With the highly anticipated Block auctions in Daylesford just days away, there's big competition facing the teams and it's not just each other.
With all eyes on the five homes that have price guides of $3 million to $3.3 million, there is another iconic Daylesford home which the Block homes are up against, with the same price guide.
The five homes on The Block Daylesford will head to auction on 25 October, and they've got strong competition from other local listings. Picture: realestate.com.au
Coach House at 8 Leggatt Street, Daylesford shares the same price guide as the five Block homes, and the same listing agent as Robby and Mat's House 5, McQueen Real Estate director Kim McQueen.
Historic lakefront property 'Coach House' has hit the market with the same price guide as The Block homes. Picture: realestate.com.au
The circa 1854 historical landmark sits on a 956sqm lakefront parcel of land and includes five bedrooms and two bathrooms.
“The owner runs it as holiday accommodation, and it does really well, given its prime location on the lake and given it's got five bedrooms,” Ms McQueen said.
“It's a fabulous weekend getaway home for groups of people but equally, it would make a beautiful, permanent home, or a holiday home for a family from Melbourne.”
Views of Lake Daylesford. Picture: realestate.com.au
Described as one of the area’s most “coveted holdings,” Coach House was built for Neil Leggatt and his wife Jessie to cater to the needs of people travelling between Melbourne and the Goldfields.
The couple moved to the area from Scotland in the early 1850's and established a general store and gold buying business, before they opened ‘The Coach House Hotel.’
After Mr Leggatt’s death in 1871, Mrs Leggatt converted the hotel into her private residence.
Full of historic charm. Picture: realestate.com.au
Ms McQueen said Coach House was an absolute iconic Daylesford residence, and probably one of the oldest homes in the area.
“It's also such a beautiful, distinctive looking Victorian home,” she said.
“It's just absolutely charming. Everybody that comes to Daylesford and walks around the lake would know the Daylesford Coach house.”
Up until just recently, the $3 million to $3.3 million price guides for both Coach House and all Block houses were set to break Daylesford price records if they sold for excess $3 million.
But Ms McQueen told realestate.com.au that she only just broke that record via an off market sale for close to $4 million a matter of weeks ago.
The original Middleton Farmhouse has approvals for a Block-style renovation. Picture: realestate.com.au
For a more modest asking price of $799,000, Middleton Farmhouse, situated next door to The Block homes with renovation plans created by Block architect Julian Benchley already in place, is looking for a new custodian.
The original 19th century home at 11 Chaplain Street, Daylesford is set on a large 1252sqm landholding and is a local landmark for its links to the area’s early farming days.
The home is within a stone's throw of the five Block properties. Picture: realestate.com.au
Sales agent Ashlee McKee from Belle Property Daylesford said the farmhouse hit the market only just recently and it was something very different from her Block listing, House 2 by Han and Can.
“You go from old world to brand new but you know the character of this home has captured so much attention,” she said.
“Its location is just spectacular, it's on a flat block, it has 360 degree views.
“So you've got views up to the Wombat Botanical Gardens, you've got views out to the east that go across the Block houses.”
The striking farmhouse features a fretted Victorian veranda and timber detailing, and Mr Benchley’s plans include a contemporary three-bedroom design with open-plan living, a two car garage and gardens.
Packed with original country charm. Picture: realestate.com.au
Located at the entrance to Daylesford via Trentham and Castlemaine, Ms McKee said the home was very well known.
“The lovely thing is since we put it on the market, a lot of locals have come and they're like…”That lemon tree at the back, it produces the best lemons,’ and everyone's come back with their stories,” she said.
“It's going to suit that buyer that really loves to bring heritage homes back to life, someone that can see the potential it has that what they can do with it, and be a part of the Middleton Field community as well.”
Listed for $799,000. Picture: realestate.com.au
With two landmark Daylesford homes on her books, Ms McKee summed up the best way to describe the area’s property market.
“The beautiful thing about Daylesford is there's ‘no apples and apples’ when it comes to houses,” she said
“You can have The Block houses, which are these modern, beautiful, sustainable homes… and then you can have these original character cottage homes and so that's a really lovely thing about Daylesford, is that you can come and live in our region and live in any style home.”
Agents’ thoughts on The Block auctions
With The Block auction day fast approaching, Ms McQueen said she knows that anything could happen right up until the last minute but was confident House 5 will sell.
“I feel a great sense of responsibility to our contestants, Robby and Mat, to make the day as successful as we can for them,” she said.
Kim McQueen of McQueen Real Estate Daylesford is the listing agent on Robby and Mat's House 5. Picture: Channel 9/9Now
“And of course, you know, they've put so much into it. We've put a lot into it and want it to be successful for everyone.
“Anything can change between now and it's changing on a daily basis. Buyers are coming and going hourly.
“It's anybody's guess what's going to happen on the day.”
Ashlee McKee from Belle Property Daylesford is the listing agent for Han and Can's House 2. Picture: Channel 9/9Now
Ms McKee said she was feeling a mixture of excitement and nerves.
“The Block is its own beast so lots is happening,” she said.
“Our house has had people that go ‘we are more interested in this house and this house’, but then they come through our house - house number 2- and they are totally blown away.”
She said a lot of the feedback had been that the house looked better in person than on television.
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