a woman in my area went to an estate sale that was being run by the bank. She got there late and they were loading the items that didn't sell onto a truck. They had a small sewing basket in their hands and the woman asked if she could buy it. When she got home she went thru the basket and found 2 brooches. She ended up taking them to the jeweler and then to Christie's where they sold for enough for her to pay for 4 years of college for her daughter. What better place to hide valuable jewels than in a sewing basket.
Knowing just how expensive college is in America, that's an incredible find. Here's hoping that daughter is able to find a dream job with that college degree.
@@hauntedshadowslegacy2826 this happened a long long time ago. Don't know what the daughter ended up doing. The town jeweler was the one that told me about it.
That's amazing!!! I collect buttons and in a $3 button box (the ones that are cut off of old clothes, nothing nice) I found a gold tooth!! I know it is a bit gross but it was about 5 or 6 grams of gold....🤣🤣
I love seeing Hans and Zenobia, romance born out of kindness during the Potter House series and finding Hans a new home. The ripple effect of your life is something I’m in awe of.
Looking @ that container of scissors, i had to chuckle. Everytime my mother lost her scissors, she'd look & look & LOOK for them. NEVER finding them, she'd go buy another pair. When she died, i collected a FULL plastic grocery bag of scissors!!! I told her...LOOK! I found your scissors!!!!! 😂😂😂
There are numerous TV shows that attempt to help people who have suffered difficult life circumstances and ended up hoarding. They usually end up denigrating the person, their belongings or their situation. You are very much the opposite! You are always excited to see their keepsakes and treasures; you depict their difficulties with compassion and grace; and you ultimately display them as interesting and unique people who had a valuable impact on the world around them. Thank you!
I agree and think the levity has it's place in this. Alex needs a way to decompress through this process and his jokes are just a way to relieve some stress, IMHO. Sometimes things that were once very nice become so old and unusable due to neglect that at the point that Alex comes in, those items loser their usefulness and need to be tossed. I bet it's tough to decide what to keep and what's trash.
That's the symptom that creates the phenomenon of hoarding. People lose the mental ability to make the distinction between what could be still useful and what needs to be tossed. It becomes easier just to hang onto everything until they can no longer function in their own home that has become a warehouse for " STUFF".
As someone who thrifted 90% of what I own, I count on people like you who donate mass quantities of good stuff. Finding that treasure amongst the trash is incredible.
Does anyone else feel their lungs constrict, think about how much stuff they've accumulated themselves, and think "that weight vest Hans is wearing could have coins stacked as weights"?
"I don't know what that is...some sort of big thing." That's how I would feel uncovering everything. This series is both addictive and motivational to go through my basement. After just one more episode.
Exactly how I felt when I watched hoarder episodes couple months ago. Since then, I kept asking what if? Up-to-date, I got rid of 40% of my stuffs. It's getting harder to get rid of more. Having said and did that, I am not even close to be a hoarder, but definitely, giving away things i don't use or need makes me feel better, healthier and wiser.
the couple who lived in the house seemed like they were pretty creative, paintings, macrame, sewing, jewelry makers, musicians, travelers, they must have been pretty interesting
I think you’re doing a great job. If you had a year to go through everything that would be different, but you have to be realistic. You’re saving what you can, delegating what you can and donating what you can, giving all sorts of items a second life.
Hey Alex - If you ever have old tools to donate look into the non-profit Edmonton Tool Library, they accept tool donations..(and lend them out to Edmontonians)..cheers
It's obviously fun to see Alex finding goodies and treasures, but in these hoarded house episodes, honestly, one of my favorite things is seeing the junk and debris and garbage get cleared out, and the rooms restored to clean order... I never thought it would be so satisfying to see floors! I wish I could get this excited about cleaning my own house...
@@patadamek3165 You`re right about that. What a job it`s going to be storing, sorting, cleaning, posting.. It could potentially take years to make a descent return on his investment of time and money. He was smart buying it though..that`s for sure
To each their own, but second-hand clothes in a particular size will be a hard long sell and a specialist market. He also has to pay storage fees, cleaning fees and we don't know if natural fabrics were damaged by moths, damp etc.
Alex, we’ve been in your shoes. Not in a whole house but cleaning out hoards. It does hit the feels when you have to discard certain things. We fully understand the time constraints, hard decisions, the overwhelming feeling, and trying to focus. We commend you on your efforts and love binging our way through all your series. Loved the redo on the potter house and felt the pain of the tenants destruction. Keep doing what you do!! Thank you for keeping us inspired 🤘🏻💗
@@sayit-sayit I am not a writer, please explain more. Because it opens the imagination to the life she led? Her travels and being wealthy. Or the decline into mental illness?
