The recession over the last few years resulted in dramatic changes in the Building, Remodeling, and Renovation market on Cape Cod.  Homeowners made decisions to do projects that would add long-lasting value.  Nationally, the trends were the same, and recently US News published an article discussing this very issue.  They found that the 3 most popular investments were In-Law apartments, Kitchen renovations, and Outdoor Living spaces. As Custom Home Builder and Design firm here on Cape Cod, we have noticed similar trends.

Here is the complete Article from US News: http://money.usnews.com/money/personal-finance/articles/2012/01/30/3-recession-home-remodeling-trends-likely-to-stick-around

  When people think of designing a home, they always think of the exterior, kitchen, living spaces, and bathrooms or bedrooms.  But there are other essential spaces in a home that can add both character and utility.  Mudrooms are often overlooked when designing a new home, renovation or remodeling project.  These are great spaces that provide storage and convenience, especially on rainy or snowy days.  Here are some great ideas from Decoist.com that might help when thinking of your next Cape Cod Remodeling Project: http://www.decoist.com/2012-07-16/how-to-design-a-practical-mudroom/

    Outdoor living spaces, and especially decks are used almost every day in the summer.  At REEF, Cape Cod's Home Builder, we are often called in to look at expanding or updating old tired decks for summer use. There are a number of great products available to update your deck ranging from a simple coat of paint, power washing, or new decking surfaces.  One of our favorite products is AZEK decking, which is extremely durable, looks great, and is available in a variety of colors. 

Here is an articl from decoist.com with some more ideas for renovating your deck for summer:http://www.decoist.com/2012-06-21/how-to-update-your-deck-for-summer/

    REEF is a Design / Build company and as such, our project team owns the project performance and finished product right from the start.  When considering design, use of spaces, and ideas for expansion, people often become trapped in two dimensions.  Taking advantage of all of the possibilities of your property can have dramatic results.  Instead of adding a 2nd story on a home with a sloping lot, why not add a 2nd story on the lower basement side of the house, and maximize the available space and slope. In many cases, this can save money and time, especially when considering expensive retaining walls or foundations to  support a new structure. 

 We found this interesting article from HOUZZ.com that took a plain old colonial and really turned it into something unique. With the right design team and a little thinking outside the box, you could have the same results. Here is the article: http://www.houzz.com/ideabooks/2584837/list/My-Houzz--New-England-Add-On-Provides-Privacy--Views

    As a Builder and Remodeler on Cape Cod, our design team is often challenged with creating unique spaces.  However, when thinking about a home project or renovation,  everyone focuses on the exterior design, kitchen, master bedroom, and living areas.  Well, we thought it might be fun to provide a little inspiration for the kid's bedrooms. So many of our project involve creating spaces for children and grandchildren, which are often times boring and plain.  We found some interesting and exciting design ideas on Digsdigs.com for kids bedrooms that might provide some inspiration for your next project.  

Here is the full article: http://www.digsdigs.com/60-cool-teen-bedroom-design-ideas/

  Renovating, Remodeling or building a new home is a process that can involve emotional and rational decision making. Balancing needs versus wants, achieving a certain look or feel to a space can be difficult and every decision involves money.  If you look at the process from a purely financial perspective, there are some improvements that add value to a home, and there are many that provide little to no return, and even some that can detract from the existing value of your property.  As a Custom Builder on Cape Cod, we often assist in making these decisions, and try to provide the benefit analysis of different design ideas. Certain renovation projects like updating a kitchen, replacing windows and siding are often a good idea, but some projects such as adding a pool, or creating unique, but unappealing spaces may not create value in the home.

Here is a great article from The Street.com which talks about projects that might hurt the value of your property: Value Killing Home Renovations

    Now that spring is here, and summer is just around the corner, we felt that a little outdoor inspiration might be in order.  Building a custom home on Cape Cod doesn't end at the walls and the roof.  Creating a unique landscape, with some special features can really make the difference between the average and the exceptional.  We found this great feature article from Freshome.com with ideas that might inspire your next landscaping project.  We hope you enjoy!

http://freshome.com/2012/05/14/38-garden-design-ideas-turning-your-home-into-a-peaceful-refuge/

      This is an important question to ask when you are considering a major renovation or remodeling project on Cape Cod.  Renovation costs are skyrocketing, especially for antiquated homes that may require substantial additional work to meet all current structural, mechanical, and enery codes.  The real underlying value for properties on Cape Cod is the land and the location. So often times, when compared to the value of a remodeling, a new home of comparable size may not be much more expensive, and in some cases, could be less expensive.  Something to think about for your Cape Cod Home. Here is an article from about.com with some advice on a teard-down project.

http://homebuying.about.com/od/investmentproperties/qt/92707_TearDown.htm

    Kitchen and bathroom remodeling still top the list of remodeling and renovation projects nationwide. As a custom home builder and remodeling contractor, REEF often performs this type of work.  With the current economic conditions, the market has changed, and value-oriented customers are seeking ways to get more for their dollar.   We found a great article from Housingzone.com that provides input from remodeling contractors across the country on planning and executing your project.  There is a lot of great information here. 

http://www.housingzone.com/design/kitchen-and-bath-solutions-top-remodeling-firms

  In the past, REEF has always promoted new and exciting designs, products and features for new homes, renovation and remodeling.  So today, we thought we might try something different. We came across a very interesting article on MSN Real Estate that talks about 10 home trends that are quickly losing popularity.  Ranging from things like 2-story living rooms, to fancy jetted tubs, this article highlights the trends that builders and realtors are seeing across the country.  Custom homes often become a mix of features that customers have seen and liked elsewhere, but some of those choices don't make practical sense over the long term. 

Click below to see the article, you might be surprised: http://realestate.msn.com/kiss-these-10-once-popular-home-features-goodbye?#2