Meet the Canadian Duo Turning Their Family Vacation Homes into a Booming Side Business

Designer Shannon Hunter and her husband struck gold when they bought a piece of land in Prince Edward County with four fixer upper cottages. It had a private beach (a rarity in PEC) and although it was twice their budget, Shannon could see the potential in the property, so long as they could operate it as an income property.

After two months of renovations, Shannon and her husband were ready to list their first rental cottage. “We listed the cottage for rent on Airbnb the last week of November. Within one day we had our first booking. Within seven days we had 15 bookings, and by the first week of January we were booked for every weekend in winter and spring, and every week in summer! It happened so quickly that we only managed to carve out five days for ourselves that first summer!”

At the end of their first year in business, they’d booked over $120,000 in rentals! And that’s when Shannon’s friend Danny came calling…

Danny, of True Contractors based in Toronto (and a contributor to HGTV.ca), had met Shannon fortuitously when he was working on a house, owned by a friend of hers. Shannon had stopped by the house to assist with staging it, and upon introducing the two, the friend insisted that Danny and Shannon work together. What began as a contractor/designer partnership, evolved into plans for a venture into real estate. When Danny got word of Shannon’s success with vacation rentals, he jumped at the chance to partner in PEC.

After two days of house hunting, Shannon and Danny found a property that was prime for a renovation, and after a quick turnaround, had it listed on Airbnb. Spurned by the success of their first listing, which they named The County Retreat (check it out here on Airbnb), they tackled their second property, Wilolea Retreat, shown here in photos.

Wilolea Retreat

was a four-season property that initially slept seven, but after a six-week renovation, offered room for up to fourteen, a key factor in attracting larger groups and families that set the property apart from other smaller vacation rentals in the area.

What was once a dated cottage covered entirely in wood (right down to the countertops!) was transformed into a chic and contemporary vacation home, with plenty of classic County charm. Almost every inch was renovated, including the beautiful new hardwood floors, the sparkling kitchen, both bathrooms and the windows. After the reno, Shannon, who is the owner and design principle of Liv-Design Build Style, went to work adding the finishing touches that would truly set this rental apart.

With five bedrooms to decorate, Shannon gave each a distinct style and colour palette, but all maintain a touch of country charm and cozy, feminine textiles.

The key to incorporating a busy floral like the one featured on Shannon’s curtains is to pair it with neutrals and solids, but layer in a mix of textures, like the knit and fur throw, accent pillow and bedding. The floral dictates the style of the room, without commanding all of the attention.

Shannon and Danny gutted both bathrooms and gave them both a crisp and clean makeover in shades of grey. But the business of the bathrooms has been anything but smooth.

One of the greatest pain points in Shannon and Danny’s experience overseeing vacation rentals in the County has been the septic systems. One property required a new septic tank (so long $7,000) and now another may need a new septic bed (to the tune of $15,000). Even after septic inspections before buying (which the properties passed with flying colours), a lot can change in a few short months, and after a particularly rainy spring and summer, Shannon and Danny have learned that there’s no end to the maintenance required to run these properties. (Let this be a warning to anyone thinking the rental business is an easy side hustle!)

No vacation rental is complete without at least one cute kids’ room (Wilolea Retreat boasts two! A second bedroom fits two bunk beds for kids). Shannon chose dreamy shades of blue and dove grey for this room, and sourced a sweet pair of twin beds to fit the snug space.

A pair of gold sconces hung low beside each bed give the room a cozy, cabin vibe, and makes it easy (for better or worse) for kids to stay up late into the night telling ghost stories!

While owning and managing rental properties naturally comes with its fair share of challenges, those challenges go hand in hand with wonderful moments as well. Besides the chance to spend loads of time in Prince Edward County, Shannon loves connecting with their many guests. “Reading the reviews after our happy guests check out is a major high, but even better are the little notes, bottles of wine, flowers and photographs people leave for us after they check out!”

If the rave reviews aren’t enough to convince you of Wilolea Retreat’s success, maybe the numbers will. The renovations increased the property value by hundreds of thousands of dollars, and the property is projected to book over $100,000 in rentals within its first year.

It’s rare to find a vacation rental with brand new appliances and a legit laundry room with linen storage, but Shannon knows the value of a luxury laundry space when the piles of used towels grows larger by the day. (If you’re stuck doing laundry on vacation, at least you’ll be doing it in this beautiful room!)

When rainy days keep you from the gorgeous waterfront (complete with a canoe and bikes for renters), the cozy renovated basement is the perfect space for everyone in the family to gather and unwind.

Pastels and prints were perfect for the bedrooms, but Shannon opted for edgier pieces in the basement family room. A black and white palette with bold, graphic prints transformed the basement into a hip hideaway that’s perfect for family games night.

After the huge success of their County Retreat and Wilolea Retreat, Danny and Shannon have expanded their rentals to include The Sandbanks Retreat, and are currently renovating a beautiful old barn that will be available for events in the County!

Whether for family reunions or a gathering of friends, a rental that sleeps 14 is a rare find on Airbnb. Add in the incredible waterfront, the recreational toys made available by Shannon and Danny, and the close proximity to wineries, restaurants and shops, it’s no surprise that Wilolea Retreat is a premium retreat in PEC!

Thank you to Shannon and Danny for sharing their story and breathtaking rental property with HGTV.ca. Love Wilolea Retreat? Visit its listing on Airbnb to plan your stay. And keep your eyes peeled for more beautiful rental retreats from Shannon and Danny!