Block homes still empty a month after auctions

The Block season 3 contestants, Jo Neal and Damo Neal in their house. Photo / Michael Craig

Almost a month after The Block's finale, new owners are yet to move into the four houses featured on the hit TV3 reality series.

The Pt Chevalier homes were auctioned on November 14, with buyers including two professional couples in their late 20s and early 30s, a city retailer, and an established Pt Chev couple in their 60s.

The latter couple, who bought 28b Newell St, renovated by Jo and Damo Neal, for $1.386 million were at the house yesterday preparing it for tenants who were about to move in. They did not want to be named.

They said other buyers would soon be moving in to the other three houses.

A spokesman for real estate firm Bayleys told the Herald the city retailer had bought contestants Quinn and Ben Alexandre's house for $1.335 million as an investment to rent out.

A professional couple in their late 20s/early 30s paid $1.552 million for Corban and Alex Walls' winning property and another couple in their late 20s splurged $1.472 million on their first home, renovated by contestants Maree Wright and James Steele.

Meanwhile, Eyeworks Television, producer of The Block, is calling for applicants for the 2015 series, the fourth of the NZ version of the show.

It will be shot over a 12-week period beginning in March.