The Block winners Jimmy and Tam Wilkins have revealed they will still be getting their prize money after the sale of their $4.2million property fell through last year.
Cyber security expert Emese Fajk had purchased the couple’s Palm Springs-inspired home at auction in November but failed to pay up and was later accused of being an ‘international conwoman’ with a history of faking bank slips.
During an Instagram Q&A on Monday, Jimmy and Tam revealed their home in Melbourne’s Brighton hadn’t found a buyer yet but they would nonetheless be getting their record-breaking $966,000 prize money.
‘They are honouring our prize’: The Block winners Jimmy and Tam Wilkins have said they’ll still be getting their prize money after the sale of their $4.2million property fell through last year
One fan asked the couple: ‘Has The Block house sold yet?’
‘It hasn’t sold but Channel Nine and The Block are honouring our prize,’ the pair said.
It comes after Julian Cress, the executive producer and co-creator of The Block, told Domain in March that Jimmy and Tam were in ‘no rush’ to sell the property as potential buyers continued to inspect the home.
‘House 5 is currently for sale off market through McGrath estate agents, who originally had the listing,’ Mr Cress said.
Prize money: During an Instagram Q&A on Monday, Jimmy and Tam revealed their home in Melbourne’s Brighton hadn’t found a buyer yet but they would nonetheless be getting their record-breaking $966,000 prize money
Unique: The spacious property features five bedrooms and a designer kitchen
‘Potential buyers and some buyers advocates have been taken through the home.’
‘At this stage, we are in no rush to sell the property as it continues to go up in value by the week,’ he added.
The 1950s-style property first went under the hammer in November in a record-breaking sale that saw it fetch $4.256million, with a profit of $966,000.
Taking their time: It comes after Julian Cress, the executive producer and co-creator of The Block, told Domain in March that Jimmy and Tam were in ‘no rush’ to sell the property as potential buyers continued to inspect the home
Stylish: The 1950s-style home first went under the hammer in November in a record breaking sale that saw it fetch $4.256million, making a profit of $966,000
In addition to its unique style, it features five bedrooms, a designer kitchen and a stylish outdoor entertainment area with a pool and barbecue.
In January, New Idea magazine claimed The Block host Scott Cam had ‘saved the day’ by secretly purchasing the $4.2million home for himself after the original buyer, Ms Fajk, 28, failed to pay up.
However, his manager Chris Giannopoulos told Daily Mail Australia the rumours were ‘not to believed’ and that Scott did not purchase the property.
Outdoor: The property has a stylish outdoor entertainment area with a pool and barbecue area
Speculation: In January, New Idea claimed The Block host Scott Cam had ‘saved the day’ by secretly purchasing the $4.2million home for himself after the original buyer failed to pay up. Scott’s manager later denied the story
Emese Fajk was the mystery buyer who bought Jimmy and Tam’s winning property during The Block’s auction finale in November.
Ms Fajk presented alleged receipts of bank transfers indicating the money for the home had gone through, but the large sum never reached Nine’s bank accounts.
She has since been accused by an ex-lover of doctoring bank slips.
In December, Jimmy and Tam choked back tears as they told A Current Affair how they’d been left blindsided by the strange turn of events.
‘It’s something no one ever saw coming, no one ever expected, but it’s something we now have to deal with,’ Jimmy said.
Issues: Cyber security specialist Emese Fajk, 28, (centre) was the mystery buyer who bought Jimmy and Tam’s winning property during The Block’s finale in November