New house could block view

Jo and Damo Neal's <i>The Block</i> house was sold for $1,386,000. Photo / Michael Craig

Valuable harbour views from 28a Newell St made it the top pick for contestants Jo and Damo Neal on reality show The Block NZ.

But just days before the auction, agents marketing the house were told the coveted view could itself be blocked - by a planned two-storey home next door.

The Neals were oblivious to the game-changing news as agents scrambled to inform interested parties the view trumpeted on the show and in glossy marketing brochures could be gone.

The Herald on Sunday understands six potential buyers dropped out of the auction leaving a small number to take it to the winning bid of $1,386,000.

The popular Feilding pair - who won the People's Choice Award - were told the news after the auction.

Just minutes before Damo Neal had described the harbour view as an asset.

"It's just an amazing house with all its views and privacy," he said.

The Herald on Sunday was told the pair questioned auctioneer Sabine Davison's failure to mention the water views when she introduced the property.

Photos that flashed up of the room with a view show the curtains drawn.

"They asked her and she just said, 'Well the view won't be there for long'," a source said.

"I heard they were shocked."

Bayleys " who ran the auction process " did not respond directly to the claim.

But its residential manager Hayden Stanaway said the company fully disclosed the possibility of the potential development to interested parties as soon as it was made aware.

Disclosure is in line with rules under the REAA - despite no applications currently lodged with Auckland Council.

"All interested parties were openly advised that a neighbour had indicated his intentions to build a new house on the adjoining property, which could potentially restrict the aspect," Stanaway said.

He added "people always" indicated an intention to attend an auction and then "for whatever reason" do not attend.

"It's nothing unusual or out of the ordinary for auctions. All serious buyers for that property were either in the auction room bidding or on the phone bidding."

The Neals said on Friday they were still happy with the $61,000 profit they made from the auction.

"With the view, possibly the result could have been different but even if we had walked away with $10,000, we had a brilliant experience and we wouldn't change it for anything," they said.

Neighbours Cameron Greig and Beth McKay at No34 did not want to comment on their future build plans but another neighbour said the large section had untapped views.

Rachel Lorimer, from Mediaworks, said the Neals were not told before the auction as it was only necessary to inform potential buyers.