We're about to launch into the mid-season compulsion with renovation programs. It seems only moments since the last great furore over Channel 9's The Block, which hit our screens mid last year. During the course of the open house inspections, more than 300,000 people queued outside the homes to take a sticky beak over the intricacies of design. Details of the price initially paid, previous owners and subsequent buyers were fished out and endless analysis followed. Such was the furore that many were convinced sales expectation would be achieved. However, the finale was heralded a disaster. Only one property sold under the hammer and when renovation, stamp duty and subsequent sales costs were totted up, none of the homes - in and of themselves - made a profit. However, that wasn't the point.