Good news from the Cape Cod Real Estate market this month. Single family home sales increased 27.1% in May when compared to 2011. This signifies the 11th straight month of increased homes sales in Massachusetts. Builders, Realtors, Bankers and others are excited to see consistent month over month gains.  So does this mean we are out of the recession? Well, probably not, but it is just another indicator of consistent positive news in the market place.

Click Here for the Cape and Plymouth Business: Real Estate Sales Up - May 2012

    REEF, Cape Cod's Home Builder is a first class design, construction, renovation and remodeling firm.  We have recently completed an extensive kitchen renovation in Brewster, and the results were fantastic!  A kitchen renovation is a very common project for us, and probably one of the few projects a homeowner can do that adds immediate value to the home.  Think of us next time you are considering a kitchen renovation or remodeling project on Cape Cod.

Here are some photos of kitchens we have completed:

     Here is an article from Cape and Islands Home Remodeling magazine about a cottage that REEF built a few years back.  It talks about our design and construction process, and has some great pictures of the results. 

http://www.homeremodelingmag.com/article.php?id=9

Yesterday, the Indonesian Naval Traning Ship, the KRI Dewaruci arrived at Mass Maritime in Bourne.  This is a 180' sailing vessel launched in 1953 and is used as to train Indonesian Naval Cadets.  This tall ship and several others are participating in the Tall Ships Challenge 2012 in which 25 tall ships will take part in races and maritime festivals starting in Savannah, GA and ending in Nova Scotia. 

Here is a site where you can track the live locations of each ship as they make their way up the east coast!

http://www.sailwx.info/shiptrack/tsc2012.phtml

    REEF is a Design / Build company and as such, our project team owns the project performance and finished product right from the start.  When considering design, use of spaces, and ideas for expansion, people often become trapped in two dimensions.  Taking advantage of all of the possibilities of your property can have dramatic results.  Instead of adding a 2nd story on a home with a sloping lot, why not add a 2nd story on the lower basement side of the house, and maximize the available space and slope. In many cases, this can save money and time, especially when considering expensive retaining walls or foundations to  support a new structure. 

 We found this interesting article from HOUZZ.com that took a plain old colonial and really turned it into something unique. With the right design team and a little thinking outside the box, you could have the same results. Here is the article: http://www.houzz.com/ideabooks/2584837/list/My-Houzz--New-England-Add-On-Provides-Privacy--Views

    This year, REEF has had several request to build attached and detached garages on existing homes.  In all cases, owners needed additional storage, and had sufficient space on their lots. These projects are very simple, and can be completed in 2-3 months, including permitting.  At REEF, Cape Cod's Home Builder, we can design these projects in house and quickly move them into the construction phase. These projects are simple, and the results are fantastic!!

If you are considering a garage, renovation or remodeling project, click below to contact our team:

Here are some pictures of a project we completed this spring: 

Before:

After:

    As a Builder and Remodeler on Cape Cod, our design team is often challenged with creating unique spaces.  However, when thinking about a home project or renovation,  everyone focuses on the exterior design, kitchen, master bedroom, and living areas.  Well, we thought it might be fun to provide a little inspiration for the kid's bedrooms. So many of our project involve creating spaces for children and grandchildren, which are often times boring and plain.  We found some interesting and exciting design ideas on Digsdigs.com for kids bedrooms that might provide some inspiration for your next project.  

Here is the full article: http://www.digsdigs.com/60-cool-teen-bedroom-design-ideas/

    We found an interesting solution to the aging in place concept.  As a Home Builder on Cape Cod, we are often asked about in-law or accessory apartments.  This can be an expensive proposition, when considering all of the code and permitting requirements for a legal apartment.  As and alternative, a company called MedCottage has come up with a 284sf self contained structure that can be moved on to your lot and contains all of the amenities needed for your aging parent.  There is a lot of data that touts the benefits of having an elderly loved one cared for by family members. This MEDCottage makes that process very quick and easy, and is a good alternative to the complications of a renovation or remodeling project to complete an in-law apartment.  

Here is the full article from msnbc.com: http://www.cnbc.com/id/47251900/?page=2

    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