@@lorihanlon2525 I need to know people to write good and believable characters. I could stop there but I'll elaborate as requested. My interactions with people have been limited to the dark side of humanity, to say the very least. It's not her wealth or travels per se, that have drawn me to her and others like her. Meticulous hoarders, that is. Not the nasty ones with pet, vermin, and human excrement all over a house filled with useless garbage for which there is no repurpose. What interests me is the organized hoarders with a pleasant then melancholic back story that triggered them into 'saving' every damn thing they could. Belongings of deceased loved ones. Things the hoarder purchased before and usually after the demise of loved ones or the events that triggered their breakdown. Hoarders that have lived in the same house for decades... That's something that I've never experienced. Three years, tops in the same dwelling. Usually a year or less in the same place. (I move a lot and usually on an overnight whim after a bad dream or a series of unbearable nightmares. I have horrible, vivid dreams that drive me insane and make it impossible for me to live in a city. Night terrors, I've been told they're called. Dreams that find me awake in the driveway in the snow or rain or blazing sun or far out into the forest or down the street if I live in a city, making it unsafe for me to live in a city. Unsettling, to say the very least. PTSD and panic attacks and anxiety disorders and all that crap that I refuse to take pills for.) I'm interested in hoarders that purchased and took great care of things that they hoped against all hope, would fill a void that I truly cannot understand but can empathize with. Her travel and wealth? No... I've had a taste of both and have enjoyed them. Akin to tasting a soufflé or truffles or blowfish, they bore me now. Been there, done that, as they say. I can see the world from my the safety and privacy of my laptop with my satellite pointed in the correct direction no matter where I live and I move constantly. And money can only buy so much. I've had stacks and stacks of it throughout my life and keep it tucked away digitally only to be passed on to nameless, faceless, voiceless foster children when I die... Damn sure can't buy happiness or a sense of well-being and peace... Believe me, I've tried. It's not for sale. Not anywhere in the world and those claiming to have it for sale are charlatans. I've met them all and paid them handsomely in vain, trust me. I've been all over. There is no happiness or serenity to be found in constant travel. I, miserable as I am, seem to follow me everywhere I go, oddly enough. Despair is not racist and will follow you all over the world no matter how much money you throw at the winds of change. Happiness. Serenity. Such elusive commodities. I wonder if that's what she was trying to buy. Spent millions trying... How much does one person really need besides food, shelter and a couple changes of clothes? Extras? Sure, I have luxuries. I have a top of the line parka and pair of snow boots, both purchased from a thrift store along with everything else I own. And a pair of sneakers for warmer months, few as they may be, thankfully. And an ax and a good set of cutlery and cast iron pots and pans. And a bra that I have stitched many times. Think I've had it for nine years now. Full of patches and repurposed wire. A barbaric device I wear only when I go to town every other month or so, if that. Oh and three rifles and a handgun I bought from a man on my way to the frozen north. I buy ammunition every month and have for nearly three decades... If I hoard anything, it's ammunition. Best to not drive up on me unannounced. ;) It's her emotional bonds and devastating loss that draw me to her story. Bonds and loss that I don't quite understand on a fundamental level. Self preservation and protection and love of offspring, I get. Love of parents and siblings? Not so much. That video for me was a glimpse into the life of someone I will never meet. I'm a loner. A recluse. An introvert. The crazy hermit lady that lives down that long dirt road with the 'No Trespassing' signs. I live out in the middle of nowhere where it takes two weeks at best to have a package of basic supplies delivered to me. A place where Amazon Prime and Triple A is useless. 127 miles from the nearest, sizable town of 14.2k. A beautiful, frozen wasteland as far away from Florida as I could get where I fit right in with nobody to peek at me while I live out my days. I spend my days writing with music blaring as loud as I please (mostly opera and classical), watching wildlife and UA-cam, reading, and tending to my small, indoor garden, my two cats, and my dog. I spent my youth in foster care since eight years old after a horrific life of emotional, sexual, and physical abuse and neglect that only got worse when I entered 'the system'. One of 'professional parents' from which there is no escape unless you runaway to live in the woods where nobody can get to you, which I did on many occasions until I ran away for the last time, never to return to the waiting monsters that wanted to touch my flesh for their own pleasure. In the Florida foster care system, I met the worst of the worst of humanity. The truly depraved find a way to place themselves in the path of vulnerable children that have no adults that love them and will speak up for them. And they get paid! Paid to physically, emotionally, and sexually abuse children that are delivered right to their doorstep like a fkn pizza! A steady stream of voiceless, forgotten, disposable children to do with as they please. How wonderful for them. It truly is the perfect lifestyle for pedophiles. Those people I've met. Too many of them. I watch these videos to learn of different kinds of people. There are good people in this world. I know there are. I just haven't met very many of them, hence my reclusive lifestyle. Done with people. All of them. If I never look another person in the eyes, I'll be just fine with that. I've always worn sunglasses and my knitted hat when I've ventured into town and I couldn't be happier that we all now have to wear a mask to shop for basic supplies at the nearest Walmart that is 127 miles from my cabin. This woman lost people that she loved. She began a hording life after that loss. I don't relate with that because as a former foster kid, I had a grocery bag of belongings at best at any given time. (At this moment, I could pack my car in 10 minutes and move to a new place with all of my belongings.) I have zero attachments to material objects. I also didn't form strong bonds with parental or sibling figures and have never been married or even in a long term relationship with a man or a friend for that matter. And I never gave a crap about fashion like this woman obviously did. So long as I was clothed and had an outfit to wash and one to wear, I was golden. I have three sets of clothing at this moment and a parka and two pairs of socks, one wool and one cotton. This woman intrigues me. This woman with tons of belongings and a gaping hole in her heart for lost loved ones. Forgive my long-windedness. You asked me to explain further. I summarized the best I could. I'm a writer that suffers from the opposite of writers block. Writers diarrhea, I call it, affectionately.
@@l.m.2404 I don’t sew but learned a long time ago to have a scissor handy and now have one in every room in my house. Open any drawer and I have a scissor 😀. I had a houseguest notice. Said it was awesome that I had a scissor everywhere.
