The latest round of “Renovation Resort” contestants have revealed judges Scott McGillivray and Brian Baeumler‘s seemingly foolproof method for identifying the home updates that are almost certain to guarantee the highest return on your investment.
It is a method that McGillivray and Baeumler rely on every time they scout out the best vacation home makeovers for their hit series; the winning design isn’t just about aesthetics, but also about the designer’s savvy strategy for boosting profits at the remodeled property.
The reality TV judges are, of course, evaluating the creativity, craftsmanship, and style of each cabin to determine a winning design, yet “Renovation Resort” contestants reveal to Realtor.com® that they learned the true indicator of a successful renovation is how the space feels and functions when it’s occupied.
On the show, which premiered its third season on Canada’s Home Network on April 5, four pairs of builder and designer contestants are tasked with overhauling one of four brand new lakefront cabins in Havelock, Ontario, Canada.
The teams, made up of sisters Marcy and Melissa and longtime collaborators Thomas and Tatianna, Chalon and Liz, and Taylor and Mehrdad, have just eight weeks to turn their assigned blank space into the ultimate waterfront destination.
McGillivray, 48, Baeumler, 52, and a rotating roster of guest judges, including HGTV star Alison Victoria, evaluate the teams weekly. The duo whose work outshines the others ultimately receives a $100,000 prize.
But, speaking to Realtor.com about the experience, the show’s newest contestants admitted that the wealth of knowledge McGillivray and Baeumler freely dispersed was perhaps the most valuable prize they all walked away with.
“Working alongside Scott and Bryan was honestly like being dropped into a master class you didn’t even know you needed,” says Tatianna.
“It was such an honor to not only be in their orbit, but to actually pick their brains, hear their stories, and learn from everything they’ve built over the years. That kind of access is rare and we didn’t take it for granted for a single second.”
Though teams wanted their designs to impress the judges, McGillivray and Baeumler taught them that keeping future houseguests top of mind while designing is what most reliably produces the biggest payout.
“Working alongside Scott McGillivray and Brian Baeumler reinforced the importance of balancing design with function and long-term value,” says Mehrdad. “They approach every decision with both the end user and ROI in mind.
“Even judges like Alison Victoria push you to elevate your design thinking, focusing on details that truly impact the final experience,” continues Mehrdad. “Overall, it’s about delivering a space that not only looks great, but performs well, adds value, and creates a memorable experience for the end user.”
Taking McGillivray and Baeumler’s advice into consideration, contestants made thoughtful design choices for their cabins that they hope will enhance a future visitor’s stay.
“It’s really that layering and that indoor-outdoor connection to the waterfront that makes the space feel memorable,” says Taylor. “It’s not just how it looks, it’s how it feels when you’re actually in it.”
“At the end of the day, what makes a lake house unforgettable isn’t just the view—it’s how you feel the second you walk in,” explains Chalon. “For us, that feeling is joy. Everything else builds from there.”
Seeing a project through so it can support the feeling it was designed to evoke is another lesson McGillivray and Baeumler instilled in the contestants this season.
“What Scott McGillivray and Bryan Baeumler model, season after season, is that the magic is in the follow-through,” explains Liz. “A great concept is easy—executing it at a high level, all the way to the finish line, is where most people fall short. They don’t let anything slide, and being in that environment forces you to rise to that standard.”
Some of the ways contestants stepped up their design game this season was steering clear of tired trends, such as the “all-gray, all-beige safe zone” color palette, in favor of styles they predict will rise in 2026 and beyond.
“What’s dominating: culturally layered interiors, spaces that reflect a real identity, not just a trending aesthetic,” states Liz. “People are done with rooms that look like they were assembled from a single mood board.”
“For a long time, white has been used as the default to achieve that light, airy feeling but I think people are becoming more open to exploring moodier tones that can create the same sense of ease, just with more depth,” adds Taylor.
“I also think farm stays are having a serious moment in hospitality design,” posits Tatianna. “People are craving an experience that feels grounded and real, and that desire is only growing.”
Thankfully, homeowners who want to spend more time outdoors have plenty of universal design options that apply to all types of abodes.
“If there’s one thing that translates to any property anywhere it’s a great outdoor living space,” states Thomas. “It doesn’t matter if you’re on a lake, in the mountains, or in someone’s backyard, people want a place to gather, and if you give them that, everything else falls into place.
“From a build perspective, the great thing about outdoor living spaces is that they’re also incredibly adaptable. You can scale them to almost any budget and any structure and still create something that feels intentional and special.”
With summer on the horizon, “Renovation Resort” contestants are hoping to experience the outdoors and the special spaces they created for the competition themselves.
“It would be so special to go back, experience it as guests, and really soak it all in,” muses Marcy.
“Another stay that wouldn’t hurt? Bryan and Sarah [Baeumler]’s beautiful resort in the Bahamas—fingers crossed we’ll make it there one day! We think we’ve earned it.”
Season 3 of “Renovation Resort” is airing now on Canada’s Home Network and will soon debut on HGTV in the United States.
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