SEASONAL RESIDENTS ASSOCIATION
POST
ROM. 12:10 • VOL 18, No. 3
DO YOU MATCH THE PROFILE OF
A WISCONSIN CABIN OWNER?
on 150' of water frontage. Many of you pay more in property
taxes on your second home than your primary residence and
because of that (and utility costs) are not planning to retire
to Wisconsin. On average when you’re here you usually boat,
fish, and fix-up/maintain your place while mostly relaxing.
However, while not relaxing you will entertain on average
three houseguests per visit, and your range of outside activities
with your guests is quite large—from golfing and antiquing to
snowmobiling and bicycling.
We can see many changes in the data going back to 1996
and at that time, we could also see some trends for the future.
For example, as of 2005 we could see a trend toward more
expensive second homes and more affluent owners given the
upward volatility of the recreational real estate market. Since
so much has happened in the world around us in the last
Back in 2006, we reported on the results of the 2005 seven years, we’re anxious to see if some of the trend lines
survey of members and compared a few of our data points have continued or have changed.
with national statistics where possible. For example, the
Would you invest your time and money in Wisconsin
median average Wisconsin “cabin” owner respondent was again? (i.e., do it over?) That’s one of the last questions of
66 years old, had an income of $125,000, drove 200 miles the survey. By far most of you said “yes” in 2005 but the
to get to the $300,000 cabin
trend in “no” answers was
for about six weeks (30 days
growing against the “not
Please complete the attached questionnaire
or 15 weekends) a year. On a
sure” answers since 1996. It
national basis, he or she would
will be interesting to see how
and return to the address indicated.
be 47 making $80,000 driving
you all feel after we analyze
Thank you.
100 miles to the $200,000 cabin
the results from the new
for eight weeks a year. Given
survey on the next pages.
property taxes and maintenance at about $7,000/year, an
Please join us in completing and returning the questionnaire.
average nights stay at your Wisconsin “home away from home” All the information is confidential; we do not need your name
is about $235 per night. Add to that $300 per visit for gas, fees, on the form and the survey is immediately destroyed once
meals out, and entertainment and the average overnight goes up the data is entered. If you are concerned about including
to $385. And that’s already seven years ago.
the data with your dues, then mail the form in a separate
Here are a few more characteristics from 2005—and envelope with no return address.
we’ll use descriptions like “many” and “most” to give you
We’ll be giving a complete
an idea without bogging you down with percentages, ratios, report on the analysis of
and statistics.
the date in upcomMost of you are college graduates and originally born and ing issues of the
raised in another state. You bought your property to “get SRA POST.
away” (not to work from home or as an investment) and its
Th e
PAG E
2
SRA
POST
LAKE ASSOCIATION/CONDO MEMBERSHIP
What do you think?
It’s been suggested by member Mark
Buschman that we consider an annual fee
for condo associations who have a majority
of its members from out-of-state. Mark, who
is a condo owner in the Lake Geneva area, feels
that his neighbors would profit from the work and
benefits of SRA. “If WiSRA offered an annual
rate to the condo association based on the
number of condo units, it might be
more affordable for everyone all
around and simple to administer,”
writes Mark. SRA reached out to a
sample of lake associations a few years
ago with lackluster interest and response
but condo associations are a different group
all together. As a result of this suggestion, we’ve
included two questions at the end of the five-year
survey (part of this issue) to see what sort of organizational
participation exists among you. As to an “association rate”
we await your thoughts. Do you think your lake/condo/
homeowners association would be open to using some of
your dues for group membership? There’s a comment line
after question 24 and you can offer your thoughts. If it’s an
idea worth pursuing, we’ll bring it up to the advisory board
after we hear from you.
