While it took weeks of hard work and renovations to get The Block NZ houses ready for auction, their buyers didn't have to do much to see the properties surge in value.
With the average Auckland house price topping $1 million for the first time this month, it's no surprise houses from The Block NZ have grown by an average of 61 percent, or nearly $219,000 a year.
Of the 16 homes from the first four seasons of the show, six have since been resold, including all the houses from season one, Alex and Caleb's winning house from season two and Quinn and Ben's Point Chevalier house from season three.
Property data website homes.co.nz - which displays sales histories and estimated values - has crunched the numbers on the houses, and some of the results may surprise long-time viewers of the programme.
The biggest growth in value was on season one's fourth-place couple Rachel and Tyson's home - the only Block NZ home not to make a profit over auction reserve. Their Takapuna house has grown in value by a whopping $365,500 a year, or 183 percent, and is now estimated at $1,462,000 more than it originally sold for.
"I recall back in 2012 thinking how expensive those Takapuna homes were," says marketing manager at Homes.co.nz Jeremy O'Hanlon. "To think the purchaser has made over $300,000 per year is astounding."
Rachel and Tyson's home sold in April 2015 for $1,919,657.
"Rachel and Tyson's hard work in 2012 made them nothing at a $798,000 sale," says Mr O'Hanlon. "Compare this with the new owner who sat on it."
Season two's Alice and Caleb nailed it in 2013 with their stunning Belmont house, taking away $181,000 over reserve. The house has since resold for $1.2 million - up $444,000 from auction, or $148,000 a year.
Loz and Tom's fourth-place house had the biggest yearly growth out of the season two homes, at $196,000, or 64 percent.
The only house to resell from season three has been Quinn and Ben's Newell St residence, which went for $1,620,000 in May 2015. Its value has grown by $287,500 a year - the biggest growth of its season.
None of season four's 2015 Block NZ: Villa Wars Sandringham properties have been resold; however, in less than a year the four houses have already grown in value by an average of $165,750.
Sarah and Minanne's Haig Ave home has especially soared in value, and is estimated at $198,000 more than it sold for at auction.
"You can see why passive investing has been so popular in Auckland, when you compare a year's returns to those made with the grind that comes with a renovation," says Mr O'Hanlon.
On average, season one houses have had a yearly growth of $314,125, season two $176,333, season three $219,375 and season four $165,750.
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