Country skills

We all profit from more skills. Whether living on rural property or scheming for an escape from the city, it is never too early or too late to learn how to handle tools and make things both useful and beautiful. If you have a nomination, please e-mail us.

This is the third edition of my book. It is listed first not to say it is best but because country life begins with finding your place. There are 32 chapters, each a subject I feel is vital knowledge to help you make your first purchase the right one, so you don't have to uproot yourself and loved ones a second or third time. I also drew 93 maps to give you essential information at a glance. Reviewers have said this is the best book on the subject, but the testimonials that warm and humble me most are those received from readers. "This is one of the best books I've ever read" (Carol Post, Altamonte Springs, Florida). "Your book is superb" (Jerry & Clare Perkins, Livonia, Michigan). "After reading your book, I feel like we are close neighbors" (David & Sheila Knapp, Winnebago, Illinois). If after reading my book you have any unanswered questions, please e-mail me at genegerue@ruralize.com. And, please--don't forget to enjoy the journey. Go to Amazon's page HOW TO FIND YOUR IDEAL COUNTRY HOME

Les Scher is a lawyer. The premise of this book is that you want to act as your own real estate agent, so most of the book presents the myriad aspects of real estate law, appraising and negotiating price, finance, contracts, escrow, title insurance, and of course, using a lawyer. If you want to act as your own agent, buy this book. If you want to use an experienced real estate agent to handle your purchase, buy my book, which tells you how. A caveat: this book is rather light on finding your right place, so if you buy this book, you need mine also. Here's Amazon's page FINDING & BUYING YOUR PLACE IN THE COUNTRY