Quick Facts
Biography
Scott McGillivray (born April 7, 1978) is a Canadian businessman, investor, television host, author, and educator.
McGillivray is the award winning host and executive producer of hit series Income Property, a home renovation show on HGTV Canada and the DIY Network (Canada); and HGTV and DIY Network in the United States. He is a judge on HGTV's All American Handyman with Mike Holmes and Canada's Handyman Challenge along with Mike Holmes, Bryan Baeumler and Paul LaFrance.
Background
Scott McGillivray attended the University of Guelph where he received an honours degree in Commerce in 2001. What began as a school project about income properties developed into a unique and strategic business model that Scott would later execute himself. At 21, using student loans, Scott purchased and renovated his first rental property and owned 5 rental properties by the time he was 23. He became a licensed contractor in 2004 to manage his own crews and address the challenge of finding responsible trades to renovate his investments. He has now built a real estate empire with properties across Canada and the United States housing hundreds of tenants.
After working on Debbie Travis’ TV series, McGillivray signed a deal with HGTV to host a new program concept. The premiere episode of Income Property aired on HGTV Canada in September 2008, followed by HGTV US in January 2009. During each episode Scott shows how average homeowners can turn part of their homes into income generating apartments that would help them accelerate paying off their mortgage. After the success of Income Property, 2011 saw McGillivray partner with Kit Redmond to establish SKIT Inc, allowing him to venture into the world of producing, currently serving as an Executive Producer on Income Property.
In 2010, McGillivray launched Keyspire (formerly Lifetime Wealth Network) to share his real estate knowledge with prospective investors.
McGillivray is a frequent guest contributor on daytime talk shows such as Rachael Ray, VH1, The Today Show, Fox & Friends, Cityline and The Marilyn Denis Show, sharing his practical advice on real estate investing, renovating and design. He has also made countless expert appearances on such international programs as CNBC Squawkbox, ABC Nightline, FOX News, ET Canada, CNN’s Your Money, Canada AM, Breakfast Television, George Stroumboulopoulos Tonight, and many more. Notable publications include People, USA Today, Forbes, Good Housekeeping, Costco Connection, and HELLO! Canada. People Magazine has taken a special shine to McGillivray, choosing him as their Sexy Man of the Week in 2014 and profiling him and his family for 2015’s special Father’s Day issue. He has been selected twice consecutively for Hello! Canada’s 50 Most Beautiful Stars list and appeared in Aflac’s ‘DIY Project’ commercial alongside the Aflac Duck.
In addition to his hit TV series, McGillivray tells homeowners where to save and where to spend in the monthly feature article ‘Dollars and Sense’ in Style at Home magazine (2012-2014). He is a regular expert contributor on daytime TV talk shows with appearances on The Today Show, Marilyn Dennis, Steven and Chris, and CityLine and is a keynote speaker at home shows and corporate events across North America. His practical approach to renovation and design has been profiled by the likes of Forbes, USA Today, Costco Connection, HELLO! Canada, ABC's Nightline News, FOX News, ET Canada, Your Money CNN, Canada FM, Breakfast Television, and George Stroumboulopoulos Tonight.
In 2016, McGillivray partnered with Cambria to create a free online educational course, Dream. Plan. Do., that helps homeowners add beauty, quality and value to their kitchens. The course covers topics such as designing the best kitchen for any space, selecting high-quality materials, color palettes, and how to increase a home's value by making smart investments.
Personal life
McGillivray was born and raised in Toronto, Ontario. He is married with two daughters. The family divides their time between residences in Toronto, Ontario, and Fort Myers, Florida.
Television Series
Income Property (2009-2016)
McGillivray helps homeowners turn part of their home into a money-maker to help with the mortgage, on HGTV Canada. In each episode, Scott presents the homeowners with renovation options to turn their space into a legal rental unit. The audience sees the renovation and the final reveals. The show premiered in 2009 and the 100th episode airing in 2013. Income Property expanded from a half-hour to an hour format in 2013. In 2014, it returned to being a 1/2 hour show.
As of 2013, it airs in 33 countries around the world.
Moving the McGillivrays (2016)
Scott McGillivray, wife, and two daughters, buy and renovate a house into their forever home, on HGTV Canada. They end up choosing a fixer-upper that turns into a lemon, that they then tear down due to reno costs, to build their dream home.
Buyers' Boot Camp with Scott McGillivray (2016)
Similar to the full hour version of "Income Property", instead of Scott helping buyers buy new properties and turn them into income properties, Scott comes on board as a partner in renovating investment properties and flipping them for profit.
TV crew member
Debbie Travis’ Facelift (2003-2005) and From the Ground Up with Debbie Travis (2006)
McGillivray got his start in TV as a crew member and later, as project manager with Debbie Travis on her home improvement reality TV shows.
TV judging and hosting
Holiday Battle on the Block HGTV (2007)
McGillivray and Kim Myles co-host this homeowner competition for the best holiday-decorated home on the block.
Canada’s Handyman Challenge (2012-2014)
McGillivray is a judge on the HGTV Canada show Canada's Handyman Challenge along with Mike Holmes, Bryan Baeumler and Paul LaFrance.
Flipping the Block (2014)
In Flipping the Block, HGTV’s high-stakes renovation rivalry, McGillivray is a judge rating the spunky renovation abilities of four couples competing to win big money at auction in a home-flipping competition. The teams transform identical run-down condos — then sell them to the highest bidder. Scott McGillivray guest judges alongside Nicole Curtis, David Bromstad and host Josh Temple.
All American Handyman (2010-2012)
McGillivray is a co-host on HGTV's show All American Handyman with Mike Holmes.
TV guest star
Home To Win (2015)
On HGTV Canada's Home to Win, McGillivray was a guest renovator, renovating a house for a worthy family to win, who were selected by the producers.
Books
In 2014, McGillivray wrote his first home improvement book in which he advises homeowners how to make the most of their renovation investments.
- How to Add Value to your Home (2014), HarperCollins Canada
McGillivray has co-authored a number of real estate investing books with business partner Michael Sarracini.
- Cash Flow for Life (2012)
- Quick Start To Cash Flow (2011)
- The Investors Tool Kit (2011)
Business Projects
Keyspire In 2010, McGillivray added ‘educator’ to his repertoire when he launched Keyspire, a real estate investing education network and seminar program, with investment partner Michael Sarracini. Keyspire is devoted to sharing their wealth of real estate knowledge and wealth creation strategies, gained through years of investing experience, with would-be investors all over North America.
Live Speaking Events McGillivray has started his own live speaking events titled "Creating Wealth through Real Estate" in 2013 with a goal to educate as many people as possible about real estate investing.
McGillivray Entertainment - In 2015 he launched McGillivray Entertainment, a Toronto-based production company focusing on non-scripted lifestyle and factual entertainment programming. Working with some of the industry's best producers, writers and editors, they deliver innovative content to a wide range of television and digital platforms in North America and internationally. Their first television series, Moving the McGillivrays is set to air on HGTV Canada in Fall 2016.
Awards
- 2015 Canadian Screen Award, Best Lifestyle Program or Series - The Academy of Canadian Cinema & Television (ACCT) issued the award to HGTV Canada’s Income Property.
- 2014 Canadian Screen Award, Best Lifestyle Program or Series - The Academy of Canadian Cinema & Television (ACCT) nominated HGTV Canada’s Income Property for the award.
- 2013 Canadian Screen Award, Best Lifestyle Program or Series - The Academy of Canadian Cinema & Television (ACCT) issued the award to HGTV Canada’s Income Property.