Offering my 150k FLORIDA home + cash, do you want to retire here? We are ready to TRADE BEACH FOR MOUNTAINS!!! West NC/East TN/Tryon preferred

Are you sick of winter? We miss the seasons! We both grew up up north and want to raise kids closer to extended family; we are interested in swapping our home in St. Petersburg, FL for something in or very close to Asheville.

WHAT WE HAVE TO OFFER:
1200 sf, 3/2.5 built in the mid-fifties. Owned free and clear. The house has been fully updated and almost totally remodeled. Windows are state-of-the-art double-hung with argon gas between the triple-thick panes for extra energy efficiency and feature a lifetime warranty. Roof is about 4 years old. New exterior paint last year. House has been upgraded for energy efficiency and extra insulation was rolled in throughout (not blown in - we did not cheap out on any modifications!). Brand new, best possible hurricane protection and no worries about flooding make this home one of the cheapest to insure and easiest to take care of. Thanks to the energy-efficient mods and ample natural light, our electric bill averages about 150/month during the hottest part of the year (this is with everything running including our server and other crazy computers and the A/C in the rental unit) and 80/month in fall and winter! The main portion of the house is a 2/1 with a master bedroom and a guest bedroom that is currently being used as an office. Main bathroom has been remodeled with solar tube lighting added, designer italian tile, and a large spa shower with a rain head and massaging body jets.

Kitchen is open to the living room and is also remodeled with new cabinetry, tons of storage, small bar area/island where you can sit and eat, drink, or chat while the cook works, rare granite pattern, and new Viking appliances - I am an avid cook and this kitchen is designed to get down! The large dining room has a bay window with a built-in storage bench on one side, 3 huge windows on the other, and still plenty of room for our large antique 8 person dining table! The city is currently re-doing the drainage and water system, so by mid-Feb. we will also have a brand new water pipeline and supply running to our home.

We are in the process of converting half of the garage into a large laundry/rec area; there is already a half bath and we have already added a wall and new door to section it off from where the cars are parked. The backyard is fenced in with a privacy fence and features a large, shaded deck so that you can relax or eat outside in the gorgeous weather...I grill out at least 3x/week, which you can get away with in FL!

Above the garage is an additional studio apartment with a new front porch overlooking the backyard and its own newly renovated bathroom with italian tiled steam shower. You can use it as a guest room or rent it out, which we have done for 400/month (and that's with just a hot plate and microfridge, if you add a 2 burner stove and microwave, you could get more). It has been rented in the past and already has its own separate mailbox; we currently use it as an additional guest room and my library/sewing studio.

Once winter is over and planting season begins, we will be turning the backyard into a tropical permaculture paradise with greywater irrigation (pipes already run from laundry area) and rainwater catchment.

Home is located within walking distance (12 blocks) of a wonderful local market and coffee roaster, 10-15 minute drive to downtown depending on traffic (or 15-20 min bike ride), and is extremely convenient to grocery shopping, any errands you might need to run, fresh market, weekend farmer's market, and only 15 min from the best beach in FL, Ft. DeSoto Park. I really hate being in the car, so convenient location was a major decision factor when we were house hunting. lakeside park with public tennis courts, dog park, children's park, and quiet trails is a 10 minute bike ride from home. Sawgrass Nature Park, full of wildlife, is 25 blocks away. St. Petersburg has a thriving local arts scene and is one of the only quaint places left in Florida. We also have more public parks than any other county in FL, as well as a 26 mile, well maintained bike trail. Drive an hour or hour and a half and you could be in the everglades, tubing down a cool river in summer, at crystal springs, diving the aquifer, or go swimming with the manatees in winter - Florida's natural beauty is all around you! Do you have young children in the family? In an hour and a half, you could be inside the Disney parks. I work in Tampa 3 days/week and it only takes me 20 min to get to downtown Tampa in rush hour - the same amount of time that it takes some of my colleagues who live over there - because we are located close to the interstate yet out of the rush hour traffic pattern.

WHAT WE ARE LOOKING FOR:
Tax rolls list home value at 95k pre-renovation.We would be interested in trading for a place in or very near Asheville, would be willing to throw some cash in as well if needed to even out the exchange. We are not interested in any mobile or pre-fabricated homes, and prefer homes which do not have  a HOA. I will happily provide photos and further information; just email me if you'd like to start a dialogue. Please note that the street view on Google maps shows a pre-renovation home. We are not looking for lease-to-own or financing on either side of the deal, strictly a property, property + cash, or possibly property + other trade option. Private parties only please.