I greatly appreciate the respect you take here and that you took in Mary’s house. As the granddaughter of someone with hoarding behaviour I know the toll it takes on the family. Don’t forget to check in the cushions and perhaps even in the clothes as I know that my grandmother has and still does stash wads of bills into cushions, sewn into clothes and stuffed into picture frames. Checking every nook and cranny is right! There may not be treasures everywhere but there can be treasures anywhere
If people think you are not feeling in this process, they have not watched you enough. You and your family are the real deal. Good people to the core. This home and it's contents could not be in more caring hands.
Look at all papers might find stocks and bonds worth more than house if her net worth was 4 million in 1984. Good luck.Wonderful to see Zenova and Hans..
I don’t think you could be more respectful Alex , you have treated the ladies memory well and are helping ensure that the things she liked live on. A lot of family’s would have just binned everything!
What an incredible life-long collection! It's sad that her compulsion to buy overwhelmed her. She had good taste though and must have been an interesting person. You have a lot of courage to tackle this project, which you are doing with compassion and good humor. May your work also be profitable for you and your lovely family.
I'm seeing two generations in that house: mom and Dad, then the daughter inherited it. I haven't seen all the episodes yet, but I'm seeing the evidence of this entire house being a workshop, at one point in time. That explains all the sewing machines, and all the fabric; and all these small rooms set up with a coffee pot: that's where the workers lived. All the Purchased Clothing, again, that feels like a retail outlet.. maybe buying the clearance or seconds or store buy outs. For all of that to be so neatly stored, this wasn't just a hoarder: this was a Business, and it lost the brick and mortar location.
Interesting theory. I wonder if Alex knows more about the history of the place than he's mentioned, or if he might find out. I'm sure we all want to know more about who these people were.
Interesting theory, and you might be correct about the house being set up for workers. Someone clearly had some sewing and crafting talents! But I think Alex did say there weren't any descendants for the home to go to. I've been specifically looking for evidence to indicate there were ever any children in this home, but I haven't found any. Almost no toys or children's clothes, except a couple sealed toys hanging on the kitchen wall and a few comic books, all of which are also things an adult might collect. A person who shops and collects as much as this woman did would surely have kept belongings from raising her child(ren), wouldn't you think? My personal guess is that the traumatic event this woman suffered from that perhaps led to her extreme shopping and hoarding habits was either a fashion/clothing business that shut down (as you postulate), or her husband passed away (presuming she was married). Or perhaps she was troubled by not being able to have children? Or a health issue, although I didn't really see evidence of that either. Who knows? Just some guesses.
What I found fascinating in the first video is the framed black-and-white photograph of a young couple in one of the rooms. This is something you see in every old Bulgarian house and are usually two or three generations back. They are very formal photographs and I think they were common elsewhere in central and eastern Europe. There is linen in the front room that was made in what was then Czechoslovakia, so my thinking is that the family were initially immigrants to Canada who bought their trades with them, which includes music, leatherwork, hat making and fashion. I sense there were a lot of people working together at one point, as they would have done in their country of origin, until the older generation passed and that foundation was lost. That's the story I've made up based on what I've seen so far!
@@rachelh5211 I commend you on your compassion. I, too, noticed a lack of childhood things. There weren't any rooms decorated for kids. I don't think that house ever had children. It might not have been her 'childhood' home. But there is an over load of Work Evidence left in the home. Down to someone making jewelry, and sewing in the kitchen! There were photos of her as a Fashionista in the 80's. Since there are no heirs, she is the one who had no children, and I'm thinking that was by choice. The 80's are the first generation of women who entered Adult hood following the first Feminism success, and in the US, following the acceptance of abortion. Without the excessive commericalism of the 80's, we wouldn't be cursed with the Kardashians today. With her being worth 4 million, in a small city in Canada, that tells me there is a major business to artifically pad her Net Worth. That house, looks like the remains of a large business, of someone who knew all that product had value, but they had no where to put it, and then no place to sell it. She came back to that house, at the end of her life, when she couldn't Jet Set around any more, or didn't have the money any more. Which is a lot of conjecture [on my part] about the daughter, because I'm not seeing much of her in that house, except all those shopping bags. My thoughts on those bags from expensive stores: the person bought the least expensive thing in the store, just to feel like she was still able to shop at Channel, Macy's, and Tiffany's. THAT is where I see trauma: she can't spend money like she did as a young person, so she ventures into the big shops to relive her glory days. She kept the Bags, out in the open, where she could see them. Not in the trash, or neatly stored in a closet. Those bags look like trophies to me. I had three hoarders in my family; two were trained young by the Great Depression, that everything has value in the right circumstance, and you can't let go of anything, because you have no guarantee you'll be able to replace something once it was broken. You will be able to engineer something, from broken parts of other things, though. The third hoarder was an addict: to alcohol and shopping. She would go to the Dollar store and spend $3-5 just for the hit of dopamine, from getting to spend money wtihout anyone holding her accountable. Once home, she would toss those bags of dollar store trinkets into the spare bedroom. By the time she couldn't care for herself anymore, that room was a sea of those little dollar store trinket bags. The room was level with the bed, of those little bags. I agree with you, that the 'hoarding' was based on a trauma, but that came after the business remains were neatly stuffed into that house. The trash and lack of housekeeping type hoarding, was the daughter in her last years.
