They did it! The young favourites, Josh and Elyse, won series 13 of The Block in last night’s (well, Saturday’s really) auction. Good on ’em! It was a beautiful house and they worked really hard. Taking home over half a million bucks, it was a great night for the couple, and somewhat underwhelming for others, but everyone was gracious and grateful for their winnings, which was nice to see.
Here’s how the auctions panned out…
First up: favourites Josh (with a man bun and no shoes!) and ever-glamorous Elyse, who humbly said any money was a bonus as the show had already opened many doors for them (I think we all know they’ll have sponsorship deals a plenty!). Bidding started at $2.6m and momentum kept going with buyers’ advocates Frank Valentic and Greville Pabst in on the action. Greville finally had the winning bid for his client of $3, 067, 000. The young couple were clearly overjoyed with their 447k winnings! What a great start! “That’s life-changing,” said an overwhelmed Elyse. And then it was revealed comedian and TV personality Dave (Hughesy) Hughes had bought it! Quite the coup!
Second up: Controversial Jason and Sarah! It was all about buyers’ advocates Frank Valentic and Nicole Jacobs this time with Nicole winning for her client at $3, 007,000. This meant a generous $387k for the couple. “It honestly changes our entire life,” Jason said. “It’s huge. It’s insane.”
Things were going so well!
Third up: That very likeable duo Sticks and Wombat! It was all about Frank and Nicole again! Things stalled at $2,650,000 and everything felt a bit flat with Sticks in particular looking pretty devastated and the other contestants visibly disappointed for him and Wombat. They still ended up with $130k though and took it so well. While Shelley Craft was almost in tears for them!
Fourth up, the polarising (in personality and house!) Ronnie and Georgia! And it was over as soon as it started with Georgia in tears as bidding stopped at $2,600,000, just below the reserve. The house was passed in on Scotty’s strong recommendation. Negotiations with highest bidder Frank brought it up to $2,725,000 as his best and final offer. Then Nicole came to the couple with her client’s best and final offer of 2,781,000, which was accepted. Ronnie and Georgia did seem surprisingly happy with their $161k while the other contestants clearly expected them to be a lot more disappointed. But as Ronnie said, it was like buying the winning scratchie and a good amount for 6 months’ work, tax free. Phew!
Fifth and final, the (albeit lovely) underdogs, Hannah and Clint! Tensions were high after Ronnie and Georgia’s underwhelming result. $2, 410,00 was the starting bid and the bids kept coming. But it was short lived. And the depressing music started as things stalled $20k under reserve at 2,5000,000. And then it started again! Frank got this one at $2,615,000 so $95k for the couple. Hannah said she was over the moon. “We’ve absolutely loved renovating,” said Clint. “It’s been an incredible 12 weeks.” Gosh, I love those two! “What a beautiful couple,” Scotty said. Clint added: “It clears all our debts. The show gives everyone the opportunity to change their lives and it has.” Bless him!
So the youngest couple, and indeed the favourites, did it! Josh and Elyse took home $577k with the extra $100k for winning. What an amazing result for anyone, let alone a couple in their 20s!
We’ll have Greville Pabst’s thoughts on the auction results for you tomorrow!
What am I going to watch on TV now?! Back to Netflix and the Lifestyle Channel it is… Actually, I am absolutely LOVING the new Love It or List It? How about you?
The contestants have some awkward conversations at Bang Bang after the dobbing incident!
The big dob and a $10k reward
So Jason dobbed on Josh and Elyse for having a gas stovetop too close to the Caesarstone splashback which didn’t meet code. Not only were they told they had to replace it with induction, the judges took half a point each off Josh and Elyse, bringing their score equal first with Jason and Sarah. And then Scotty awarded the underdogs $10,000 for coming joint first. Dobbing really paid off for Jason and Sarah! But AWKWARD!
The buyers’ advocates don’t hold back
Then it got worse, with buyers’ advocates Greville Pabst, Frank Valentic and Nicole Jacobs doing a tour of the houses and giving their opinions and they didn’t hold back, ruffling more than a few feathers. While most of the feedback was positive, some of it was definitely not! Let’s recap!
