In some areas the housing recovery is accelerating, adding upward pressure to home prices. With interest rates at historic lows, and real estate inventory starting to move, it may be time to get off the sidelines and find your dream home.

Could you get priced out of the Real Estate market?

   This is an interesting time in the Building, Remodeling, and Renovation Business on Cape Cod and across the nation! Prices have been very low for the last 4+ years, and all indications are that the recession is nearing an end.  Labor and material prices are still at historic lows, but that trend is seeing an end...  If you are thinking of Building a New Home, Remodeling, or Renovating on Cape Cod, then you must download our Fall 2012 Guide: Why Build Now!. 

Click Here to Download:

HOME DESIGN Apps for your

iPhone and Android

If you woke up this morning, smiled and thought, 'I would really love a more technologically saavy way to design and decorate my house', then you may be happy to know that Home Design Applications available for your Iphone, Ipad or Android Device have arrived en masse.

Follow the link below to learn about a some of my favorites using Android technology:

1. Home Design

2. Home Architecture and Design

3. Interior Design Gallery HD

http://www.androidzoom.com/users/wprice/list/favorites

If you are an Iphone and Ipad users I recommend trying http://home3dapp.com/

I have only used this application briefly, but was very impressed with its capabilities.  It is also user friendly. 

Have fun with the design and photo galleries!

DESIGN BUILD

Welcome to Cape Cod Builder's Blog

The importance of utilzing a competent Cape Cod Builder for your construction project cannot be overemphasized.  This will go a long way toward avoiding costly mistakes and unnecessary stress.

A thorough, knowledgeable, thoughtful and skilled Builder., will ensure that your project is designed according to your personal likes and dislikes.  The Builder must be fully licensed and should make certain that each specialty trade is licensed, insured, and well referenced.  References are one of the best ways to assure that you receive the quality and attention to detail that you expect for your project.

Equally as vital as established subcontractor relationships, are the alliances that a G.C. has built with its vendors and suppliers.   These should be long-term relationships characterized by high standards of customer service (including integrity, trustworthiness, and the ability to communicate well), reliability, accessibility, and competitive pricing.

Finally, an above average Cape Cod Builder should:

-be punctual;

-understand the permitting process

-have a mastery of the building code

-ask the right questions;

-listen attentively

-help educuate their clients on products and processes

-And be personable!!

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

   The Massachusetts Association of Realtors published its real estate market index, noting that this month it reached an all time high.  The President of the association indicated that this increase was due to improving confidence in the marketplace, and a strong spring sales season. This index increased 86% from April 2011, which is a great sign for people waiting to sell their home.  The dream of many of our customers is to sell their primary residence, and use the equity earned to build their custom home on Cape Cod.  Well, if you have been waiting, now may be a great time to begin the process.

Here is the complete article from Cape and Plymouth Business Magazine:

http://www.capeplymouthbusiness.com/news/show/2359

   So all signs are pointing to a resurgence of a strong housing and residential real estate market.   Inventories are low, demand is increasing, and credit is available and inexpensive. After spending several years in a stagnant "correcting" market, builders are seeing demand for new homes.  As a custom builder on Cape Cod, we often look to news like this to forecast our demand for the coming year.  This stabilization of the housing market means that existing homes are selling at a reasonable price and time period, which is important, as many of our customers are waiting to sell their existing homes before they invest in their retirement home on Cape Cod.  As the market pace increases, so will demand for materials and labor, which will begin to increase over the next year or so.   Bottom line: Now is a great time to build!!

Here is the complete article from FoxBusiness:  http://www.foxbusiness.com/economy/2012/05/09/as-housing-sector-recovers-signs-sustainability-emerge/

    REEF has been building, and remodeling homes on Cape Cod for over 25 years.  New customers always aproach us with some important questions, like why choose REEF, and  how should one go about hiring a general contractor or custom builder for their project.  To answer these questions, we have come up with a guide for homeowners to help them through the process. REEF's Guide to Hiring a General Contractor or Builder, takes a look at the traditional desing / bid process, and provides an outline of how to begin a new project, and build a project team.   The guide also talks about the advantages of REEF's design/build process, and how it can lead to a better overall project experience.  

Click below to download this new guide!

   REEF just launched their new board on Pinterest this week!!! We will be pinning items we find interesting in architecture, custom homes, remodeling or renovation.

Here is the link to our page!!!

http://pinterest.com/capecodbuilder/

We recently completed a garage/breezeway addition on RT 134 in Dennis. The new garage was

designed and built with the intent to match the existing house.  This project took just under eight

 weeks to complete.

BEFORE

AFTER