20:38 Hey I have that set of bowls! The Yellow Green Red nested set. Growing up, the yellow one was the spaghetti bowl on spaghetti night :) Family treasures.
Whenever I see those old metal sewing machines, I get so excited. I know people in your shop are probably most interested in the pretty antique and vintage Singers, but these 60s and 70s machines are AMAZING workhorses that are so much better than non-professional modern machine! I just love them. They are worth their weight (and those all metal parts hold up!). I found an Olive Green Ward Signature at the thrift store for $12, and it was missing some important parts, so I paid $100 for a full repair and service and it was absolutely worth it. Even though they are not necessarily big ticket items, they feel like a treasure when you find them, because they don’t make them like that anymore, and as you said, they are such a pain and expense to ship so you can’t always buy one off eBay!
I agree, although I'm not familiar with the brand you mention. As a retired textiles and design teacher in Australia. I had 24 metal Bernina sewing machines in 2 classrooms (9 in each room and the rest in the storeroom to rotate when some had a problem.) They always worked well and some were 30 yrs old. They did a lot of heavy duty work with lots of students using them. The part I didn't like was cleaning and checking them all at the end of each semester so I could identify any that needed a professional service. Usually no more than 6 a year needed a service. I personally have an Elna sewing machine I bought im 1976 and still use today. It was Elna's top model back then.
I have a 1970 singer stylist and man I love my machine so much smoother than todays cheapo plastic machines and I have a white treadle sewing machine from the 1800s I love both of them!
For the record, the cylinder that you found the silver rounds in is specifically for holding those types of Canadian rounds. Hold on to those even if they're empty because a coin store will buy it from you!
This is a good reminder that having money does not make you happy. As long as you have what you need you create your own happiness. And that is obviously not with “stuff”.
No one indicated the lady wasn't happy. She enjoyed travel, music, sewing, and wearing lovely things. She never had to worry about affording them. I hope she had a very happy life.
@@nancymontgomery8897 I think buying and piling stuff up isn't a sensible or happy thing to be doing, it indicates a dysfunction - therefore "unhappy". I know what I would be doing with fivemill plus, and it wouldn't be buying too many clothes.
@@elipotter369 Having a mental disorder doesn't necessarily equal unhappiness. Some people are shopaholics and feel a thrill or rush when buying stuff. This young lady had enough money that it wasn't getting her into financial trouble. The garments were clearly purchased decades ago, some as far back as the 1960s and 1970s. The hoarding probably started in her later years. It can be related to dementia or other brain disorders.
Hoarding is usually trying to fill a void... I haven’t seen a genuinely happy hoarder(which is a mental illness in itself)... it’s not an insult to learn from something you know? If you feel that insulted by my more than innocent statement maybe you can learn from it aswell...
I’d also be looking behind all the pictures hanging on the wall, take the backing off them and look for money. Also look for keys on top of the door frames...I’d check pockets of all the clothes and jackets... check the curtain rods and if the ends unscrew then unscrew them and check inside the ends of them.
One wonders what treasures like money or jewelry left that house in the pockets of the clothes Alex sold. there seems to be a lot of money and jewelry in random places
Really? I wonder why. I have a good 1940's mint condition nesting bowl set 1940's I'll have to check out the prices. I don't want to sell it but curious at some point I probably will as no one in my circle appreciates vintage except to sell it for money. Anna In Ohio.
I have a set that is swirled. Like new condition. They are fairly rare. Got them as a wedding gift 52 years ago. I looked it up and some person had a set and were selling them for over 300.00.
Check the books for sure, while cleaning out my late mother in law and father in laws home, we found a few thousand dollars stashed in a bunch of old books, it was a good day that day. We also had to dig through a bag of "trash" that my brother in laws friend had filled up, because they threw my mother in laws diamond engagement ring out, it was truly an adventure. They were not hoarders, but they truly never bought new stuff and they kept everything they had from the time they built the house. I'm loving this ... thanks for sharing this with us here.
I think this is the 883rd time someone has suggested this, and we're only a few episodes into the series. What's the challenge in emptying a hoarder house with two hands when you can do it with one hand and hold a camera in the other? You go, Alex!
A couple of things I noticed, I'm a sewist and yes, we do have a lot of scissors, maybe not that many, but quite a few. Some will be dressmaking scissors which have have become blunt so she's just bought new ones. I know the sewing machines have gone now, but the really old ones are sought after as they sew heavier materials and it looks like she sewed leather, so those older machines will be brilliant for that. If you come across clothes that have no labels, they are most probably ones she has made herself. The TV if old, will take time to warm up, won't switch on immediately. I'm sure you know all this, but thought I'd add my knowledge into the fray. Loving your videos. Really enjoying seeing all these treasures and fun stuff.
Check in the sewing boxes for money or jewellry. Also dont clank the coins together that you see seperated with the sponge. They are almost MINT condition and you will wreck value :)
Checking all the shoes would take too much time! Besides the guy that bought all the clothes is getting the shoes too..I believe. I'm sure he will go through them all!
Dear Nany F. 👍👌👏 You are definitely right! But it's maybe too late for Mr. Archbold because a lot of the shoes have already been gone to respectively with the clothing buyer (or even into the trash?) Best regards, luck and health.
