Yesterday I visited a site for a Customer. It was a beautiful morning, full of sun with a light breeze. Winding down roads off the beaten path, I turned the corner and came upon an amazing beach. Wow. I’ve lived on Cape Cod since I was a kid, and I have my favorite beaches. But this discovery made me remember how glorious the Cape can be, and how great it is to explore beyond your daily route.

Many of us think “my beach is the best.” I’m sure you’re right! I know my favorite beach is fabulous. But here’s another take on the Best Beach: I suggest that there are Best Beaches all over Cape Cod. Each has its own features and surprises, its own unique specialness. Great tide pools? Sunsets? Surf?

Here’s a couple reports with lists of Best Beaches on Cape Cod. Did your Best Beach make the list?

Cape Cod's Best Beaches

TripAdvisor's list of Cape Cod's Best Beaches

Cape Cod's Best Beaches

TripAdvisor's list of Cape Cod's Best Beaches

Cape Cod Life has a great new website. Definitely worth a look. Within the site one can access various articles of interest…including the Cape Cod Home Summer 2014 feature story on a very special REEF-built home.

If you haven’t gotten a copy of the magazine (it's on newsstands now!), the new site is a great resource. And the full article on this stunning home is a wonderful read. The Cape Cod Life web site also offers recipes, photographs of the Cape, and lots more.

Take a minute and smell the roses!

Cape Cod Home Inspired by the Bay

Cape Cod Home Inspired by the Bay

Many of the homes that REEF designs and builds are used primarily as summer retreats. These homes are spaces for relaxing, gathering one’s thoughts, and reenergizing. Calm, relaxed summer days are enhanced by an environment of soft pastels.

Often summer is a great time for Do-It-Yourself projects, like having fun with old furniture and new colors.

Here are some great ideas to freshen up your Cape Cod home with easy pastel colors.

Colorful ways to use Pastels in your Cape Cod Home

Colorful ways to use Pastels in your Cape Cod Home

Every day we talk with people about improving their Cape Cod home, or building on a vacant parcel of land. Generally these conversations are very productive, and we are asked to build a new home, or renovate or expand an existing home.

Sometimes people are very surprised to learn that the land they have owned for years, or just purchased, is considered “Environmentally Sensitive” by the Board of Health in their town. This discovery can be unwelcome news. Land which is located in an “Environmentally Sensitive Area” (ESA) generally requires a Variance from the Board of Health before an addition or change in floor plan is allowed.

And an ESA is not just waterfront property:
• Land with a high water table
• Land with existing or known future water supplies
• Land with terrestrial and/or aquatic plant/animal habitats
• Land with endangered species habitats
• Land within a DCPC (District of Critical Planning Concern)

Here's a 4-page Homeowners Guide and Notice from the Dennis Board of Health. It's very interesting reading for anybody considering renovating a property, or building a new home on Cape Cod.

Is your Cape Cod land considered Environmentally Sensitive?

 Is your Cape Cod land considered Environmentally Sensitive?

It was a loooong winter, and we all waited (sometimes not so patiently!) for summer to arrive. Now our bones are thawing, and we are planning some summer fun!

We all have our favorite things to do on the Cape in the summer: the Stripers are here and the fishing is great on the north side. Cape Cod Baseball League games, whale watching, dune tours, concerts, festivals, fine dining, golfing, sailing, swimming…the list is long!

While you’re planning your summer fun, make sure to try some different activities. Here’s a great list of to get you started!

Things to do on Cape Cod in the Summer

Things to do on Cape Cod in the Summer

Do you love your Cape Cod garden? How do you achieve a low-maintenance landscape that’s full of color? When should you transplant perennials? How do you get rid of unwanted grass without adding chemicals to the soil?

Gardening is a passion for many of our Customers. Some are retiring to the Cape and just getting to the point where they have time to spend in their garden. So how does one get started? And how do you get timely answers to the myriad questions that pop up?

The Garden Doctor always has great tips and info: How to keep grass out of your garden? Use newspaper under the mulch. It improves the soil's structure as it decomposes…Brilliant!

Here are more tips from the Garden Doctor:

Gardening Tips from The Garden Doctor

Gardening Tips from The Garden Doctor

June 15, 2014

The Hyannis Area Chamber of Commerce is organizing it's 20th Annual Main Street Father's Day Car Show, on Sunday, June 15th. The show is always very popular with approximately 350 cars lining both sides of Main Street. Police have estimated crowds of 60,000, making this show one of the best-attended family auto events in New England!

Father's Day Car Show Special Guest: Wayne Carini of TVs Chasing Classic Cars. He will be available for autographs starting at 11am.

Hyannis Chamber of Commerce car show info

Video of Cape Cod Father's Day Car Parade

I don’t think we’ve ever had a Customer to whom the kitchen wasn’t very important. Regardless of age, budget, gender or lifestyle, the kitchen is always a major part of our design mission.

But how do you make it fun? Isn’t every kitchen pretty much the same? How do you keep it fresh? Here’s some teasers: 

Quartz is the new Granite.
Drawers rather than drawers.
Induction ovens.
LED lights.

This is a great guide with A Dozen Ways to make your Kitchen Sizzle!

Make your Cape Cod Kitchen Sizzle !

Make your Cape Cod Kitchen Sizzle !

Many of the new homes we build, and renovations we undertake, are located in or near flood plains. The new FEMA Flood Insurance rate maps have focused attention on these areas. Property Owners have many questions about how to protect their property.

Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection ( DEP) works to help protect coastal areas. They are very concerned with permitting new structures near the coastal bank. Erosion or destruction of the coastal bank compromises the very resource which naturally protects us from the devastating effects of major storms. So the DEP regulates shore side activity very closely.

Here is some good information from the DEP on how to protect coastal property from major storm damage. The site also offers links to lots of other information and resources. Of course you can always call us here at REEF Cape Cod’s Home Builder. We’re happy to help.

Protecting Coastal Property... by Mass DEP

Protecting Coastal Property... by Mass DEP

Virtually everything REEF does is regulated by the Building Code. The Code is getting tighter and tighter. And Town Building Inspectors are required to enforce the Code. This protects homeowners’ interests, and is designed to ensure the safety of residential structures.

On July 1, 2014 a new Building Code will go into effect. It will improve the energy efficiency, and reduce the energy consumption, of residential structures.

It is projected to increase building costs by 3% to 5%. Significant.

What changes will be implemented by the new Building Code?
How will it affect your project?
What percent change in heat loss is projected?
What cost will it add to my project?

REEF has developed a summary of the changes required by the new Building Code. A helpful guide to answer most questions:

2014 Building Code affects all Homes on Cape Cod

2014 Building Code affects all Homes on Cape Cod