The Block outcome leaves me wondering

Alice and Caleb Pearson, winners of The Block.

For the past few weeks I've dipped in and out of the lives of The Block contestants on their mission to renovate derelict Auckland houses into million-dollar homes.

When the call for entrants came up, I even considered putting mine and my husband's names forward for the show.

The idea wasn't that feasible though, considering you have to take about 10 weeks off work and relocate your life to Auckland to take part.

That, and the idea of having our every scrap or temper tantrum aired on national television, didn't seem so appealing.

Which is why I was so disappointed for my favourite Block duo - brothers Andy and Pete - when they won only $27,000, the amount their house sold above its reserve.

After providing viewers with weeks of laughs, I thought their efforts deserved a larger slice of the winner's pie, as well as the car they picked up for being voted People's Choice.

It was $2000 worse for married couple Loz and Tom, who won $25,000. Loz couldn't hide her disappointment and made a point of saying they weren't a whole lot better off.

Then came the real curve ball. Alice and Caleb walking away with $261,000 - enough to buy a freehold home in some parts of the country.

Their house sold for $181,000 above reserve and the huge price tag saw them awarded an extra $80,000 for the win.

During the competition they won only one indoor room, none of the outdoor areas, and their house wasn't the biggest on the Block.

It's a beautiful home but you have to wonder what made it worth so much more than the neighbours'?

What was it about the design, colours, feel or size that sparked a passionate bidding war?

Renovations seem like a sure-fire way to add value and appeal to your home but, considering the judges were "experts", the show left me wondering who to turn to for the most reliable advice.

It seems difficult to pin down what will capture the hearts and minds of potential buyers, but it's obviously fairly lucrative to discover the winning formula.