Watching this reminds me of my grandmother’s house only she wasn’t a hoarder to this caliber. Something I thought about when you were tossing shoes. She hoarded thousands of dollars wrapped in aluminum foil in her shoes. Between her linens and stuff also. Another place was the pump house. Weird but so very true
This series has been so enlightening and interesting! The sheer mind boggling concept of finding limits of 'keep, 'donate', 'sell', 'give away, 'give to charity', 'send to auction', 'restore', etc...must be brain numbing . Not to mention the intricacies of going through EVERY LITTLE THING!!! I'm so glad you emphasise this ....people hide their greatest treasures different ways. I know this is your job....but it's good to see that some still go to the effort that you do. - so many would have sent all that to landfill....even the house . Keep at it.....youre saving not only memories from the past ....but giving many things a chance at a second life , and letting beautiful craftsmanship get appreciated again. Awesome attitude guys .....amd I'm so glad you posted this process....its been a treasure to just watch - and a bloody relief that it wasn't me 🤣👍
I would have loved to know this woman. She lived a full life it seems, so talented, obviously intellectual, well travelled, artistic devotee, seamstress, fashion diva, and so much more. I do love the way you show respect. Aging changes us all in many ways. This intimate video biography of sorts is quite captivating. I love all you do and how you do it. Your amazing and lovely family as well. Cheers! I'm glad we all got to know some of her story. She existed, she said her mark and she was quite a gal. Wish her while story could be revealed. I can relate with it all.
@@pinkerbot so you assume it's because of gender prejudice and not because it's possible that Alex is already pretty busy with the entire hoard and administration of the helpers and everything
Throw out the race card too!!!Oh brother. She explained why she said Melissa and you keep insisting it was a prejudice. Get out and get into the real world.
I find that you are very respectful of what you are doing...as you said, someone is going to need to clean the belongings up. The woman clearly had many interests and was able to travel and collect for her memories. Her father being a tailor was very knowledgeable in his area of expertise as evidenced by what he kept. It needs to be done so someone else can live in the house, make their own memories. Many will benefit from the things the owner's possessed and enjoyed. Sharing another's joys is commendable, you're helping that happen.
My dad was a hoarder, I think you're doing a very good job and being respectful. Many people do not understand it is a mental illness and make fun or judge people. I haven't heard you say one disrespectful comment or judge them.
Hello from Minnesota! Love this series - it’s fascinating, overwhelming and a treasure hunters dream. Go you! I also have enjoyed learning about your sidekicks/helpers along the way!
With the amount of clothing, fabric, and sewing accessories that you're finding ; I'm definitely thinking the women who lived there was a clothing designer...🤔🤔🤔🤔
@@joshr9417 Uh...yes. I understand that. I'm assuming that because, if you watched the last video, there was a photo of her in high fashion clothing and the house was very clean and nice. I'm guessing she did very well for herself and then, unfortunately, fell deeply depressed and it all got away from her...😔. I don't know a hundred percent given there are a mass amount of tools and machinery as well. She may have had a husband who was a handy man too. Who knows...🤷♀️🤷♀️🤷♀️. Anyway, I like to think of this women as more than just a hoarder. She was obviously a very well to do person in her day so I would like to think of her in that light.
@@aquamom2 I was thinking the same thing about her husband. It looks like they both had craft skills and sewing machine and working tools side by side in the kitchen they probably worked side by side on their crafts. Anna In Ohio.
I think someone there was an entertainer (perhaps a pianist) which accounts for the nice piano and sheet music, etc. And someone made costumes to perform in. That would account for all the sewing items.
The drawers full of KFC salt packets made me tear up. I remember finding a similar drawer when we cleaned my great uncle's meticulous little house. Ooooh, I collect ocean liner memorabilia, I'm drooling over the Queen Mary poster.
I'm really glad you are sending as much as you can for donations. I used to work in a recycling center and saw many times where houses like that were just bagged up and everything sent to be sorted for recycling-- which clothes and fishing reels can't be recycled, so most of it just went to the dump. What a waste it was!
The sewing patterns I've glimpsed have been amazing. There are people who specialize in vintage patterns and I hope these don't end up in the dumpster.
The point of buying the contents of the hoarder house is so that ALEX can make money and pay for the new store. If he gives everything away, how is that going to happen? He's not running a charity but a business.
The “friend” who inherited the house must have also inherited other assets including stocks, bonds, and bank accounts. So, I still believe that the new “owner” of the house was pretty selfish to keep the items Alexander found and valued in the earlier days!
Lol how delusional can you be? The friend of the deceased was selfish to keep personal items instead of selling them to the antique dealer who is buying them purely to make a profit? You guys act like Alex runs a charity. He’s a business man.
Chad Raush , so how do you know the “new” owners are keeping the items for themselves for sentimental reasons? As soon as Alexander valued the antique lamp and other things, all of a sudden they wanted to keep them for themselves! And, what was your comment about Alex being a businessman and not running a charity? How did you come up with it out of my comment about the selfishness of the new owner of the house? Where have your bird brain been? Firstly, we all respect Alexander’s business sense and acumen! Secondly, he is indeed charitable! He doesn’t run a non-profit charity, but, he has helped so many people, out of his own pocket! So, get off your pretend high horse and stop letting your bird brain drain itself and then let everyone else see your imbicility🤣
@@renpilak6048 how do you know they inherited stocks bonds and a checking account? And you call him “Alexander” like you have some connection to him lol. Pathetic.
