Take note of this very worthwhile event – information on how to register below:

EUROPEAN-AMERICAN CHAMBER OF COMMERCE TO HOLD CLEAN ENERGY CONFERENCE AND GALA

Ohio Lt. Governor Lee Fisher to Deliver Keynote Speech

CINCINNATI, OH – May 5, 2009 – International, national and regional experts will gather in Cincinnati to present the latest developments in clean energy from both sides of the Atlantic at the European-American Chamber of Commerce (EACC) Conference and Gala on Thursday, May 21, 2009 at the Westin Hotel, 21 East Fifth Street, Cincinnati, OH 45202. A Tech Expo and Gala Dinner will follow the conference.

The Clean Energy conference, held from 2:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m., will present information on public policy and provide international, national and state regulatory updates; detail utility industry response; explain legal and liability issues pertaining to international standardization; and cite technologies and applications. Speakers include Luisa Ragher, Head of Section for Transportation, Energy and Environment, EU Delegation; Sarah Ladislaw, Center for Strategic and International Studies; and Dr. Mark Shanahan, Ohio Governor’s Energy Advisor, among others.

A Tech Expo and cocktail networking reception will immediately follow the conference where participants will have the opportunity to meet Tri-State companies promoting their clean energy products and services. The Gala Dinner will round out the evening from 7:00 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. where Ohio Lieutenant Governor Lee Fisher will deliver the keynote.

Admission to the conference is $75 for members, $100 for non-members; admission to the dinner is $110 for members, $125 for non-members; admission to both the conference and dinner is $175 for members, $215 for non-members. To register, please call 513-852-6510.

About The EACC

The European American Chamber of Commerce (EACC) is leading the effort in enhancing business relations & economic development between Europe and companies in the Greater Cincinnati area, through collaboration and education.   The EACC, based in Cincinnati, works in partnership with the EACC, Paris, France, and the EACC,New York.  EACC member companies represent a wide variety of business categories and include companies with US and European headquarters, and Cincinnati area companies doing business or prospective business in Europe.  The EACC includes seven distinct and active committees to serve and provide meaningful outreach to members.   For membership or other information, visit www.europe-cincinnati.com.

Check out the latest from our friends at CincyChic:

Home, Green Home!

And be sure to get out and enjoy all the local offerings on Earth Day, like the Eco Go Go Fashion Show on Fountain Square at noon through the flower carpet, among other great events!

Jami and I advocate renovation and redevelopment of existing buildings when possible -  the vast majority of our business is residential re-sale, close to the urban core.  A great number of our buyers are looking for impressive, older homes with period details and loaded with charm.  These Victorians, Neo-Colonials, Italianate, Second Empire and other 100+ year old homes that we are so fortunate to have lining our city streets tend to have “space issues” – not the old concern of the past that a family would outgrow a starter home, but rather “It’s too big!  How on earth am I going to pay for the energy costs of this beast?”  

Cincinnati has managed to foster a stable housing market in comparison to national fluctuations, and housing prices have stayed very accessible for many families, allowing modest home buyers to afford these grand old homes in neighborhoods all across the city.  A modest price tag makes that original charm even more appealing… until you bring in the thermal imaging camera.

Those of you that know how we work are familiar with our prescription:  You are in love with that large, drafty old house?  You don’t have to give up your dreams – begin with an energy audit!  Let the experts tell you where energy is being lost, and we can help you with the resources to begin the green retrofits and upgrades for all budgets.  Anyone catch this Op-Ed in the New York Times last Sunday?    Read on…

This Wasteful Old House, Richard Moe

I can’t seem to say two sentences about the environment, sustainability or eco-friendly without using  the word “green.”  I am so tired of “green” that I nearly choke on it as it passes my lips… and I’m about as “green” as they come!  Be a responsible consumer, think about your choices in the marketplace, the companies you support and their impact on the environment. 

This just in from The Center for Media Research, thanks to our friend Ann Keeling of Christofoli/Keeling:

Thursday, April 9, 2009 

Consumers Want Proof It’s Green 

According to the new BBMG Conscious Consumer Report: Redefining Value in a New Economy, 23% of U.S. consumers say they have “no way of knowing” if a product is green or actually does what it claims. But, 77% agree that they “can make a positive difference by purchasing products from socially or environmentally responsible companies,” and they are actively seeking information to verify green claims.

