Every week we get phone calls about building a new home or renovating existing homes here on Cape Cod. More often than not, we discover that many of these project sites are located within documented FEMA Flood zones. Why is this important?

Any construction within a FEMA A, AE, AO or V flood zones require special design and construction considerations that can either limit or dramatically change a homeowners' concept what their new home or renovated home may look like.

If you want to know if your home is in a FEMA Flood Zone - Click Here to enter your address and find out!

Here's a great diagram from FEMA that explains the impacts of different flood zone designations on home construction:

Any properties located within these zones (with the exception of the "X" zone) must be designed and built to flood resistant construction standards which generally means that any new home or addition in these areas must be raised up above the flood plain, and foundation areas must be designed to allow flood waters to pass through the foundation without damage.

Renovations and additions are especially tricky as the size (monetary value) of the project may require the entire existing structure to be raised up above the flood plain before the renovation or addition work can begin. The requirement to raise the home up is determined by the "Substantial Improvement" regulation defined below:

Any reconstruction, rehabilitation, addition, or other improvement of a structure, the cost of which equals or exceeds 50 percent of the market value of the structure before the "start of construction" of the improvement. This term includes structures which have incurred "substantial damage," regardless of the actual repair work performed. The term does not, however, include either:

1. Any project for improvement of a structure to correct existing violations of state or local health, sanitary, or safety code specifications which have been identified by the local code enforcement official and which are the minimum necessary to assure safe living conditions or
2. Any alterations of a "historic structure," provided that the alteration will not preclude the structure's continued designation as a "historic structure."

Floodplain management requirements for new construction apply to substantial improvements. Increased Cost of Compliance (ICC) coverage does not apply to substantial improvements unless a structure is substantially damaged due to flooding.

Here's a good example of a home after a substantial improvement in a flood zone:

Did you know an electric vehicle could serve as a backup generator for your home? Specifically, Ford E150 Lightning trucks can run a house for up to 10 days!  Massachusetts's new energy code requires installation of at least 1 electric vehicle charger in new homes as of January 2023. This is an interesting added benefit for electric vehicle ownership!  

In an article in The Washington Post, Cohen writes, Ford changed how customers saw their trucks when it rolled out a hybrid version of the F-150, says Ryan O’Gorman of Ford’s energy services program. The truck doubles as a generator sporting as many as 11 outlets spread around the vehicle, including a 240-volt outlet typically used for appliances like clothes dryers. During disasters like the 2021 ice storm that left millions of Texans without electricity, Ford dealers lent out their hybrid F-150s as home generators.

The Lightning, the fully electric version of the F-150, takes the next step by offering home backup power. Under each Lightning sits a massive 98 kWh to 131 kWh battery pack. That’s enough energy, Ford estimates, to power a home for three days (10 days if rationing). “The vehicle has an immense amount of power to move that much metal down the road at 80 mph,” says O’Gorman.

Read the full article here, to find the answers to commonly asked questions about powering your home with your car. 

If you are looking to buy, build or renovate your home, kitchen or bath on Cape Cod, consider working with the REEF Builders team with complete real estate, design, permitting, and construction services.

Looking for costs per square foot for a new home on Cape Cod?  Click here to download our Construction Cost Guide

Follow us on social @thecapecodbuilder

What is Viva Magenta?
Pantone’s Color of the Year, Viva Magenta 18-1750, vibrates with vim and vigor. It is a shade rooted in nature descending from the red family and expressive of a new signal of strength. Viva Magenta is brave and fearless, and a pulsating color whose exuberance promotes a joyous and optimistic celebration, writing a new narrative.

This year’s Color of the Year is powerful and empowering. It is a new animated red that revels in pure joy, encouraging experimentation and self-expression without restraint, an electrifying, and a boundaryless shade that is manifesting as a stand-out statement. PANTONE 18-1750 Viva Magenta welcomes anyone and everyone with the same verve for life and rebellious spirit. It is a color that is audacious, full of wit and inclusive of all.

Pantone has also shared a beautiful nature inspired color palette (below) to compliment this vibrant shade of red.

Source: https://www.pantone.com/color-of-the-year-2023

If you are looking to buy, build or renovate your home, kitchen or bath on Cape Cod, consider working with the REEF Builders team with complete real estate, design, permitting, and construction services.

Looking for costs per square foot for a new home on Cape Cod?  Click here to download our Construction Cost Guide

Follow us on social @thecapecodbuilder

We've been riding a wild real estate wave since 2020 with home prices surging. Financial experts are now predicting a slow change beginning in 2023 with a continued decrease in home prices into 2024.

As stated in an article published by Appraisal Buzz

Experts Predict Prices to Fall 5% by the End of Next Year

Most financial institutions predict market prices will fall by around 5% by the end of 2023. Wells Fargo predicts the decrease will be over 5%, and analyst Ivy Zelman expects prices will drop by 4% in 2023 and another 5% in 2024.

Check out the full article: The Housing Market is Projected to Fall in 2023: What You Should Know

If you are looking to buy, build or renovate your home, kitchen or bath on Cape Cod, consider working with the REEF Builders team with complete real estate, design, permitting, and construction services.