FROM THE FOUNDERS
Nick and Sylvia Kaufmann
It’s that time again. Every five years
or so SRA updates the profile of our
members (and a few nonmembers) as
part of a more comprehensive survey
to determine trends in recreational
land use, costs, attitudes, etc. SRA
performed this cycle in 1996, 2001,
and 2005 and now in 2012 we’ve
chosen the fall communications period
since not much will be happening at
the local, state, and national levels until
the elections are over and policymakers
get back to work. At the same time,
we’ve used the dues notice as a vehicle
to give you an Annual Report on our
programs and finances. Given the
cost of printing and postage—and the
similarity of 2012 compared to 2011,
the staff decided it would be best
to do the survey since we’re already
running two years behind collecting
the data. If you would like a copy of
our annual financials, give us a call
and we’ll send them. We might also
get around to posting them online. So
be sure to fill this out and (hopefully)
return it with your dues.
A few tidbits from the annual report
to give you an idea of how things are
looking for the first three quarters:
roster of active members 1,915; active
charter members 355; full roster of
regular and family members 5,612.
Income $74,000; program expenses
$37,000; administrative expenses
$27,000; reserves $10,000. Overall
pretty much the same as the last two
years. A little soft on the income side
since we’ve allowed members to opt
for a “basic” membership at $25
and contributions to the Legal Trust
Fund is down. We are tracking the
economy; down but not out!
Warmly,
Nick & Sylvia Kaufmann
Founder and CoFounder
2012
S easonal R esidents S ur v ey
Please take a few moments to answer the following
questions (front and back), then fold and return the
questionnaire to SRA anonymously. If both you and your
spouse want to answer the questions, please make a copy
of the form, or use two different colors of ink so that we
can enter your answers appropriately.
Directions: Check the box next to the most appropriate answer,
then fill in the blanks with the detail requested.
1. How long have you owned land and/or property in Wisconsin?
❍❍ Less than 2 years
❍❍ Between 2-5 years
❍❍ Between 5-10 years
❍❍ Between 10-30 years
❍❍ Over 30 years
2. Which best describes your property? (choose one)
❍❍ Waterfront (feet___________)
❍❍ Farmland/woods (acres_________)
❍❍ Condo
❍❍ Vacant lot
3. For the most part, why did you acquire your property?
❍❍ Inherited
❍❍ Investment
❍❍ For hunting/fishing
❍❍ Retirement
❍❍ A place to “get away”
4. Does your property include a building which can be used for
overnight accommodations?
❍❍ Yes, a year-round home
❍❍ Yes, a three-season home
❍❍ No, we use an RV
❍❍ No, we tent/camp
❍❍ We don’t stay on the property
5. What is the approximate assessed value of your land
and improvements?
❍❍ Less than $5,000
❍❍ $5,000 - $25,000
❍❍ $25,000 - $75,000
❍❍ $75,000 - $125,000
❍❍ $125,000 - $250,000
❍❍ $250,000 - $350,000
❍❍ Over $350,000
6. What were your property taxes last year? $___________________
7. How does your Wisconsin tax compare to your primary residence?
Wisconsin is:
❍❍ Much lower
❍❍ Lower
❍❍ About the same
❍❍ Higher
❍❍ Much higher
8. On average, how much do you spend each year in improving or
maintaining your property? $___________________
9. Generally, when do you visit your property?
❍❍ One or two weeks in the summer
❍❍ Almost full-time
❍❍ On weekends only (how many times/year?_________)
❍❍ All summer
10.How is your land primarily used?
❍❍ It’s left alone
❍❍ It's farmed/rented
❍❍ For recreation (hunting/fishing/boating, etc.)
❍❍ For sitting around, relaxing, socializing
11a. Tell us about your visiting patterns over the last year. Fill in the
following table with number of times you came, how long you stayed,
and the number of guests. (For example: if you come in May and stay
through August, that's ONE visit of about 120 nights. During that
period, you might have had 14 relatives or guests visit you (it’s okay
to count the same person(s) again if they’ve visited more than once).
If you come on weekends year-round, that would be 52 visits of two
nights each. (Again, count family and guests each time they came.)
