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Spending category Median Annual Spending <br /> Groceries/Liquor $768 <br /> Restaurants/Bars $480 <br /> Gas/Auto Service $600 <br /> Home Maintenance $600 <br /> Entertainment/Recreation $408 <br /> Construction/Remodeling $396 <br /> Total for Selected Categories $3,252 <br /> In the above table, median annual spending—that is the mid-point value from all the dollar values <br /> reported—best describes spending by the typical second homeowner, as reported by survey <br /> respondents and based on the assumption that reported shares of spending within their second <br /> home communities reflects year-round expenditure patterns. The totals shown above are just for <br /> these selected spending categories and do not reflect all spending by seasonal residents. Survey <br /> participants report an average of four persons present when their second home is in use <br /> In the eight counties we examined, 31 percent of all housing units are for seasonal,recreational, or <br /> occasional use. Local businesses would do well to target the needs and interests of this customer <br /> segment. <br /> For Local Governments <br /> Water quality is a public issue that holds significant importance for second homeowners. Study <br /> respondents reported water quality as a top reason for choosing their property, and although they <br /> currently consider water quality high, they identify dealing with water and environmental quality <br /> issues as a challenge in the future for their second home community. Furthermore, respondents said <br /> that water quality and related natural resource improvements were a top priority to improve their <br /> second home community. <br /> Our survey also asked seasonal residents to rank amenities and services choosing from Poor(a score <br /> of 1 point),Adequate(2), Good(3), and Excellent(4). Overall, respondents gave local amenities and <br /> services a passing grade(with an overall average score of 2.69 for all services), although none scored <br /> in the Excellent range.At 2.30, Internet service received the poorest ranking. Furthermore, of those <br /> who reported teleworking from home(about 25 percent of respondents), one quarter ranked their <br /> Internet service as poor, indicating that communities should prioritize the development of quality <br /> Internet service. <br /> For Non-profits and Community Development Professionals <br /> It is clear that respondents feel very attached to their second homes but less attached to the <br /> communities near their second homes. Respondents are civically active in their first home <br /> communities: 64 percent have volunteered for a community organization, 47 percent held a <br /> leadership role, and 16 percent have served in a public office. Second-home communities could <br /> benefit from the talents and leadership of these seasonal residents. <br /> Communities also have an incentive to better incorporate seasonal residents due to the business <br /> skills they may offer. More than half of second homeowners responding to the survey have owned, <br /> operated or played a signficant management role in a business, and a fair number of these <br /> respondents were open to the idea of opening,moving, or starting another branch of their business <br /> in their second home community. More important, their transition from seasonal to permanent <br /> residence may have social, land use, and economic impacts on local communities.Taking action now <br /> rTh <br /> Second Homeowners of Central and West Central MN 4 <br />