Who will win The Block 2024? Expert analysis and crucial factors
It’s that time of the year again, when we’re all wondering who will win The Block. The 2024 season of the show is nearing the moment we’ve all been waiting for – auctions in Phillip Island are drawing ever closer as prospective buyers inspect the homes and finalise their budgets.
Will overall aesthetics and consistency prove the winning factor? Will buyers favour the only two-storey home? Or will it come down to the all-important holiday-home “fun factor”?
We asked a jury of experts to weigh in on the finished houses, and who they are tipping to win this season.
Marty Fox, The Block judge
With a wealth of experience in the real estate industry, Marty Fox returned for his second season as a judge this year, alongside Shaynna Blaze and Darren Palmer. But he is reluctant to predict a winner.
“What is really frigging crazy is last year I was so adamant House 4 [Steph and Gian] would win and they did. And this season it is so hard to pick – all five of them have got their own personalities.”
Fox says Maddy and Charlotte’s House 1 is “really marketable” and “has the largest appeal”, while Courtney and Grant’s House 2 is “the most refined”.
Ricky and Haydn’s House 3 is “the most fun and the most suited to kids”, Kylie and Brad’s House 4 has the best kitchen-living-dining space and, finally, Mimi and Kristian’s House 5 is “the most unique from an architectural perspective”.
But … if he absolutely had to pick a winner?
“I think the best house is House 2,” Fox says. “I think the house that will win is the boys [in House 3]. I just have a feeling that they’re going to take the win.”
House 3 is the most reflective of Phillip Island, he says, and “if they were to be investments, it will probably be the one that rents the best”.
Steph and Gian, The Block 2023 winners
It’s only been a year since Steph and Gian nervously sat through the stress and nerves of the auction day, so the pair are quick to empathise with all of the contestants this year.
When choosing a favourite, the couple struggle to give a straight answer.
“There are so many factors that need to align,” Steph says. “I do think the strongest house from an aesthetic perspective and cohesive perspective would be Courtney and Grant [House 2].”
But Gian says they can’t write the boys in House 3 off. “If you’re thinking about the most buyers at the Domain Buyers’ Jury, you would have to back to the boys. But [prolific Block buyers] Danny Wallis and Adrian Portelli voted on House 5.”
Gian is tipping Kristian and Mimi’s two-storey home to take out the win, citing its “luxe coastal feel” that he thinks will resonate with the most buyers.
Alice Stolz, Domain national property editor
After inspecting all the homes multiple times across the season, Stolz is tipping Ricky and Haydn in House 3 to win.
She believes buyers will appreciate its privacy at the end of the cul-de-sac. “The boys are tucked in discreetly down the back, offering the most privacy and seclusion of all the houses,” she says.
The pair leant into the relaxed and fun holiday-resort vibe, which, Stolz says, has really struck a chord with buyers. “They’ve managed to achieve the Goldilocks feeling of the house being not over-the-top stylish and hoity-toity, but equally, not so bland it’s forgettable.”
Their “monster-sized outdoor space” offers lots of grass for kids to play on and, she says, the positioning of their pool is ideal.
“And finally, the cherry on top, the Bar Crusher boat,” that Ricky and Haydn won in a challenge, Stolz says. “This boat is indeed the bee’s knees, the creme de la creme, the best of the best.
“This really is the ultimate holiday house. All you’d need to bring with you is your hat and sunscreen.”
Frank Valentic, buyer’s advocate
Frank Valentic, a veteran of the show, has bid at 16 Block auctions and, this year, is hoping to buy his 10th Block property.
“It’s always hard to pick a winner as The Block auctions are always unpredictable,” he says.
“My buyers’ feedback is that House 5 has a good chance of winning and a point of difference, as it’s the only double-storey house with a reverse living configuration, and the only house with elevated views.”
But there’s much more at play in choosing a winner.
“Auction order has always been important, but now we also have the ‘Adrian Portelli’ factor – [a prolific Block buyer] who has the money to buy any of the houses and pay whatever he wants.
“My tip is that Adrian will buy the winning house again and that, if I buy one, it will be one of the most affordable ones on auction day.”
Noel Susay and Sharon Quick, past agents on The Block
Buxton real estate agents Noel Susay and Sharon Quick are no strangers to the show, having represented Leah and Ash last year in Hampton East.
Susay says his favourite home this season is Courtney and Grant’s House 2, pointing to their luxurious kitchen and the Mediterranean curves throughout the home.
But he believes Ricky and Haydn will win.
“My prediction for the winning home would be House 3,” he says. “It’s got a classic, luxurious beach-home Phillip Island vibe.”
Quick agrees. “House 2 is lovely. If it wasn’t in Phillip Island, it would be the winning house. But I think the boys have really tailored the house to its market. It’s luxurious but it’s more fun.”
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