The Block's last challenge: If you love it let it go

Jo Neal and Damo Neal in their house in Pt Chevalier. Photo / Jason Oxenham

With tonight's The Block finale looming, some of this season's contestants are loath to farewell the homes they have painstakingly renovated over the last 12 weeks.

Feilding husband-and-wife team Jo, 34, and Damo Neal, 36, say they love house four at 28A Newell St, Pt Chevalier, and if they could stay there they would.

"We've put so much into it and I've made it exactly how I would want to live so it's hard to let go, but I know whoever gets it will love it," Jo said.

Damo admitted he may be a bit too attached to the place.

One half of South Auckland couple Maree Wright, 27, and James Steele, 28, was similarly sad to let go of house two, at 26A Newell St.

"We would love to buy the house ourselves if we could afford it," James said, "but we're ready to see someone else enjoy it."

Maree said the pair were "at peace" seeing the house sell. "We knew we were having to leave right from the start so we saw it as a job."

House three's team - Alex, 29, and Corban Walls, 32 - were realistic about the inevitable parting. "We feel completely fine to walk away from that house," Alex said about 28 Newell St.

"We've always had in our mind that it hasn't been ours and it's for the buyer, so we're happy to leave it in their hands."

House one's Christchurch-based couple - Ben, 30, and Quinn Alexandre, 26, - held similar sentiments saying they had put a lot of hard work into 26 Newell St but knew it was for someone else.

"I think if I lived in Auckland I'd feel different," Quinn said.

Ben said he'd like a family to enjoy the house.

On Auckland's North Shore, the two winning houses from the first two seasons have recently sold.

No 78 Anzac St, Takapuna, which won The Block in 2012, sold in August for $1.1 million, up $139,000 on its sale at the televised auction. The former owners, Stewart and Lisa Hampton, ran their accounting business from the house.

Season two's winning house at 1C Eversleigh Rd, Belmont, recently sold for $1.2m - slightly more than the $1.125m it was bought for last year.

Q&A

When is it happening?

Starting at 7.30 tonight, the four houses will be auctioned live on TV3.

How do they choose a winner?

The team whose house sells at the greatest amount over reserve wins. All the lucky couples take home their profit, plus the winners get an additional $80,000.

How can I buy a house?

The four Pt Chev houses will be sold through Bayleys.