The Block’s guide house prices for 2024 have caused a stir, with one former contestant branding them a “rip-off” in scathing comments.
Estimates for the five Phillip Island homes are considerably lower than in previous years and fall short of the same multi-million dollar expectations.
Shock prices are the lowest in nearly 10 years, with all five coming in between $1.7 million and $1.85 million, a big drop from last year’s guides of $2.2 million and up.
The revelation has sparked chaos, with one former contestant claiming it was a ‘fix’ by Channel Nine producers to ensure the luxury homes are sold for a windfall.
They claimed the 2024 contestants were “set up to win stupid money” as the modest prices left former stars of the construction show baffled.
The unnamed star exclusively told Daily Mail Australia: ‘These houses are going to sell for 3 million and that’s a ‘pitch’ for Channel Nine to have a really exciting finale where everyone this year makes a lot of money.
“There’s no way this hasn’t been modified to fit a narrative that works for the show’s format.”
Another former contestant predicted that Adrian Portelli will double the guide price and buy Courtney and Grant’s home for $3.7 million in a major ‘twist’.
The Block’s benchmark house prices for 2024 have caused a stir, with one former contestant calling them a “rage” because they were the lowest in almost 10 years.
“Maybe these price guides are so low for a reason. Either to make these homes more attractive to the average buyer or so that Adrian Portelli can afford to buy the entire complex for $15 million, that would be my guess,” they speculated.
Blockhead from 2021 said the series will need a “happy ending” with sales after contestants were “put to the test” during the “difficult” 20th season.
“That kind of pressure and drama needs a happy ending and those outcomes are chosen 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 home prices, saying “buyers will get a great house for that amount of money.”
“I think the properties that the contestants have created this year have been absolutely exceptional. When people come to see them, they will be stunned, especially at the prices that have been offered,” he added.
Reference prices for 2024 mark a drop from last year and a huge decrease from the massive listings in 2022, which ranged from $4 million to $4.4 million.
Daily Mail Australia has contacted Channel Nine for comment.
A former contestant claimed the 2024 stars were “set to make stupid money” as the modest prices have left people baffled (pictured: Courtney and Grant)
Contestants Jessie and Paige, Courtney and Grant, Ricky and Haydn, Kylie and Brad and Mimi and Kristian are currently taking on the challenge of their massive Phillip Island builds.
The winner will be revealed at the upcoming grand finale, which will be filmed in the last week of October before being screened in November.
As tensions mount on the revival show, Ricky and Haydn have been forced to respond to allegations of “cheating” in recent days after a difficult week.
The fan favorites ran into a huge problem when trying to complete their bathroom, leaving them with the difficult task of having to redo the room.
There was more drama after their builder took personal leave on the day the final waterproofing was scheduled.
The couple were later accused of “lying and deception” due to mistakes made by their builder.
The Block’s Ricky and Haydn (pictured) have hit back after being accused of cheating on the makeover show.
“It was our slowest week (on the schedule). Our construction crew did some things while we were off site,” said Haydn, 37. Television 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 was on fire.”
The bathroom remodel came after it was revealed that the wrong primer had been used on the floors, which also delayed plastering.
To make matters worse for Ricky and Haydn, it emerged that the builder had cancelled the waterproofing day because he wanted to go to a concert.
“I don’t feel good about people lying to me,” Ricky, 34, told the publication.
“When a developer takes on something as important as The Block, you have to trust them. It’s going to be hard to recover from that.”
