David Bonaddio, Real Estate Reporter
First published 31 Oct 2026, 4:00am
The Block host Scott Cam, whose hit renovation show has recorded some extraordinary property discrepancies, including two Daylesford homes with estimated shortfalls exceeding $5.2m each. Picture: Nine.
Two Daylesford homes that failed to sell at auction have topped a ranking of The Block’s biggest property blowouts, with estimated shortfalls exceeding $5.2m each.
Emma and Ben’s home at 5 Cedar Lane and Han and Can’s neighbouring property eventually sold for $2.15m apiece after months without buyers.
But a Herald Sun analysis of 15 homes from the show’s past three completed seasons found each had estimated land and building-related costs exceeding $7.3m.
RELATED: Former Melb Centrelink gets $160m luxury makeover
Block star locks in $2.65m deal before finale
Portelli says Block gave him $15m in 48hrs
Nine paid $9.45m for the five Daylesford lots, while specialist assessments put Emma and Ben’s construction-related costs at $5.47m and Han and Can’s at $5.46m.
Their estimated gaps reached $5.21m and $5.20m respectively.
Sonny and Alicia’s home ranked third with a $4.76m discrepancy, despite selling for $3.06m and earning the contestants $120,000.
Emma and Ben’s home at 5 Cedar Lane, Daylesford, failed to sell at The Block’s 2025 auction before eventually fetching $2.15m, leaving an estimated $5.21m gap between its land and construction-related costs and sale price.
Inside Emma and Ben’s former Block home, where BMT Tax Depreciation assessed $5.47m in eligible construction work and assets before land acquisition costs were included.
Even series winners Britt and Taz, who collected $520,000, had a property with an estimated $4.12m gap.
The 2024 Phillip Island season produced another two major discrepancies.
Kylie and Brad’s home, purchased by billionaire Adrian Portelli for $2.6m, recorded an estimated $4.49m difference, while Ricky and Haydn’s followed at $4.4m.
Kristy and Brett’s 2023 Hampton East home had a potential $4.36m gap despite selling for $3.035m.
A luxury poolside entertaining area at one of The Block’s 2023 Hampton East homes, where the winning property fetched $5m but other contestants struggled to attract big bids. Pictures: Jellis Craig/Belle Property
The lavish bedroom at Kristy and Brett’s 18 Charming St, Hampton East, home, which sold for $3.035m in 2023 before being advertised for rent at $2500 a week furnished. Picture: Supplied/Instagram.
The figures compare allocated land acquisition costs and assessed building expenditure against sale proceeds, not Nine’s actual financial losses.
BMT Tax Depreciation chief executive Bradley Beer warned that lavish spending could generate substantial tax deductions without making a property a better investment.
“You don’t spend more money to get more depreciation on those things. You’ve got to pay for it,” Mr Beer said.
BMT Tax Depreciation chief executive Bradley Beer warns that spending more on luxury finishes to claim bigger tax deductions does not necessarily make a home a better investment.
Buyer’s advocate Nicole Jacobs said The Block’s extraordinary spending was possible partly because of its sponsorship arrangements.
“With what they put into these homes, you and I would not spend that money doing that, right?” Ms Jacobs said.
“You’ve got sponsor upon sponsor, upon sponsor that gives them these amazing products and inclusions.”
MR Advocacy director Madeleine Roberts said returning to more conventional renovations in Sunbury next year could produce more achievable selling prices.
“If it’s renovating to sell, the sale prices would be far more realistic,” Ms Roberts said.
Calculation: original property acquisition cost or allocated site share + BMT lifetime estimate − completed sale price. Figures include hypothetical cost allocations and are not actual losses incurred by Nine.
Sign up to the Herald Sun Weekly Real Estate Update. Click here to get the latest Victorian property market news delivered direct to your inbox.
MORE: ‘Horrible’: Block legend calls out ugly backlash
Ex-Block stars eye six-figure Vic home deal
Melb street’s after-dark action takes unexpected turn
Help us improve your reading experience
Got a minute? Your feedback will help us build a better experience for you.
