such TIA provision shall be excluded from this Indenture.

The provision of TIA Sections 310 through 317 that impose duties on any Person (including the provisions automatically deemed included unless expressly excluded by this Indenture) are a part of and govern this Indenture, whether or not physically contained herein.

 

38


SECTION 11.02 Notices.

Any notice or communication is duly given if in writing and delivered in person or sent by first-class mail (registered or certified, return receipt requested), telecopier or overnight air courier guaranteeing next-day delivery, addressed as follows:

If to the Issuer and/or any Guarantor:

Meritage Homes Corporation

17851 N. 85th Street, Suite 300

Scottsdale, Arizona 85255

Attention: Chief Financial Officer

with a copy to:

Snell & Wilmer L.L.P.

One Arizona Center

400 East Van Buren Street, Suite 1900

Phoenix, AZ 85004-2202

Attention: Jeffrey E. Beck, Esq.

If to the Trustee:

Wells Fargo Bank, National Association

707 Wilshire Blvd., 17th Floor

Los Angeles, CA 90017

Attention: Corporate Trust Division, Meritage Administrator

The Issuer or the Trustee by notice to the other may designate additional or different addresses for subsequent notices or communications.

All notices and communications (other than those sent to Holders) shall be deemed to have been duly given: at the time delivered by hand, if personally delivered; five Business Days after being deposited in the mail, postage prepaid, if mailed; when receipt acknowledged, if telecopied; and the next business day after timely delivery to the courier, if sent by overnight air courier guaranteeing next-day delivery.

Any notice or communication to a Securityholder shall be mailed by first-class mail, certified or registered, return receipt requested, or by overnight air courier guaranteeing next day delivery to his address shown on the register kept by the Registrar. Failure to mail a notice or communication to a Security holder or any defect in it shall not affect its sufficiency with respect to other Securityholders. If the Issuer mails a notice or communication to Securityholders, it shall mail a copy to the Trustee at the same time. Any notice or communication shall also be mailed to any Person described in TIA Section 313(c), to the extent required by the TIA.

If a notice or communication is mailed in the manner provided above within the time prescribed, it is duly given, whether or not the addressee receives it.

SECTION 11.03 Communication by Holders With Other Holders.

Holders may communicate pursuant to TIA Section 312(b) with other Holders with respect to their rights under this Indenture or the Securities. The Issuer, the Trustee, the Registrar and anyone else shall have the protection of TIA Section 312(c).

 

39


SECTION 11.04 Certificate and Opinion as to Conditions Precedent.

Upon any request or application by the Issuer to the Trustee to take any action under this Indenture, the Issuer shall furnish to the Trustee:

(a) an Officers’ Certificate, in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to the Trustee (which shall include the statements set forth in Section 11.05 hereof) stating that, in the opinion of the signers, all conditions precedent and covenants, if any, provided for in this Indenture relating to the proposed action have been complied with; and

(b) an Opinion of Counsel, in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to the Trustee (which shall include the statements set forth in Section 11.05 hereof) stating that, in the opinion of such counsel, such action is authorized or permitted by this Indenture and that all such conditions precedent have been complied with.

SECTION 11.05 Statements Required in Certificate or Opinion.

Each certificate or opinion with respect to compliance with a condition or covenant provided for in this Indenture (other than the certificate provided pursuant to TIA Section 314(a)(4)) shall include:

(1) a statement that the Person making such certificate or opinion has read such covenant or condition;

(2) a brief statement as to the nature and scope of the examination or investigation upon which the statements or opinions contained in such certificate or opinion are based;

(3) a statement that, in the opinion of such Person, he or she has made such examination or investigation as is necessary to enable him or her to express an informed opinion as to whether or not such covenant or condition has been complied with; and

(4) a statement as to whether or not, in the opinion of such Person, such condition or covenant has been complied with; provided, however, that with respect to matters of fact an Opinion of Counsel may rely on an officers’ certificate or certificates of public officials.

SECTION 11.06 Rules by Trustee and Agents.

The Trustee as to Securities of any series may make reasonable rules for action by or at a meeting of Holders of Securities of that series. The Registrar and any Paying Agent or Authenticating Agent may make reasonable rules and set reasonable requirements for their functions.

SECTION 11.07 Legal Holidays.

A “Legal Holiday” is a Saturday, a Sunday or a day on which banking institutions in the City of New York, New York or at a place of payment are authorized by law, regulation or executive order to remain closed. If a payment date is a Legal Holiday at a place of payment, payment may be made at that place on the next succeeding day that is not a Legal Holiday, and no interest shall accrue for the intervening period.

 

40


SECTION 11.08 No Recourse Against Others.

No past, present or future director, officer, employee, manager, securityholder or incorporator, as such, of the Issuer or any successor Person shall have any liability for any obligations of the Issuer or any Guarantor under any series of Securities, any guarantees thereof, or the Indenture or for any claim based on, in respect of, or by reason of such obligations or their creation. Each Securityholder by accepting a Security waives and releases all such liability. The waiver and release are part of the consideration of issuance of the Securities.

SECTION 11.09 Counterparts.

This Indenture may be executed by the parties hereto in separate counterparts, each of which when so executed shall be deemed to be an original and all of which taken together shall constitute one and the same agreement. The exchange of copies of this Indenture and of signature pages by facsimile or PDF transmission shall constitute effective execution and delivery of this Indenture as to the parties hereto and may be used in lieu of the original Indenture for all purposes. Signatures of the parties hereto transmitted by facsimile or PDF shall be deemed to be their original signatures for all purposes.

SECTION 11.10 Governing Law.

The internal laws of the State of New York shall govern and be used to construe this Indenture and the Securities (including any guarantees thereof), without giving effect to the applicable principles of conflicts of laws to the extent that the application of the laws of another jurisdiction would be required thereby.

