ENCORE debuts eco-lunch series, real estate blog

In celebration of Earth Day, ENCORE has gone live with the debut of their Green Bags Eco Lunch Series and a new environmental real estate blog.

ENCORE (Environmentally Conscious Real Estate of Cincinnati) is the brainchild of business partners Libby Hunter and Jami Stutzman, realtors with a passion for sustainable living.

In addition to being fabulous, both are realtors for Sibcy Cline Realtors and are members of the U.S. Green Building Council, and have a strong belief in investing in urban neighborhoods and in keeping our rural areas green.

"We hope to really reach out and educate our fair city on the benefits of going green," Stutzman says.

The Green Bags Eco Lunch Series is their attempt to build a network of Cincinnati's most talented environmentally progressive professionals and to promote sustainable business and development initiatives in the region.

After months of planning, Hunter and Stutzman have assembled professionals from the fields of architecture, urban planning, building and remodeling, HVAC, energy auditing and consulting, landscaping, interior design, and real estate sales and marketing.

Each meeting will be hosted by a professional who will present their project and answer questions, after which attendees are free to tour the project and to network with other professionals.

The first meeting was hosted by Andy and Marc Hueber of John Hueber Homes at their LEED Silver-certified new build at 2573 Observatory Avenue (BIRD'S EYE) in Hyde Park.*

Listed for $1.525 million, the home incorporates such eco-friendly features geothermal heating, a water purification system with low-flow fixtures, Energy Star windows, appliances and fixtures, orientation toward natural light, and oak floors grown sustainably by an Appalachian collective.

Andy Hueber says that building to LEED certification typically adds 1 to 3 percent to the price of a home.

However, the Hueber's house has the added bonus of qualifying for the City's progressive 15-year tax abatement for LEED-certified homes, meaning that the added costs will be offset by the tax savings in about two years.

As an interactive resource, the ENCORE blog aims to show readers how they can bring eco-friendly features to their existing home, or to a new home.

It also comes complete with a calendar of green-themed events and a list of resources.

Future lunch meetings will be held bi-monthly at noon on the fourth Tuesday of the month.

* Photos within the next few days