Scott Cam ‘screams at real estate agents’ during Block auctions

Ahead of the tensest Block finale in years, it’s been revealed that host Scott Cam was “screaming” at real estate agents during the auction.

The Block host Scott Cam has given fans of the show a dramatic preview of tonight’s finale, revealing that viewers will see him “screaming” at the show’s real estate agents.

Cam appeared on the Today show this morning to chat about this year’s Block auctions – which took place in Gisborne, Victoria yesterday, but are a tightly-held secret until tonight’s finale airs.

And while Scott didn’t give too much away, he did hint at some real-life tension as this season’s five teams went to auction in the toughest property market conditions the show has seen in many years.

A very hoarse-sounding Cam told the Today panel that his lack of voice was not due to celebrating after the auctions – quite the opposite.

Cam admits he lost his cool at the real estate agents during this weekend’s auction.

“I did a lot of shouting at real estate agents yesterday; I got a little bit cranky at times. I do shout at them down the phone – I have to ring them because they’re miles away at the houses, and I’m screaming at them.”

Cam wouldn’t be drawn on why exactly he was screaming at the real estate agents, but his admission comes amid concerns about exactly how much – or little – profit teams might make after this year’s mammoth Block season.

“These houses might not sell – so the whole unknown is actually quite scary,” contestant Ryan is shown saying in a preview of tonight’s finale, as his wife Rachel looks on in worry.

There is a precedent, with The Block New Zealand’s most recent season ending in absolute disaster last month.

The winning couple netted just $NZ4000 ($A3046) in a record-low auction result for the Kiwi franchise.

Thankfully, they also received $NZ100,000 in prize money for coming out on top. Fellow competitors weren’t so lucky, with the couple who came in second place making a profit of just $NZ100 ($A76) once their home sold.

Ankur and Sharon at yesterday’s auctions.

Sarah-Jane seems confident.

All five of Australia’s Block houses have the same $4 million to $4.4 million price guide – but their reserves will be revealed in tonight’s grand finale.

And Cam confessed this week that he’s been banned from meddling with contestants’ reserve prices, after his efforts to have them lowered last season proved costly for his employers at the Nine network.

Contestants only see profit if their home prices rise above their reserve, and last year the teams banded together to insist theirs should be lowered.

Cam agreed, and spoke to those higher up at Nine to have them all lowered by $100,000.

In the end, he needn’t have bothered – even the last-placing house last season made just shy of $300,000.

He told Fox FM during a radio interview today that he’d “never again” interfere with reserve prices: “I got in big trouble there. I cost the network about half a million dollars,” he revealed.