SECTION 11.11 Submission to Jurisdiction; Service of Process; Waiver of Jury Trial.

Each party hereto hereby submits to the nonexclusive jurisdiction of the United States District Court for the Southern District of New York and of any New York State Court sitting in New York City for purposes of all legal proceedings arising out of or relating to this Indenture, the Securities (including any guarantee thereof) or the transactions contemplated hereby and thereby. EACH PARTY HERETO IRREVOCABLY WAIVES, TO THE FULLEST EXTENT PERMITTED BY LAW, ANY OBJECTION WHICH IT MAY NOW OR HEREAFTER HAVE TO THE LAYING OF THE VENUE OF ANY SUCH PROCEEDING BROUGHT IN SUCH A COURT AND ANY CLAIM THAT ANY SUCH PROCEEDING BROUGHT IN SUCH A COURT HAS BEEN BROUGHT IN AN INCONVENIENT FORUM. Process in any such suit, action or proceeding may be served on any party anywhere in the world, whether within or without the State of New York. Without limiting the foregoing, the parties agree that service of process upon such party at the address referred to in Section 11.02, together with written notice of such service to such party, shall be deemed effective service of process upon such party. EACH OF THE PARTIES HERETO IRREVOCABLY WAIVES ANY AND ALL RIGHTS TO TRIAL BY JURY IN ANY LEGAL PROCEEDING ARISING OUT OF OR RELATING TO THIS INDENTURE, THE SECURITIES (INCLUDING ANY GUARANTEE THEREOF) OR THE TRANSACTIONS CONTEMPLATED HEREBY AND THEREBY.

 

41


SECTION 11.12 Severability.

In case any provision in this Indenture or in the Securities shall be invalid, illegal or unenforceable, the validity, legality and enforceability of the remaining provisions shall not in any way be affected or impaired thereby.

SECTION 11.13 Effect of Headings, Table of Contents, Etc.

The Article and Section headings herein and the table of contents are for convenience only and shall not affect the construction hereof.

SECTION 11.14 Successors and Assigns.

All covenants and agreements of the Issuer in this Indenture and the Securities shall bind its successors and assigns. All agreements of the Trustee in this Indenture shall bind its successor. All agreements of any Guarantor in this Indenture shall bind its successors, except as otherwise provided by the terms hereof.

SECTION 11.15 No Interpretation of Other Agreements.

This Indenture may not be used to interpret another indenture, loan or debt agreement of the Issuer or any subsidiary or of any Person. Any such indenture, loan or debt agreement may not be used to interpret this Indenture.

SECTION 11.16 U.S.A. Patriot Act.

The parties hereto acknowledge that in accordance with Section 326 of the U.S.A. Patriot Act, the Trustee, like all financial institutions and in order to help fight the funding of terrorism and money laundering, is required to obtain, verify, and record information that identifies each person or legal entity that establishes a relationship or opens an account with the Trustee. The parties to this Indenture agree that they will provide the Trustee with such information as it may request in order for the Trustee to satisfy the requirements of the U.S.A. Patriot Act.

SECTION 11.17 Force Majeure.

In no event shall the Trustee be responsible or liable for any failure or delay in the performance of its obligations hereunder arising out of or caused by, directly or indirectly, forces beyond its control, including, without limitation, strikes, work stoppages, accidents, acts of war or terrorism, civil or military disturbances, nuclear or natural catastrophes or acts of God, and interruptions, loss or malfunctions of utilities, communications or computer (software and hardware) services; it being understood that the Trustee shall use reasonable efforts which are consistent with accepted practices in the banking industry to resume performance as soon as practicable under the circumstances.

 

[Signature Page Follows]

 

42


IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have caused this Indenture to be duly executed, all as of the date first above written.

 

MERITAGE HOMES CORPORATION
By:  

 

  Name:   Larry W. Seay
  Title:   Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer
MERITAGE PASEO CROSSING, LLC
By:   Meritage Homes of Arizona, Inc.
Its:   Sole Member
By:  

 

  Name:   Larry W. Seay
  Title:   Executive Vice President, Chief Financial Officer and Assistant Secretary
MERITAGE PASEO CONSTRUCTION, LLC
By:   Meritage Homes Construction, Inc.
Its:   Sole Member
By:  

 

  Name:   Larry W. Seay
  Title:   Executive Vice President, Chief Financial Officer and Assistant Secretary
MERITAGE HOMES OF ARIZONA, INC.
By:  

 

  Name:   Larry W. Seay
  Title:   Executive Vice President, Chief Financial Officer and Assistant Secretary

 

43


MERITAGE HOMES CONSTRUCTION, INC.
By:  

 

  Name:   Larry W. Seay
  Title:   Executive Vice President, Chief Financial Officer and Assistant Secretary
MERITAGE HOMES OF TEXAS HOLDING, INC.
By:  

 

  Name:   Larry W. Seay
  Title:   Executive Vice President, Chief Financial Officer and Assistant Secretary
MERITAGE HOMES OF CALIFORNIA, INC.
By:  

 

  Name:   Larry W. Seay
  Title:   Executive Vice President, Chief Financial Officer and Assistant Secretary
MERITAGE HOMES OF TEXAS JOINT VENTURE HOLDING COMPANY, LLC
By:   Meritage Homes of Texas, LLC
Its:   Sole Member
By:   Meritage Homes of Texas Holding, Inc.
Its:   Sole Member
By:  

 

  Name:   Larry W. Seay
  Title:   Executive Vice President, Chief Financial Officer and Assistant Secretary

 

44


MERITAGE HOLDINGS, L.L.C.
By:   Meritage Homes of Texas Holding, Inc.
Its:   Sole Member
By:  

