✍️By Debbie Balfour | WBN News | August 20, 2025 | Click HERE for your FREE Subscription to WBN News and/or to be a Contributor.

Starting small doesn’t mean thinking small, and Scott McGillivray is living proof. Long before becoming the HGTV star of Income Property and Vacation House Rules, Scott was just a university student trying to solve his own housing problem. That simple decision sparked a journey that transformed him into one of North America’s most respected real estate investors and TV personalities.

As a student at the University of Guelph in Ontario, Scott recognized that renting off-campus housing was expensive. Instead of settling for paying rent, he decided to buy a home and rent out rooms to his classmates. This “house hacking” move not only covered his mortgage but gave him a steady cash flow while still in school. By graduation, Scott had already unlocked the secret most people don’t learn until much later: that real estate can be leveraged to build long-term wealth.

While his peers focused on degrees and job interviews, Scott focused on scaling. He purchased more student rentals, learning how to manage tenants, repair properties, and structure financing. What started as one property grew into a portfolio, and soon Scott was teaching other students and friends about the power of real estate. His willingness to take risks, coupled with a hands-on approach, laid the foundation for his future career.

HGTV took notice. With Income Property, Scott showed millions how to turn unused basements, duplexes, and vacation homes into profitable income-generating spaces. His on-screen charisma paired with real-world expertise made him more than just a TV host; he became a trusted educator and mentor for aspiring investors everywhere.

For those who want to hear Scott tell his own story, he shares his early beginnings and how that one student property became the seed of his empire in this video: How HGTV's Scott McGillivray Started a Real Estate Empire. It’s an inspiring look at how he took bold action when most would have played it safe.

The lesson from Scott’s journey is simple but powerful: you don’t need a huge bank account to start investing. You need creativity, strategy, and the courage to start where you are. His first property was not glamorous; it was practical. Yet it unlocked a path that has since inspired thousands to rethink how they approach homeownership and wealth-building.

Whether you’re a student today or someone looking for a second career, Scott McGillivray’s story proves that opportunity is often hiding in plain sight. The difference is in having the vision to see it and the courage to act.

Debbie Balfour | Real Estate Investing Success Coach + Podcast Host
📍 Website: www.DebbieBalfour.com
📧 Email: Debbie@DebbieBalfour.com
🔗 LinkedIn: Debbie Balfour
▶️ YouTube Channel: youtube.com/@DebbieBalfour

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TAGS: #Real Estate Investing #Scott McGillivray #HGTV #Income Property #Vacation Rental Rules #Student Housing #WBN TV #WBN News Langley #WBN News Abbotsford #WBN News Okanagan #Debbie Balfour

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