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Its come the time in The Block in which COVID-19 finally rears its ugly, ugly head.

Watching the contestants get their first nasty inkling that it’s not just a weird disease that will never trouble Australia is enough to induce PTSD. It all seems so long ago that we could joke about dunny paper shortages, but seeing it gradually dawn on everyone on the show that the world is about to change feels like witnessing a moment in history, albeit one that only happened about six months ago. SIX MONTHS!

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Where house prices are defying COVID

But on this episode it’s more of an inconvenience than the terrifying descent into economic ruin and despair that we know is coming. The inconvenience takes the form of contestants having to order everything, from nails to gyprock to rugs to door handles, for the entire rest of the build. Producers are worried there will be shortages of materials so ordering now is their only choice.

All this while also working on their master ensuite.

“That’s not easy for an experienced builder,” Keith notes.

It dawns on the contestants exactly how big a job it is to order every last screw and door handle for the entire rest of the build.

Jasmin, who’s never met an alternative option she didn’t like, has a predictable meltdown, complaining that she doesn’t want to be locked in for tiles for a room weeks in the future in case the judges suggest they go in a different direction.

“You’re better off producing a room with tiles than without,” is Dan’s uncontestable response.

At least all this ordering gives Harry something useful to do. He’s broken his foot, and is under strict orders to stay off it completely, so he’s lying in bed, the perfect opportunity to crunch numbers and work out what’s needed. Except he isn’t. He’s just lying there.

“It’s no different from any other week on The Block,” Dan says. “I’ve never seen anyone cruise through The Block like Harry.”

Instead, his daughter Tash is working on spreadsheets of materials like a demon.

Harry is laid up in bed with a broken foot, but Dan accuses him of cruising though.

While Dan is chipping at Harry, Keith is doing the same to Luke and Jasmin’s builder Macca, who has been on The Block before

“Every time I walk into House 4 I find something,” he says. “It’s stuff a first year apprentice would know. In the real world I only give people one or two chances and then I get rid of them.”

He takes Luke aside to try and persuade him, again, that sacking his builder might be on the cards.

“Macca reckons there’s a bit of a vendetta against him,” Luke says later, holding his ground.

Also not having a great time is Jimmy and Tam. Still reeling from their sudden plummet from first to last, they’re conflicted about their insane decision to have their master ensuite only accessible with a trip through a wardrobe.

“We knew we would get pinged for that wardrobe but we didn’t think it would be that bad,” Jimmy says.

Shaynna Blaze called it a “disaster” and the judges agreed they’d have to rip it out and start again.

“We like it. We don’t have to do the same thing as everyone else,” Jimmy says, trying to put a brave face on it, but when their real estate agents struggle to muster any enthusiasm about the layout it’s clear they need to do something to fix the error.

Keith finds more fault with Luke’s builder’s work.

They won’t pull out the wardrobe, but they’ll seal up the door through to the ensuite and make another door in the hallway of their master bedroom to reach the ensuite.

Tam cheers herself up with a test run of a smart toilet, which not only has male and female settings for spraying the user’s bits, but also has a heated fan for gentle drying — perfect for a toilet paper drought.

She spends an inordinate amount of time in the cubicle.

“I didn’t know that you had to press a stop button,” she says. “I sat there for quite a while. It’s weird because it feels like you’re weeing yourself but you’re not.”

That’s the manufacturer’s new slogan sorted.

“I’m going to do it again,” Tam adds.

We bet you are.

Sarah and George are slightly bitter Harry and Tash took out the win with their master bedroom, which Sarah claims has hardly any period features, something she and George have been criticised for in the past. But this pair never stay down in the dumps for long.

George’s bowel movements are disgusting Keith, and his plumber.

Speaking of which, George annoys his plumber and disgusts Keith by taking not one, but two morning poos in a toilet the plumber is about to work on. At least he has the good grace to look sheepish about the stench he’s left.

“Mate, I’ve got a weak stomach, are you serious?” Keith says, as Kelly Clarkson’s Since You’ve Been Gone (”I can breathe for the first time”) plays.

I see what you did there music person.

