"Last night’s auctions on The Block Triple Threat cemented a big result for the contestants as the favourites took home the trophy. All the contestants walked away with an average of $807,500 each, with Darren and Dea setting a record for the highest earnings of any series of The Block taking home $945,000. Overall, it was the most successful outcome in the show’s history and the total of $3,230,000 in winnings was the highest of any series.

I tipped that Darren and Dee would take out the win and the additional $100,000 prize money with one of the biggest apartments and the only backyard on The Block. But it was never going to be easy for the fan favourites, especially as they were up against the north-facing apartment by Josh and Charlotte and its design continuity. Nonetheless, they came in a close second, with only $15,000 separating first and second place.

Everyone ended up a winner last night – even the last placed apartment that I purchased on behalf of my investor clients still rewarded Jess and Ayden with $665,000 in winnings. There was some contention over whether or not Tim and Anastasia would do well come Auction day as they created three living rooms instead of adding an extra bedroom. Their third place position may very well have been due to the additional space they had in their apartment and the ability for a purchaser to convert one of the living spaces to a fourth bedroom.

When it comes down to it the outcome on auction day depends on one thing – the market. Or more specifically, the buyers. Unlike previous series of The Block, having the Buyer’s Advocate Jury providing ongoing advice throughout the season enabled the contestants to hear feedback from a different perspective – potential purchasers, and enabled them to design their properties with the buyer in mind. It no doubt created a real sense of competition at auction with myself and fellow Buyer’s Advocate Judge, Nicole Jacobs, bidding on all four properties and striving to get the best results for our clients.

But what our bidding really highlighted yesterday is that there’s a healthy pool of buyers in the Melbourne market willing to pay top dollar for unique apartments in high demand locations." 

FIRST PLACE: Darren and Dea (Apartment 4) Reserve – $1,455,000 Opening bid - $1,900,000 Sale price - $2,290,000 Winnings - $835,000 + $100,000 winning prize money = $935,000 

SECOND PLACE: Josh and Charlotte (Apartment 1) Reserve – $1,390,000 Opening bid - $1,900,000 Sale price - $2,200,000 Winnings - $810,000

THIRD PLACE: Tim and Anastasia (Apartment 2) Reserve – $1,420,000 Opening bid – $1,560,000 Sale price – $2,175,000 Winnings – $775,000

FOURTH PLACE: Jess and Ayden (Apartment 3) Reserve – $1,335,000 Opening bid – $1,700,000 Sale price – $2,000,000 Winnings - $665,000

This article was written by Frank Valentic – Director of Advantage Property Consulting and Buyer’s Advocate Judge on ‘The Block’.