McGrath Are Back On The Block In 2020 To Help Sell Jimmy and Tams Property

09/09/2020 | 5 MIN READ

The super popular renovation program, The Block, has recently returned to the screens for its 16th season. The blockbuster series has gained a cult following over the years and has built a reputation for delivering inspiring spaces and design excellence, with nail biting suspense. The McGrath Estate Agents brand is somewhat synonymous with The Block having had involvement since series one in 2003 through Founder John McGrath as a Judge, Scott Kennedy-Green as the Auctioneer and several Agents managing the campaign and sale of contestant’s properties, with the latter proving instrumental to the show’s unparalleled success.

Coming off the hugely successful campaign in 2019 where they helped sell Andy and Deb’s property for $430,000 over the reserve and the 2018 mind blowing win where Sara and Hayden went home with $645,000 in prize money, the team at McGrath St Kilda led by Principals Michael Townsend and Josh Stirling are joining The Block journey once again after being announced the sales representatives for the golden couple Jimmy and Tam.

“McGrath was the ideal choice for us, we had an initial connection with Josh and Michael, they made us feel really comfortable” the couple said. “Plus, we’re not only getting a Melbourne based agency, we have the support of the entire McGrath network that spans pretty much the East Coast of Australia.” And has Jimmy passionately says, “they are just as hungry as us for the win, we’re going to make a great team.”

Dedicated to delivering outstanding results, McGrath’s exceptional client service means Jimmy and Tam have one less thing to worry about come auction day. “We feel incredibly privileged to be invited on the show for the third year in a row as we have always had such a great experience” said McGrath St Kilda Principal, Michael Townsend. “Each year is completely different, different style properties, different clients and different markets, but our commitment to providing the best service for our clients doesn’t change. We are incredibly honoured to be selling Jimmy and Tam’s property and representing the wider McGrath network,” Townsend expresses. “The Block is a fantastic show and we just love being part of it.”

But before we get to auction day, Jimmy and Tam have a mountain of work to do with The Block serving up its most challenging project yet; renovating five run down houses, each from a different era, that have all been relocated from another area to the site. Producers of The Block purchased a 2761-square metre parcel of land in Melbourne's affluent suburb of Brighton and it’s now up to The Block 2020 contestants to restore them to their former glory, while also ensuring they update them for modern day living.

Jimmy and Tam, fondly known as the ‘Battlers from Brisbane’ have already proven they are a force to be reckoned with, with their remarkable winning streak. During their first Block challenge, they impressed the judges with their yellow and white beach box. The win enabled them to choose the premier corner block; the 1950’s house. They continued their success with a win for the opening room, the Guest Bedroom, achieving 25.5 out of 30 and scoring them $10,000 cash and some $120,000 worth of Gaggenau kitchen appliances.

Winning has become a habit for the Brisbane based couple who for the third week in a row won, this time with the guest ensuite bathroom challenge which exceeded expectations for the 1950’s brief. Neale Whittaker, one of the key judges on The Block said, “I can’t remember walking into a bathroom that hasn’t put such a smile on my face, and God knows that is not easy to do, but this bathroom has done it.” With their trifecta of wins, Jimmy and Tam have cemented themselves as serious contenders for The Block this year.

"We went into The Block hoping to just be the mediocre couple, not the couple that did really well, but just not the couple that were struggling the whole time. So straight off the bat to get those wins was amazing. It really set us in a good mental state to push forward," explained Tam.

"It pushed us in the right direction, we knew that what we were doing was the right thing and we knew that the judges were loving what we were doing. It made us really confident and happy with what we were doing."

Jimmy is no stranger to a worksite and has been around plenty of renovations with his plumbing work, whereas Tam doesn't know what a spanner is. But one thing this couple have in spades is grit and determination.

After finding love at the gym this couple continue to rent in Brisbane with their four-year-old daughter, Frankie.

When it comes to Jimmy and Tam, one description fits best: extremely hard-working. They work around the clock to make ends meet, with Jimmy doing early mornings on the job site and Tam working late nights in the bar.

Too often they rarely see each other, with their different working schedules. For them though, it's all worth it as they try to make a better life for Frankie.

"We are doing this for Frankie. We want to try and win to set our family up," Jimmy says.

If they do win big on The Block this ambitious young couple plan to use the money to enter the property market, buy a place and turn their lives around.

Inspiration from The Block couldn’t have come at a better time. With so many of us spending more time at home this year as a result of COVID-19, being able to watch everyday design enthusiasts transform a home and achieve their dreams is exciting.

And as they say, ‘the show must go on’ and it’s onwards and upwards for the couple with an entire McGrath network behind them, excited to see what they build and create over the coming weeks.

Loving what you’re seeing from Jimmy & Tam but want more? Keep up to date with all of the latest Block news, room reveals and the sales campaign of Jimmy and Tam’s property by following them here.

To connect with the Team at McGrath St Kilda follow them on Instagram here or contact them here.