MISSED AN EPISODE?

Episode 11 recap: ‘Tear it out’: Block team’s wardrobe disaster

Episode 10-11 recap: The new Block rule that could ruin the season

Episode 9 recap: Favouratism allegations hit The Block

Episode 8 recap: Judges pull no punches on grieving Daniel and Jade

Episode 6-7 recap: Sack your builder: Keith slams ‘pathetic’ work

Episode 4 recap: Luke and Jasmin’s big stuff up

Episode 3 recap: “So two years ago”. Team’s boring room slammed

Episode 2 recap: Disappointment as Block houses are handed out

Episode 1 recap: Block 2020 tears start flowing early

The post The Block 2020 episode 13 recap: Dan sledges Harry and George disgusts Keith appeared first on realestate.com.au.

No. 27 Shewcroft St in Watson goes to auction on Saturday September 19.

When creative minds join forces, something special happens – and the striking ‘Brenrock Home’ in Watson is one such example.

A collaboration between renowned Canberra designer Gina Carmody and construction company the Brenrock Group, 27 Shewcroft St is a bespoke architectural abode with flair to spare.

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Sleek and chic in the bathroom.

Crafted using superior raw materials, including recycled Canberra red-brick, the home’s sophisticated style is immediately evident – with a floating spotted-gum staircase that creates a showstopping entrance.

Holly Komorowski, of Home by Holly, said the quality of the design and craftsmanship is demonstrated throughout the home, which “appeals to the senses”.

“Visually it’s so striking, and I love the moodiness; it’s quite a retreat style of living,” Ms Komoroswki said.

“Gina Carmody has been around for many years and is renowned for her work. She has a great ability to capture family living with lots of light and indoor-outdoor flow.

“[It] is also energy-efficient, which makes the home feels so good.”

The ground floor is anchored by a polished concrete slab as flooring throughout, which speaks to its modern yet refined style.

Indoor/outdoor flow.

Folding glass doors allow the large living area to open directly to the high-spec alfresco area – ideal for effortless entertaining. The adjacent kitchen includes a stone benchtop, gas cooktop, dishwasher and ample storage capacity.

Upstairs is a true retreat level, including a sitting room, study nook and the master suite with a walk-in robe and breathtaking bathroom.

Modern and bright.

The downstairs bathroom features a deep luxury bath as a centrepiece and is flanked by two bedrooms.

There’s also a fourth bedroom or rumpus room in this wing of the home, which is conveniently separate from the ground-floor living areas.

27 Shewcroft St, Watson will go to auction on Saturday 19 September at 3pm.

The post Bespoke architectural gem going to auction in Watson appeared first on realestate.com.au.

746 Ventnor Road, Ventnor, Trenavin Park, Phillip Island DREAM HOME

Phillip Island has recorded its first residential property sale of more than $8m, setting a historic benchmark for the region.

Trenavin Park, at 746 Ventnor Road, sold for an undisclosed price “in excess of $8m”, according to Prestige Homes of Victoria principal Sean Cussell.

“It set a record price for the island after sold the night before (stage three) lockdown,” Mr Cussell said.

“The sale was brought to a head very quickly and it sold to a local Phillip Island resident.”

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The incredible property has its own surf break.

The main Arts and Crafts manor.

The estate sold a month ahead of its expressions of interest campaign closing date, with settlement expected to be completed this week, he added.

It’s understood the property was snapped up by biopharmaceutical company Immuron’s executive chairman Peter Anastasiou, who previously sat on the Melbourne Victory board.

Mr Cussell would not comment on the identity of the buyer, but said they planned to use the 33.76ha property as a family home.

The property sold for more than $8m.

The old San Remo Church is also on the property.

Classic interiors are part of the package.

The incredible farm, which features a private beachfront and a century-old chapel, has held the Phillip Island record sales price since it sold for $4.25m in 2008, which CoreLogic shows.

Mr Cussell described the five-bedroom estate as “the ultimate Australian beachfront rural property with breathtaking views”.

“It’s pretty rare — there aren’t too many times you get to buy a property with its own surf break,” he said.