 

  Name:   Larry W. Seay
  Title:   Executive Vice President, Chief Financial Officer and Assistant Secretary
MERITAGE HOMES OF NEVADA, INC.
By:  

 

  Name:   Larry W. Seay
  Title:   Executive Vice President, Chief Financial Officer and Assistant Secretary
MTH-CAVALIER, LLC
By:   Meritage Homes Construction, Inc.
Its:   Sole Member
By:  

 

  Name:   Larry W. Seay
  Title:   Executive Vice President, Chief Financial Officer and Assistant Secretary
MTH GOLF, LLC
By:   Meritage Homes Construction, Inc.
Its:   Sole Member
By:  

 

  Name:   Larry W. Seay
  Title:   Executive Vice President, Chief Financial Officer and Assistant Secretary

 

45


MERITAGE HOMES OF COLORADO, INC.
By:  

 

  Name:   Larry W. Seay
  Title:   Executive Vice President, Chief Financial Officer and Assistant Secretary
MERITAGE HOMES OF FLORIDA, INC.
By:  

 

  Name:   Larry W. Seay
  Title:   Executive Vice President, Chief Financial Officer and Assistant Secretary
CALIFORNIA URBAN HOMES, LLC
By:   Meritage Homes of California, Inc.
Its:   Sole Member and Manager
By:  

 

  Name:   Larry W. Seay
  Title:   Executive Vice President, Chief Financial Officer and Assistant Secretary
MERITAGE HOMES OF TEXAS, LLC
By:   Meritage Homes of Texas Holding, Inc.
Its:   Sole Member
By:  

 

  Name:   Larry W. Seay
  Title:   Executive Vice President, Chief Financial Officer and Assistant Secretary

 

46


MERITAGE HOMES OPERATING COMPANY, LLC
By:   Meritage Holdings, L.L.C.
Its:   Manager
By:   Meritage Homes of Texas Holding, Inc.
Its:   Sole Member
By:  

 

  Name:   Larry W. Seay
  Title:   Executive Vice President, Chief Financial Officer and Assistant Secretary
WW PROJECT SELLER, LLC
By:   Meritage Paseo Crossing, LLC
Its:   Sole Member
By:   Meritage Homes of Arizona, Inc.
Its:   Sole Member
By:  

 

  Name:   Larry W. Seay
  Title:   Executive Vice President, Chief Financial Officer and Assistant Secretary
MERITAGE HOMES OF NORTH CAROLINA, INC.
By:  

 

  Name:   Larry W. Seay
  Title:   Executive Vice President, Chief Financial Officer and Assistant Secretary
CAREFREE TITLE AGENCY, INC.
By:  

 

  Name:   Larry W. Seay
  Title:   Executive Vice President, Chief Financial Officer and Assistant Secretary

 

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M&M FORT MYERS HOLDINGS, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company
By:   Meritage Paseo Crossing, LLC
Its:   Sole Member and Manager
By:   Meritage Homes of Arizona, Inc.
Its:   Sole Member
By:  

 

  Name:   Larry W. Seay
  Title:   Executive Vice President, Chief Financial Officer and Assistant Secretary

 

48


WELLS FARGO BANK, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION,

as Trustee

By:  

 

  Name:  
  Title:  

 

49

EX-5.1 3 d321936dex51.htm OPINION OF SNELL & WILMER L.L.P. <![CDATA[Opinion of Snell & Wilmer L.L.P.]]>

Exhibit 5.1

April 12, 2012

Meritage Homes Corporation

17851 N. 85th Street, Suite 300

Scottsdale, Arizona 85255

 

  Re: Registration Statement on Form S-3

Ladies and Gentlemen:

We have acted as counsel to Meritage Homes Corporation, a Maryland corporation (the “Company”), in connection with the Company’s preparation and filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “Commission”) of a registration statement on Form S-3 (the “Registration Statement”) under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”), of (i) one or more series of the Company’s debt securities (the “Debt Securities”), which may be senior debt securities, senior subordinated debt securities or subordinated debt securities, and which may include guarantees of the Debt Securities (the “Guarantees”) by certain of the direct and indirect subsidiaries of the Company (the “Guarantors”); (ii) shares of the Company’s common stock, par value $0.01 per share (the “Common Stock”); (iii) shares of the Company’s preferred stock, par value $0.01 per share (the “Preferred Stock”); and (iv) warrants to purchase Common Stock, Preferred Stock or units of two or more of such securities (the “Warrants” and, collectively with the Debt Securities, Guarantees, Common Stock and Preferred Stock, the “Securities”), in each case to be issued and sold from time to time by the Company under the Registration Statement pursuant to Rule 415 promulgated under the Securities Act.

This opinion is being furnished in accordance with the requirements of Item 601(b)(5) of Regulation S-K under the Securities Act in connection with the filing of the Registration Statement.

In our examination, we have reviewed and are familiar with the Registration Statement and exhibits thereto, including the prospectus comprising a part thereof. For the purpose of rendering this opinion, we have made such factual and legal examinations as we deemed necessary under the circumstances, and in that connection we have examined, among other things, originals or copies, certified or otherwise identified to our satisfaction, of such documents, corporate records, certificates of public officials, certificates of officers or other representatives of the Company or the Guarantors, and other instruments and have made such inquiries as we have deemed appropriate for the purpose of rendering this opinion.


Meritage Homes Corporation

April 12, 2012

Page 2

 

In our examination, we have assumed without independent verification (i) the legal capacity and competency of all natural persons, (ii) the genuineness of all signatures, (iii) the authenticity of all documents submitted to us as originals, (iv) the conformity to original documents of all documents submitted to us as conformed or photostatic copies and the authenticity of the originals of such latter documents and (v) the power and authority of all persons signing such documents to execute, deliver and perform under such documents, and the valid authorization, execution and delivery of such documents by such persons. As to any facts material to the opinions expressed herein which were not independently established or verified, we have relied upon oral or written statements and representations of officers or other representatives of the Company, the Guarantors and others.

