Remodeling has been in high demand this spring!! Many people are choosing to make smart investments in their existing homes with either a kitchen addition, master suite upgrade or new spaces over their existing garages or basements. It is good to see the market picking up, and we are happy to see the positive impact on the jobs market.  See this article from Businessweek for more information

http://www.businessweek.com/news/2012-02-23/construction-jobs-rebound-amid-pick-up-in-u-s-home-remodeling.html

      Having a home office is a great idea, especially with the flexibility offered by remote access to office computers, and other mobile devices. Many of the new homes and renovation projects we do, have  room set aside for just this purpose.  Built-in cabinetry can be tailored to meet almost any need for your home office, and along with some structured wiring, and a few furnishings, almost any room can serve as the home workspace.   Here is a photo gallery from This Old House with some ideas.

This Old House- Home Office Ideas

If you are thinking about creating your own home office space, please click below for a free consultation.

       People often ask us what a renovation of a home might look like.  We found this article in Southern Living with a gallery of a recently renovated cape-style home.  There are some great design ideas in this article, and even though the home is located in the Atlanta area. You can really see their New England and Cape Cod styles shine through in their final results.

Cape Cod Renovation-Decorating Ideas

   The mild winter has really been great this year on Cape Cod, and everyone has spring fever! Not bad for mid February.  Generally in our area we wait until at least late March to start landscaping, but this year might buck that trend. We have looked around for some new and exciting landscape features to work into our new home and renovation projects, and found some from Better Homes and Gardens.   They have put together a slideshow of the top landscape trends for 2012 and some of them are really great.... take a look!

Landscape trends for 2012

If you have questions about your next new home, remodeling or renovation project, click below to ask one of our experts!

The latest foreclosure statistics came out yesterday and there was a significant jump from December, nationwide.  Massachusetts saw a 57% increase.  This might be a perfect opportunity to purchase that Cape Cod Home at a substantial discount, and still leave money available to renovate or remodel so you can have the house of your dreams. Foreclosures may also be great candidates for a tear down and rebuild project, as the cost basis and location may merit a substantial investment. 

Here is the complete article from Builderonline.com: Foreclosures Up In January

If you are thinking of purchasing a foreclosure on Cape Cod, and you would like a free assessment of the remodeling or renovation potential of the property, click below to schedule a free consultation.

   Here is a good slideshow and article from Builder magazine about new product that provide a lot of style, without a lot of cost.  Think about using some of these on your next remodeling, renovation, or new home project. Enjoy!

High Style at Low Cost

 It looks like remodeling activity is definitely on the rise!.  The BuildFax remodeling index has shown an increase of over 20% from December 2010 to December 2011. Investments in older properties is driving the trend, and it bodes well for increased residential construction activity in 2012.  We are confident that materials and labor prices will be on the move as well to adjust for increased demand. 

Now is a great time to plan and begin your project, beat the rush and take advantage of low recession pricing.

See article here: http://www.calculatedriskblog.com/2012/02/residential-remodeling-index-increases.html

If you have a question about starting your next remodeling or new construction project, click below to ask one of our experts!

  Bathrooms are definitely one of the areas that our customers invest a lot of time and effort in designing.  The myriad of options available can make this a tough process, not to mention that manufacturers are constantly coming out with new and innovative products for the bathroom.  When planning your bathroom renovation, or the baths in your new home, take the time to get educated on the products and materials available. 

  There is a lot of good information in this article from the U-T San Diego newspaper regarding bathroom trends for 2012.  They cover everything from paint colors to digital showers... click here to see the full article.  2012 Bathroom Design Trends

If you have questions about your next bathroom project and need some advice, click here to ask one of the experts at REEF!

      We have just published a new article in response to a commonly asked question: "How long will my project take to complete."  Planning a new home project can have several steps, and here at REEF we have a great process in place to provide a predictable and reliable answer to that question.  Often times customers have tabled a great project because the design and permitting steps alone where too overwhelming.  Since REEF is a design/build company, we can take some of the mystery out of the process.  Click below to get more information on permitting and construction schedules for your project!

   The Metlife Mature Market Institute recently conducted a study on trends for homeowners in the 55+ age category. The results were surprising, and indicative of an increasingly independent lifestyle for senior homeowners.  This study discusses the desire for many to age-in-place at their current home. We have seen numerous requests for smart aging renovations in our client base over the last several years.  Small things like wider hallways and doors, bathroooms that could accommodate wheelchair access are often requested by our clients. 

  These ideas are easy to accommodate as part of a new home or renovation project.  However, attempting to make these livability upgrades quickly after a serious illnes or accident can be challenging and expensive.  You can download the metlife report here: 55+ Buyer Trends Study

If you have questions about making your home more comfortable as you approach retirement click below to schedule a free consultation: