Posted on Tue, May 21, 2013
How’s the real estate market on Cape Cod? There are lots of opinions about the state of the market and where it’s headed. Opinions are easy to come by. We like to place our trust in actual metrics, measurable data.
Eastham is on the outer arm of the Cape, and offers year around tranquility. Although it’s often quiet, the serene vistas and peaceful places create a steady demand for real estate in Eastham. Here’s one Realtor’s report of actual sales in Eastham. Bob does a great job of analyzing his neck-of-the-woods, and helping us all understand how the Cape is fairing.
Please let us know when you’re ready to fix up or build your Cape Cod “sand castle”. We’d be happy to help.
Eastham Real Estate Market Update
Eastham Real Estate Market Update
Posted on Thu, May 16, 2013
Almost every day we get a call from folks interested in updating their Cape Cod home. Frequently they have owned the home for many years. Sometimes our Customers have purchased an older home with replacement in mind. Every case is different, which makes our job fun.
Whether you seek a seasonal escape big enough to accommodate family and friends, or have dreaming of a comfortable retirement home on Cape Cod, we can turn your tired cottage into a wonderfully inviting place to enjoy life.
We've put together some Before & After examples. These are great to get your creative juices flowing: Before and After Home Transformation Examples
Here’s an example of a Before and After transformation:
Before and After Home Transformation Examples
Posted on Tue, May 14, 2013
Homes we build for our Customers are great sources of pride. Substantial planning, financial commitment, and lots of anticipation make for long term celebrations by our Customers when they move in to their new Cape Cod home. Pride is reflected in the curb appeal of a REEF built home. We invest significant design time and effort ensuring that our Customers feel that sense of pride when arriving home, for many years to come.
Here are some entryway makeover ideas that can help bring new life and warmth to a tired and unwelcoming house design. Many of these ideas are easy to do. Some are more involved. If you’d like some help redesigning your Cape Cod home, please call the team at REEF.
Entryway Improvements for your Cape Cod Home
Entryway Improvements for your Cape Cod Home
Posted on Thu, May 09, 2013
Often we are asked to maximize the space available on a parcel of land. It always seems that friends visit when you have a place on Cape Cod, so people need to accommodate extended family and friends. Space is usually at a premium, so we find ourselves designing to fit as much fun as possible into new homes.
One of the hidden benefits of building a new home on Cape Cod is having fun during the process. Once the design is complete, and the construction begins, you can start planning the décor.
Here are some great bedroom ideas that maximize the utility of available space, and make the home seem bigger. Some of the decorating is a little out there, but...well you’ll get the idea.
Great bedroom ideas for your small Cape Cod Home
Great bedroom ideas for your small Cape Cod Home
Posted on Mon, May 06, 2013
Same old, same old is no fun. Although REEF homes contain the spaces required and desired for comfortable living, we are always looking for new and different ideas to add some fun, and make spaces unique. Kitchen islands are very popular. They often contain cooking surfaces, refrigerated drawers, sinks, and electrical outlets. They have become the center of the heart of the home.
Here are 64 unique kitchen island ideas. Using different textures, colors and unusual pieces will bring your special place alive. Making your Cape Cod home comfortable is important. Making it special and unique is half the fun!
Unique Kitchen Island Designs for your Cape Cod Home
Unique Kitchen Island Designs for your Cape Cod Home
Posted on Fri, May 03, 2013
The Cape Cod look: hydrangeas, privet hedges, shingles and clapboard…and gravel driveways. Many of our Customers are not interested in a paved driveway. This is Cape Cod after all, where lifestyle is important, and people come to relax. So a nice bluestone driveway is very popular.
Crushed clam shell driveways are popular too, but the shells disintegrate over time. Then the powdery shells are easily tracked into the house. For folks who want that white driveway look, we use white stones mixed with about 10% clam shells, so you end up with a nice white drive without all the clam shell chips and powder.
Whether blue stone or sea shells, the loose material will end up moving over time. And the occasional snow plow really wreaks havoc with the stones. Here’s a paving technique that creates a stone driveway surface that will stay in place. It behaves like regular pavement, but gives you the more relaxed Cape Cod feel. It’s details like this that have helped build REEF’s reputation for fine home building over the years.
Create a low maintenance gravel driveway on Cape Cod
Create a low maintenance gravel driveway on Cape Cod
Posted on Thu, May 02, 2013
Old houses on Cape Cod hark back to “the days of yore.” These antiques are nice to see on a casual walk or drive, and we work diligently with some Customers to modify and renovate the buildings so they can accommodate today’s lifestyles. Frequently the changes and modifications that Customers request cannot be accommodated in the existing structure. Houses that were built 40, 50, 60 years ago usually can’t support the additional loads, or meet today’s building codes. Replacing the old home with a new Cape Cod style home is often more cost effective.
When we “raze and replace” a home every effort is made to disturb as little of the surrounding area as possible. And the design of the new home must fit nicely into the neighborhood. Energy saving windows and doors, quality insulation, high ceilings and modern, open floor plans do not preclude us from building a home that looks very similar to its 60 and 80 year old neighbors.
Here’s a short video of REEF carefully and quickly removing and old home. In its place will rise a much more efficient, comfortable, and attractive Cape Cod home. Stay tuned for progress reports!
REEF removes a house to build a new Cape Cod Home
REEF removes a house to build a new Cape Cod Home
Posted on Wed, May 01, 2013
We all love outdoor spaces during a Cape Cod summer. Often when we replace dilapidated cottages with new homes on small lots, outdoor entertaining space can shrink a bit. Making the most of limited space for casual dining and relaxing is very important to many of our Customers. We have developed special treatments and creative ways to maximize a back or side yard, providing a quiet space with shade and “elbow room”.
Here’s a great article on creating really livable spaces in tight quarters. Some inventive ideas for creating an age old desire: space to relax.
Optimize your small outdoor space on Cape Cod
Optimize your small outdoor space on Cape Cod
Posted on Mon, Apr 29, 2013
“and I’d like to have two living rooms”. Increasingly our Customers are trying to accommodate an extended family, or frequent visitors, at their new Cape Cod home. Multiple living spaces are important. Of course, cost is usually a factor.
Including an additional living room with all the necessary components for comfortable, year-round living can tip the budget. Here on the Cape most families experience the influx of visitors during the summer months. So “sun rooms” for seasonal use make a lot of sense. Because they’re not year-round living spaces, they cost less to build. And sun rooms offer the experience of being outside in warm summer breezes, while offering easy access to the rest of the house.
Here’s some great ideas for the sun room in your Cape Cod home.
Sunroom Ideas for your Cape Cod Home
Sunroom Ideas for your Cape Cod Home
Posted on Fri, Apr 26, 2013
Jim & Joyce contacted us a few weeks ago. Their Cape Cod home is about a half mile from the beach. They love the location, but knew that if they were going to spend more time on the Cape, the house needed to be updated. Actually, they realized, replacing the house with new construction would be a much more cost-effective strategy.
We sat with Jim & Joyce and learned about their lifestyle, their likes and dislikes, and who they wanted to accommodate in their new home. On their list was a sunroom, a private master suite, vaulted living room, and of course maximizing the living space on a small lot: 7,800square foot lot (less than ¼ acre).
Jim Hagerty, REEF VP and lead designer, sketched some ideas and shared some thoughts on plans they may want to consider. Then he got busy.
Today, a beautiful Cape Cod Friday, Jim and Joyce will return to meet with REEF, and make some design decisions. I'm sure they'll be pleased with progresson their home design:
Whether you have an older Cape Cod home, or you're looking for your piece of Cape Cod,give us a call, come for a visit. You won't be dissapointed.
Thousands of homes, and a BBB A+ rating for almost 30 years.