Creating an appealing home has a number of factors. Overall design, lot location, and exterior details can all contribute to an attractive home.  The elements of an attractive home should be balanced in mass and scale, and present a coordinated appearance.   We found an interesting article from Housingzone.com that discusses the 3 key elements to creating a stunning custom home.  This article highlights massing, fenestration, and detailing as the most important factors that contribute to an attractive custom home.  Even the smallest house can have exceptional curb appeal with some well placed windows and doors, and some small details like shutters. 

Click here to read the full article: http://www.housingzone.com/blog/3-key-elements-creating-stunning-curb-appeal

    If you are thinking of selling your existing home, there are several ways you can increase the value.  However, starting a major remodel or renovation is probably not the best way.  Simple things like new carpet, paint, re-finished wood floors, and new or re-finished cabinets may be all you need.  Here is a great article from MSNBC.com and Forbes talking about smart home improvements you can make to improve the chances of selling your home at the price you want. 

http://today.msnbc.msn.com/id/47666549/ns/today-money/#.T9X3kbXrEUM

    Sometimes, we here at REEF, Cape Cod's Home Builder, get stuck in the traditional.  Occasionally we have been asked to design some unique and fun features into our homes.  We came across this slideshow from DigsDigs.com that features 10 Wild Bathroom designs, that might make you think outside the box for your next project. Customers will often ask us "can you do______________" and our answer is always yes. Whether building a new custom home, or renovation or remodeling project, we always like a challenge!

Here is the link to the slideshow: http://www.digsdigs.com/10-the-most-cool-and-wacky-bathrooms-ever/

    Planning for a kitchen renovation can be a complex process.  Balancing the new design, appliances, plumbing and electrical changes can be complicated. The key to a successful renovation or remodeling project is planning. There is much more to a kitchen renovation than going to a kitchen design center and picking out cabinets.  A good General Contracor or Custom Home Builder can take you through the critical planning steps before things become a problem.  Coordinating electricians, plumbers, tile setter, cabinet installers, and countertop installers can be a challenging undertaking for someone without experience.   Here is a good articl from Renovator's Place that provides a list of questions you should ask before you start your project: http://www.renovatorsplace.com/articles/planning-questions-for-a-kitchen-renovation.cfm

  REEF has been designing, building and renovating Custom Homes on Cape Cod for over 25 years, and understands the value of the planning process.  We look forward to helping you with your next project!

  Renovating, Remodeling or building a new home is a process that can involve emotional and rational decision making. Balancing needs versus wants, achieving a certain look or feel to a space can be difficult and every decision involves money.  If you look at the process from a purely financial perspective, there are some improvements that add value to a home, and there are many that provide little to no return, and even some that can detract from the existing value of your property.  As a Custom Builder on Cape Cod, we often assist in making these decisions, and try to provide the benefit analysis of different design ideas. Certain renovation projects like updating a kitchen, replacing windows and siding are often a good idea, but some projects such as adding a pool, or creating unique, but unappealing spaces may not create value in the home.

Here is a great article from The Street.com which talks about projects that might hurt the value of your property: Value Killing Home Renovations

   Building a new home on Cape Cod is hard enough, but the real challenge comes with permitting a project.  Each town has slightly different regulations, there is a mountain of paperwork to digest, and once the permit is submitted, it is difficult to know where the permit stands for several months. 

     Finally the county has spearheaded an effort to bring uniform online permitting to Cape Cod.  This system will be available to Cape Cod Builders, and promises reduced timelines, instant status updates, and should lend some more predictability and accountability to the process.  We look forward to seeing this program develop over the next year, and have been asked to participate in its development which will be an exciting opportunity.  This system should consolidate all of the approving authorities in each town, allowing building, health, fire, conservation, historic, and other filings to be done at once.  We will keep you up to date on the implementation of this new program.

On Saturday, June 16th, 2012, the second annual Wellfleet HarborFest will celebrate the opening of another summer season. It will be held at the east end of the town pier in front of the bandstand, rain or shine, from 9 AM to 4 PM. The occasion will showcase Wellfleet's aquaculture, shellfishing, fishing and boating communities who contribute to Wellfleet's unique character and vitality, and provides a venue for local vendors and non-profits to market their wares and offer educational opportunities. A nautical flea market will once again be featured guaranteeing a large crowd.

The centerpiece of HarborFest will be a Nautical Flea Market, which was a great success in 2011 as the first of its kind on the outer Cape.

The organizers are looking for nautical items, including small boats, canoes, kayaks, misc. nautical gear, fishing rods, reels, lures, nets, tackle, electronics, scuba gear, dinghies, small motors and boating accessories. Items may be donated outright or consigned for sale with 25% of the sale price going to the HarborFest. All items must be in reasonably good condition. Proceeds will be used to produce an informative Wellfleet Harbor Guide, which details places of interest within walking distance of the pier.

For further information follow the link the below

http://www.discoverwellfleet.com/harborfest-2012/wellfleet-harborfest-2012

   Many of our customers have waited a lifetime to build their custom home on Cape Cod.  Given the slow real estate market over the last several years, many customers have postponed building or renovating their Cape Cod home, because they are waiting to sell their existing home off Cape.  Well, all signs are pointing to an improving real estate market, and prices are beginning to stabilize and even increase.  We found an interesting article that offers some advice to people interested in selling their existing home. In an emerging market, some of these tips might be helpful, and can mean the difference between a full price offer with a quick closing, and a low-ball offer with months of haggling over issues that could have been corrected early in the process.

Here is the article from Yahoo Finance: 11 Reason People Can't Sell Their Home

   Outdoor living spaces, and landscaping can make even an older home look inviting and unique.  Hardscaping such as walkways, and stone walls can serve to define areas of the yard, and are a great way to create flower beds, and walking paths that also serve to minimize lawn area, and are easy to maintain.  Building or renovating a custom home is much more than just picking lighting fixtures, and countertops. It is an opportunity to build a place that generations can enjoy, both inside and out.  On Cape Cod, some of the best times to share with family are cool evenings in the yard, enjoying a cookout, or just chatting about a great day at the beach.  Here is some inspiration for your next custom home project or renovation.

Here is the full slideshow from Freshome.com:http://freshome.com/2012/05/30/35-lovely-pathways-for-a-well-organized-home-and-garden/#

  Over the last several months, we have continued to see positive signs in the building industry.  Home prices are rising, building permits are increasing, and the market is seeing a renewed interest in real estate as a sound investment.  A a Custom Home Builder here on Cape Cod, our experience has been much the same.  Demand for Custom Homes, Renovations, and Remodeling have increased dramatically over the last 4-5 months. As the market recovers, people have found the ability to mitigate the risk associated with building a home on Cape Cod, given the fact that mortgage rates are low, property values have settled and become stable.  This is an exciting time for builders across the country, especially for those who had the financial strength to weather the storm. Meanwhile, there have also been significant advancements over the last couple of years in building technologies, materials, and techniques that have allowed new homes to be built quickly and efficiently.

Here is an article from Builderonline.com that looks at the increase in residential construction across the country: http://www.builderonline.com/economic-conditions/signs-of-life.aspx