On the basis of, and in reliance on, the foregoing examination and subject to the assumptions, exceptions, qualifications and limitations contained herein and subject to completion of the corporate or other entity action proposed to be taken by the Company and the Guarantors based on the type of Security to be issued, including without limitation (i) the due authorization, execution and delivery of the Indenture(s), or supplemental indentures or authorizing resolutions pursuant to which the Debt Securities and Guarantees will be issued (the “Indenture”), (ii) the due establishment of the specific terms of the Debt Securities and Guarantees to be issued under the Indenture in accordance with the terms thereof, and (iii) the due authorization, execution and delivery of the warrant agreement(s) relating to the Warrants (the “Warrant Agreement”), as the case may be, each in materially the form filed or to be filed as an exhibit to the Registration Statement, by amendment, by incorporation by reference or by Current Reports on Form 8-K, we are of the opinion that:

1. With respect to the Debt Securities, when the Debt Securities shall have been duly authorized, executed, authenticated and delivered in accordance with the terms of the applicable Indenture and the applicable definitive purchase, underwriting or similar agreement, against the receipt of the requisite consideration set forth therein, the Debt Securities will be valid and binding obligations of the Company, enforceable against the Company in accordance with their terms.

2. With respect to the Guarantees, upon the completion of all Requisite Actions (as defined below) relating to the Guarantees by the applicable Guarantor(s), the issuance of the Guarantees will be duly authorized, and when the Guarantees have been duly executed and delivered in accordance with the terms of the applicable Indenture and the applicable definitive purchase, underwriting or similar agreement, and when the Debt Securities relating to such Guarantees have been duly executed, authorized, authenticated and delivered in accordance with the terms of the applicable Indenture, the Guarantees will be valid and binding obligations of the applicable Guarantor(s), enforceable against the applicable Guarantor(s) in accordance with their terms.


Meritage Homes Corporation

April 12, 2012

Page 3

 

3. With respect to the Warrants, upon completion of all Requisite Actions relating to the Warrants by the Company, the Warrants or certificates representing the Warrants will be duly authorized, and when the Warrants or certificates representing the Warrants have been executed, countersigned, registered and delivered in accordance with the terms of the applicable Warrant Agreement and the applicable definitive purchase, underwriting or similar agreement, against the receipt of the requisite consideration set forth therein, the Warrants will be valid and binding obligations of the Company, enforceable against the Company in accordance with their terms.

The opinions set forth herein are subject to the following further assumptions, qualifications, limitations and exceptions:

A. We have assumed that, at or prior to the time of the delivery of any Security:

i. the Board of Directors of the Company and the authorized governing bodies of the Guarantors, as applicable, shall have duly established the terms of such Security, and the Board of Directors of the Company and the authorized governing bodies of the Guarantors, as applicable, and if necessary the stockholders of the Company and the equity holders of the Guarantors, as applicable, shall have duly authorized and taken any other necessary corporate or other entity action to approve the issuance and sale of such Security in conformity with applicable law, the Articles of Incorporation and bylaws of the Company and the constituent instruments of the Guarantors, as applicable, each as amended through such time, and such authorizations shall remain in effect and unchanged at all times during which the Securities are offered and shall not have been modified or rescinded (subject to the further assumption that the sale of any Security takes place in accordance with such authorization) (collectively, the “Requisite Actions”);

ii. the Registration Statement, and any amendments thereto (including post-effective amendments) shall have been filed under the Securities Act and the effectiveness thereof upon such filing shall not have been terminated or rescinded;

iii. a preliminary prospectus supplement, a final prospectus supplement and one or more free writing prospectuses (collectively, the “Offering Documents”) shall be prepared and duly filed with the Commission describing the Securities offered thereby;

iv. the terms of the Securities shall not violate any applicable law, any debt securities of the Company or any of the Guarantors or result in a default or breach of any agreement binding upon the Company or any of the Guarantors, and shall comply with any requirement or restriction imposed by any court or other governmental body having jurisdiction over the Company or any of the Guarantors;


Meritage Homes Corporation

April 12, 2012

Page 4

 

v. all Securities shall be issued and sold in compliance with applicable federal and state securities laws and solely in the manner stated in the Registration Statement and the appropriate Offering Documents and there shall not have occurred any change in law affecting the validity or enforceability of such Securities;

vi. with respect to Debt Securities and Guarantees, the applicable trustee shall have been qualified under the Trust Indenture Act of 1939, as amended (the “TIA”), and a Form T-1 shall have been properly filed as an exhibit to the Registration Statement (to the extent not heretofore filed) and, if the Debt Securities or Guarantees are secured by collateral, the provisions of such collateral arrangements comply with the TIA; and

vii. in the case of an Indenture, Warrant Agreement or other agreement pursuant to which any Securities are to be issued, there shall be no terms or provisions contained therein which would affect the opinions rendered herein.

B. Our opinions set forth above are subject to (i) the effect of any bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization, moratorium, arrangement or similar laws affecting the rights and remedies of creditors generally (including, without limitation, the effect of statutory or other laws regarding fraudulent transfers or preferential transfers), and (ii) general principles of equity, including without limitation concepts of materiality, reasonableness, good faith and fair dealing and the possible unavailability of specific performance, injunctive relief or other equitable remedies, regardless of whether enforceability is considered in a proceeding in equity or at law. With respect to such opinions, we express no opinion regarding the effectiveness of (x) any waiver of stay, extension or usury laws or of unknown future rights; (y) provisions relating to indemnification, exculpation or contribution, to the extent such provisions may be held unenforceable as contrary to federal or state securities laws; or (z) provisions purporting to grant a power of attorney.

