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You would think that property developer John Wischhusen might be feeling just a little bit nervous as he gives a guided tour of his pride and joy in Poole.
After all, he invested many hundreds of thousands of pounds building a super-cool single storey house bungalow gives the wrong impression just at a time when the housing market plunged into freefall.
But Wischhusen is confident that someone, a footballer, an actor, a Russian billionaire, is about to fall in love with his house, even though it will set them back an eye-watering £3.5m or thereabouts.
"I feel we are going to get a sale very soon. The market has begun to move and this is the sort of place someone will fall in love with. You can't say who. We've had young people look at it, we've had more elderly people. You can't stereotype. It will go at around that price."
Earlier this year stories emerged that even here in the όber-wealthy Dorset neighbourhood of Sandbanks the credit crunch had hit. There were tales of houses and flats being repossessed and tycoons fleeing. It is true that some homes were repossessed and one or two local developers found themselves, relatively speaking, on their uppers. But a trip to Sandbanks now tells a different story.
New figures yesterday suggested the end may be in sight for the housing market downturn nationally, but analysts at the Centre for Economics and Business Research said there would be little price growth until 2013 and property prices may have a further 8% to fall.
In Sandbanks, it seems the market is beginning to move significantly. Estate agents Tailor Made is "ridiculously busy". Adrian Dunford, a partner, said: "It's true that 2008 was a washout but it suddenly became busy again in December."
It does not appear to be estate agent bluster. While the Guardian was in the Tailor Made office, phones were constantly ringing with calls from potential buyers.
Dunford believes that the super-rich did pause last year to see just how bad the recession was going to be but are jumping back into property now. He also believes that at the lower end, which here means half a million plus, people with cash in the bank are deciding to invest in holiday homes and lets, partly because the interest is so poor if their cash sits in a bank.
Where the market does remain "soft", according to Dunford, is the mid-market £1m to £2.5m the sort of homes bought with a mortgage. Those people are still finding it difficult to get a mortgage or are unwilling to take on a big one because they are worried about their jobs.
Of course, even here there remain credit crunch victims. Phil Anders admits having to sell his fabulous house designed by architects Huf Haus black walnut floors, views of a nature reserve, cinema room, wine cellar after his cafe chain took a hit and he needed to free up some money.
"We love this house but need to sell it. There are only two of us here now so it's too big as well." The house was on the market for just under £4m but has been cut to £3,595,000 for a quick sale.
Dunford's brother, Robert, shows the Guardian around other "super-houses" as they are known in these parts. (They usually weed out time-wasters by seeing if they ask about underfloor heating in the garage: genuine buyers need to make sure their vintage cars will be kept cosy).
This one is yours for a mere £3,250,000. With its glass stairs and Mediterranean-style terraces, it is considered to be a bit more "waggish" than the Huf Haus. The Russian pop star Valeriya, who has sold more than 100m albums, has looked around and may make an offer.
On the tip of Sandbanks, looking out to Brownsea Island, builders are finishing a Russian billionaire's holiday pad. He bought the plot and house for £5m, had the old place knocked down and is spending another £5m on a new house. "I've met him a couple of times," said neighbour, Paul Lang, "He seems a nice chap. I think he's something in oil and gas."
Lang, who made his money out of publishing, bought his house for £4.1m three years ago. He has got it on the market again for around £6m. For that you also have planning permission to knock it down and, like the Russian next door, oversee the building of a new glistening three-storey glass-fronted super-house with enough room for a helipad. Lang is confident he will sell quickly. "This is a unique spot. It's recession-proof."
Robert Dunford is confident that Sandbanks is not just an isolated case that homes in other areas will begin to shift. "I like to think as the confidence grows it will filter through to the rest of the country. I think the starter end of the market will also move because the interest rates are so low. I think people should be optimistic."
Rich pickings
108a Panorama Road, Sandbanks
Bought for £4.1m in 2006. House and plot on market for around £6m - with planning permission to knock old house down and build new one.
The Russian House, Panorama Road, Sandbanks
Plot bought by unnamed Russian billionaire in September for £5.3m. Old American colonial-style mansion knocked down, being replaced by £5m "super-home" with helipad.
29a Western Avenue, Branksome Park
Reflective pools, atrium ready planted with mature trees, indoor swimming pool. Yours for £3.5m
Sonata, 33, Western Road, Branksome Park
Gym, media room, glass staircase. Underfloor heating in garage, naturally. Just £3.25m.
The Huf Haus, 10 Mount Grace Drive
Cinema room, wine cellar. Backs on to Luscombe Valley nature reserve. A tad under £3.6m.
Azure, Brownsea Road, Sandbanks
Top floor apartment just sold £550,000. Was on market for six months. A buyer is also interested in middle apartment. This is typical of homes that are selling well as holiday lets or weekend retreats.
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