You can get financing for land, then additional financing when and if you are ready to build or you can get a package deal for both, contingent on down payment and decent credit. But you should do a little homework before you opt to build or buy in an isolated area. With security and comfort becoming more important as you age, it might just be more practical for you to opt for a modest single-family home in a secure neighborhood with all city services.

I'm certainly not trying to talk you out of buying or building your dream retirement home in the country, but there are some pretty good arguments against seniors locating too far out in rural areas. Chief among them is isolation, potentially diminished access to medical care, and a possible lack of police and ambulance coverage.

If you're buying a piece of land, then infrastructure can be an issue because you will pay dearly for utility and water access if it's not on the land you're buying. Or if you're buying a lot in a new rural development, many subdivisions have minimum house-size rules of 1,800 square feet or so, and you may not want to build a house that size at this point in your life. You note you are in a mostly rural state, but you might be surprised to find there are some age-restricted developments for seniors nearby where you can maintain your independence in a single-family home that's better tailored to your needs.

Whether buying or building, it would be wise to incorporate or look for as many senior-friendly universal design elements as possible in your new place. These include low cabinets and light switches, raised electrical outlets, nonslip floors and tubs, wider doorways and halls, bathroom support bars, lever handles instead of door knobs and a first-floor bedroom if you plan to buy a two-story home. For more information on the topic, visit the AARP Web site.

When you do get ensconced in you new home, check with your local taxing authority to see if you're eligible for some form of senior citizen property-tax relief from your municipality.