NEW YORK, April 17 (Reuters) - Meritage Homes Corp (MTH.N: Quote, Profile, Research) said on Thursday it priced its 4 million-share offering at $20.50 per share, hoping to raise about $82 million.

The company granted the underwriters an option to buy up to an additional 600,000 shares to cover any overallotments. The offering is expected to close on April 23, and Meritage plans to use proceeds for working capital and other general corporate purposes.

Citi Markets & Banking is serving as sole book-running manager and representative of the underwriters.

After the close of the market Wednesday, Meritage said it would offer 4 million shares.

Meritage shares closed at $20.89, down 7 percent, while the benchmark Dow Jones U.S. Home Construction Index .DJUSHB rose 0.1 percent.

At the end of 2007, the company had 26 million shares outstanding. (Reporting by Ilaina Jonas; Editing by Braden Reddall/Jeffrey Benkoe)