Lumber! Not on the tip of everyone’s tongue, but it’s something that is vital to REEF homes. We’re constantly refining and upgrading our materials and techniques. Many modern products allow us to build a better, stronger house at the same cost, and sometimes deliver a savings. This a great example: presently REEF is building a home using a new Georgia Pacific (GP) lumber product.

GP’s new engineered lumber is more resistant to flaws like warping and absorption. It also allows more flexibility in the design, letting homeowners build bigger rooms with more intricate finishing, leaving a professional look, while reducing the number of beams required.

Here’s a short article from GP outlining the benefits of their new engineered lumber, and describing REEF’s involvement:

REEF uses new Engineered Lumber

REEF uses new Engineered Lumber

Super-storm Sandy and other recent water-based natural disasters have catalyzed action by the Fed’s. Last month the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) released new maps of flood zones in the USA.  The new maps reflect better data about the effects of waves, tidal surges, storms, and other flooding events. Many homes close to coastal areas and rivers were affected: their projected risk to flooding was increased.

Here is our new report of concerning the new Flood Zone maps:

-New FEMA Flood Zones affect Cape Cod properties

The new flood zone maps will require many homes to secure flood insurance, and those homes moved to more severe flood zone demarcations will experience insurance cost increases.

• Will your property be affected?
• What relief, if any, will property-owners have if they are re-mapped up into a higher risk zone than they were in before?
• For properties that are re-mapped up, will there be major consequences?
• What if my structure is re-mapped up and I do nothing?
• How can I know for certain that I will be grandfathered?
• Does grandfathering end when I sell or convey my property?
• Is my grandfathered lower risk rate jeopardized if I change insurance carriers?
• My insurance agent has never heard of grandfathering of flood insurance risk rates. What should I do?

-New FEMA Flood Zones affect Cape Cod properties

Get answers to these and other questions with our report on the effects of the new FEMA Flood Zone Maps. If you have questions which the report doesn’t address, please don’t hesitate to call us any time: 508-394-3090.

Outdoors is where you’ll find us on Cape Cod in the summer. Spending so much time on the deck or around the garden, why not make it really special? Curtains sewn from outdoor fabric can elevate a porch's contemporary style, and provide an interesting backdrop for a wicker or other seating set. Throw pillows soften a space, and linen panels can be used to create a secluded, intimate space.

Like indoor rooms, outdoor spaces can be made multifunctional by using versatile furnishings like ottomans. Move them around at will to serve as extra seating, as small side tables next to a chair, or even as a coffee table with the addition of a tray perched on top.

Here’s some great ideas to help you make your outdoor cape Cod space even more inviting. And when it comes time to expand or renovate, the team at REEF is ready to help.

Outdoor Rooms enhanced

Outdoor Rooms enhanced

People love to look at Before-and-After photographs of homes we have either renovated or replaced. It’s amazing to watch the transformation from run down cottage to fresh, inviting Cape Cod home. And the Return on Investment can be significant!

Here are really great Before-and-After examples from Better Homes and Gardens magazine. You’re bound to get inspired by these homes!

Before and After Home Exteriors

Before and After Home Exteriors

Additionally, the weather has impacted the Fireworks scheduled for several towns on Cape Cod. There have been postponements and cancellations.  Here’s a link to keep you current:

Cape Cod Fireworks & Parade Schedule

Cape Cod Fireworks & Parade Schedule

If you're interested in real estate on the Outer Cape, then check out Bob's market report. He does a great job of keeping his finger on the pulse of Eastham and surrounding communities.

Here's some examples of what you'll find on Bob's blog:

• 2013 Hands On The Arts Festival - June 15th & 16th...
• New Listing - Wonderful 3 Bedroom Cape On a Quiet ...
• 2013 Cape Cod Baseball Starts Next Week
• Eastham New Listing - Short Walk to Great Pond
• Eastham's May Sales - A Slow Start to 2013
• Eastham New Listing - Pristine 3 Bedroom Ranch
• Photo of the Day - Thank You!
• Great White Sharks Returning to Cape Cod

Eastham Cape Cod Real Estate blog

Eastham Cape Cod Real Estate blog

Many of our Customers like to make the most of every day here on the Cape. Relaxing and “beaching it” are very important! But shows and markets and fairs… there’s just a lot of really fun events all summer long. Keeping track can be a challenge.

Here’s a great events calendar that is constantly updated. Not a lot of glitz, just good real-time info with lots of links. This is a great resource to help keep your Cape Cod time on track!

And when you’re ready to build your Cape escape…just call REEF!

Event Calendar for Cape Cod

Event Calendar for Cape Cod

Summer is here! Soon you’ll be joining friends and celebrating life…probably outdoors. The Cape Cod lifestyle revolves around the wonderful environment we all enjoy during the summer. These are the days we dream about in February! So don’t let visitors and impromptu parties take you by surprise.  Here are a few ways to prepare your Cape Cod home for wonderful outdoor events. Yay Summer!

5 Ways to prepare for your outdoor party on Cape Cod

5 Ways to prepare for your outdoor party on Cape Cod

This is a question that we hear almost daily. The answer is never an easy one. There are myriad variables that affect how various Towns on Cape Cod may restrict or control your home’s bedroom count. We've prepared an easy-to-understand synopsis of some Cape Cod Town Bylaws, how they may impact your home, and what to do about it:

Bedroom Count Rules Report

Bedroom Count Rules Report

Wow...some of these ideas are very cool! Father's Day is a great time for simple, homemade gifts that mean a lot to Dad. The Necktie pillow is my favorite! (Except we don’t wear a lot of neck times on Cape Cod!).

The Cape lifestyle is all about easy and fun. This is where Dad’s come to relax. Here at REEF one of our priorities is to make the home-building experience a real pleasure for our customers…no stress.  Here’s a Customer Testimonial that reinforces our hassle-free home building system: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8wo57kh7VgE

Simple and Good Father's day Gifts for Cape Cod

Simple and Good Father's day Gifts for Cape Cod

Cape Cod has always been a great place to retire. Yes, it's a wonderful place to raise a family (worked for me!), but the Cape is renowned for its easy lifestyle for the golden years.  

The Baby Boomer Generation is the largest age group of our population. These retirees, or soon to be retirees, are also looking to downsize from their current homes, and looking to purchase or build ones that are specific to their new needs and lifestyles. These buyers are very specific in their desires and needs. 

Here's a great article outlining what baby Boomers are looking for in their retirement home. Fortunately, you can find all these amenities in REEF-Built homes!

What Downsizers look for in Cape Cod Homes

What Downsizers look for in Cape Cod Homes