We are always presented with the challenge of designing and building well-appointed, efficiently designed homes that fit the unique constraints of the small lots typically found on the Cape.   We found this article from Housingzone.com that provides some good ideas that will help you design your next "small home that lives large" Check it out!

docs/small homes that live large.pdf

 Good news from the housing market.  It looks like the existing home market is on the move. Sales were up almost 9% last month as compared to sales in Februrary 2011.  Median prices were also up slightly. 

Click here to see the entire article from housingzone.com :Home sales up 8.8%

If you are thinking of purchasing a home or land on Cape Cod, now is a great time to get back into the market! Since existing inventory is at all time low prices, it is the perfect time to buy and start planning your renovation or remodeling project.  Click below if you are looking at a property and have questions!

    Today REEF is making a FREE project planning guide available for those considering a new construction or renovation project.  This guide provides the critical information that homeowners need to know if they want to have a successful project.  This free guide covers the planning process, budgeting, and permitting, all of which are key to a smooth, worry free construction and building process.    If you are planning a new construction project, tear-down and re-build, or even a simple renovation, you need this information. Click below to download your free copy!!

  Interesting article on the latest and greatest on kitchen technology. This is a peek into the future of kitchens.

http://freshome.com/2012/03/01/what-is-the-future-of-kitchen-technology/

    A recent article by the Boston Globe highlighted cautious optimisim among the CEO's of the nation's largest homebuilders.  A combination of demand, price cuts, and general economic improvement have allowed these builders to reduce their backlog, and generate an increase in new sales.  The CEO's were reluctant to definitively project a strong and sustainable upswing in the marketplace, but the signs are positive. This data, along with the information about the strength of the remodeling market, give some positive indicators to the marketplace. On Cape Cod, we have seen significant increased demand for remodeling and new homes. 

Click here for the article:

http://www.housingzone.com/ihome-building-ceos-cautious-optimism-2012

If you are thinking about a remodeling, tear-down or new construction project on Cape Cod, click below to find out what your project might cost.

   Here is a sildeshow previewing some of the products that will be featured at the Architectural Digest Home Design Show in NYC on March 22nd.  This show features new products and is focused on design professionals and consumers.  They also feature independent product designers and artists who provide unique furnishings and fixtures to the industry.

Click here to see the slideshow from Builderonline.com

Architectural Digest Home Design Show

If you have questions about these or other new products on the market, please feel free to contact us by clicking below.

  Here is an article about the 2012 New American Home, which is the featured home for the National Association of Home Builders.  This year's home displays new and innovative design trends, products and features that will become commonplace in the industry over the next few years.  Take a look at the article and video... and find inspiration for your next home or remodeling project.

2012 New American Home

If you have any questions about the products or techniques used in this home or others you may have seen, feel free to contact us.

  Looks like the Cape Cod real estate market is on the move. See this article from the Barnstable Patriot.... Now is still a great time to buy!!

Barnstable Patriot, Real Estate Trends

If you are thinking of building or remodeling as part of your next real estate investment, click below for a helpful guide to construction costs.

The single biggest reason most bathrooms need to be remodeled is due to moisture damage. Slow and steady moisture accumulation if left untreated can cause structural damage and result in the growth of mold. This type of insidious, slow developing decay can be prevented by using smarter construction methods when developing bathroom plans. By including the following five steps in your bathroom plans you will greatly reduce the chances of moisture issues in your new bathroom.

1] Tubs and showers should be located on interior walls -
It's a good idea to make certain that your new bathroom plans do not include running supply and drain lines in an exterior wall where they are subject to extreme temperature variations. These temperature fluctuations can produce moisture in the wall around the areas where the plumbing is located and should be avoided if at all possible.

2] Vent out moisture -
If your bathroom plans include whirlpool tub or a steam shower you must not forget that these luxury items can create enormous amounts of steam in the bathroom. You should look for a high capacity super quiet bath fan and don't be afraid to spend more for a high quality unit. Make certain that the new fan is ducted through an exterior wall by the shortest path possible. Most of all run the fan. If you have large steam producers such as a whirlpool or steam shower, turn the fan on while taking a bath or steam. Afterwards, close the door to the room and leave the fan on for a minimum of 30 additional minutes.

3] Toilet sweat... don't sweat it -
Condensation on the toilet tank is typical in the summer months especially in homes where air conditioning is not used. The least expensive way to control this excess moisture is by using a tank insulation kit. Another option is to install an anti sweat valve to supply just enough hot water to the tank to keep condensation from forming.

4] Eliminate Shower Stall Leaks -
The best way to prevent grout leaks in your shower is to eliminate grout lines on floor altogether. Many types of one piece shower pans are available to prevent the possibility of your shower floor grout leaking in the future. Depending on the manufacturer and material custom shapes and sizes are available to fit any shower size and shape.

5] Build a Better Bathroom Wall -
Bathroom walls must be designed to work well with the particular climate of a given region. The climate will determine exactly where a vapor barrier is to be placed within the wall during construction. Since moisture generally travels from a warmer to a cooler area, if you live in a Northern climate the vapor barrier would be installed on the inside of the ceiling and wall framing while breathable, permeable exterior sheeting is then used on the exterior. This will allow for any moisture entering the wall space to escape. A local building pro will be able to best help design the right wall system for your new bathroom plans.

These five tips will help make sure your bathroom plans come together with dryness and lower maintenance cost as a priority.

If you have questions about your next bathroom project... click below to contact one of our experts.

We found this article from CNN Money about how to get better remodeling bids.  Developing a realistic budget is key to a smooth process.  We use a lot of these techniques as part of our processes.  However, our most valuable tool is experience, and the high volume of historical data we have from almost 1500 successful projects here on Cape Cod.  Check out this article for some great information...Remodeling Bid

If you have questions about your next remodeling project, click here to get in touch with one of REEF's experts