Nicole said Jason and Sarah needed to pick up the luxury in their master suite. Greville said they’d missed the mark and it was almost like the downstairs was done by someone else.
Nicole thought Hannah and Clint’s three fridges would be bad for the power bill. Greville also noted the too-small fridge.
Greville would have preferred Ronnie and Georgia’s formal loungeroom to be a home office and he didn’t think the hidden TV had been well executed.
Then it came to Sticks and Wombat. Neale Whitaker may have called their aesthetic ‘raw luxury’ but the buyers’ advocates had more than a few issues with it. Greville thought they’d missed the mark and had an identity crisis. He said there were too many contrasting styles, it was too blokey and they needed to make some urgent changes and soften it to appeal to more buyers. Nicole thought the bedroom was a little confused with several periods in one room. Frank said the bathroom was probably too big, making the second living space too small. Nicole said the buyers would either love or hate the kitchen and that she probably didn’t have a buyer for their house. Greville said he didn’t want to show his buyers their house at all. But he did say it was redeemable.
And Josh and Elyse? No negatives at all, it seems!
Personally, I maintain that the buyers’ advocates have a really useful role to play on the show and it looks like Sticks and Wombat are going to take their feedback on board, hopefully to their advantage.
Greville Pabst
Here, Greville (CEO and Executive Chairman of WBP Group) recaps his opinions on each house from last night…
This season of The Block we are seeing beautiful period homes being renovated in Elsternwick. As you all know, I have a passion for established housing, not just because of it aesthetics; it time and time again returns greater capital growth to my buyers.
It has been a long time since we have seen houses being renovated on The Block, which makes this season extra exciting. Traditionally, period houses have high ceilings, wide hallways and beautiful cornicing detail. Seeing these features brought back to life again in an area with many heritage listed homes is really inspiring for the home renovator.
The Elsternwick area is quickly becoming more popular and we have lately seen many people move to the are from neighbouring suburb, Elwood, due to house prices having a lower asking fee of approximately 10 per cent for a larger block of land.
The Block houses are perfectly located just a short walk to two shopping strips, Glen Huntly Road and Glen Eira Road, where you will find two of Melbourne’s best restaurants, Attica and Bang Bang. The proximity to cafes, shops, the Ripponlea Gardens and public transport will increase the value of the properties.
There are good schools in close proximity, including Caulfield Grammer and Wesley Collage, which makes Elsternwick a good investment area for families.
Last night on the buyer’s jury, the contestants received my true opinion on the renovations completed to date with the aim to help them reinvigorate these old houses — reaching their full potential. My job is to advise on exactly what a buyer expects to see in a property of this calibre; my eye is scanning the finishes, layout and quality of materials. Everything needs to be perfect to get the big dollars on auction day.
Ultimately, Ronnie and Georgia scored best from the judges (by half a point!) and won $10,000.
House 1 – Jason and Sarah
Kitchens sell homes and in my opinion Jason and Sarah nailed it in this room. They have incorporated beautiful integrated appliances, which creates a sleek modern look that many buyers are looking for. I also love the mix of materials in their kitchen island where they incorporated both stone and natural materials like timber.
Walking up the stairs to their master bedroom, unfortunately this luxe feeling disappeared. The master suite was not well executed and it felt like it was done by someone else as it did not match with the high-end finishes in their downstairs area, but if they go through this room again, it can easily be fixed with a better choice of materials to match the downstairs rooms.
House 2 – Hannah and Clint
This couple has gone for a luxe feel that I think works quite well throughout their entire house. They were the only couple who created a division between the dining and living rooms, which is a trend that is currently occurring in modern design.
The main thing that I believe this couple will have to replace straight away is the tiny fridge and freezer they have chosen in their kitchen. The house has five bedrooms so this tiny fridge is a disaster and it will not accommodate the people living in this house.
House 3 – Ronnie and Georgia
Lighting is critical these days, especially in large homes with an open floor plan. Dividing up lights can make an enormous difference in creating mood from zone to zone, and Ronnie and Georgia managed to do this really well in their kitchen, living and dining area. This is one large space that has a nice flow and is perfect for a family, but they have still managed to make it feel like three separate areas each with a unique functionality and feel. The concrete island is a huge trend at the moment and they have created a modern kitchen that not only is beautiful but also practical.
I was not so impressed with their second living area, the idea in theory is good, but the concealed TV and theatre room has not been executed very well. To be honest, this property would be a more attractive listing if this space was created to be a home office, because apart from the small alcove next to the kitchen, there is no space to work from home.
House 4 – Sticks and Wombat
Walking through this house I just felt that they are going through a bit of an identity crisis and have still not figured out their own style 100 percent, nor who their potential buyer might be. At the moment, there are too many contrasting styles, including Japanese, contemporary and masculine – it’s a real blokes’ house.
Looking at the rooms they have finished so far, I am worried for the guys. Their place has tons of potential as all their finishes are excellent, but they need to simplify the overall flow and incorporate some softer elements in order to make it more presentable. The foundations are there and if they take the feedback on board I will change my view on taking my buyers through.
House 5 – Josh and Elyse
This is the only couple who have a proper study in their house, demonstrating a deep understanding of potential buyer needs. A home office trumps an extra living area any day in today’s market, as many professionals tends to work from home a lot.
I also really enjoyed the beautifully executed kitchen, living and dining area that has a really nice flow and luxe feel. The only thing that could have made this space a tiny bit better is if they would have chosen an integrated fridge and freezer instead of a freestanding one that can come across as a bit bulky.
I am more excited than ever to see how this season plays out, with the houses being over 300sqm, the kitchen alone being about 20sqm, they are one of the best in The Block history.
It will be very interesting to see how the contestants hard work pays off on auction day. Many rooms are yet to be revealed and we all know that it is not over until all the tools are down.
Whether you have an abundance of space or an area that requires you to be smart with your storage options, there’s always ways to improve the efficiency and functionality of your walk-in-wardrobe. Here’s some tips from Block buyer’s advocate Frank Valentic to assist you if you’re thinking of renovating and adding a walk in wardrobe to your home, or even just altering your existing space.
Ayden & Jess’ walk-in wardrobe
Shelving: For anything that’s accessed regularly, shelving is the perfect idea as it’s quick and easy to grab in a hurry. Shelving also allows you to customise the space to suit what you are storing. It’s a great idea to try to ensure your shelving size caters to the item you’re storing so as to not waste any space. Always ensure there is a good variety in size to cover everything from shoes, hats, handbags and folded up items to long dresses, coats and pants. Interchangeable shelving space for this reason is perfect for this type of storage as it allows you to adjust space for the seasons and means it’s not too personally customised and will appeal to buyers if you are planning to sell the property in the future.
Light: This is a room where good lighting is essential, natural light is a great accessory in deciding what to wear but make sure you have good quality blinds that can be closed when the room’s not in use to ensure your clothes don’t fade. A window that can be opened is also ideal for allowing fresh air and circulation in what’s often a small/tight space.
Josh & Charlotte’s walk-in wardrobe
Drawers and Dividers: Drawers are essential to put away everyday items like underwear and socks. Segmenting drawers will make your space just that much more efficient and is a great idea for items that can easily become a bit of a mess such as jewellery. Again, adjustable dividers are a great idea to give you the ability to change the size and shape of the space.
Hooks: Don’t waste space on walls and doors, add hooks as they are a great way to get accessories such as jewellery, scarfs and ties out of the way.
Mirrors: A mirror or two is not only essential for this particular space, but they will also make the room appear larger and more spacious.
Tim & Anastasia’s walk-in wardrobe
Neutral colours: Sticking to a neutral palette in this space is best to ensure clothes and accessories are clearly visible and it will make it more efficient in selecting items to wear. Lighter colours if you have a small space will also make the area feel larger.
Practical positioning: Give the room a flow effect and order items in the way you would make your selections on a daily basis, for example, position accessories closer to the exit so you can quickly and easily grab them on your way out.
Make sure to keep in mind that while having a large area for a walk in wardrobe is almost every women’s dream, it should not come at the cost of space in your master bedroom or ensuite. Getting your proportions right is vital for a functional home design and could be a costly decision if not balanced well when it comes time to sell your property.
With the intense time pressure, the late nights and the limited funds, I can’t be the only one who wonders how The Block’s contestants can actually create high-end properties. Especially when you add to the mix that this series they’re renovating in the wealthy suburb of South Yarra… well it truly makes me beg the question: are these townhouses even going to sell?!
But rather than speculate I decided to go straight to the source and chatted to one of The Block Triple Threat’s newest faces, buyer’s advocate Greville Pabst. “It was my perception at first that buyers may be apprehensive about the quality, but the contestants do go back and fix all the abnormalities. There are really two aspects to The Block, there’s the television reality aspect and then there’s the presentation for marketing and sale. The contestants have a certain amount of time to prepare for reveal but after the feedback is given, they fix any issues.”
Greville, with buyer’s advocates Nicole and Frank
Greville also believes this series’ auctions will have happier endings than years past, thanks to the properties being so unique (four-level townhouses with double garages and cellars) and the involvement of himself and fellow buyer’s advocates Frank Valentic and Nicole Jacobs. “The contestants are really valuing our feedback and taking it on board. A classic example is in Josh and Charlotte’s bathroom, I walked in and said ‘Where’s the ventilation?’ and Josh immediately took it on board and said ‘Yes, I’m going to put it in!’.”
And Greville should be listened to! With 30 years in the property business, he is the CEO of WBP Property, one of Australia’s largest property valuation companies. He also frequents ABC Radio as a property expert on their Saturday Morning program and for the last eight years, has written a property column in Melbourne’s Herald Sun. Television, however, is a new realm for Greville, and he’s finding out all the tricks of the trade!
“What’s been really interesting is how much footage they take. It normally takes about five hours to shoot just one reveal! They film so much that at the end of the day, none of us know which part they’re going to use. So the fun thing is you get to see how they slice and dice that particular day. It’s been interesting watching it and so far, I’m really happy.”
[contextly_sidebar id=”NSuhGRySgSADHbF8ugjyOufuTd6k5rRO”]Greville is also enjoying the experience for the fact he gets to share his learnings with the public, believing he can help give buyers the right advice when it comes to making such a big investment. As after all, though many of The Block’s rooms are beautiful, one shouldn’t go buying a property based off cushions and pendants!
“I really liked being on the show as we’re giving a different perspective to the interior designer judges. They’re looking at the furnishings and all those other things, but as a buyer’s advocate — in most cases — when you buy a property, all those dressings aren’t included. So while we look at them and see they look nice, they really don’t come into play when we are making a buyer’s decision. Rather, it’s the floor plan, orientation, light, aspect, size and quality of renovation.”
Meet Nicole Jacobs, the professional buyer’s advocate with over 15 years’ real estate experience who we first got to meet on last night’s episode of The Block Triple Threat.
This season, a buyer’s jury consisting of Nicole, Greville Pabst and Frank Valentic will provide strategic recommendations from a buyer’s perspective regarding layout, finishes and market expectations.
“Our role on the show this season is vital for contestants,” says Nicole. “Throughout the 12 weeks, we are there to review each room from a commercial perspective and provide insight into market expectations in high-end South Yarra.” Nicole’s job is to look beyond the styling and décor choices deliberated over by judges Shaynna Blaze, Neale Whitaker and Darren Palmer. “If you take the furniture out, what are you left with? Hopefully a well laid out apartment finished to such a high standard that you could place any furniture in it and it will look amazing,” Nicole says.
The buyers advocates’ first judging session last night was interesting, with their views very different to those of the ‘real’ judges, particularly on the subject of Ayden and Jess’s separate toilet, which they raved about!
