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INVESTMENTS IN UNCONSOLIDATED ENTITIES - Summary of Condensed Financial Information Related to Unconsolidated Equity Method Joint Ventures, Revenues and Expenses (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands | 12 Months Ended
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Dec. 31, 2018 | Dec. 31, 2017 | Dec. 31, 2016
Financial information related to unconsolidated joint ventures, Operations |  |  |  |
Revenue |  | $ 43,672 | $ 45,475 | $ 72,486
Costs and expenses |  | (17,294) | (19,203) | (34,080)
Net earnings of unconsolidated entities |  | 26,378 | 26,272 | 38,406
Meritage’s share of pre-tax earnings | [1],[2] | $ 16,396 | $ 16,082 | $ 19,357
[1] | Balance represents Meritage’s interest, as reflected in the financial records of the respective joint ventures. This balance may differ from the balance reflected in our consolidated financial statements due to the following reconciling items: (i) timing differences for revenue and distributions recognition, (ii) step-up basis and corresponding amortization, (iii) capitalization of interest on qualified assets, (iv) income deferrals as discussed in Note (2) below and (v) the cessation of allocation of losses from joint ventures in which we have previously written down our investment balance to zero and where we have no commitment to fund additional losses. As discussed in Note 2 to these consolidated financial statements, the balances above do not include $454,000, $517,000 and $130,000 of capitalized interest that is a component of our investment balances at December 31, 2018, 2017 and 2016, respectively.
[2] | Our share of pre-tax earnings is recorded in Earnings from financial services unconsolidated entities and other, net or Earnings from other unconsolidated entities, net, as applicable, on our consolidated income statements and excludes joint venture profit related to lots we purchased from the joint ventures. Such profit is deferred until homes are delivered by us and title passes to a homebuyer.

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- Definition Net Income (Loss) from Equity Method Investments adjusted for reconciling items such as: timing differences for revenue and distributions recognition, step-up basis and corresponding amortization, capitalization of interest on qualified assets, income deferrals, and the cessation of allocation of losses from joint ventures in which the company has previously written down our investment balance to zero and where we have no commitment to fund additional losses. + References No definition available. + Details
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