Cape Cod for Columbus Day weekend? Let’s go!

October is one of the best months to enjoy Cape Cod. The weather is great, and the crowds are gone. The sun is still warm for kayaking and beach hikes, and that little chill in the air makes a great excuse for a quiet dinner by the fire.

It seems every town and village has a festival of some sort. Lots of Farmer’s Markets and yard sales. There’s plenty to do, including simply relaxing on the beach with a friend.

Here’s some great resources for Columbus Day activities on the Cape. Enjoy!

Heritage Museum Behind-the-Scenes Auto Tour

Cape Cod Travel Events Calendar

Yarmouth Seaside Festival on Cape Cod

Cape Cod Home magazine, the premier home showcase magazine on Cape Cod, is featuring REEF Cape Cod’s Home Builder. Cape Cod Home, a Cape Cod Life publication, has its pick of dozens of homes to spotlight in its pages. When the folks at Cape Cod Life/Cape Cod Home visited the home REEF recently built overlooking Cape Cod Bay, they knew it would make a great feature article.

REEF replaced a dilapidated old house with a stunning 2800 Square Foot home with commanding views of Cape Cod Bay. High-end amenities, including a gourmet kitchen and walk-in pantry, are blended into a flowing, open floor plan with three suites and three levels of living. Wide pine floors and simple moldings keep the Cape Cottage feel, while the view from the second floor office makes it very difficult to focus on work!

It really is a very special home. Check it out here on Cape Cod Life’s site:

Cape Cod Home magazine features a REEF-Built Home on Cape Cod Bay

Cape Cod Home magazine features a REEF-Built Home on Cape Cod Bay

How did they build that? Ever wonder how they turn thousands of trees into millions of board feet of lumber and siding? Science and technology play a big part of developing, creating, and delivering the products we use every day building homes on Cape Cod.

Here’s a short and informative video on how Louisiana Pacific (LP) processes raw lumber into building products that will last for many years. It’s amazing to see!

The Science behind products for your Cape Cod Home

The Science behind products for your Cape Cod Home

Storms galore! We’ve been watching extreme weather happen all over the world. Cape Cod has certainly experienced its share of storms over the years. Nobody wants the nightmare of home destruction and property damage. But how best to protect your Cape Cod home?

Here are some great ideas from the Institute for Business and Home Safety and Professional Remodeler. The list includes everything from impact resistant windows, increasing hinges on doors, and ensuring that your roof is properly attached to walls.

With some great links to government and independent sources offering techniques and information about protecting your favorite asset – your Cape Cod Home!

Protect your Cape Cod Home against Storms

Protect your Cape Cod Home against Storms

REEF Cape Cod’s Home Builder…who are they? You’ve seen our houses, noticed our signs in front of newly build homes, but who actually gets the work done?

How do I learn about what is available? How are costs determined? Who designs the homes? How do I make all my selections: flooring, tile, paint colors, etc.? How long does it take?

Here’s a brief video introducing the REEF team. They describe the home building process, and help people understand just how easy and fun building or renovating can be!

Meet the Team at REEF Builders

Meet the Team at REEF Builders

FEMA’s new Flood Insurance Rate Maps have rocked a lot of boats. They were officially put in place on July 17, 2014. Land Owners, Home Owners, Sellers and Buyers are all paying close attention to the new Flood Maps. But how do you determine if a property is in the AE Zone, V Zone, X Zone…?

FEMA has improved their web site: https://msc.fema.gov/portal

FEMA's new Flood Map web site for Cape Cod

Simply type in a property address and the corresponding map will be recommended. Click on the green VIEW icon to the left, and the map of the area including the concerned address will be retrieved and presented. On this screen you can zoom in to the specific property, print the map, etc. The maps carry legends and Base Flood Elevation information, so with a little inspection you can gain a lot of information.

It’s still a little clunky to use, but it’s the coming from the source: you are viewing FEMA’s actual Flood Map, not some interpretation or other satellite view.

Of course, if you need help or want information on building or renovating in a Flood Zone, just call us here at REEF Cape Cod’s Home Builder: 508-394-3090, any time, every day.

FEMA's new Flood Map web site for Cape Cod

What happens when you launch a piece of 2x4 lumber at a window? Why would you do such a thing?

Cape Cod is surrounded, literally, by water. Many of the homes we build are located on or near Cape Cod’s bays, sounds, and the Atlantic Ocean. The materials employed in the construction of our homes are crucial to their longevity and lasting value. Azek boards, special vents, architectural shingles, are all examples of components that are critically important to a successful build.

Windows and doors are frequently the only thing standing between the interior of a lovely REEF-built home and nature’s wrath. REEF often uses Andersen windows and doors in the construction of our fine homes. They are high quality, durable, attractive windows that stand the test of time. Impact Resistant windows are required for many locations, including those within 1 mile of the ocean.

What does Impact resistant mean? Here’s a great video from Andersen documenting their testing techniques, including launching an 8 foot 2x4 at 50 feet per second at a window…Ouch!

Andersen Windows tests their products for Cape Cod Homes

Andersen Windows tests their products for Cape Cod Homes

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

The Cape Cod community is made better every day by the good work of CapeAbilities. They have been creating opportunity for Cape Codders with disabilities since 1968. Their services range from the Cape Abilities Farm on Route 6A in Dennis, to a Thrift Shop in Barnstable Village, to Cape Cod Saltworks which harvests salt from the waters that surround Cape Cod.

CapeAbilities offers transportation, support and education programs that have enriched the lives of thousands of Cape Codders. It’s selfless endeavors like this that help make Cape Cod so wonderful.

REEF Cape Cod’s Home Builder is proud to support CapeAbilities. Their annual golf tournament is an important fundraiser, and we’re happy to help. Have a look at CapeAbilities website, and perhaps you’ll find a way to help too.

CapeAbilities helps make Cape Cod a great place!

CapeAbilities helps make Cape Cod a great place!