The second home market might not be at its strongest currently, however, 43 percent of Chicago Agent readers have clients looking for a second home – a rather large number for this time of year. Fifty-four percent of readers have worked with clients from out of town, and judging from results, most of those out-of-town clients probably wanted a home in downtown Chicago (35 percent) instead of the suburbs (16 percent). Florida, Wisconsin and Michigan follow in terms of second home location popularity; 14 percent of clients buy in Florida, 13 percent in Wisconsin and 11 percent in Michigan.

“I have had buyers looking for second homes as investments. For that purpose, I would recommend Chicago, as I am very familiar with our rental market. But if the home is for get-away purposes, Michigan is nicer than Indiana, affordable, not very far (day trip possible), has many, many lakes and affords all the seasonal opportunities.”
DENISE NOWAK, REALTOR, CHARLES RUTENBERG REALTY

“With the prices coming down so much, I think more people should consider buying second homes in Chicago. There is always so much to do and it is something they could use year-round, unlike the other choices on this list.”
STEPHEN MISSIRLIAN, MANAGING BROKER, CHICAGO APARTMENT SEEKERS