Things are changing in 2012.  More of our customers are seeking value based designs and improvements that provide functionality, and flexible use of spaces.  Builder magazine recently published an article about the top 10 custom home trends for 2012. Bonus rooms, sunrooms / screened porches, exterior upgrades and garages are all on the top of the list. So far this year we have seen several requests for finished rooms over garages, finished basments with open, flexible spaces, and room additions that can serve multiple purposes.

    The current design trends are evolving into a lifestyle driven home, where you don't see things like formal dining rooms, separate living rooms, or dens. Most of the demand we have seen has been for open living spaces, where families and friends can gather and entertain with all of the important amenities in one place. 

Click here to see the article and slideshow from Builder Magazine :10 Custom Home Design Trends for 2012

If you are considering a project this year, and would like more information, click here for a no obligation consult:

Finishing your Cape Cod basement is one of those easy to justify home decisions that will offer years of use and enjoyment.  Here are our top eight reasons for opting to finish your basement.

8. COMFORT - A well insulated basement is usually the coolest place in your home during the summer months and the warmest in the winter months and can help reduce heating and cooling costs throughout the rest of the house.

7. ENTERTAINMENT - From simple TV rooms to more luxurious rooms, a finished basement is a place where many people will congregrate.  Pool tables, game rooms and lots of space help make a finished basement perfect for entertaining.

6 .INCOME - Finished basement space may be able to be used to produce rental income thereby helping to offset the the cost associated with construction

5.FAMILY - Whether accomodating them for a meal or a month, many people need more space to house extended family.  They can also make great playrooms for the kids and grandkids.

4.SPACE - Large, spacious rooms and ample lighting can make basements very beautiful and inviting.

3. RETURN ON YOUR INVESTMENT: According to Remodeling Magazine’s annual Cost vs Value Report, your basement project typically returns about 70 percent of the original cost. In terms of space and quality of living, you also get a huge return on your investment: If you own a 2000 square foot home and finish your basement, you may get 1000 square feet of extra space. That’s a 50 percent increase in space.  As a result, that extra space increases the market value of your home substantially and makes your home more attractive to potential buyers. A finished basement can improve the marketability of your home.

2.FLEXIBILITY - Unlike your main level, where often you only have a limited floor plan to choose from, the design of your basement allows a greater degree of design autonomy

1. VALUE - A finished basement offers the best value, per square foot of any other remodeling project

adapted from an article by http://www.upscaledownstairs.com

adapted from an article by http://www.integrityhomecontractors.com

If you are interested in finishing your basement, please contact our small project division by clicking below!

  There is increasing demand in the market place for remodeling and renovations.  We have experienced a substantial increase in requests for these types of projects over the last several months.  Here is an article from Housing Zone.com that summarizes a Wall Street Journal report about the upward trend in the remodeling market.

http://www.housingzone.com/financials/remodeling-showing-signs-recovery

If you have questions about your next remodeling or renovation project, contact our small projects divison by clicking below!

REEF is proud to annouce that it has launched the REEF Small Projects Divison.  The focus will be on remodeling, renovation, maintenance, and home improvement projects.  You may not be ready to add on to your house, but we have found that many of our customers still have a need for smaller projects on a regular basis. So if you are thinking of a kitchen renovation, a new deck, or an exterior facelift, please click below to contact us!

Remodeling magazine has come out with it's annual report on remodeling projects costs and the return on investment.  There is a lot of great information in their report, and we feel the costs are very reflective of the current market conditions.  See their link to the report for the Boston area here:Remodeling Magazine - Boston cost report .

If you are thinking of a remodeling, renovation or new construction project and you want to explore all of the possibilities, click below to ask your question. The answer may surprise you!!

   We have done some creative things with the homes we design and build here at REEF, however, sometimes even we need a little inspiration for our next great idea. We found this article on the top 10 most luxurious homes in the world.... enjoy!

10 Most Luxurious Homes in the World

Update on Fire Sprinklers for New Homes

The Massachusetts Board of Building Regulations and Standards met earlier this month to discuss the adoption of Residential Fire Sprinkler Systems. There are strong arguments on both sides of the issue, but the bottom line is added cost, and minimal benefits.   Here is a report on the meeting from the Boston Globe:

Globe Staff  

December 13, 2011

Firefighters and home builders today argued at a Board of Building Regulations and Standards hearing on installing fire sprinklers in newly constructed homes.

At the hearing, held in the State House, much of the debate came down to cost: Officials from fire departments around the state argued that the sprinkler systems, which can cost thousands of dollars to install, would save lives and limit property damage.

But developers and construction managers said that sprinklers have not been proven to be any more effective in saving lives than smoke detectors. The added cost, they continued, would discourage potential homeowners from settling in Massachusetts, and would raise the cost of affordable housing.

The proposed amendment to the state’s model code would not mandate that sprinklers be installed in every newly-constructed one- or two-family home in the state. Instead, it would be part of a “stretch code,” which encourages cities and towns to adopt the change.

At a press conference before the hearing in front of the Massachusetts Firefighter Memorial, James M. Shannon, the president of the National Fire Protection Association, said the sprinklers help to extinguish or retard fires, which would allow more time for families to evacuate, and would also reduce risks to firefighters entering burning buildings.

“This is really about not only public safety, but it’s also a huge firefighter safety issue,” Sherman said.

So far, California, Maryland, and South Carolina are the only states that have enacted a statewide measure to require fire sprinklers in newly-built homes.

“It’s high time Massachusetts joins the list of forward-thinking states that mandate automatic fire sprinklers in new home construction,” said Thomas Burnett, president of the Massachusetts Call/Volunteer Firefighters Association, during the hearing.

But Doug Pizzi, a spokesman for the Home Builders Association of Massachusetts, said after the press conference that the state should focus its fire safety efforts on ensuring that all homes in the state have working smoke alarms. That would also help keep firefighters safe, he said: If everyone quickly evacuates a burning house, firefighters do not need to enter.

The added cost of fire sprinklers — he estimated that they cost about $10,000-$15,000 per home — would also raise the cost of affordable housing units, making it more difficult for residents with low incomes to pay for their own homes, Pizzi said.

“We’d drive a lot of people right out of the ability to get that home,” he said.

Martine Powers can be reached at mpowers@globe.com. Follow her on Twitter @martinepowers.

Here are some pictures of a rendering we did for a new home in Dennis, MA.  Renderings are a great tool to help customers visualize the finished product... check these out!

  Now that the holidays are behind us, many people begin to think about their new home or remodeling projects.  There are many factors that come into play when making the decision to start a large project.  The biggest hurdle for many people  right now is the uncertain economy.

Despite this uncertainty, there are a number of really great reasons to start your project now:

1. Materials are still reasonbly priced, and lumber is at historical lows.
2. Labor market is available and willing to negotiate
3. Banks are still lending at very favorable rates

Thes are just a few reasons, that are covered in our free informational download.  Click the button below to find out more!

Positive news about the housing market is becoming easier to find. 

A recent article for the NAHB (National Association of Home Builders) reveals that, "The number of housing markets showing measurable improvement nearly doubled in January with the addition of 40 new metros to the National Association of Home Builders/First American Improving Markets Index (IMI), released today.  The IMI now boasts 76 improving markets, up from 41 in December, with 31 states and the District of Columbia represented by at least one entry.The index identifies metropolitan areas that have shown improvement from their respective troughs in housing permits, employment and house prices for at least six consecutive months."

To View the Entire article on the NAHB website, click on the link below;

http://www.nahb.org/news_details.aspx?newsID=14478