C. The opinions expressed herein are based on laws in effect on the date hereof, which laws are subject to change with possible retroactive effect, and we disclaim any undertaking to advise you of any subsequent changes in the facts stated or assumed herein or of any subsequent changes in applicable laws.

You have informed us that you intend to issue Securities from time to time on a delayed or continuous basis, and this opinion is limited to the laws referred to above as in effect on the date hereof. We understand that prior to issuing any Securities pursuant to the Registration Statement (i) you will advise us in writing of the terms thereof and (ii) you will afford us an opportunity to (y) review the operative documents pursuant to which such Securities are to be issued or sold (including the applicable Offering Documents) and (z) file such supplement or amendment to this opinion (if any) as we may reasonably consider necessary or appropriate.


Meritage Homes Corporation

April 12, 2012

Page 5

 

We hereby consent to the filing of this opinion with the Commission as Exhibit 5.1 to the Registration Statement. We also consent to the reference to our firm under the heading “Legal Matters” in the Registration Statement. In giving such consent, we do not thereby concede that we are included in the category of persons whose consent is required under Section 7 of the Securities Act or the rules and regulations of the Commission promulgated thereunder.

 

Very truly yours,

 

/s/ SNELL & WILMER L.L.P.
EX-5.2 4 d321936dex52.htm OPINION OF VENABLE LLP Opinion of Venable LLP

Exhibit 5.2

 

LOGO

April 12, 2012

Meritage Homes Corporation

17851 North 85th Street

Suite 300

Scottsdale, Arizona 85255

 

  Re: Registration Statement on Form S-3

Ladies and Gentlemen:

We have served as Maryland counsel to Meritage Homes Corporation, a Maryland corporation (the “Company”), in connection with certain matters of Maryland law arising out of the registration of the following securities (collectively, the “Securities”): (i) debt securities of the Company (“Debt Securities”); (ii) shares of common stock, $.01 par value per share, of the Company (“Common Shares”); (iii) shares of preferred stock, $.01 par value per share, of the Company (“Preferred Shares”) and (iv) warrants to purchase Debt Securities, Common Shares or Preferred Shares, or two or more of these types of securities (“Warrants”), covered by the above-referenced Registration Statement, and all amendments thereto (the “Registration Statement”), to be filed by the Company with the United States Securities and Exchange Commission (the “Commission”) under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “1933 Act”), on or about the date hereof. Capitalized terms used but not defined herein shall have the meanings given to them in the Registration Statement.

In connection with our representation of the Company, and as a basis for the opinion hereinafter set forth, we have examined originals, or copies certified or otherwise identified to our satisfaction, of the following documents (collectively, the “Documents”):

1. The Registration Statement and the related form of prospectus included therein;

2. The charter of the Company (the “Charter”), certified as of a recent date by the State Department of Assessments and Taxation of Maryland (the “SDAT”);

3. The Bylaws of the Company (the “Bylaws”), certified as of the date hereof by an officer of the Company;

4. A certificate of the SDAT as to the good standing of the Company, dated as of a recent date;

5. Resolutions (the “Resolutions”) adopted by the Board of Directors of the Company (the “Board”) relating to the registration of the Securities, certified as of the date hereof by an officer of the Company;

6. A certificate executed by an officer of the Company, dated as of the date hereof; and


LOGO

 

 

Meritage Homes Corporation

April 12, 2012

Page 2

 

7. Such other documents and matters as we have deemed necessary or appropriate to express the opinion set forth below, subject to the assumptions, limitations and qualifications stated herein.

In expressing the opinion set forth below, we have assumed the following:

1. Each individual executing any of the Documents, whether on behalf of such individual or another person, is legally competent to do so.

2. Each individual executing any of the Documents on behalf of a party (other than the Company) is duly authorized to do so.

3. Each of the parties (other than the Company) executing any of the Documents has duly and validly executed and delivered each of the Documents to which such party is a signatory, and such party’s obligations set forth therein are legal, valid and binding and are enforceable in accordance with all stated terms.

4. All Documents submitted to us as originals are authentic. All Documents submitted to us as certified or photostatic copies conform to the original documents. All signatures on all such Documents are genuine. All public records reviewed or relied upon by us or on our behalf are true and complete. All representations, warranties, statements and information contained in the Documents are true and complete. There has been no oral or written modification of or amendment to any of the Documents, and there has been no waiver of any provision of any of the Documents, by action or omission of the parties or otherwise.

5. The issuance of, and certain terms of, the Securities to be issued by the Company from time to time will be authorized and approved by the Board, or a duly authorized committee thereof, in accordance with the Maryland General Corporation Law, the Charter, the Bylaws and the Resolutions (such approval referred to herein as the “Corporate Proceedings”).

6. Articles Supplementary creating and designating the number of shares and the terms of any class or series of Preferred Shares to be issued by the Company will be filed with and accepted for record by the SDAT prior to the issuance of such Preferred Shares.

7. Upon the issuance of any Securities that are Common Shares (“Common Securities”), including Common Securities which may be issued upon conversion or exercise of any other Securities convertible into or exercisable for Common Securities, the total number of Common Shares issued and outstanding will not exceed the total number of Common Shares that the Company is then authorized to issue under the Charter.


