The Design-Build process: we’ve been doing it so long, it’s like getting up in the morning. After almost 2,000 homes, this is a tried and true method that has withstood the test of time.

Cape Cod is a collection of 15 Towns, each with its own Boards, Commissions, Assessors, Zoning Ordinances and Bylaws. Navigating the various entities that control or influence what can be built and where is expertise that REEF has developed over decades.

It’s also a small peninsula. The amount of real estate is finite. “They’re not making any more of it,” so frequently we are asked to design a home to fit on a specific lot. In fact, that’s one of our real points of expertise.

Because we design the home to fit on the specific lot, and our interface with the individual Town begins during the research phase, we are fully aware of the special restrictions and conditions that impact the construction. So as the site is prepared, and building begins, the REEF team knows what to expect at every turn.  One thing you don’t want during a construction project is surprises. Which is one reason REEF has so many happy Customers: no surprises.

Here’s an InfoGraphic we created to help explain how the Design-Build process works. It’s a good road map to follow as your home is being built. Let us know what you think: 508-394-3090, any time, every day, or drop me a line: CTuttle@CapeCodBuilder.com

BEFORE

AFTER

Planning your Cape Cod home? Need a home office or workspace? A girl that works a lot at home definitely needs a cool home office. There are so many ways and ideas to do that! Bring in more natural light and a piece of nature using plants and flowers. Use awesome prints like animal ones, or floral and striped patterns that never go out of style. Here are lots of home office ideas for the girl who works…or just needs a place of her own.

Elegant & Feminine Offices for your Cape Cod Home

Elegant & Feminine Offices for your Cape Cod Home

Sometimes landscaping really brings a home alive. We often suggest to our Customers to let us do the heavy stuff: moving earth, building walls, creating lawns. Then they can enjoy doing the fun stuff, like planting flower gardens, small shrubs, etc.

Here’s an example of some “heavy stuff” that will really enhance this ocean view property. Check out this short video to see how a substantial rock wall can define and enhance a side yard with a million-dollar view. Once the Owners move-in, they’ll have a great space for some the “fun stuff”: selecting and planting their favorite flowers, grasses and shrubs.

Beautiful stonework at REEF home on Cape Cod

Many of our projects begin to come to life this time of year. Most of our Customers want to use their Cape Cod homes as sum retreats, so we have them built, ready and clean before the Memorial Day weekend. Here’s some video I took this morning of one of the Custom Homes we are building on Cape Cod. This one has a spectacular kitchen with a million-dollar view of Cape Cod Bay.

Check out the video:

REEF built home overlooking Cape Cod Bay

REEF built home overlooking Cape Cod Bay

Spring on Cape Cod is a very special time. The bulbs are peeking out, and people are gearing up for the summer. Our projects are in full swing, and many of the homes we are building will be finished and delivered before the summer begins.

Easter is another sure sign of spring. There are many celebrations around the Cape. Easter egg hunts are very popular for children of all ages. Falmouth is getting ready to celebrate its 28^th Annual Easter Egg Hunt. The whole Main Street is involved! And Mashpee Commons is hosting a special hunt for dogs!

Here are links to some of the special east celebrations around the Cape:

Easter Treat Hunt for Cape Cod Dogs at Mashpee Commons

Falmouth Cape Cod hosts 28th Annual Easter Egg Hunt

Cape Cod Restaurants offer Special Easter Menus

Easter Treat Hunt for Cape Cod Dogs at Mashpee Commons

Falmouth Cape Cod hosts 28th Annual Easter Egg Hunt

Cape Cod Restaurants offer Special Easter Menus

Once you’re settled into your Cape Cod home, spending time on creating a beautiful backyard landscape can be very rewarding. There are myriad opportunities for color and texture, and discovering new plants and flowers to accent your space as the seasons change can be challenging. Here is a great site with lots of ideas and designs to consider. Stone walls, terraced slopes, and winding paths can really enhance your property, and your enjoyment of your Cape Cod home!

Backyard Landscape ideas for Cape Cod

We're always looking for ways to help our customers maximize the enjoyment of their Cape Cod Home. Many of the homes we build enjoy water views, and even waterfront. Water is always an enjoyable feature around a home. Small ponds are easy to build, and provide lots of enjoyment, usually attracting birds, frogs, butterflies, and crickets (no mosquitoes, though, thanks to the moving water). Here’s a step-by-step guide to building your own backyard sanctuary. 

How to create a backyard pond

How to create a backyard pond

Recently we have had several customers ensure that their new Cape Cod home design has good space for a home office. As the kids grow up and move away, often that extra bedroom becomes a space for working out of the home. Here are some striking home office designs that will get your creative juices flowing:

Dramatic Home Office Design Ideas

Dramatic Home Office Design Ideas

Every day we talk with people who are interested in creating a more modern, comfortable, usable and enjoyable space on their Cape Cod home site. Invariably money and finances enter the discussion. Affording and financing the new home is an important part of the equation.

With the cost of financing at record lows, combined with ever-increasing construction costs…”There’s no time like the present” to get your Cape Cod project underway. Additionally, new building codes are expected to go into effect this summer, with new energy efficiency requirements pushing costs up further.

So here’s a short read from the Real Estate board:

Freddie Mac recently released the results of its Primary Mortgage Market Survey® (PMMS®), showing average fixed mortgage rates largely holding steady from the previous week, remaining near their 65-year record lows, and continuing to provide support for the housing recovery.

Results showed that the 30-year fixed-rate mortgage (FRM) averaged 3.52 percent with an average 0.7 point for the week ending March 7, 2013, up from last week when it averaged 3.51 percent. Last year at this time, the 30-year FRM averaged 3.88 percent.

Additionally, the 15-year FRM this week averaged 2.76 percent with an average 0.7 point, the same as last week. A year ago at this time, the 15-year FRM averaged 3.13 percent.

The survey shows that the 5-year Treasury-indexed hybrid adjustable-rate mortgage (ARM) averaged 2.63 percent this week with an average 0.5 point, up from last week when it averaged 2.61 percent. A year ago, the 5-year ARM averaged 2.81 percent.

The 1-year Treasury-indexed ARM averaged 2.63 percent this week with an average 0.3 point, down from last week when it averaged 2.64 percent. At this time last year, the 1-year ARM averaged 2.73 percent.

Average commitment rates should be reported along with average fees and points to reflect the total upfront cost of obtaining the mortgage. Visit the following links for the Regional and National Mortgage Rate Details and Definitions. Borrowers may still pay closing costs which are not included in the survey.

"With gross domestic product growing only 0.1 percent in the fourth quarter of 2012, inflation remains at bay and consequently mortgage rates low," says Frank Nothaft, vice president and chief economist, Freddie Mac. In fact, the price index of personal consumption expenditures rose only 0.1 percent in January which was below the market consensus forecast. Moreover, these low mortgage rates are helping to revive the housing market. For instance the CoreLogic® home price index rose 9.7 percent between January 2012 and 2013, marking the largest annual increase since April 2006."

Download our complimentary Guide: How to Control the Cost of your Project

Download our complimentary Guide: How to Control the Cost of your Project

We've got some beautiful kitchens under construction right now. Imagine enjoying a relaxing time with friends and family in your dream kitchen...we make that dream come true for our Customers! Many hours of design time go in to our kitchen creations, and we're always looking for fresh ideas. Home & Garden Magazine talked to top designers and kitchen experts to get the scoop on the hottest trends in kitchens for 2013. Whether you're looking for a quick update or a total overhaul, you'll love these ideas.

Kitchen Design Trends for 2013

Kitchen Design Trends for 2013