A “ludicrous” detail in a 22-bedroom home listed for sale in Daylesford, Victoria, has exposed how Channel Nine’s above-market reserve prices for The Block homes are ruining the show for contestants.

A 22-bedroom home has been listed for sale in Daylesford for nearly $1 million below the reserve prices of The Block homes in the same Victoria town, exposing Channel Nine’s outrageous above-market prices.

The property at 10 Ranch Road, Daylesford, has a price guide of $2,100,000-$2,300,000, and boasts nine bedrooms and ten car spaces on 23 acres of land.

Jellis Craig marketed the property surrounding Hepburn Regional Park as a family-owned estate and cherished retreat of more than 4 decades.

“Originally established in 1978 as a countryside escape, it has since evolved into a versatile haven—perfect for multi-generational living, hobby farming, equestrian pursuits, or even an exclusive private retreat,” the marketing material reads.

“This extraordinary property offers a mix of well-appointed modern homes, charming cottages, dormitory-style accommodation, and extensive equestrian facilities—all set amidst rolling paddocks, lush gardens, and tranquil dams.”

By comparison, four of the five homes on the latest season of Nine’s renovation show went under the hammer last Sunday for $2.99 million.

That’s four times the town’s median house price of $820,000 in July this year, down 7.1 per cent compared to 2024, according to PropTrack data.

It’s also $890,000 more than the 22-bed neighbouring home, despite The Block properties boasting significantly fewer amenities and land size.

The four-bedroom, three-bathroom reality homes span more than 2,300 square metres of land, with 256 square metres of living space.

Some fans took to Reddit to criticise the home’s reserves compared to the 22-bedroom property, saying the disparity failed the show’s contestants.

“Don’t think they (Nine) realised that a prospective buyer can get an ENTIRE FREAKING RANCH with 22 bedrooms on just over 9 hectares of land in Daylesford – for nearly $1m cheaper than some of these reserves. Idiots,” one person wrote.

“What the fudge with this $2.9 million reserve. Who buys $3 million houses in bloody Daylesford?” another person wrote.

“To expect 5 x $3+ million Auction sales in Daylesford was a ludicrous notion. Most buyers said the expected range would be $2.5- 2.7 million,” a third person wrote.

Another outraged viewer dubbed the reserves an “insult to all the hard work of the contestants”, who labour for 12 weeks on the reno series.

It follows a warning by McQueen Real Estate director Kim McQueen who in August told RealEstate.com.au if the homes were to sell for more than $3 million, it would set a new price record for the Daylesford region.

“As far as I’m aware, there’s only ever been one home within the township of Daylesford that ever sold for $3 million or above,” Ms McQueen said.

“There are very few buyers at the best of times with $3 million or more to spend on a property in any regional location.”

Weeks later, four of the five Block couples failed to make a substantial profit at auction, as bidders were unwilling to part with more than $3 million.

 

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Emma and Ben, as well as Han and Can’s properties, were passed in.

Fan favourites Robby and Matt took home $109,999 or just $50,000 each, while Sonny and Alicia netted a meagre $120,000 as well as a new car.

Claiming the win were WA cops Britt and Taz, who walked away $520,000 richer after their home attracted a flurry of bids and sold for $3.41 million.