Filming of the hit reality renovation show The Block has wrapped in the Victorian tree-change town of Daylesford and the region’s property market is already experiencing increased buyer interest thanks to the program’s publicity.
Belle Property Daylesford principal Will Walton – whose company sold the sprawling Raglan Street site to the Nine Network where the five Block homes have been built – said any property priced at under $1 million has been selling fast.
The Block has finished filming in Daylesford. Picture: Supplied
“We have had an enormous uplift of actual everyday buyers looking at property, saying that they have been motivated or encouraged by the whole publicity around The Block coming here,” he told realestate.com.au
“It’s not investors, but young people and families who have decided to make a tree change. In fact, it feels a little bit like COVID.
“And now of course there's a bit of fear around how prices are possibly going to take off in the city area and people are simply saying, ‘We just can't afford a house anymore in metro and we can buy a lovely home here for $850,000 with three bedrooms and two bathrooms.”
McQueen Real Estate Daylesford director Kim McQueen, who confirmed she is the selling agent for House 5, said there has been a definite slight increase in the market, with May being the biggest month she has had for sales in 12 months.
The town has embraced the cast and crew of the show. Picture: Getty
“At every appraisal we do, our vendors are saying, ‘What difference is The Block going to make?” she said.
“Overall though, I think the very positive thing is Daylesford is a very beautiful part of Victoria, and it's going to look even more spectacular on The Block.
“I know some of the places that they're filmed in, is truly incredibly beautiful. There'll be places that are private properties that have been on that a lot of people don't even know about.
“It will certainly put Daylesford on the map more.”
Filming of the 21st season of the hit reality renovation program began in March and had been long awaited amongst locals after production plans to set the 2024 milestone season in Daylesford were scrapped due to locals’ complaints.
Social media posts by foreman Dan Reilly and judge Marty Fox over the weekend paid tribute to the last day of filming.
In his post - which he also noted that this year marked his 11th season as the show’s foreman - Dan said the series had “the best team spirt you could ask for.”
“Thanks to all the contestants, crew, and everyone who made this build one for the books. Can’t wait to see it all come together on screen!” he added.
In response to followers comments, Dan also noted this series was “epic” and “our best one yet.”
Marty Fox also posted his trademark, “SEALS THE DEAL’ post with a photo of him noting the culmination of filming season 21 and the show’s 1000th episode.
This year’s Blockheads overhauled five homes which have formed a new neighbourhood within Hygge Property’s Middleton Field new housing estate, located at the regional town’s eastern entry point.
Mr Walton said from the street the final results looked interesting but were a little obscured.
“The facades are all looking very interesting from what can be seen from the street,” he said.
“There's a mix of brick and wood and architectural cladding.”
The Block executive producer Julian Cress also posted on Instagram to mark the the end of filming, showing the town's pub across the road from the site.
Filming took an additional week this year than previous seasons and it is widely rumoured that The Block will air in August.
Mr Walton said many businesses in Daylesford were reflecting on how wonderful the experience of having The Block in town had been.
“There's been a lot of public posts on Facebook regarding community organisations who have received the benefits,” he said.
“Apparently, they all turned up to the local football club game on Saturday to sort of enjoy the atmosphere of a country football game, which is always interesting and fun.
“They were part of the community, which I thought was absolutely fantastic. I think they've probably now got a new template for how they might do future productions when they're in lifestyle destinations like us.”
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