LOGO

 

 

Meritage Homes Corporation

April 12, 2012

Page 3

 

8. Upon the issuance of any Securities that are Preferred Shares (“Preferred Securities”), including Preferred Securities which may be issued upon conversion or exercise of any other Securities convertible into or exercisable for Preferred Securities, the total number of Preferred Shares issued and outstanding, and the total number of issued and outstanding shares of the applicable class or series of Preferred Shares designated pursuant to the Charter, will not exceed the total number of Preferred Shares or the number of shares of such class or series of Preferred Shares that the Company is then authorized to issue under the Charter.

9. The Securities will not be issued or transferred in violation of any restriction or limitation contained in Article VIII (Restrictions on Transfer and Ownership of Shares) of the Charter.

Based upon the foregoing, and subject to the assumptions, limitations and qualifications stated herein, it is our opinion that:

1. The Company is a corporation duly incorporated and existing under and by virtue of the laws of the State of Maryland and is in good standing with the SDAT.

2. Upon the completion of all Corporate Proceedings relating to the Securities that are Debt Securities, the issuance of the Debt Securities will be duly authorized.

3. Upon the completion of all Corporate Proceedings relating to the Preferred Securities, the issuance of the Preferred Securities will be duly authorized and, when and if delivered against payment therefor in accordance with the Resolutions and the Corporate Proceedings, the Preferred Securities will be validly issued, fully paid and nonassessable.

4. Upon the completion of all Corporate Proceedings relating to the Common Securities, the issuance of the Common Securities will be duly authorized and, when and if delivered against payment therefor in accordance with the Resolutions and the Corporate Proceedings, the Common Securities will be validly issued, fully paid and nonassessable.

5. Upon the completion of all Corporate Proceedings relating to the Securities that are Warrants, the issuance of the Warrants will be duly authorized.

The foregoing opinion is limited to the laws of the State of Maryland and we do not express any opinion herein concerning any other law. We express no opinion as to compliance with, or the applicability of, federal or state securities laws, including the securities laws of the State of Maryland. The opinion expressed herein is subject to the effect of judicial decisions which may permit the introduction of parol evidence to modify the terms or the interpretation of agreements.


LOGO

 

 

Meritage Homes Corporation

April 12, 2012

Page 4

 

The opinion expressed herein is limited to the matters specifically set forth herein and no other opinion shall be inferred beyond the matters expressly stated. We assume no obligation to supplement this opinion if any applicable law changes after the date hereof or if we become aware of any fact that might change the opinion expressed herein after the date hereof.

This opinion is being furnished to you for submission to the Commission as an exhibit to the Registration Statement. We hereby consent to the filing of this opinion as an exhibit to the Registration Statement and to the use of the name of our firm therein. In giving this consent, we do not admit that we are within the category of persons whose consent is required by Section 7 of the 1933 Act.

 

Very truly yours,

 

/s/ VENABLE LLP
EX-12.1 5 d321936dex121.htm COMPUTATION OF RATIO OF EARNINGS TO FIXED CHARGES AND RATIO OF EARNINGS Computation of Ratio of Earnings to Fixed Charges and Ratio of Earnings

Exhibit 12.1

Meritage Homes Corporation

Calculation of Ratio of Earnings to Fixed Charges and Ratio of Earnings to Combined Fixed Charges and Preferred Stock Dividends

(Dollars in thousands)

 

     Year Ended December 31,  
     2011     2010     2009     2008     2007  

(Loss)/Income from continuing operations before income taxes and minority interest

     (20,376     2,484        (154,799     (275,966   $ (456,482

Loss/(Income) from equity method investees

     (5,849     (5,243     (4,013     17,038        40,229   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 
     (26,225     (2,759     (158,812     (258,928     (416,253

Add/(deduct):

          

+ Fixed Charges

     45,441        45,936        50,123        53,526        67,109   

+ Amortization of Capitalized Interest

     9,863        12,228        25,951        37,233        47,051   

+ Distributed income of equity method investees

     6,497        7,263        8,286        10,049        15,929   

- Interest capitalized

     (12,994     (9,720     (10,359     (25,606     (55,431
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Earnings available for fixed charges

   $ 22,582      $ 52,948      $ (84,811   $ (183,726   $ (341,595

Fixed Charges:

          

Interest and other financial charges expensed and capitalized

     43,393        43,442        46,890        49,259      $ 62,176   

Interest factor attributed to rentals (a)

     2,048        2,494        3,233        4,267        4,933   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Fixed Charges

   $ 45,441      $ 45,936      $ 50,123      $ 53,526      $ 67,109   

Ratio of earnings to fixed charges (b)

     0.5 x(c)      1.2       (c)        (c)        (c) 

 

(a) The interest factor attributable to rentals consists of one-third of rental charges, which is deemed by the Company to be representative of the interest factor inherent in rent.
(b) There was no outstanding preferred stock during the periods presented; therefore, the ratio of earnings to fixed charges and earnings to combined fixed charges and preferred stock dividends were the same.
(c) Earnings were not adequate to cover fixed charges by $22.9 million, $134.9 million, $237.3 million and $408.7 million for the years ended December 31, 2011, 2009, 2008 and 2007, respectively.
EX-23.1 6 d321936dex231.htm CONSENT OF DELOITTE & TOUCHE LLP <![CDATA[Consent of Deloitte & Touche LLP]]>

Exhibit 23.1

CONSENT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM

We consent to the incorporation by reference in the Registration Statement on Form S-3 of our reports dated February 24, 2012, relating to the consolidated financial statements of Meritage Homes Corporation and subsidiaries and the effectiveness of Meritage Homes Corporation’s and its subsidiaries’ internal control over financial reporting appearing in the Annual Report on Form 10-K of Meritage Homes Corporation for the year ended December 31, 2011 and to the reference to us under the heading “Experts” in the Prospectus, which is part of the Registration Statement.

DELOITTE & TOUCHE LLP

Phoenix Arizona

April 12, 2012

EX-25.1 7 d321936dex251.htm STATEMENT OF ELIGIBILITY UNDER THE TRUST INDENTURE ACT OF 1939 ON FORM T-1 Statement of Eligibility under the Trust Indenture Act of 1939 on Form T-1

Exhibit 25.1

 

 

 

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

 

 

FORM T-1

 

 

STATEMENT OF ELIGIBILITY

UNDER THE TRUST INDENTURE ACT OF 1939 OF A

CORPORATION DESIGNATED TO ACT AS TRUSTEE

 

¨ CHECK IF AN APPLICATION TO DETERMINE ELIGIBILITY OF A TRUSTEE PURSUANT TO SECTION 305(b) (2)

 

 

WELLS FARGO BANK, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION

(Exact name of trustee as specified in its charter)

 

 

 

A National Banking Association   94-1347393

(Jurisdiction of incorporation or

organization if not a U.S. national bank)

 

(I.R.S. Employer

Identification No.)

101 North Phillips Avenue

Sioux Falls, South Dakota

  57104
(Address of principal executive offices)   (Zip code)

Wells Fargo & Company

Law Department, Trust Section

MAC N9305-175

Sixth Street and Marquette Avenue, 17th Floor

Minneapolis, Minnesota 55479

(612) 667-4608

(Name, address and telephone number of agent for service)

 

 

Meritage Homes Corporation

ADDITIONAL REGISTRANTS LISTED BELOW

(Exact name of obligor as specified in its charter)

 

 

 

Maryland   86-0611231

(State or other jurisdiction of

incorporation or organization)

 

(I.R.S. Employer

Identification No.)

17851 North 85th Street, Suite 300,

Scottsdale, Arizona

  85255
(Address of principal executive offices)   (Zip code)

 

 

 

Name of Each Co-Registrant

  

State or Other Jurisdiction of
Incorporation or Organization

  

I.R.S. Employer

Identification No.

  

Principal Executive Offices

California Urban Homes, LLC    California    20-2707345   

17851 N. 85th Street,

Suite 300

Scottsdale, AZ 85255

Meritage Holdings, L.L.C.    Texas    42-1732552   

17851 N. 85th Street,

Suite 300

Scottsdale, AZ 85255

Meritage Homes Construction, Inc.    Arizona    86-1028847   

17851 N. 85th Street,

Suite 300

Scottsdale, AZ 85255

Meritage Homes of Arizona, Inc.    Arizona    86-1028848   

17851 N. 85th Street,

Suite 300

Scottsdale, AZ 85255

Meritage Homes of California, Inc.    California    86-0917765   

17851 N. 85th Street,

Suite 300

Scottsdale, AZ 85255

Meritage Homes of Colorado, Inc.    Arizona    20-1091787   

17851 N. 85th Street,

Suite 300

Scottsdale, AZ 85255

Meritage Homes of Florida, Inc.    Florida    59-1107583   

17851 N. 85th Street,

Suite 300

Scottsdale, AZ 85255

Meritage Homes of Nevada, Inc.    Arizona    43-1976353   

17851 N. 85th Street,

Suite 300

Scottsdale, AZ 85255

Meritage Homes of Texas Holding, Inc.    Arizona    86-0875147   

17851 N. 85th Street,

Suite 300

Scottsdale, AZ 85255

Meritage Homes of Texas Joint Venture Holding Company, LLC    Texas    75-2771799   

17851 N. 85th Street,

Suite 300

Scottsdale, AZ 85255

Meritage Homes of Texas, LLC    Arizona    65-1308131   

17851 N. 85th Street,

Suite 300

Scottsdale, AZ 85255

Meritage Homes Operating Company, LLC    Arizona    65-1308133   

17851 N. 85th Street,

Suite 300

Scottsdale, AZ 85255

Meritage Paseo Crossing, LLC    Arizona    86-1006497   

17851 N. 85th Street,

Suite 300

Scottsdale, AZ 85255

Meritage Paseo Construction, LLC    Arizona    86-0863537   

17851 N. 85th Street,

Suite 300

Scottsdale, AZ 85255

MTH-Cavalier, LLC    Arizona    86-1028847   

17851 N. 85th Street,

Suite 300

Scottsdale, AZ 85255

MTH Golf, LLC    Arizona    56-2379206   

17851 N. 85th Street,

Suite 300

Scottsdale, AZ 85255

WW Project Seller, LLC    Arizona    86-1006497   

17851 N. 85th Street,

Suite 300

Scottsdale, AZ 85255

Meritage Homes of North Carolina, Inc.    Arizona    27-5411983   

17851 N. 85th Street,

Suite 300

Scottsdale, AZ 85255

Carefree Title Agency, Inc.    Texas    45-3742536   

17851 N. 85th Street,

Suite 300

Scottsdale, AZ 85255

M&M Fort Myers Holdings, LLC    Delaware    26-3996740   

17851 N. 85th Street,

Suite 300

Scottsdale, AZ 85255

Debt Securities

 

(Title of the indenture securities)

 

 

 


Item 1. General Information. Furnish the following information as to the trustee:

 

  (a) Name and address of each examining or supervising authority to which it is subject.

Comptroller of the Currency

Treasury Department

Washington, D.C.

Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation

Washington, D.C.

Federal Reserve Bank of San Francisco

San Francisco, California 94120

 

  (b) Whether it is authorized to exercise corporate trust powers.

The trustee is authorized to exercise corporate trust powers.

Item 2. Affiliations with Obligor. If the obligor is an affiliate of the trustee, describe each such affiliation.

None with respect to the trustee.

No responses are included for Items 3-14 of this Form T-1 because the obligor is not in default as provided under Item 13.

Item 15. Foreign Trustee. Not applicable.