What Nicole thought of the bathrooms last night:
Charlotte and Josh: Liked the tiles. Not enough lighting for female buyers to do makeup. Finish really good. On track for a South Yarra buyer.
Tim and Anastasia: Floor tiles look rushed and not lined up. Quality of fixtures and fittings below par.
Ayden and Jess: Underfloor heating. Separate toilet a very clever move, makes it like 1.5 bathrooms and opens up their market, setting them apart from the other apartments.
Dee and Darren: Feels high-end and luxury. Could have separated the toilet from the main bathroom.
[contextly_sidebar id=”PdF9EbnIu4K3yuLRwX0tqpd0IfmqBSis”]Channel Nine have been strategic in selecting buyers advocates who are specialists within their niche, so each brings a broad representation of investors to the auction. Nicole captures the higher end of the market and represents clients who often have very discreet transactions. “We have had a lot of fun throughout the series, but we found out early on that we all look for different attributes and as a consequence, we don’t always agree. One thing we do all agree on though is that the completed apartments are definitely not out of place in the South Yarra market.”
Her company, Jacobs Buyers Advocates in Brighton, has already taken VIP clients through The Block at 27 Darling Street and they’ve all provided positive feedback for contestants. “Our clients are predominantly owner occupiers, however the position, along with strong depreciation schedules and rental yields, have attracted many of our local (and international) investors.”
–Last night’s episode also saw the fellow contestants and buyers advocates rate the bathrooms with Dee and Darren coming out on top with 49 points and winning $5,000. Ayden and Jess came second, Charlotte and Josh third and Tim and Anastasia last.
For anyone who loves The Block as much as I do, you would remember Frank Valentic, the entertaining buyers’ advocate whose bidder’s paddle has popped up countless times in the last five series.
Almost a cast member himself, it may come as no surprise that this year, Frank has been asked back to The Block in an official capacity, forming one-third of the new judging panel – the buyers’ jury.
“The new judging panel is myself (from Advantage Property), Greville Pabst from WBP Property Group and Nicole Jacobs of Jacobs Buying Group. Together, each week after the room reveals, we rate the rooms on what we think the buyers would want. Based less on styling and interior design but more on practicality, functionality and all the other things buyers are looking for.”
Greville, Nicole and Frank
Now don’t be alarmed, the regular judges will still be there! With Shaynna Blaze, Darren Palmer and Neale Whitaker scoring on their usual Sunday and giving the winning team a massive $10,000. However, it’s the following day that will see the buyers’ jury score the contestants, with the winning team snagging $5,000. This will give one couple potential weekly winnings of $15,000, though who knows if that’ll be likely. “I think there’ll be differences between both judging panels. I don’t think there’ll be any major incidents where we’re the total opposite, but there will be some. After all, we’re looking at the rooms from different points of view. Styling’s not our strong point, we don’t care about the colour of the cushions or what the curtains look like, we are looking at the room from the buyers’ point of view.”
Frank and host of The Block Scott Cam
No one can forget the auction disaster of The Block Glasshouse, where one couple went home with $40,000 and another two couples, a meagre $10,000 apiece. Aiming to deter that from happening again, the buyers’ jury hope to be the answer. “If they listen to our feedback it will make a difference come auction day. It’s really the buyers that make the decisions. Yes, the judges will give feedback, but ultimately, on auction day, it’s the buyers who are putting their hands in their pockets.”
Frank and contestants Darren and Dea
With The Block Triple Threat being Frank’s first real foray into television, he’s found the experience a whole lot of fun, a new challenge and a perfect chance to have some banter with his fellow judges! “This has definitely been out of my comfort zone, but I just try to have fun with it and most importantly give good feedback. Greville, Nicole and myself all get on well. Greville and I have some good banter and Nicole is probably more professional than us, you could describe it that way! We all have different opinions and never agree for the sake of agreeing.”
The Block Triple Threat starts on Tuesday! Find all The Block latest here.
