The Block 2024 auctions finale: Melbourne Cup clue may answer lingering auction question

2 weeks ago 6

The Block’s night of nights is coming this weekend — and the most important question on everyone’s mind is — who is going to be there?

In what has been one of the most drama-filled seasons of the show, a controversial last few weeks that involved a ‘flirting scandal’ and a walk out by one of the teams, fans aren’t sure what to expect.

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Scott Cam and Shelly Craft will be there to support the teams on auction day.

After a week of turmoil, Brad and Kylie dramatically left the show following judging for everyone’s back yards in the second-last week — and it left everyone wondering if that meant they were forfeiting their shot at claiming any winnings from their home’s auction.

Their exit prompted Scott Cam to declare that “this is now a competition between four houses”. But it wasn’t clear if he meant the entire Block 2024 competition or just the Club House Challenge, which occurred in the show’s final week.

However, eagle-eyed fans saw that among the attendees at Tuesday’s Melbourne Cup were all this year’s Block contestants together — including Brad and Kylie.

Kylie (who has now ditched her green hair) was actually pictured standing next to Mimi — the other woman also at the centre of the flirting scandal with her partner Brad.

The Block 2024 contestants attend the Melbourne Cup. Picture: Supplied

Also spotted at the Melbourne Cup was Adrian Portelli, who has previously bought multiple Block properties in previous seasons.

Given that the couple are based in Cairns, and the show’s auctions are being held only four days after the Melbourne Cup, in the same state — it gives an indication that the show’s producers may have smoothed things over for their finale.

But after quitting just before the finish line, we aren’t sure if they will be eligible for any winnings?

Jesse and Paige also left in the middle of the season, and are not eligible for any money from the auction.

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So how much will the houses sell for and how much is each team slated to pocket on auction day?

Here are the asking prices for every home right now.

The Block 2024 homes and price guides. Pictures: Supplied

While all the asking prices are the same, they do not necessarily determine the all-important reserve price though – which are usually revealed at the beginning of the finale on Sunday night.

How much they could sell for is anyone’s guess, but The Herald Sun has predicted chaos for the auctions, after show insiders warned Victoria’s tough conditions for property investors could scare off some of its most reliable buyers.

This year’s asking prices — while lower than previous seasons — are far higher than the median house price for Cowes on Phillip Island, where the homes are located.

Cowes’ median property price for four-bedroom homes is $820,000 in the last 12 months to September 2024, according to Proptrack.

Kylie and Brad walked out on the show in the finale week — but will they be back for the finale. Picture: Supplied

MORE: Who will win this year’s Block? Experts predict

So will the show make any money on the homes?

The Block reportedly paid just over $8.75m for the whole site at 113-119 Justice Road back in September 2023. Including stamp duty, which would have cost $438,000, each home would have to sell for just under $1.84 million for Channel 9 to break even on the purchase of the properties.

Regular Block bidder and buyer’s advocate Frank Valentic told realestate.com.au the building costs were likely to be in excess of $1m per house.

Maddy and Charlotte renovated in House 1, after Jesse and Paige left the show. Pictures: Supplied

“Each property would owe them, I would imagine, at least $3 million. So if they don’t shuffle that, they are obviously going to sell at a loss. “

“Channel 9, I think get $50 million profit a year from the show and all their advertisers… that’s where I think they obviously get their money.”

MORE: Block flirter’s final insult after walk-out scandal

Who do we think is going to win?

Courtney and Grant had the most room wins in 2024. Pictures: Supplied

Courtney and Grant have had the most wins of the season, taking out the top spot for five weeks with their ‘Moditerranean’ aesthetic being praised by the judges.

Ricky and Haydn’s house offers the most in terms of configuration with five bedrooms, three bathrooms and four car spaces.