Ok Chad it's apparent you haven't watched all of his episode s he has giving a homeless guy who sold a disney item for $40. The profit from sale of over 1000. +. The guy took the money too go back too us. Potter house he gave kids. 40.000. 1/2 of auction. And Hans he did a gofund me page. Because Hans was living in a camper no heat or water etc. They found him a sm home and got furniture and things he needed. Alex is a good man. And too you I say if you don't have anything nice too say. Keep you mouth shut!!!!!!
I’m curious if this “millionaire” lived in a bigger house at one point and had to downsize to this house. Otherwise I really can’t explain the very neatly stacked and organized hundreds of boxes in the basement.
It's my understanding that when her parents passed, and his parents passed, they moved the entire contents of both households into their own home. I think her father was a tailor, hence so many sewing machines and supplies.
I love this series. One question- I saw Han’s wife putting fabric yardage in black plastic bags. I hope they are not getting thrown away. You could sell it at auction and some older fabrics are worth a lot of money.
a woman in my area went to an estate sale that was being run by the bank. She got there late and they were loading the items that didn't sell onto a truck. They had a small sewing basket in their hands and the woman asked if she could buy it. When she got home she went thru the basket and found 2 brooches. She ended up taking them to the jeweler and then to Christie's where they sold for enough for her to pay for 4 years of college for her daughter. What better place to hide valuable jewels than in a sewing basket.
Wow that is really cool. I love that she paid for her daughters education
That's a top pocket find! 😂
Knowing just how expensive college is in America, that's an incredible find. Here's hoping that daughter is able to find a dream job with that college degree.
@@hauntedshadowslegacy2826 this happened a long long time ago. Don't know what the daughter ended up doing. The town jeweler was the one that told me about it.
That's amazing!!! I collect buttons and in a $3 button box (the ones that are cut off of old clothes, nothing nice) I found a gold tooth!! I know it is a bit gross but it was about 5 or 6 grams of gold....🤣🤣
I love seeing Hans and Zenobia, romance born out of kindness during the Potter House series and finding Hans a new home. The ripple effect of your life is something I’m in awe of.
I was thinking the same. It's wonderful ❤
They are so good for each other and to each other. Hans looks so happy and healthy.
Lovely couple and so very hard working. I think Alex has friends for life with this couple.
This is so much fun!
If you give, you get twice in return 😊. I absolutely love this channel and the community it’s created
Looking @ that container of scissors, i had to chuckle. Everytime my mother lost her scissors, she'd look & look & LOOK for them. NEVER finding them, she'd go buy another pair. When she died, i collected a FULL plastic grocery bag of scissors!!! I told her...LOOK! I found your scissors!!!!! 😂😂😂
You told your Mother this _after_ she passed away?
@@mechanicaldavid4827 sure, why not? I've told my mom a few things since she died!
@@mechanicaldavid4827 Sure!...just in case she was looking down, & watching me! 😂😂😂😂
My father died last year. We counted 42 pairs of scissors!
@@danielletaylor994 im sorry for your loss. Sounds like he did the same thing mother did! Well, i figured i'd never run outta scissors! ❤❤
There are numerous TV shows that attempt to help people who have suffered difficult life circumstances and ended up hoarding. They usually end up denigrating the person, their belongings or their situation. You are very much the opposite! You are always excited to see their keepsakes and treasures; you depict their difficulties with compassion and grace; and you ultimately display them as interesting and unique people who had a valuable impact on the world around them. Thank you!
Alex is very respectful of people and it shows in everything he does. Wish we could clone many more of him! Kudos, Alex!
You phrazed that very well!
I agree and think the levity has it's place in this. Alex needs a way to decompress through this process and his jokes are just a way to relieve some stress, IMHO. Sometimes things that were once very nice become so old and unusable due to neglect that at the point that Alex comes in, those items loser their usefulness and need to be tossed. I bet it's tough to decide what to keep and what's trash.
That's the symptom that creates the phenomenon of hoarding. People lose the mental ability to make the distinction between what could be still useful and what needs to be tossed. It becomes easier just to hang onto everything until they can no longer function in their own home that has become a warehouse for " STUFF".
I was thinking the same. I couldn't have said it better.
As someone who thrifted 90% of what I own, I count on people like you who donate mass quantities of good stuff. Finding that treasure amongst the trash is incredible.
I'm really liking this series ,just like the potters house
i was just saying the same thing!
Better this place is nice and clean minus all that dust!!
I'm the same really enjoying this vlogs
@@maleslayer1 I check youtube multiple times a day to see if there is a new post. Usually coming in at 6am a day ahead of where Canada is.
@@ivydickson7596I think this is my favourite youtuber. I think alex is funny never missed a vlog. I've watch the potter house 3 times now.
Does anyone else wish they could help Alex with this house?? LOL
Does anyone else feel their lungs constrict, think about how much stuff they've accumulated themselves, and think "that weight vest Hans is wearing could have coins stacked as weights"?
If I was in Canada and lived near the house I’d be in there volunteering as quick as a rat up a drainpipe.
I would also volunteer! Looks like fun!
My allergies are respectfully screaming NO!
Yes! And take home one of those vintage suitcases.
"I don't know what that is...some sort of big thing." That's how I would feel uncovering everything. This series is both addictive and motivational to go through my basement. After just one more episode.
I like to listen while I get things done, if I just sit and watch I feel like a slug!
I enjoy all things you find cannot quit watching ! Yes, is so hard to throw things away,but do not want family to laugh at my goodies and junk!!
Love to see all the treasures. But watching this makes me want to clean my place and get rid of all the stuff I don't need anymore.