Looking for costs per square foot for a new home on Cape Cod?  Click here to download our Construction Cost Guide

Follow us on social @thecapecodbuilder

Every week we get phone calls about building a new home or renovating existing homes here on Cape Cod. More often than not, we discover that many of these project sites are located within documented FEMA Flood zones. Why is this important?

Any construction within a FEMA A, AE, AO or V flood zones require special design and construction considerations that can either limit or dramatically change a homeowners' concept what their new home or renovated home may look like.

If you want to know if your home is in a FEMA Flood Zone - Click Here to enter your address and find out!

Here's a great diagram from FEMA that explains the impacts of different flood zone designations on home construction:

Any properties located within these zones (with the exception of the "X" zone) must be designed and built to flood resistant construction standards which generally means that any new home or addition in these areas must be raised up above the flood plain, and foundation areas must be designed to allow flood waters to pass through the foundation without damage.

Renovations and additions are especially tricky as the size (monetary value) of the project may require the entire existing structure to be raised up above the flood plain before the renovation or addition work can begin. The requirement to raise the home up is determined by the "Substantial Improvement" regulation defined below:

Any reconstruction, rehabilitation, addition, or other improvement of a structure, the cost of which equals or exceeds 50 percent of the market value of the structure before the "start of construction" of the improvement. This term includes structures which have incurred "substantial damage," regardless of the actual repair work performed. The term does not, however, include either:

1. Any project for improvement of a structure to correct existing violations of state or local health, sanitary, or safety code specifications which have been identified by the local code enforcement official and which are the minimum necessary to assure safe living conditions or
2. Any alterations of a "historic structure," provided that the alteration will not preclude the structure's continued designation as a "historic structure."

Floodplain management requirements for new construction apply to substantial improvements. Increased Cost of Compliance (ICC) coverage does not apply to substantial improvements unless a structure is substantially damaged due to flooding.

Here's a good example of a home after a substantial improvement in a flood zone:

Pantone has released their color of the year: Very Peri!

More importantly, Pantone has provided several complimentary color palettes that provide inspiration for any of your home projects. Pantone provides a universal language of color that enables color-critical decisions through every stage of the workflow for brands and manufacturers. More than 10 million designers and producers around the world rely on Pantone products and services to help define, communicate and control color from inspiration to realization – leveraging advanced X-Rite technology to achieve color consistency across various materials and finishes for graphics, fashion and product design.

Their "color harmonies" provide a great tool for designers looking to compliment this great classic color. If you are planning your new home, renovation or remodeling project on Cape Cod, Pantone offers exception tools and color consulting that can really help your decision making process.

Click below to find out more about Pantone and their expertise in color!

Pantone Color of the Year

If you are considering building a new custom home on Cape Cod, or if you are considering renovating your existing Cape Cod Home, you may want to download some of our helpful project guides:

Cost Control Guide

Cape Cod Construction Cost Guide, Cost per Square Foot

We have definitely seen a trend towards more colorful interior accents over the last few years, and apparently - floral patterns and decor are back for 2020. Floral patterns can now be seen in everything from wall treatments, to furnishings, and even light fixtures. We have also seen an evolution in floral patterns that have been modernized, using the basic floral shapes and color concepts in a unique interpretations. We are also seeing more and more requests for colorful wall treatments in bathrooms, so that's right - wallpaper is back!

If you are thinking of adding a splash of color to your Cape Cod Home - you can find out more here: Flowers and Floral Designs are abloom in 2020 Decor

If you are looking to remodel or renovate your existing Cape Cod home, or if you are considering building a new home on Cape Cod, click below to download our Cape CodConstruction Cost Guide, with cost per square foot data for all types of projects.

Given the recent decline in global stock values, based on the anticipated spread of the Corona virus, we thought it might be a good time to remind people about the value of residential real estate as an investment. In a recent article published by Investopedia, it was determined that an investment in residential real estate has outperformed the stock market by almost 2 to 1 since 2000. That's right - on average, residential real estate has provided an annual return of 10.71% , vs. 5.43% for stocks.

When you consider the fact that Cape Cod has long been a high demand real estate market, and currently mortgage rates are at historic lows, this might be the perfect time to own property on Cape Cod. Now all investments involve risk, but based on the information above, a sound investment in a quality residential property has provided better returns over the last 20 years.

If you'd like to read more about investing in real estate click here: Reasons To Invest in Real Estate

If you are considering buying a property on Cape Cod, and building or renovating your exiting property, click here to download our Construction Cost Guide

Looking for Land on Cape Cod? Click here to download our Guide to Buying Land on Cape Cod

Before you know it, spring will be here on Cape Cod, and nothing compliments a beautiful home more than exceptional, well-planned landscaping. Here are the top 5 landscaping trends for 2020 according to Realtor.com

Top 5 Landscaping Trends for 2020

If you are thinking of building a new home, or renovating your existing Cape Cod home, click here to download our Construction Cost Guide

Here are some of the projects completed by the REEF Team for some additional inspiration: