The Block houses are not the only houses for sale in Charming Street, Hampton East
We’re just days out from The Block 2023 auctions, and this is when it all gets real.
While the premise of the show is renovating, design and styling – and who does it best is often subjective – ultimately, the prize is based on which house makes the most money on auction day.
Quite simply, whether the contestants walk away with a life-changing amount of money all boils down to one day and how much their house sells for.
There are plenty of factors that can influence the outcome at auction: the state of the property market at the time (are prices rising, is there demand for homes like this in the area?), the order in which the houses are auctioned (past seasons tells us it matters), and the depth of the buyers present on the day (how much money are the bidders actually willing to spend?).
But there is another factor that shouldn’t be overlooked – and that’s the competition.
Data from Domain shows there have not been any homes sold on Charming Street, where The Block houses are located, in the past six months.
But in the final weeks of The Block campaign, no less than five properties have popped up for sale on Charming Street.
It’s no accident, according to Noel Susay of Buxton Hampton East, who has put 39 Charming Street up for sale. And he would know – he’s also selling House 2 for Leah and Ash, along with colleague Halli Moore.
He says the TV show’s neighbours are simply making the most of the spotlight on their otherwise unassuming and ordinary Melbourne street.
“The timing of it? There’s no coincidence as to why they’ve all popped up now,” Susay says.
“We know from previous campaigns that 40 per cent of the people who look at those (Block) listings, then look at other homes in the area. That is very powerful. If you’re thinking of selling in Hampton East, there’s no better time to do it.”
Susay says it’s a smart move to capitalise on the attention that Charming Street is getting from the show.
“[The Block 2023] really lifted the profile of the area. When those properties go to auction, that will lift the median price of the whole street, and the area, significantly.”
Between 7000 and 8000 people descended on Charming Street the day The Block houses were opened for walk-through inspections.
Josh Stirling of McGrath St Kilda is selling 12 Charming Street, which bears a striking resemblance to the original 1950s clinker-brick state of this year’s Block houses.
He is also selling Kyle and Leslie’s house, which happens to be next door, so it was a no-brainer to make the most of the opportunity The Block has brought to the street, he says.
“We made sure we had the [for sale] board up the front for the open for inspection day. We want maximum eyeballs on this place, so any extra exposure we can get is extremely valuable,” he says.
“People look at The Block and think ‘I can’t afford it but I like the area, the houses, the vibe’. This is a regular house going to market and it’s also extremely similar to what The Block houses looked like before they were renovated. We want to take advantage of that.”
Whether The Block houses snag the contestants a significant profit on the day or not, one thing for sure is that the “halo effect” of The Block is already well established.
Potential buyers who miss out on The Block houses may buy one of these instead if they like the area – and they may be willing to pay more than they would have otherwise if The Block houses sell for top dollar.
12 Charming Street
Price guide: $2 million-$2.2 million
The house neighbouring Kyle and Leslie’s creation may have retained the same classic blonde brickwork of The Block houses before they were reimagined, but inside it boasts a lovely pairing of the new and the old.
With four bedrooms, two bathrooms, two separate living areas and a deck, it also features original timber floors and cornices, a renovated kitchen and 604 square metres of land.
Selling agent Josh Stirling says the vendor purchased it only two years ago but is relocating to Queensland to be closer to family.
“This is a regular house going to market but when you’ve got the behemoth of The Block going in your street – or in this case, next door – it was in our strategy to ride that wave,” he says.
“The other thing is, even if we remove The Block buyers, the reality is that when we come to the remaining two weeks of our campaign, it’s likely The Block auctions will have raised the value of all the neighbouring homes.”
No. 12 Charming Street will go to auction on November 18.
3/30b Charming Street
Price guide: $1.25 million-$1.3 million
Marketed by agents Craig Harrison and Adam Gillon of Buxton Hampton East as the perfect “low maintenance lock-and-leave” property, this four-bedroom, 3.5-bathroom home is actually a townhouse moonlighting as a showstopper contemporary residence.
It features multiple living spaces with north-facing living and dining areas, private balcony, as well as cosy entertainment lounge. The interiors are sleek and modern but the natural light gives the property a warmth throughout.
With plenty of storage, air-conditioning, security alarm and video intercom, this home is scheduled to go to auction on November 18.
31 Charming Street
Price guide: $1.85-$1.995 million
This gorgeous four-bedroom Californian bungalow is a bit of a world away from the 50s blonde brick TV show houses, both before and after they were renovated.
Framed by beautiful greenery and the soft drape of a well established tree, it has street appeal in spades and more than enough charm to suit its address and then some.
Agent Kate Fowler of Marshall White Sandringham says while the reinvention and complete rebuild of The Block houses has changed the streetscape of Charming Street, it was already known as one of Hampton East’s best streets.
“Hampton East has always been the poor relative to Hampton, the same as Hampton was to Brighton two decades ago,” she says. “But people are buying in Hampton East now because it has its own personality and is a wonderful suburb in its own right. You also get better value for money in Hampton East – much more land and you’re in a cracking street.”
Whilst 31 Charming Street may not have had the full Block makeover, it has been renovated by its loving owners and features four bedrooms, study, two living areas and is on a massive 780 square metres of land with established gardens.
The property will go to auction on November 11.
39 Charming Street
Price guide: $2 million-$2.1 million
Selling agent Noel Susay was strategic about the timing in launching 39 Charming Street for sale, although it’s likely it would have proved popular even without The Block‘s “halo effect”.
Boasting four bedrooms, two bathrooms, a gabled facade and picket fence out the front, the house is on 656 square metres of land – and the house has already had more than its share of passersby stopping to stare.
“There were thousands here on the open for inspection day walking around. Not all are genuine buyers – some are fans – but around Charming Street we’ve been having private inspection times and those people as they come to look at the five Block homes also see these other homes up for sale,” Susay says.
“They might be interested in The Block homes but there’ll be an overflow of buyers. There are also people walking the streets all the time and they stop and take selfies and notice the homes. So, for us, to have the auction for [house number] 39 a couple of weeks after, there’s more hype for the area.”
No. 39 Charming Street will go to auction on November 11.
49 Charming Street
Price guide: $1.85 million-$2 million
Much like The Block houses presented in that very first episode of the season, 49 Charming Street has the same romantic “time capsule” effect.
That blonde brick exterior, the hardwood floors, the picture rails and the fireplace – even the bathroom – are in original condition. It is the perfect opportunity for anyone at home who has sat through this season of The Block and thought “I want to do that!” or “I could do far better!”, because it’s so similar to what the show’s houses originally looked like.
Having had only two owners since 1949, it has been lovingly and meticulously maintained. While plans for a multi-dwelling subdivision have been approved, the fact this property sits on a massive 733 square metres of land means someone could come in and use The Block houses as inspiration for what’s possible to achieve with a house of this era.
It currently has three bedrooms, one bathroom and a single-car garage.
No. 49 Charming Street will go to auction on November 11.
See The Block 2023 houses here.
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