Buyers look set to fork out close to $3 million for the homes on season 19 of The Block, with the marketing campaigns going live on Domain today.
Price guides for the properties in Charming St, Hampton East, start at $2.2 million to $2.4 million for Steph and Gian’s House 4, while at the upper end, Eliza and Liberty’s House 5 has a guide of $2.7 million to $2.85 million.
Usually, the marketing campaigns for homes on The Block are listed on Domain much closer to the season finale, but this year Domain National Managing Editor Alice Stolz said not only had the price guides been released, so too had images of the facades, floor plans and the first completed bathrooms.
Images of completed rooms will be added to the online listings as they are revealed on the show.
“I think any agent worth their salt knows that the earlier you get that listing live, the better in terms of attracting a broader pool of buyers,” Ms Stolz said.
“And I think the exciting thing in this season is that in Victoria, under the law here, we need to couple that listing with a price guide.
“So what we’re doing is also getting a market indicator of where that’s going to be sitting.”
Ms Stolz said it was important to note the price guides were not the reserve price for auction day, but an indication of where each agent felt the home sat in the market.
“It’s going to hopefully whet the appetite of a few buyers, whether they be passive buyers or active buyers, and give them a bit more time to think about that big decision,” she said.
Ms Stolz said this year buyers could come from high-end neighbouring suburbs such as Brighton and other bayside neighbourhoods, in the search of more affordable mortgages.
“We might see buyers who are kind of tired of paying those big mortgages,” she said.
“If we do get buyers like that it will help having those listings earlier as it is still a massive decision.”
Ms Stolz said she had seen the five homes from The Block and they were “absolutely incredible”, and contained everything a family could possibly want.
“I think it’s probably indicative of what we are seeing at the upper end of the Hampton market,” she said.
“As the houses are revealed week after week and more photos and imagery get uploaded to those listings, the direction and just how luxurious the style of these houses are, will start to make sense.
“I think what The Block does really well is do massive investment in kitchens, in tech and speak to that sustainable side of the market and understand that people do want solar power, they do want energy efficient homes and yes, they may pay a premium for that when it comes to selling, but the buyer gets that back in terms of the energy efficiency of the house in the years and decades to come.”
Ms Stolz said The Block could help build an agent’s and agency’s profile but it was a lot of work for them and their team in terms of building a relationship with the contestants, keeping them informed of market conditions and inquiries and helping keep the process as smooth as possible.
“I’m a real believer in pushing yourself outside your comfort zone in any job you have,” she said.
“And I think selling a house on TV is probably one of the hardest things an agent may have to do.”
And Ms Stolz said having WHITEFOX Chief Executive Officer Marty Fox on the show as a judge this year had already proved “fantastic”.
“You can hear Marty talking about the marketability of the property and it’s becoming less about cushion colours and more about, ‘What will a buyer say?’” she said.
“This is a win for everybody – the contestants, the people watching at home, as well as our agent community.”
House 1 – Kyle and Leslie
Address: 14 Charming St, Hampton East
Price Guide: $2.5-$2.75 million
Beds: 4
Baths: 4
Cars: 2
Agent: Michael Townsend/Josh Stirling (McGrath St Kilda)
The agent says: “From its impressive street presence to the exquisitely designed interiors appointed to the highest of standards, this double storey home is a light-filled wonder offering unparalleled family flexibility in a pocket of Hampton East renowned for its fabulous lifestyle amenity.”
House 2 – Leah and Ash
Address: 16 Charming St, Hampton East
Price Guide: $2.5-$2.75 million
Beds: 5
Baths: 4
Cars: 2
Agent: Halli Moore/Noel Susay (Buxton Real Estate Brighton)
The agent says: “Detailed in the most sophisticated style, this state-of-the-art bathroom allows the studio to adapt to multiple uses – as a self-contained 5th bedroom, a true business at home-office, or as a year-round entertainment zone at the heart of the poolside gardens.”
House 3 – Kristy and Brett
Address: 18 Charming St, Hampton East
Price Guide: $2.5-$2.75 million
Beds: 5
Baths: 4
Cars: 2
Agent: Julian Cannata/Sam Inan (Belle Property Brighton)
The agent says: “Transformed from modest 1950s origins to encompass the largest footprint on The Block, this four-bedroom plus studio, four-bathroom residence is the embodiment of designer living, commandingly poised to reveal exceptional scale and unparalleled luxury that effortlessly caters to every family desire.”
House 4 – Steph and Gian
Address: 20 Charming St, Hampton East
Price Guide: $2.2-$2.4 million
Beds: 5
Baths: 3
Cars: 2
Agent: Chelsea Kleven/Aaron Hill/Maron Durkovic (Ray White Sunbury)
The agent says: “An architecturally designed and curated home with melding serene Japanese and Scandinavian harmonious features. This brilliant 5 bedroom, 3.5 bathroom haven showcases an abundance of open plan living spaces that are considered, consistent and complemented by a strong focus on functionality and sustainability.”
House 5 – Eliza and Liberty
Address: 22 Charming St, Hampton East
Price Guide: $2.7-$2.85 million
Beds: 5
Baths: 4
Cars: 2
Agent: Connor Harvey/Nick Renna (Jellis Craig Brighton)
The agent says: “Absolutely breathtaking with its volume of scale, sumptuous finishes and 7-star energy efficiency, this incredible five-bedroom, 4.5-bathroom, mid-century transformation will host the most memorable family occasions.”
