The Block 2019: Who will win? Experts tip a winner
It’s the most wonderful time of the year for fans of The Block with auctions for the five homes, formerly part of the Oslo Hotel in Grey Street, St Kilda, set for this weekend.
All five of the three-storey terrace homes have an asking price range of $3 million to $3.3 million and competition will be tighter than ever.
So will there be a clear winner? Domain asked five experts for their tips based on buyer feedback so far and their own experience.
The front runner is Mitch and Mark’s party house, the most popular online and with many of the experts.
Jesse and Mel and Andy and Deb are looking strong, while Tess and Luke and Matt and El’ise are also in with a chance.
Here’s what the experts think:
Nicole Jacobs
Director and buyer’s advocate at Nicole Jacobs Property. Nicole has previously bought Block properties for clients, including the winning Gatwick apartment last year.
Honestly, I think it feels at the moment that it could be anybody who wins.
I think Mitch and Mark might just have an edge with their house because it is unique. The dark horses could be Tess and Luke, though Deb and Andy’s house is gaining traction.
El’ise and Matt and Jesse and Mel will also see strong competition from buyers with interest in both properties.
Investors are looking at all of the houses and it’s owner-occupiers who could change the race. If they’re looking at the same houses, that could definitely change where it goes at auction.
Greville Pabst
Chief executive and chairman at WBP Group. Greville has been a long-time valuer, buyer’s advocate and consultant on The Block. He purchased the winning house on The Block 2017 on behalf of comedian Dave Hughes.
The feedback is most of the money is going for Mitch and Mark. It is a bookend house at the city-most part of the development and it does get some good light.
It’s a good entertaining or party house so it will rent really well even though it has one less bedroom.
I think the other bookend has created a lot of interest in Jesse and Mel’s home. It’s fairly opposite to Mitch and Mark’s because it has a more conservative look … I think a lot of people will like that, though. The workmanship is really good too.
From there I think the dark horse is the middle home of Andy and Deb. You would expect it’s going to be dark but the skylight in the kitchen adds a lot of light, it’s a wonderful space. It’s quite a simple design and with the white interior, that appeals to a lot of people.
Frank Valentic
Director and buyer’s advocate at Advantage Property Consulting. Frank has previously bought several Block properties for clients.
It looks like it the winners will be the boys, Mitch and Mark. The buyer feedback is favouring them. They have a real difference with the top entertaining level of the house and the bedrooms are all on the same level.
Downsizers are liking the bedrooms all being on one level because they don’t want to have to walk up and down stairs all the time if they have family visiting.
At the other end, there is Jesse and Mel’s. That’s the second house buyers are saying that they like because in houses 1 and 5 you’re only sharing one wall and there’s more privacy and you don’t feel as claustrophobic if you are on the end of the development.
Number three is Andy and Deb – theirs has also been getting pretty good feedback too … it feels homely and light so they could be the dark horses to win.
Nicola Powell
Domain senior research analyst. Dr Powell is an expert on property price trends and auction clearance rates.
I think Mitch and Mark have a pretty exquisite home and the number of listing views they have had far surpass any of the other houses. There is something favourable with the houses that share only one wall so it does give house 1 (Mitch and Mark) and house 5 (Jesse and Mel) the edge.
Mitch and Mark have a slightly different layout — another living area that can be used as an extra bedroom — it’s the whole interchangeable space thing which I think people like in houses.
I also think what we could see is that Tess and Luke, who are thought of as the underdog, may also be in the running and could pull out the win.
Alice Stolz
Domain national managing editor and guest judge on The Block.
Despite countless visits and walkthroughs of The Block, my jaw still hits the floor when I’m in any of the five houses. They are enormous, they are uber-stylish and sophisticated and they give St Kilda, that gorgeous, eclectic bayside neighbourhood, another massive breath of life.
So who’s going to take the crown come auction day?
My head says Mitch and Mark; the discipline and vision they’ve employed throughout the series has resulted in the delivery of a quintessential St Kilda manor from the good old days.
Their house mixes distinct style with streaks of fun and the ease of living is complemented by lots of fabulous and natty details that I love.
But, if it’s a call from the heart, I love Deb and Andy’s relaxed boho vibe.
I don’t know what it is, but I just feel happy, calm and light every single time I visit. I can see my own family in there; three children sprawled all over the house, a stone’s throw from the water and all living our best lives. If I was in the market, this emotional buyer would sink it all on house 3.
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