Item 16. List of Exhibits. List below all exhibits filed as a part of this Statement of Eligibility.

 

Exhibit 1.    A copy of the Articles of Association of the trustee now in effect.*
Exhibit 2.    A copy of the Comptroller of the Currency Certificate of Corporate Existence and Fiduciary Powers for Wells Fargo Bank, National Association, dated February 4, 2004.**
Exhibit 3.    See Exhibit 2
Exhibit 4.    Copy of By-laws of the trustee as now in effect.***
Exhibit 5.    Not applicable.
Exhibit 6.    The consent of the trustee required by Section 321(b) of the Act.
Exhibit 7.    A copy of the latest report of condition of the trustee published pursuant to law or the requirements of its supervising or examining authority.
Exhibit 8.    Not applicable.
Exhibit 9.    Not applicable.


* Incorporated by reference to the exhibit of the same number to the trustee’s Form T-1 filed as exhibit 25 to the Form S-4 dated December 30, 2005 of file number 333-130784-06.
** Incorporated by reference to the exhibit of the same number to the trustee’s Form T-1 filed as exhibit 25 to the Form T-3 dated March 3, 2004 of file number 022-28721.
*** Incorporated by reference to the exhibit of the same number to the trustee’s Form T-1 filed as exhibit 25 to the Form S-4 dated May 26, 2005 of file number 333-125274.


SIGNATURE

Pursuant to the requirements of the Trust Indenture Act of 1939, as amended, the trustee, Wells Fargo Bank, National Association, a national banking association organized and existing under the laws of the United States of America, has duly caused this statement of eligibility to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized, all in the City of Los Angeles and State of California on the 12th day of April, 2012.

 

WELLS FARGO BANK, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION

 

/s/ MADDY HALL

Maddy Hall
Vice President


EXHIBIT 6

April 12, 2012

Securities and Exchange Commission

Washington, D.C. 20549

Gentlemen:

In accordance with Section 321(b) of the Trust Indenture Act of 1939, as amended, the undersigned hereby consents that reports of examination of the undersigned made by Federal, State, Territorial, or District authorities authorized to make such examination may be furnished by such authorities to the Securities and Exchange Commission upon its request therefor.

 

Very truly yours,

 

WELLS FARGO BANK, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION

 

/s/ MADDY HALL

Maddy Hall
Vice President


EXHIBIT 7

Consolidated Report of Condition of

Wells Fargo Bank National Association

of 101 North Phillips Avenue, Sioux Falls, SD 57104

And Foreign and Domestic Subsidiaries,

at the close of business December 31, 2011, filed in accordance with 12 U.S.C. §161 for National Banks.

 

            Dollar Amounts
In Millions
 

ASSETS

     

Cash and balances due from depository institutions:

     

Noninterest-bearing balances and currency and coin

      $ 19,751   

Interest-bearing balances

        23,384   

Securities:

     

Held-to-maturity securities

        0   

Available-for-sale securities

        195,800   

Federal funds sold and securities purchased under agreements to resell:

     

Federal funds sold in domestic offices

        4,151   

Securities purchased under agreements to resell

        23,225   

Loans and lease financing receivables:

     

Loans and leases held for sale

        28,417   

Loans and leases, net of unearned income

     711,276      

LESS: Allowance for loan and lease losses

     16,360      

Loans and leases, net of unearned income and allowance

        694,916   

Trading Assets

        56,692   

Premises and fixed assets (including capitalized leases)

        7,977   

Other real estate owned

        4,485   

Investments in unconsolidated subsidiaries and associated companies

        607   

Direct and indirect investments in real estate ventures

        99   

Intangible assets

     

Goodwill

        21,252   

Other intangible assets

        22,891   

Other assets

        57,843   
     

 

 

 

Total assets

      $ 1,161,490   
     

 

 

 

LIABILITIES

     

Deposits:

     

In domestic offices

      $ 832,749   

Noninterest-bearing

     234,375      

Interest-bearing

     598,374      

In foreign offices, Edge and Agreement subsidiaries, and IBFs

        72,904   

Noninterest-bearing

     2,140      

Interest-bearing

     70,764      

Federal funds purchased and securities sold under agreements to repurchase:

     

Federal funds purchased in domestic offices

        2,591   

Securities sold under agreements to repurchase

        13,050   


     Dollar Amounts
In Millions
 

Trading liabilities

     23,460   

Other borrowed money (includes mortgage indebtedness and obligations under capitalized leases)

     39,703   

Subordinated notes and debentures

     18,609   

Other liabilities

     33,933   
  

 

 

 

Total liabilities

   $ 1,036,999   

EQUITY CAPITAL

  

Perpetual preferred stock and related surplus

     0   

Common stock

     519   

Surplus (exclude all surplus related to preferred stock)

     99,326   

Retained earnings

     18,744   

Accumulated other comprehensive income

     4,769   

Other equity capital components

     0   
  

 

 

 

Total bank equity capital

     123,358   

Noncontrolling (minority) interests in consolidated subsidiaries

     1,133   
  

 

 

 

Total equity capital

     124,491   
  

 

 

 

Total liabilities, and equity capital

   $ 1,161,490   
  

 

 

 

I, Timothy J. Sloan, EVP & CFO of the above-named bank do hereby declare that this Report of Condition has been prepared in conformance with the instructions issued by the appropriate Federal regulatory authority and is true to the best of my knowledge and belief.

Timothy J. Sloan

EVP & CFO      

We, the undersigned directors, attest to the correctness of this Report of Condition and declare that it has been examined by us and to the best of our knowledge and belief has been prepared in conformance with the instructions issued by the appropriate Federal regulatory authority and is true and correct.

 

John Stumpf    Directors
Carrie Tolstedt   
Michael Loughlin   
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