To find the necessary information, consumers are:

• most likely to turn to consumer reports …..29%
• most likely to look at certification seals or labels on products …..28%
• most likely to consider the list of ingredients on products …..27%
• least likely to look to statements on product packaging …..11%
• least likely to believe company advertising …..5%

Raphael Bemporad, co-founder of BBMG, says “… consumers are redefining what truly matters and evaluating purchases based on both value and values…  by delivering… price, performance and purpose… brands will be able to close the green trust gap… “

Key findings from the Conscious Consumer Report (2009):

• 67% Americans agree that “even in tough economic times, it is important to purchase products with social and environmental benefits”
• 51% say they are “willing to pay more” for them
• 66% say price very important in purchase decision
• 64% look for quality  
• 55% want “good for your health”
• 49% look for “made in the USA”

Green benefits have increased in importance since last year, says the report:

• Energy efficiency (47% very important in 2008, 41% in 2007)
• Locally grown or made nearby (32% in 2008, 26% in 2007)
• All natural (31% in 2008, 24% in 2007)
• Made from recycled materials (29% in 2008, 22% in 2007)
• USDA organic (22% in 2008, 17% in 2007)

When asked unaided which companies come to mind as the most socially or environmentally responsible companies:

• 7% of Americans named Wal-Mart
• 6% said Johnson & Johnson
• 4% Procter & Gamble
• 4% GE
• 3% Whole Foods

Asked to name the least responsible companies:

• 9% named Wal-Mart
• 9% said Exxon Mobile
• 3% GM  
• 3% Ford
• 2% Shell
• 2% McDonald’s

41% of Americans could not name a single company that they consider the most socially and environmentally responsible. And:

• 71% of consumers agree that they “avoid purchasing from companies whose practices they disagree with”
• 55% tell others to shop products based on a company’s social and environmental practices
• 48% tell others to drop products based on a company’s social and environmental practices

Mitch Baranowski, co-founder of BBMG, concludes that “At a time of… growing demand for accountability, … consumers are rewarding brands that align with their values… punishing those that don’t… and spreading the word with their family, friends and peers… “

For more information, and access to purchase report from BBMG, please visit here.

(Jami and I welcome you to do your due diligence and look into our business practices, speak to references… or call us directly and we’d be happy to talk to you about our commitment to “green” – that oft-abused word – in person.  Thanks!)

Our sincerest thanks go out to the Northside Urban Redevelopment Corporation and their dedication to not only eradicating blighted housing in their backyard, but to doing it in the most environmentally responsible way.  The latest green project house, 4154 Mad Anthony, had a spectacular grand opening last night with about 100 visitors in attendence.  To top it all off, we have buyers for  the home!  It will be “pending” on the MLS as of today.  Congratulations to the new buyers and all who worked so hard to make this happen.  Viva Northside!

Hey – the house made it on the news as well!  Check out the link:

Green Housing Boom in Northside

CNCURC's Latest Green Success!

Come and join us in applauding the Cincinnati Northside Community Urban Redevelopment Corporation in their latest success, the completion of their first renovated home at 4154 Mad Anthony St.  We are celebrating with a grand opening for the community on Thursday, March 19th from 5-7 p.m. 

Many of you are familiar with CNCURC’s first two projects, the LEED Silver certified homes at the corner of Chase and Fergus.  4154 Mad Anthony is the next in what promises to be a long, productive career for CNCURC, a tremendous gut rehab project offering energy efficient upgrades, low-VOC fixtures and finishes, a double lot and that elusive off-street parking so rare in Northside. 

Tour this fantastic example of Northside’s urban renaissance, hear more about CNCURC’s other projects underway and stick around for beer, wine, food and great company.  Bring your friends and colleagues and help us spread the word!   For more information, call Libby, 513.260.9632 or Jami, 513.515.0689. 

So much is changing on the green energy front that it seems impossible to keep up at times.   Jami and I are fortunate to have friends in green places… we’ll stay on top of the eco wave as best we can and keep passing it along.   In response to strong client interest as well as our own instatiable curiosity, we have recently spent time with John Fanselow of Third Sun Solar and Wind as well as Gerald Checco, Cincinnati Park Board Superintendent, discussing solar applications for private residences.

We speak with homeowners on a weekly basis who are interested in learning more about solar energy, and those that have already done their homework understand that the costs are not insignificant.   When considering alternative energy for our Cincinnati homes,  there are several key factors to understand.   Wind doesn’t work here, sad but true.  Geothermal is always our top recommendation for HVAC.  For your best electric alternative, go solar.  The investment is not as scary as you think given the Renewable Energy Credits available - AND your solar installation can have an average return on investment of just over 8 years.

Thanks to both Gerald and John, here’s a quick example of the cost-benefit analysis:

Installation of 5 kw system:                         $40,000

State Grant:                                                     -$17,500

Net:                                                                     $22,500

Federal Tax Rebate (30%)                              -$6,750 

 Your cost:                                                      $15,750

But wait!  It gets better:

Annual Production of Electricity:               6,000 kwh

Distribution and Generation Charges:        $.07/kwh

Renewable Energy Credit (REC):                 $.25/kwh

Total Value:                                                 $.32/kwh

Return/Year:                                                    $1,920

Return on Investment:                                 8.2 years

(kw – kilowatt; kwh – kilowatt hours)

According to John, a 5 kilowatt system will supply approximately half the electricity needed for an average-size home in our area.  In order to be eligible for the REC program, there are some requirements, such as a minimum 2kw system.  As he is quick to point out, a national study showed a $20 increase in property value for every $1 in energy upgrades from renewable sources, making it a true benefit when it comes time to sell.   For more details on the tax incentives, call us. 

