The nerves are building, the stakes are sky-high and five luxury Mount Eliza homes are about to go under the hammer as The Block 2026 reaches its thrilling finale.
After months of renovations and fierce competition, the contestants’ financial futures rest in the hands of five real estate teams hoping to deliver life-changing results.
Ahead of the October 31 auctions (to be televised on November 1), we speak to the selling agents about their nerves, biggest competition and what could make the difference when bidding begins.
Aqua Real Estate’s Michelle Skoglund isn’t letting nerves get the better of her as she prepares to sell Adam and Joelene’s House 1.
“I’m not nervous because I’ve been doing this for so long and I understand how the auction process works,” she says.
Skoglund says there has been strong interest in House 1, and the early reveal of the $3.45 million reserve price under Victoria’s new auction rules has sparked fresh interest among local buyers, with extra private inspections arranged.
“People are now extremely confident and feeling a lot happier about the process,” she says.
Skoglund says buyers have praised House 1’s styling and the ambience of the multiple indoor and outdoor living spaces.
But Skoglund can’t look past the home’s northerly aspect and huge kitchen, dining and living zone.
“ It’s the perfect balance of space and light, and you feel really relaxed in there,” she says.
And as for their biggest competition come auction day? “I’d say House 3 would be the closest,” Skoglund says.
For McEwing & Partners director Quentin McEwing , the lead-up to auction day for Chantel and Wyatt’s House 2 has been a little nerve-racking.
Hundreds of buyers have viewed the property, but buyers are worried about committing before selling their own home.
“They think it’s good value, everyone thinks the views are amazing, the property is incredible, and the location is outstanding, but they’re saying ‘I’m not going to commit until I’ve secured something at my end, and until I do, I’ll remain a spectator,’” McEwing says.
McEwing says the $3.45 million reserve price doesn’t appear to be a stalling point, estimating the land and replacement building costs at $5 million to $5.5 million.
“To sell these with a $3.45 million reserve, it’s almost a $2 million reduction, which everyone’s seeing incredible value in,” he says.
McEwing believes House 2 has a major advantage in its outlook, with sweeping views towards the Dandenong Ranges and the city, while the home’s neutral interiors offer buyers greater freedom to personalise the property.
He says House 1 is likely to be the biggest competition, with buyer feedback having been positive about its styling, quality finishes and landscaping.
“There’s a definitive split between the top three and the bottom two houses, with a number of people who will either buy House 4 or 5 but won’t entertain houses 1, 2 or 3, because the floor plan just doesn’t work for them,” McEwing says.
Buxton Ballarat director Mark Nunn is looking to take the title of The Block winner for the second year in a row, after representing Britt and Taz’s winning home in 2025.
“I’m feeling really excited and positive for Lisa and Rosco this year,” he says.
Nunn says buyer interest in House 3 has come from investors and owner-occupiers, with some buyers returning for second and third inspections.
He believes House 3’s position at the end of the elevated row of properties, its larger allotment and its additional privacy give it an edge.
The kitchen, with its dark walnut cabinetry and island bench measuring more than four metres, is another standout.
Nunn says he will be the only agent calling his own auction, which he believes will be an advantage. “I think there’s an advantage in being the agent dealing with the buyers in the lead-up to the auction, and come auction day, knowing exactly who the buyers are,” he says.
“I’d say houses 1 and 4 would be our biggest competition.”
OBrien directors Stavros Ambatzidis and Kayn Luff are excited about Courtney and Sev’s prospects of selling House 4, particularly with all five properties carrying identical reserve prices.
Ambatzidis believes the pair’s room wins, spectacular kitchen and impressive inclusions could give them a competitive advantage.
“It’s got the largest depreciation schedule ever [on the show] at $6.085 million, and it’s got the dearest kitchen in history on The Block of $500,000, so if you’re comparing like for like, ours shows the best value,” he says.
“And buyers want to buy the best house.”
Luff says buyer engagement has been encouraging, with interest spanning investors, families and downsizers.
“This is a really good opportunity for a lot of them to buy something that they’re not going to have to spend any money on for the next 10 years,” he says.
As for their biggest competition, Luff isn’t discounting anyone.
“They’re all the biggest competition because you don’t know what’s going happen on auction day,” he says.
Ash Marton Realty directors Ash Marton and Lilly Corran are both excited and nervous ahead of the notoriously unpredictable auctions.
Marton says his team is focusing on what it can control, including making it easier for buyers unable to attend further inspections to assess Rick and Tayla’s House 5 through personalised videos and digital information.
Buyer interest has included locals approaching retirement who see the property as a future home, attracted by its security and low-maintenance lifestyle.
Marton believes the home’s biggest selling point is its privacy, particularly around the swimming pool.
“The fact that it’s the only property on offer whose pool cannot be seen from any of the neighbouring properties is really unique here,” he says.
While he considers House 4 the closest competition, Marton says the auction order could significantly influence the outcome.
He says earlier auctions may attract more bidders, but homes sold later could benefit from buyers becoming increasingly determined to secure one of the remaining properties.
“However, once you get to the last auction, if there are still active buyers in the mix who know they won’t get another opportunity, that could potentially lead to an even better result,” he says.
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