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Eager anticipation, a quickened pulse, butterflies-in-the-stomach. It's love, all right. But not of the romantic variety. This goose bumps-down-the-spine feeling starts the moment you first set eyes on the natural beauty of the Turks and Caicos. It peaks when you learn that real estate prices and selection are the best the island has seen in years. "People are now able to get prices and selection that hasn't been available for years and years," says Nina Siegenthaler-Borges, VP and Sales Executive of Turks & Caicos Sotheby's International Realty. "Prices we're seeing now are pretty much back to the 2003 levels."

Why You Want to Go:
Set just beyond the Bahamas, the Turks and Caicos have attracted visitors for their close proximity to the U.S., picturesque residences and staggering beauty. The wide variety of domestic and international airlines with non-stop flights into Providenciales International Airport on the main island make it a convenient getaway spot for a vacation home. English as the primary language and the U.S. dollar as the main form of currency all make for seamless transition for stateside visitors. Clear waters, amazing diving, exotic wildlife, beautiful beaches, lavish luxuries, and fantastic food put the islands at the forefront of any travel list, and are just a few of the reasons we can't take our eyes off the Turks and Caicos.

Beyond the fabulous beaches and crystalline waters, the islands' diverse geography affords for many natural wonders. A preserve in the southern end of North Caicos is home to the largest sanctuary of West Indian Flamingos in the entire world, while Middle Caicos boasts an extensive and intricate network of underwater and aboveground caves begging to be discovered by spelunkers and adventurers alike. Bordered to the north by a long barrier reef, the Turks and Caicos host some of the most spectacular snorkeling and scuba diving in the Caribbean. Crystal-clear water lends to good visibility and seas peaking at 80°F in the summer make for comfortable year-round water sports. Visit the ruins from the famed 18th century British Warship the HMS Endmion, set in only 30 feet of water, home to sea turtles, sponges and rays. Swimming alongside a graceful manta ray will have you falling in love all over again. World-class diving spots can also be found at the reefs surrounding Iguana Island, which is dedicated to housing the endangered rock iguanas.

Why You Want to Buy:
For those looking to take their love affair with the Turks and Caicos to the next level, now is the perfect time to buy. Popular, hard-to-come-by properties are available, giving buyers a greater selection than ever before, and prices have fallen. Not only are realtors saying prices are back to what they were at the beginning of the last decade, but, "In 2003 you would've paid that price for pre-construction, now you're getting the same price for a stable, operating community," says Siegenthaler-Borges. "The type of buyers we're seeing now are those who have been looking for a long time and are seeing the opportunity and saying, 'now is the time.'"

According to Siegenthaler-Borges, you can find two-bedroom beachfront properties for $800,000, three-bedrooms starting and $1.1 million and some of the finest properties ranging up to $4 million. The real estate offerings are endless. The majority of the development is in Providenciales, or Provo, the epicenter of the recent construction boom-a boom that has brought luxurious and exclusive vacation properties and resorts to the islands. Projects slated for the Turks and Caicos "Out Islands," such as Ritz-Carlton development on West Caicos and the Mandarin Oriental on Dellis Cay have been put on hold at the moment with much of the attention turned back Grace Bay Beach on Provo and the rest of the main island. "There's a wonderful selection [on Grace Bay], and it's very exclusive as well," she says. "There aren't any 500-room hotels here; it's a condo and boutique resort environment with a limited supply on one of the finest commercial beaches in the world."

Luxe Properties:
The award-winning Amanyara resort, frequented by celebrities and vacationers alike, is the pinnacle of luxury on the island. Located along the edge of an 18,000-acre nature preserve, Amanyara blends a secluded white-sand beach and stunning rocky cliffs with a world-class resort, including a development of 40 villas available for ownership starting at $10. Use of rich woods, natural materials and thoughtful placement of reflecting pools brings out the Zen-inspired ambiance.

Parrot Cay, an exclusive resort located on a thousand-acre private island just off the coast of Provo, offers villa owners a life of luxury in well-appointed residences with such features as butler service, private plunge pools and secluded sun decks. The resort is home to two outstanding restaurants, which serve up healthy gourmet selections, as well as a world-renowned spa. Lots start at $2.25 million and fully furnished villas starting at $10 million.

Grace Bay Club located on Provo offers junior residences all the way up to penthouse suites, not to mention an unbeatable combination of views and amenities along Grace Bay Beach-literally miles and miles of a white-sand wonderland. The unique four-bedroom "Pool Residence" at the Grace Bay Club is listed for $4.85 million.

The Turks and Caicos provide a number exciting real estate options on an archipelago haven for a second home. The convenient location is perfect for a quick getaway, and the diversity of the geography and wildlife provides countless recreation opportunities. It's hard not to fall in love with the Turks and Caicos.