Five lessons from The Block: Fans v Faves

Five lessons from The Block: Fans v Faves
Jessie RichardsonDecember 7, 2020

Now that the dust has settled, Property Observer takes a look at what we learned over the course of The Block: Fans v Faves.

  1. Fitout may fade, but aspect is forever.

    While Steve and Chantelle’s renovating skills may have left a lot to be desired at times, their street-fronting apartment had that all-important north facing aspect. With windows all along their western wall and huge arched windows at the north, their apartment was flooded with light. Should they wish to, changing the apartment’s furnishings will cost the buyers relatively little.

  2. Use the building’s natural features.

    Contestants this season were lucky enough to makeover one of the most interesting buildings in Albert Park, the former Dux Picture Theatre. With townhouses and apartments in the suburb already in high demand, the rarity of The Block’s warehouse conversions were a huge pull for buyers and audiences. All four teams took advantage of this fact, playing up the industrial elements of their properties with complimentary timber work and exposed red brick.

  3. Location matters, even in TV land.

    The Block’s producers have an impressive track record now of picking buildings in blue chip inner city suburbs, where demand runs hot and residences are hard to come by. As buyers’ advocate Frank Valentic noted, the couple who purchased the winning apartment this series had been seeking a home in Melbourne’s inner south for some time. With another series of The Block planned for Prahran, the trend is set to continue.  
  4. Treat your tradies well.

    Trouble with tradies was a running theme on The Block: Fans v Faves. Poor planning meant that teams at times had to re-do their work with different tradespeople, while disputes lead Alisa and Lysandra to ditch one of their employees. When Property Observer spoke to contestant and professional carpenter Kyal Demmrich, he said that communication was key. 

    If you’re going to employ a tradesperson, you’ve got to be upfront and clear about your expectations,” said Kyal. “And if you’re not, you’ve got to voice it early on.” Winning couple Steve and Chantelle have the right idea – they’ve been quoted saying that the first item on their spending agenda is a big party for all their tradies.

  5. Reno smart, sell smarter.

    With the least experience and the least money, Steve and Chantelle relied on strategy, channelling their energies into the kitchen and living spaces and their master bedroom, two of the most valuable areas for buyers. But it was their clever choice to go last in the auction proceedings that was the couple’s best play, with high demand and low supply the perfect ingredients for a winning price.

For our full coverage of The Block: Fans v Faves, click below

The buyers behind The Block: Fans v Faves

Steve and Chantelle's auctioneer David Wood on The Block's record breaking win

Substance over style as Chantelle and Steve win The Block 2014 Fans V Faves

On the auction Block: Our faves for the finale

Kyal Demmrich on the trials and triumphs of The Block

The Block on show at this weekend's open for inspection 

Open for inspection: The Block Fans v Faves doors open to the public this weekend

Raw timber and red brick: Industrial design on The Block

Art styles for apartment décor: Lessons from The Block

Creating the perfect New York style loft: Lessons from The Block

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