Planning and permitting your new home, remodeling or renovation project can be the most challenging part of the process. At REEF, Cape Cod's Home Builder, we provide complete, design, planning, and permitting services as part of our construction process. Any project, even the most simple, have several layers of permitting and design that must be addressed properly for the project to be a success.  Things like building codes, zoning by-laws, historic districs, conservation and wetlands, septic systems and energy efficiency all come into play.  Our team of experts has the experience, and technical knowledge to make the entire process predictable. 

If you are thinking of building a new home or remodeling on Cape Cod, you should take a minute and download our Critical Plannign Guide below:

And this could be your new home!

  The housing market has been in a real slump for the last several years.  As a Custom Home Builder, Remodeling, and Design firm on Cape Cod, we have felt this impact over the last several years.  Despite the consistent draw of people to the Cape, especially for retirement, we have found that people need to sell their primary residences off Cape to make the move.  Recently, the National Association of Home Builders published their outlook for 2012 and all signs are positive for the housing industry. In fact 2012 may be the first year in the last 7 for positive housing activity.  If you are thinking of building your new home on cape cod, or renovating or remodeling that old cottage, now is a great time to start planning your project!

Here is the full article from Builderonline.com: http://www.builderonline.com/housing-data/growth-looks-good.aspx

Here is the latest info on Cape Cod Real Estate... looks like things are really on the move! If you are thinking of Building a New Home, Remodeling or Renovating, please contact REEF Realty today at CAPECODBUILDER.COM

JOHN F. MEADE, REGISTER OF DEEDS

REPORT OF BARNSTABLE COUNTY REAL ESTATE ACTIVITY

FOR THE MONTH OF JULY 2012

SALES VOLUME JUMPS, MEDIAN VALUE FLAT!

Barnstable County Register of Deeds, John F. Meade, reports that the volume of real estate sales in July 2012 was up 33.8% from July 2011 volume and the total value of sales was up 46.9% from the previous year.  The median individual property sale value was down 0.2% from the previous year.  There was a 78.4% increase in the volume of mortgage activity from July 2011 levels.

Year to Date: Volume of Sales is up 23.6%; Total Value of Sales is up 30.9%; Individual Sales Value is up 3.8%; Mortgage Volume is up 38%.

Register Meade reports that there were 605 deeds recorded at the Barnstable Registry of Deeds in July 2012 with stated sales values above $50,000.00 representing a stated value of $259,374,719.00 in county-wide real estate sales. Based on all property sales valued above $50,000.00, the median sale price of property in Barnstable County in July was $284,000.00.

There were 1,604 mortgages recorded with values above $50,000.00 in July with a total value of $448,358,950.00.  The median mortgage amount, commercial, residential or other, was $222,300.00.

By way of comparison there were 452 deeds recorded at the Barnstable Registry of Deeds in July 2011 with stated sales values above $50,000.00 representing a stated value of $176,602,644.00 in county-wide real estate sales. Based on all property sales valued above $50,000.00, the median sale price of property in Barnstable County in July was $284,500.00.

There were 899 mortgages recorded with values above $50,000.00 in July with a total value of $246,965,561.00.  The median mortgage amount, commercial, residential or other, was $221,791.00.

  Looks like the housing market is back on the move!.  In both April and May, home sale prices increased, and June is looking positive as well. In some markets, home prices are back where they were in 2003! Opinions are all trending towards a stabilization of the market, and accordingly, REEF has begun to see some material prices increase of the last few months (over 2%).  This means that things are definitely on the move. If you are thinking of a New Home, Remodeling, or Renovation project, now is the time to start and take advantage of this emerging market!  Click below to find out what your project might cost!