Me too
I was thinking the same thing!
Exactly how I felt when I watched hoarder episodes couple months ago. Since then, I kept asking what if?
Up-to-date, I got rid of 40% of my stuffs. It's getting harder to get rid of more. Having said and did that, I am not even close to be a hoarder, but definitely, giving away things i don't use or need makes me feel better, healthier and wiser.
Me too!!
Makes me question if you’re I’m a hoarder.....
the couple who lived in the house seemed like they were pretty creative, paintings, macrame, sewing, jewelry makers, musicians, travelers, they must have been pretty interesting
I think you’re doing a great job. If you had a year to go through everything that would be different, but you have to be realistic. You’re saving what you can, delegating what you can and donating what you can, giving all sorts of items a second life.
Well said!
Hey Alex - If you ever have old tools to donate look into the non-profit Edmonton Tool Library, they accept tool donations..(and lend them out to Edmontonians)..cheers
It's obviously fun to see Alex finding goodies and treasures, but in these hoarded house episodes, honestly, one of my favorite things is seeing the junk and debris and garbage get cleared out, and the rooms restored to clean order... I never thought it would be so satisfying to see floors!
I wish I could get this excited about cleaning my own house...
That guy who bought all those clothes got a hell of a deal! He’s gonna make bank !
and it's gonna take a hell of a lot of hours to get there, lol
Pat Adamek For Sure !
I`ll bet he`s going to spend 10K to get it cleaned too
@@patadamek3165 You`re right about that. What a job it`s going to be storing, sorting, cleaning, posting..
It could potentially take years to make a descent return on his investment of time and money.
He was smart buying it though..that`s for sure
To each their own, but second-hand clothes in a particular size will be a hard long sell and a specialist market. He also has to pay storage fees, cleaning fees and we don't know if natural fabrics were damaged by moths, damp etc.
Alex, we’ve been in your shoes. Not in a whole house but cleaning out hoards. It does hit the feels when you have to discard certain things. We fully understand the time constraints, hard decisions, the overwhelming feeling, and trying to focus. We commend you on your efforts and love binging our way through all your series. Loved the redo on the potter house and felt the pain of the tenants destruction.
Keep doing what you do!! Thank you for keeping us inspired 🤘🏻💗
Your ability to not be overwhelmed is inspiring!
Always the eye on the prize. Inspiring for sure!
If I were a creative writing college professor, I would have my students watch this series and then write a story about this interesting woman.
Good writing prompt for anyone who likes to write
Excellent
As a writer, that is exactly why I watch these videos.
@@sayit-sayit I am not a writer, please explain more. Because it opens the imagination to the life she led? Her travels and being wealthy. Or the decline into mental illness?
@@lorihanlon2525 I need to know people to write good and believable characters. I could stop there but I'll elaborate as requested. My interactions with people have been limited to the dark side of humanity, to say the very least.
It's not her wealth or travels per se, that have drawn me to her and others like her. Meticulous hoarders, that is. Not the nasty ones with pet, vermin, and human excrement all over a house filled with useless garbage for which there is no repurpose.
What interests me is the organized hoarders with a pleasant then melancholic back story that triggered them into 'saving' every damn thing they could. Belongings of deceased loved ones. Things the hoarder purchased before and usually after the demise of loved ones or the events that triggered their breakdown. Hoarders that have lived in the same house for decades...
That's something that I've never experienced. Three years, tops in the same dwelling. Usually a year or less in the same place.
(I move a lot and usually on an overnight whim after a bad dream or a series of unbearable nightmares. I have horrible, vivid dreams that drive me insane and make it impossible for me to live in a city. Night terrors, I've been told they're called. Dreams that find me awake in the driveway in the snow or rain or blazing sun or far out into the forest or down the street if I live in a city, making it unsafe for me to live in a city. Unsettling, to say the very least. PTSD and panic attacks and anxiety disorders and all that crap that I refuse to take pills for.)
I'm interested in hoarders that purchased and took great care of things that they hoped against all hope, would fill a void that I truly cannot understand but can empathize with.
Her travel and wealth? No... I've had a taste of both and have enjoyed them. Akin to tasting a soufflé or truffles or blowfish, they bore me now. Been there, done that, as they say. I can see the world from my the safety and privacy of my laptop with my satellite pointed in the correct direction no matter where I live and I move constantly.
And money can only buy so much. I've had stacks and stacks of it throughout my life and keep it tucked away digitally only to be passed on to nameless, faceless, voiceless foster children when I die...
Damn sure can't buy happiness or a sense of well-being and peace... Believe me, I've tried. It's not for sale. Not anywhere in the world and those claiming to have it for sale are charlatans. I've met them all and paid them handsomely in vain, trust me. I've been all over. There is no happiness or serenity to be found in constant travel. I, miserable as I am, seem to follow me everywhere I go, oddly enough.
Despair is not racist and will follow you all over the world no matter how much money you throw at the winds of change.
Happiness. Serenity. Such elusive commodities. I wonder if that's what she was trying to buy. Spent millions trying...
How much does one person really need besides food, shelter and a couple changes of clothes?
Extras? Sure, I have luxuries. I have a top of the line parka and pair of snow boots, both purchased from a thrift store along with everything else I own. And a pair of sneakers for warmer months, few as they may be, thankfully. And an ax and a good set of cutlery and cast iron pots and pans. And a bra that I have stitched many times. Think I've had it for nine years now. Full of patches and repurposed wire. A barbaric device I wear only when I go to town every other month or so, if that.
