Top Finance Teams Take on Real Estate Challenges at Meritage Homes Case Competition
On April 17, 2026, the annual Meritage Homes Case Competition brought together some of the top finance students in the Eller College of Management to tackle a real-world challenge based on the current housing market.
Sponsored by Meritage Homes, the event featured five teams that earned their spot through an in-class competition held during the semester. Nine teams initially competed, with the top five advancing into the Meritage Case Competition.
Teams explored topics such as down payment strategies, the effects of built-for-rent policy changes, and the impact of age-based incentives on demand. Their diverse approaches produced creative solutions that demonstrated strong technical skills and a clear understanding of the housing market.
Each team had 15 minutes to present, followed by a 15-minute Q&A with a panel of judges from the Tucson real estate community. That panel included Phillippe Lord, CEO of Meritage Homes, and Executive Vice President and CFO of Meritage Homes, Hilla Sferruzza, who challenged students to think deeper and defend their ideas.
After all five presentations, the judges deliberated and selected the top teams. Third place went to Team One comprised of Jack Jones, Lucia Poole, Justin Brown, Ryan Plummer, and Dylan Combs, earning $1,000. Niki Martin, Ryan Tsau, Miles Bottai, Nicholas Laws, and Ben Metsch, who made up Team Five took second place and $2,000. Team Four, comprised of Sam Reish, Ben Laurnen, Dylan Murray and Scott Spencer, stood out for their approach and execution, taking home the first place and the $3,000 grand prize.
Following the competition, students heard directly from Lord and Sferruzza, who shared how impressed they were by the level of work and the ideas presented. It was a chance for students to not only showcase their skills, but also get feedback from leaders actively shaping the industry.
Alice Bonaimé, head of the finance department, reflected on the competition by highlighting the caliber of the students involved. She noted that these participants represent some of the strongest talent in the program and expressed excitement about what they’ll go on to do after Eller.
Thank you to all of our judges and Meritage Homes for their continued support at the Meritage Homes Case Competition.