Here is the fill article on the housing market from Builderonline.com:http://www.builderonline.com/home-prices/home-sales-prices-increase-for-second-month.aspx

  If you are considering building a new custom home, or remodeling your existing home on Cape Cod, then there is one critical piece of information that you will want to know... how much will this project cost?   REEF is a custom builder on Cape Cod, and offers complete design/build services for new construction, remodeling, and tear-down and re-build projects.   We have recently produced a construction cost guide which will give potential clients a good idea of what their project might cost.  We have tailored the information to suit basic small homes, through highly detailed, well-appointed custom homes, and renovation projects.  This is critical information for potential customers who are planning a project over the next several months.   Click below to download our guide!!

   The Harvard Joint Center for Housing Studies has released it's 2012 State of the Nation's Housing Report.  All indications point to improved housing market nationwide, with a few interesting points. It appears that housing inventories are still high, and there are still several homeowners who owe more on their homes than they are worth.  This means a few more years of slow, but steady recovery. Also, the rental market seems to be growing at a steady pace based on the increased demand for rental property. This is an interesting point, and will also survive for a few if not several years given the tightened lending restrictons for home buyers. This is a great time to invest in a rental property on Cape Cod or elsewhere.  The tax advantages alone may make owning a rental property worth the investment, let alone the potential to build equity over several years.  If you are thinking of building, renovating or remodeling your home on Cape Cod to take advantage of this unique opportunity, you should contac REEF, Cape Cod's Home Builder.

Here is the full article from Housingzone.com: http://www.housingzone.com/industry-data-research/9-takeaways-harvards-2012-state-nation%E2%80%99s-housing-report

     Cape Cod is a unique place, especially when it comes to landscaping. Many Cape Cod Homes feature extensive, colorful, and often times low maintenance landscaping that fits the coastal style of Cape Cod Living.  So if you are building a new custom home, renovating, remodeling, or just want to enhance your existing landscape we have a few suggestions for you.  Perennial beds, ornamental grasses, often times highlighted with annuals for color and style are often seen on Cape Cod.  Using the natural topography to your advantage is also important. Instead of building a large retaining wall to stabilize a slope, why not use rosa rugosa, day lillies or a low ground cover to stabilize the slope which will provide color and style. Below is an article from houzz.com that discusses some of the challenges and opportunities when planning your landscaping in a coastal environment.

http://www.houzz.com/ideabooks/1868186/list/Lay-of-the-Landscape--Coastal-Garden-Style#

    If you are thinking of selling your existing home, there are several ways you can increase the value.  However, starting a major remodel or renovation is probably not the best way.  Simple things like new carpet, paint, re-finished wood floors, and new or re-finished cabinets may be all you need.  Here is a great article from MSNBC.com and Forbes talking about smart home improvements you can make to improve the chances of selling your home at the price you want. 

http://today.msnbc.msn.com/id/47666549/ns/today-money/#.T9X3kbXrEUM

   Many of our customers have waited a lifetime to build their custom home on Cape Cod.  Given the slow real estate market over the last several years, many customers have postponed building or renovating their Cape Cod home, because they are waiting to sell their existing home off Cape.  Well, all signs are pointing to an improving real estate market, and prices are beginning to stabilize and even increase.  We found an interesting article that offers some advice to people interested in selling their existing home. In an emerging market, some of these tips might be helpful, and can mean the difference between a full price offer with a quick closing, and a low-ball offer with months of haggling over issues that could have been corrected early in the process.

Here is the article from Yahoo Finance: 11 Reason People Can't Sell Their Home

   The Warren Group recently published their Massachusetts Real Estate sales statistics for the month of March. Sales are up an notable 20% from March 2011 marking the 9th consecutive month of increased sales.  So what does this mean to REEF, a custom home builder on Cape Cod?  It provides clear indication that demand is increasing, and that the market is supporting sound investments in real estate.   If you are thinking of a new home, or remodeling project, you should probably take steps to start the process now.   As demand increases, there will be corresponding increases in material, labor and other costs.  These indicators coupled with the pending building code change in July can only lead to increased costs for consumers. 

Here is the article from the Cape Cod Times: http://www.capecodonline.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20120424/NEWS11/120429886