“It is one of the most beautiful homes on the Bass coastline, with so many people who don’t even realise it’s there.”

Modern features are also included.

The property was recently renovated.

Beach house vibes inside a grand estate.

The property was settled by brothers John and William McHaffie in 1842, as the first homestead on Phillip Island.

In 1923, Albert and Eleanor Sambell built the Arts and Crafts-style manor that stands today in place of the McHaffies’ homestead.

Mr Sambell went on to become the founder and first president of Phillip Island Shire Council, Victorian Collections records show.

Incredible views from the elevated block.

The historic farm is Phillip Island’s most expensive sale.

Inside the church, often used for weddings.

Recent renovations have been undertaken to the main manor, which was built from locally sourced bricks and Welsh slate roof tiles.

The 1906 San Remo Church, which was used by the vendors as a wedding and events venue, and the three-bedroom house called The Cottage, were transported to the site about 30 years ago.

Other additions on the sprawling block include a tennis court, fenced paddocks, dams and storage sheds.

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Contact Brooke at brooke.grebert-craig@news.com.au

The post Phillip Island record: Ventnor dream home sells for more than $8m appeared first on realestate.com.au.

Serious coin is still being spent on Melbourne properties, despite a shocking drop in sales stock.

There were just eight sales from 15 auctions reported to the Real Estate Institute of Victoria last week, but private deals have secured some impressive results.

A new street record in Sunbury was set by 28 Twin Creek Court, which changed hands for $999,995.

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28 Twin Creek Court, Sunbury sold for close to $1m.

Inside the family home.

Blackbird & Wren sales manager Mary Roberts said a buyer from the city bought the property sight unseen.

“With a vast number of our previous buyers having come from out of the area, we were already well equipped to facilitate remote buyers,” Ms Roberts said.

“So in some ways it was business as usual for us.”

Buyers were attracted to the space Sunbury properties typically offered, Ms Roberts said.

A buyer living closer to Melbourne bought the home.

The agency had noticed a spike in city buyers “looking for some more space to spread out” since the pandemic started this year, she said.

“With Sunbury still representing tremendous value compared to our surrounding areas, coupled with the beautiful semirural lifestyle on offer, it is becoming an increasingly compelling option for buyers” Ms Roberts said.

“We anticipate prices will continue to rise as we exit lockdown.”

In Toorak, a historic 1930s mansion also scored one of Melbourne’s biggest sales results.

Sunnyfjord, at 81 St Georges Road, sold “in the vicinity” of its $6.5m asking price, according to Jellis Craig Boroondara agent Damien Davis.

“It has been on the market for a while, going on and off at every stage of lockdown,” Mr Davis said.

“The buyers had seen it a couple of times before lockdown, but needed their own house sale to settle before making an offer.”

81 St Georges Road, Toorak has sold for more than $6m.

Inside the historic mansion.

A tennis court is part of the huge property.

CoreLogic shows it was the first time the property sold since its last $487,000 deal in 1982.

Mr Davis said the vendors were thrilled to get a result during stage four restrictions.

A Seddon house sale also went unconditional this week, securing one of the most impressive prices in the inner western suburb this year.

The six-bedroom family home at 48 Hobbs Street sold for an undisclosed price, which Biggin & Scott Yarraville agent Matthew John confirmed was comfortably within the $2.1-$2.3m price guide.

48 Hobbs Street, Seddon sold this month.

It has changed hands for more than $2m.

“It’s by far the biggest sale price in Seddon this year, well over double the suburb’s median sale price, and it’s also the only sale above $2m in Seddon in 2020,” Mr John said.

“It was sold by a downsizing family moving out to the country and bought by a local family from Footscray with young children..”

The upsizing buyers were able to view the property just a week before the ban on private inspections, he added.

The buyer was able to inspect the property just before lockdown restrictions tightened.

“They would have liked to go through a few more times, but they were impressed enough with the initial viewing to make an offer,” Mr John said.

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The post Melbourne lockdown: Major sales in Toorak, Sunbury and Seddon during stage four restrictions appeared first on realestate.com.au.