The Gatwick rose like a phoenix out of the ashes, as The Block 2018 defied lacklustre clearance rates around the nation. 

Doubt was cast the apartments would all sell under the hammer amid Melbourne's cooling property market (clearance rates are currently languishing below 50 per cent week on week).

But even though industry experts speculated at least one of the five properties would pass in, as has happened before on the show, it wasn't to be the case this year.

All five apartments sold under the hammer in The Block's finale, driving a 100 per cent clearance rate, something buyer's agent Greville Pabst, who bought four of the five apartments for his clients, admitted was "highly unlikely".

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"If you look at the general market which is sitting at just under 50 per cent clearance rate, the expectation from many was that two or three would have passed in. I think that just shows the strength of these properties," Mr Pabst told WILLIAMS MEDIA.

McGrath St Kilda agents Michael Townsend and Josh Stirling scored $3,020,000 for Unit 3 of The Gatwick for contestant’s Hayden and Sara, to win the series and deliver them the $645,000 prize money.

Auctioned by McGrath Chief Auctioneer Scott Kennedy-Green, who surpassed the reserve and tipped the $3 million barrier, says standout properties like these will always have an edge - no matter what clearance rates are doing.

“After inspecting all the apartments, I was convinced this was a standout opportunity. It has generous proportions, was well designed and configured, and deserving of the win.

"Despite lower clearance rates and a slowdown in the Melbourne market, this is a testament that well-presented properties will always have the edge,” Mr Kennedy Green said.

Mr Kennedy Green says sellers need to be realistic in the current market.

"We had realistic expectations from our vendors - if you are wanting to take a property into the current market, you have to consider where the buyer activity is, and where your expectations will be on auction day. Our vendors were very happy to listen to buyer feedback, and adjust their expectations accordingly," he told WILLIAMS MEDIA.

"Overall, we had three very serious, keen buyers for our apartment. We also picked up another four buyers who were swinging between properties."

Mr Kennedy Green told WILLIAMS MEDIA the three original 'old' Gatwick apartments triumphed over the two sleek penthouses.

"The apartments in the original part of the building were definitely more appealing to buyers who were anticipating a sense of the building's heritage."

Mr Townsend concedes that buyers at this end of the market aren't limited by finance.

“The price was reflective of the higher end of the market where buyers are not reliant on finance and are able to capitalise on finite opportunities.”

The winning apartment was "rare for the area".

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"The high quality of the property dictated a higher buyer interest. The Gatwick is one of the most iconic buildings in St Kilda, so there's a huge difference to the converted hotels and the converted terraces featured on the show in past seasons," Mr Townsend told WILLIAMS MEDIA.

Mr Townsend says their auction was by far the best on the day.

"We had the quickest bidding sequence by far, with lots of good competitive tension, it was very quick-fire. Our auction was over in about seven minutes, whereas other auctions had huge breaks - you didn't really see any of that in the final edit," he told WILLIAMS MEDIA.

He says scoring the winning result for Hayden and Sara was just the cherry on top.

"It was an amazing experience regardless of the result. We felt this was a season we should be involved in and we were there to win it. It was completely surreal, lots of blood, sweat and (happy) tears went into the result. 

"As an agent, it was the strangest thing in our careers to manage the emotions of the contestants, when the vendor was really Channel 9," he said.

Mr Townsend reveals contestants Bianca and Carla originally wanted the McGrath agents to represent them.

"It was very strange having to turn them down and tell them we're actually representing another contestant. Normally as an agent, it's the other way around - buyers are calling you!"

McGrath Founder and Executive Director John McGrath says they were delighted to have represented the winners.

“The Block has captivated the attention of all Australians for almost two decades and we’re delighted to have represented Hayden and Sara to win this year’s event," Mr McGrath said.

“They did a great job renovating their apartment and fully deserve the win. And whilst it is a blockbuster TV show these are also real sales to real buyers, so we apply the same sales strategies to The Block as we apply to all sales. We are so proud of our St Kilda team for their extraordinary efforts."

Mr Townsend says now is the best time to upgrade in the two-speed St Kilda market.

"Some things are selling strongly (such as what happened on The Block), while other areas are dragging their feet. New apartment builds are sluggish, established homes are performing strongly. Properties at the $1 million plus level are performing on a different level - there are so many types of markets within St Kilda.

"If you're a first home buyer, a family bursting at the seams, there is no better time to upgrade - there have never been better conditions," he told WILLIAMS MEDIA.

Related reading:

The Block auctions defy another week of softening clearance rates in Melbourne

McGrath Report 2019: Regional suburbs, Western Sydney 'hot property'

Former Prime Minister Sir Robert Menzies' Kew home hits the market with $8 million plus hopes