We came across this article on www.greenbuildingadvisor.com that discusses long term air quality issues resulting from a poorly designed and installed exterior envelope in a Green building in Belgium.  In reality, all of the individual components used in creating the high efficiency home design, worked in theory, but in practice, and under poor supervision these products did not work well together.   The most important thing we have learned over the years has been how critical proper ventilation is to a healthy home.  Indoor air must move, and needs to move enough to evacuate built-up moisture in the home.  Properly insulating a Custom Home, or a renovation  is always tricky, but we have found that proven materials, installed properly always work. 

Here is the full article from GreenBuildingAdvisor.com: http://www.greenbuildingadvisor.com/blogs/dept/musings/belgian-passivhaus-rendered-uninhabitable-bad-indoor-air

   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

    There is a unique farm in Dennis that provides fresh produce to both residents and several local restaurants.  The unique part is that the farm is staffed exclusively by people with disabilities.   Check out their website for more information:http://www.capeabilities.org/

Cape Abilities operates a farm with greenhouses and a farm stand on Route 6A in Dennis that has attracted a loyal following of people who crave high-quality, locally-grown produce. We also have a working farm in Marstons Mills that features a historic home and barn but no farm stand, so produce grown there is brought to our Dennis farm stand to be sold. Between the two locations, Cape Abilities Farm provides paid employment for people with disabilities who work in every aspect of farm management.

Fresh produce, healthy plants and service with a smile are hallmarks of Cape Abilities Farm. Our award-winning tomatoes are especially sought-after, and some of the finest restaurants on Cape Cod feature Cape Abilities produce on their menus. Among them are the Brewster Fish House, Fin, Chatham Bars Inn, the Naked Oyster, Pain D’Avignon, the Red Pheasant and the Regatta.

Farm work has proven satisfying, instructive and therapeutic to Cape Abilities participants who enjoy being productive and making things grow. Our farm workers do everything from planting seeds to training tomato vines to packaging produce, and they are living proof that Cape Abilities Farm grows much more than beautiful annuals, perennials, herbs and vegetables—Cape Abilities Farm grows futures.

     So what does the future hold for house design? Trends are moving towards more contemporary interiors, traditional but highly detailed exteriors, and flexible and fun living spaces that allow families to enjoy time together both inside and outside the home.  Builderonline.com recently published an article covering design trends for new homes in 2012.  As a Custom Home Builder on Cape Cod, we are constantly looking to identify trends that are not only popular, but make sense both aesthetically and financially. This article discusses new concepts like the "Family Triangle" and viewing outdoor living spaces as an extension of the indoor space. If you are thinking of building a new home on Cape Cod,

Click here to read the full article: http://www.builderonline.com/design/eight-design-trends-for-fresh-elevations-updated-interiors_1.aspx

Traditional Exterior:

Contemporary Interior

   Here is a new waterfront custom home created by our talented designer and Vice President Jim Hagerty.  Jim has been designing and building custom homes throughout southeastern Massachusetts for the last 20 years.  His attention to detail, style, and ability to listen to his customers are clearly demonstrated in his work.  If you are planning a Custom Home on Cape Cod, or a Renovation or Remodeling Project, you should hire a team like REEF to take your project from Concept to Completion.

Front View:

Rear View

     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#

    Creating an appealing home has a number of factors. Overall design, lot location, and exterior details can all contribute to an attractive home.  The elements of an attractive home should be balanced in mass and scale, and present a coordinated appearance.   We found an interesting article from Housingzone.com that discusses the 3 key elements to creating a stunning custom home.  This article highlights massing, fenestration, and detailing as the most important factors that contribute to an attractive custom home.  Even the smallest house can have exceptional curb appeal with some well placed windows and doors, and some small details like shutters. 

Click here to read the full article: http://www.housingzone.com/blog/3-key-elements-creating-stunning-curb-appeal

    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

    Sometimes, we here at REEF, Cape Cod's Home Builder, get stuck in the traditional.  Occasionally we have been asked to design some unique and fun features into our homes.  We came across this slideshow from DigsDigs.com that features 10 Wild Bathroom designs, that might make you think outside the box for your next project. Customers will often ask us "can you do______________" and our answer is always yes. Whether building a new custom home, or renovation or remodeling project, we always like a challenge!

Here is the link to the slideshow: http://www.digsdigs.com/10-the-most-cool-and-wacky-bathrooms-ever/

    Planning for a kitchen renovation can be a complex process.  Balancing the new design, appliances, plumbing and electrical changes can be complicated. The key to a successful renovation or remodeling project is planning. There is much more to a kitchen renovation than going to a kitchen design center and picking out cabinets.  A good General Contracor or Custom Home Builder can take you through the critical planning steps before things become a problem.  Coordinating electricians, plumbers, tile setter, cabinet installers, and countertop installers can be a challenging undertaking for someone without experience.   Here is a good articl from Renovator's Place that provides a list of questions you should ask before you start your project: http://www.renovatorsplace.com/articles/planning-questions-for-a-kitchen-renovation.cfm

  REEF has been designing, building and renovating Custom Homes on Cape Cod for over 25 years, and understands the value of the planning process.  We look forward to helping you with your next project!