Experts explains why The Block's Gisborne season was a failure - and if next year's Daylesford location will be a hit

The Block's 2024 season was a roaring hit thanks to a series of vital factors, real estate experts have explained.

Buyers advocate Frank Valentic told Domain this week that the key was the location of the series.

Phillip Island, Victoria offered up much lower housing prices than than last season, set in Gisborne.

The reserves 'were literally half the price of the Gisborne properties' he tells the publication.

'I certainly had more buyers interested in Phillip Island,' he said.

Will Walton, director of Belle Property in Daylesford, agreed with the assessment that lower prices make a more attractive season.

'The real estate formula for a good auction is having a competitive reserve and attracting competitive bidding. The Gisborne reserves were quite high' he said.

When questioned on whether next year's location, Daylesford, was destined for success, Walton said, 'Like Phillip Island, the reserves will have to be realistic.'

Valentic added that Gisborne South was simply not as vibrant an area.

'Phillip Island has a lot of attractions compared to Gisborne. And it was Gisborne South – it was out in the middle of nowhere' he said.

It comes after Channel Nine was slammed for 'rigging' the 2024 Block auction after serial bidder Adrian 'Mr Lambo' Portelli admitted he decided who would win.

The billionaire businessman, 35, made history on Sunday night when he snapped up every Block home on Phillip Island for $15.03million and made sure contestants Maddy and Charlotte Harry became the youngest-ever auction winners of The Block.

Now, after the entrepreneur confessed he 'hand-selected the auction order' to make sure the sisters won, viewers have flocked to social media to slam the network for 'manipulating' the season finale of the renovation show.

The backlash began when Scott Cam posted a team photo to Instagram of himself going out to dinner with the production crew behind The Block.

'So, Portelli already set it up for the girls to go last and producers knew he was buying them all,' one person wrote beneath the image.

'The most manipulated ending eeevvveeerrrrr,' another said.

'So Adrian decided who won?' one person wrote, as another commented: 'What's the point of having an auction anymore?'

'Seen like the Block auction was set up I rather fair game [sic],' someone else said on The Block's Instagram account.

When asked for comment, Nine told Daily Mail Australia: 'The Block auctions are conducted by licensed real estate agents who are required to comply with all relevant laws while in the presence of Consumer Affairs.'

Portelli made a shock confession on Monday about what goes on behind the scenes of The Block, admitting the auction was rigged.

The billionaire businessman told Nova's Jase & Lauren the auction order was pre-determined.

'We hand-selected the auction order to make sure the girls [Maddy and Charlotte Harry] went last. So we can get them to win,' Portelli began.

The Harry sisters became the youngest-ever auction winners of The Block, taking home an eye-watering $1.65million profit on Sunday night's nail-biting finale, with their renovated Phillip Island property selling for $3.5million .

Portelli revealed it was decided their house would be the last to go to auction, in order to increase the drama.

'The girls cared. They came in late. They were the underdogs, were picked on, were bullied.'

He said Maddy and Charlotte were informed in advance as to why their property would be auctioned last, adding the other contestants were kept in the dark.

'It was just the girls [who were in on the plan]. How good is that? They are the sweetest and innocent and were playing the game the best.'

Maddy, 24, and Charlotte, 22, also took home an extra $100,000 for their monumental victory, on their four-bedroom, three-bathroom home which had a $1.85million reserve.

'We are just so grateful, it's a very surreal feeling. I'm so proud of both of us and how hard we worked,' said Maddy of their win.

Charlotte added: 'To end The Block on such a high note is so special. We never thought it would go like this. I could not have had this experience with anyone but Maddy.'

The Sydney sisters entered into the heated 20th season midway through filming, after couple Paige Beechey and Jesse Maguire threw down their tools.

Despite their eventful entrance into the competition, they certainly made an impression with their finished house as they nabbed an impressive bid.

Portelli revealed his shock plan for 'Block Island' after purchasing all five of the contestants' homes during auction day.

He revealed he will be giving away all the houses in a massive 'resort giveaway' through his LMCT+ raffle business.

'Under new management! And as mayor of Portelli town, I would like to announce a world first. !' Portelli captioned his post on Facebook.

'1 Giveaway - 1 Prize - Winner takes the whole resort OR $8,000,000 instant Tax-Free Cash instead! Let the game begin.'

Accompanying the announcement was a photo of Portelli posing alongside one of his lavish cars inside the Block complex he just purchased.

He was all smiles as he leaned back against his vehicle holding an LMCT+ banner with a 'No Vacancy' sign artfully captured in the image.

The 'rewards club' Portelli has made his billions from sees his customers pay for different tiers of membership to receive a number of entries in luxury giveaways.