# Visits
# Nights # Family
# Guests
per visit
per visit
per visit
11b. Dec.-Apr. _______
_______
_______
_______
11c. May-Aug. _______
_______
_______
_______
11d. Sept.-Nov. _______
_______
_______
_______
12. What do you, your family, and guests do when visiting your
property? (check your top 3 choices)
❍❍ Hunt
❍❍ Fish
❍❍ Snowmobile
❍❍ Water sports
❍❍ Boat
❍❍ Dine out
❍❍ Golf
❍❍ Fix up the cottage
❍❍ Sit around and relax
❍❍ Socialize with others
❍❍ Attend events/attractions
❍❍ Visit parks
13.What would you say is the average amount you spend in Wisconsin
annually? (Include gas, food, entertainment, materials, supplies,
labor for services, licenses, fees, lodgings, etc.
a) Average per visit $_____________________
b) Estimate per year $____________________
14.Which fees do you usually pay annually (circle as many as apply)
❍❍ Hunting
❍❍ Fishing
❍❍ State park
❍❍ Boat/snowmobile
❍❍ Other________________________________
15.How many miles do you travel one way to visit your
Wisconsin property?
❍❍ Less than 100 miles
❍❍ 100-150 miles
❍❍ 150-200 miles
❍❍ 200-500 miles
❍❍ Over 500 miles
16. Do you enjoy the local, full-time residents in your
Wisconsin community?
❍❍ Very much
❍❍ Somewhat
❍❍ They're okay
❍❍ Not so much
❍❍ Not at all
17.Besides reducing taxes and recreational fees, what would
you improve for seasonal residents if you could?
____________________________________________________
____________________________________________________
18.Do you plan on becoming a full-time resident of Wisconsin
some day?
❍❍ Yes
❍❍ No
❍❍ Maybe
Why?_______________________________________________
____________________________________________________
D. Do you consider yourself originally a native of Wisconsin?
❍❍ Yes
❍❍ No
E. Number of people in your household, including yourself:
(circle one) 1 2 3 4 5 6 or more
F. Indicate the highest level of formal education that applies to you:
❍❍ High school
❍❍ Some college
❍❍ Trade/Technical graduate
❍❍ College graduate
❍❍ Graduate school
G. Your occupational status:
❍❍ Employed
❍❍ Self-employed
❍❍ Semi-retired
❍❍ Retired
H. Do you use your cottage for business?
❍❍ Yes
❍❍ No
❍❍ If yes, what percent of time?___________%
I. Your total annual household income:
❍❍ Under $25,000
❍❍ $25,000-$50,000
❍❍ $50,000-$75,000
❍❍ $75,000-$100,000
❍❍ Over $100,000
19.If fishing and/or hunting license fees were lower, you or members of
your family would participate:
❍❍ More than you do now
❍❍ About the same as you do now
❍❍ N/A
22.If you had it to do all over again, would you choose Wisconsin
for a second home location?
❍❍ Yes
❍❍ No
❍❍ Not Sure
20.Do you think there should be a separate class of recreational fees
for nonresident landowners like yourself (as opposed to current
nonresident/tourists fees)?
❍❍ Definitely not
❍❍ Unfavorably inclined
❍❍ Perhaps
❍❍ Favorably inclined
❍❍ Absolutely
23. Please indicate your participation in any of the following
(Wisconsin only):
❍❍ Lake Association
❍❍ Condo Association
❍❍ Homeowners Association
❍❍ None
21.A few demographic questions:
A. In what county is your Wisconsin property located?
___________________________________________________
B. Gender:
❍❍ Male
❍❍ Female
C. Age group:
❍❍ Under 40
❍❍ 40-55
❍❍ 56-70
❍❍ 71-85
❍❍ Over 85
24. Do you think lake/condo/homeowners associations would be
interested in a group membership rate in SRA? (see accompanying
article on this subject)
❍❍ Yes
❍❍ No
❍❍ Maybe
Why? ________________________________________________
______________________________________________________
Thank you for participating!
Please tear off and mail to:
SRA Data Processing
Box 212
New Lisbon, WI 53950