The Block’s 2024 house price estimates have caused a stir after a former candidate described the estimates as ‘conspiracy’ in sharp comments.
The estimates for the five homes on Phillip Island are significantly lower than in previous years and fall far short of the expectations of millions.
The shocking prices are the lowest in nearly a decade, with all five prices ranging from $1.7 million to $1.85 million. That’s a huge drop from last year’s prices, which were $2.2 million and up.
The revelation caused chaos, with one former contestant claiming it was a ‘buy-in’ scheme by Channel Nine producers to ensure the luxury homes would be sold at a windfall profit.
They claimed the 2024 contestants were “tricked into winning ridiculous amounts of money” as the modest prizes left former stars of the construction show stunned.
The anonymous star told Ny Breaking Australia exclusively: “These houses are going to sell for $3 million and that’s a ‘cover-up’ so Channel Nine can have a really exciting finale where everyone makes a lot of money this year.
“There’s no reason not to adapt this to a storyline that fits the format of the series.”
Another former contestant predicted that Adrian Portelli would double the guide price and buy Courtney and Grant’s house for $3.7 million, a huge ‘twist’.
The Block’s 2024 house prices have caused a stir after one former contestant branded them a ‘conspiracy’ as they were the lowest in almost 10 years
‘Maybe these price guides are so low for a reason? It’s to make these homes more attractive to the average buyer or so Adrian Portelli can buy the whole resort for $15 million, that’s my guess,’ they speculated.
Blockhead from 2021 said the series needs a “happy ending” with the sales figures after the contestants were “tested” during the “difficult” 20th season.
“That kind of pressure and drama needs a happy ending and the outcomes of that are determined by the people who make the show, there’s no doubt about that,” they added.
Executive producer Julian Cress has even hinted at the low house prices, saying that ‘buyers are getting a lot of house for a lot of money’.
“I think the properties that have been created by the contestants this year are absolutely outstanding. When people come and see them, they’re going to be amazed – especially with the price points that have been mentioned,” he added.
The 2024 target prices are lower than last year and also a huge drop from the huge offers in 2022, which ranged from $4 million to $4.4 million.
Ny Breaking Australia has contacted Channel Nine for comment.
A former contestant claimed the 2024 stars were ‘set up to win ridiculous amounts of money’ as the modest prizes left people baffled (Picture: Courtney and Grant)
Contestants Jessie and Paige, Courtney and Grant, Ricky and Haydn, Kylie and Brad and Mimi and Kristian are currently being challenged with their huge builds for Phillip Island.
The winner will be announced during the grand finale, which will be filmed in the last week of October and shown in November.
As tensions mount surrounding the renovation show, Ricky and Haydn have had to respond to accusations of ‘cheating’ in recent days after a difficult week.
The fan favorites encountered a major problem while finishing their bathroom, which left them having to completely redecorate the room.
Further drama ensued when the contractor took personal leave on the day the final waterproofing was scheduled to be completed.
The pair were subsequently accused of ‘lying and cheating’ over mistakes made by their builder.
The Block’s Ricky and Haydn (pictured) have responded after being accused of cheating on the renovation show
It was our lowest week [on the show]“There were a number of things that were done by our construction team when we were not on site,” Haydn, 37, said TV week.
‘Foreman Dan called us liars, cheaters and said we were trying to cheat. But we just didn’t know what was going on – the whole site blew up.’
The bathroom had to be redone after it was discovered that the wrong bonding primer had been used on the floor, which also delayed the plastering work.
To make matters worse for Ricky and Haydn, it turned out that the contractor had skipped the waterproofing day because he wanted to go to a concert.
“I don’t do well when people lie to me,” Ricky, 34, told the publication.
“When you have a builder for something as important as The Block, you have to have confidence. It’s going to be hard to get back on top of that.”