Duke Energy does not want to build any more coal-burning power plants, but energy consumption continues to grow and supply must meet demand.   As consumers, it’s in our hands to demonstrate our commitment to the environment and make the most responsible choices possible.   We understand that a $15,000 investment is not within reach for most homeowners today, but it will become more and more attainable.  Let us know your thoughts…

Jami and I find ourselves troubled by something.  Many of our dear buyers are still on the fence, waiting for the deals to get even juicier…  so listen up.  Tempted to take the Market-Hasn’t-Yet-Hit-Bottom skeptics (gently) by the (proverbial) throat and throttle them, yelling:  “Interest rates are at an all-time low!  You could get an $8,000 tax credit!  Average sale prices are down 12%!”, we instead choose to say: “We know you just love working with us so much that you don’t want to buy yet and put an end to these fabulous all-day house-hunting parties we have…”  And buyers, we luv you too.  No, seriously, we mean it.  But we want you to understand something.  This could very well be the most opportune time to buy for a long, long time:  Carpe Diem!  Oops, I mean Carpe Domus!

 On to the exciting home buyer tax credit.  We are getting lots of calls this week about details, so we’d like to pass along some quick highlights from our good pal and in-house loan officer extrordinaire, Ann Lafferty:

• For first time homebuyers only (defined as people who have not owned a home before or have not owned a home within the last three years)
• Does not have to be repaid
• Is equal to 10% of the home’s purchase price up to a maximum of $8,000
• Available for homes purchased on or after January 1, 2009 and before December 1, 2009
• Single taxpayers with incomes up to $75,000 and married couples with incomes up to $150,000 qualify for the full tax credit
• Participating in the program is easy!  Buyers claim the tax credit on their federal income tax return – there isn’t an “application” process
• Unlike the previous program, buyers who used bond money programs to finance their home can claim the tax credit

And, if you are still on the fence about who to call when you do finally decide to put your house on the market or look to buy that first home, chew on this:  58% of Cincinnati realtors did 3 or less transactions in 2008.  We did 46, even in this crazy market.  Call now!  Operators are standing by…

We’ve got the housing part of the bill that we are intersted in see my other post regarding the 8000k tax credit.

Well, what about the clean energy portion of it?  This will also effect homeowners in the coming months/years.  Especially when it comes to making energy upgrades to their homes.  Here is the scoop:

Major energy portions include:

• A three-year extension to the tax credit for wind, which would have expired at the end of this year, and an extension until the end of 2013 for geothermal and biomass renewable-energy projects. The credit has been increased to 30 percent of the investment.
• $4.5 billion in direct spending to modernize the electricity grid with smart-grid technologies.
• $6.3 billion in state energy-efficient and clean-energy grants and $4.5 billion to make federal buildings more energy efficient.
• $6 billion in loan guarantees for renewable energy systems, biofuel projects, and electric-power transmission facilities.
• $2 billion in loans to manufacture advanced batteries and components for applications such as plug-in electric cars.
• $5 billion to weatherize homes of up to 1 million low-income people.
• $3.4 billion appropriated to the Department of Energy for fossil energy research and development, such as storing carbon dioxide underground at coal power plants.
• A tax credit of between $2,500 and $5,000 for purchase of plug-in electric vehicles, available for the first 200,000 placed into service.

This is good news for all of us looking to upgrade our homes to more energy efficient ones in the future!  For the full report go here.

I blogged about it months ago.  A few of you even commented that if I bought the land you’d till the soil.  Well it turns out that City Council last week finally passed a plan for mini-farms.  What is a mini farm or an urban farm?  Well, its exactly what it sounds like: a small farm in an urban setting.  Why you ask?  Well, there is always a question of what to do with some of the vacant unusable city plots of land.  Most of them are unbuildable plots and just sit vacant and uncared for. Many major cities have started using these plats as small gardens and farms for city dwellers.  The exact details will be worked out in the next month.  City officials must decide how to lease the plots, and whether to charge anything. Lets hope they don’t.  Bring back the victory gardens of WWI & WWII.

How soon can we expect these little gardens of nutrition to start springing up?  Well, council expect 10 to 15 plots to be ready for growing this spring as a pilot project.  Yippee! Local food is where its at.  Lets help beautify the city.

I wonder if Norwood would be interested in something like this??

To read the full article in today’s enquirer click here.