Oh and three rifles and a handgun I bought from a man on my way to the frozen north. I buy ammunition every month and have for nearly three decades... If I hoard anything, it's ammunition. Best to not drive up on me unannounced. ;)
It's her emotional bonds and devastating loss that draw me to her story. Bonds and loss that I don't quite understand on a fundamental level.
Self preservation and protection and love of offspring, I get. Love of parents and siblings? Not so much.
That video for me was a glimpse into the life of someone I will never meet. I'm a loner. A recluse. An introvert. The crazy hermit lady that lives down that long dirt road with the 'No Trespassing' signs.
I live out in the middle of nowhere where it takes two weeks at best to have a package of basic supplies delivered to me. A place where Amazon Prime and Triple A is useless. 127 miles from the nearest, sizable town of 14.2k.
A beautiful, frozen wasteland as far away from Florida as I could get where I fit right in with nobody to peek at me while I live out my days.
I spend my days writing with music blaring as loud as I please (mostly opera and classical), watching wildlife and UA-cam, reading, and tending to my small, indoor garden, my two cats, and my dog.
I spent my youth in foster care since eight years old after a horrific life of emotional, sexual, and physical abuse and neglect that only got worse when I entered 'the system'. One of 'professional parents' from which there is no escape unless you runaway to live in the woods where nobody can get to you, which I did on many occasions until I ran away for the last time, never to return to the waiting monsters that wanted to touch my flesh for their own pleasure.
In the Florida foster care system, I met the worst of the worst of humanity. The truly depraved find a way to place themselves in the path of vulnerable children that have no adults that love them and will speak up for them. And they get paid! Paid to physically, emotionally, and sexually abuse children that are delivered right to their doorstep like a fkn pizza! A steady stream of voiceless, forgotten, disposable children to do with as they please.
How wonderful for them. It truly is the perfect lifestyle for pedophiles.
Those people I've met. Too many of them.
I watch these videos to learn of different kinds of people. There are good people in this world. I know there are. I just haven't met very many of them, hence my reclusive lifestyle. Done with people. All of them. If I never look another person in the eyes, I'll be just fine with that.
I've always worn sunglasses and my knitted hat when I've ventured into town and I couldn't be happier that we all now have to wear a mask to shop for basic supplies at the nearest Walmart that is 127 miles from my cabin.
This woman lost people that she loved. She began a hording life after that loss. I don't relate with that because as a former foster kid, I had a grocery bag of belongings at best at any given time.
(At this moment, I could pack my car in 10 minutes and move to a new place with all of my belongings.)
I have zero attachments to material objects. I also didn't form strong bonds with parental or sibling figures and have never been married or even in a long term relationship with a man or a friend for that matter.
And I never gave a crap about fashion like this woman obviously did. So long as I was clothed and had an outfit to wash and one to wear, I was golden. I have three sets of clothing at this moment and a parka and two pairs of socks, one wool and one cotton.
This woman intrigues me. This woman with tons of belongings and a gaping hole in her heart for lost loved ones.
Forgive my long-windedness. You asked me to explain further. I summarized the best I could. I'm a writer that suffers from the opposite of writers block. Writers diarrhea, I call it, affectionately.
Everything is a treasure to someone. This was an interesting and creative woman.
The crazy thing is this person had to physically go and buy all of this stuff. They didn't have the internet to shop.
Lots and lots of thrift store shopping, you can see the price stickers on some things.
I thought that too, especially about all of the scissors.
Yes, haven't seen an Amazon or ebay box. She physically had to pick those items.
@@jhanes3791 Oh my lands how horrible, no delivery from the thrift store
.
Seems like she sewed, so she may have made plenty of it.
Who else started saying “more scissors” out loud when Alex did? 😊
Could be a drinking game! Take a drink every time he find some scissors.
You’d be dead
As a person that sews, I am guilty of having more scissors then most of my friends but this lady wins. lol
@@l.m.2404 I don’t sew but learned a long time ago to have a scissor handy and now have one in every room in my house. Open any drawer and I have a scissor 😀. I had a houseguest notice. Said it was awesome that I had a scissor everywhere.
@@maureenkarkos9882 ok ok let’s see how many scissors are found. We might not be able to handle it 😂
I greatly appreciate the respect you take here and that you took in Mary’s house. As the granddaughter of someone with hoarding behaviour I know the toll it takes on the family.
Don’t forget to check in the cushions and perhaps even in the clothes as I know that my grandmother has and still does stash wads of bills into cushions, sewn into clothes and stuffed into picture frames. Checking every nook and cranny is right! There may not be treasures everywhere but there can be treasures anywhere
I was also wondering about the food boxes. Often people will hide money in an old cereal box randomly.
If people think you are not feeling in this process, they have not watched you enough. You and your family are the real deal. Good people to the core. This home and it's contents could not be in more caring hands.
Look at all papers might find stocks and bonds worth more than house if her net worth was 4 million in 1984. Good luck.Wonderful to see Zenova and Hans..
They may be in safety deposit box, that owner was asking about keys if found.
I love how he quickly skips over the fact that he's now a shareholder in a gold mine...
@@davefish2280 Does he get to keep the shares in the gold mine since he found them? I just wondered.
Hans is too adorable. Lmao 😂
I love these series of yours. Especially when he's around.
Loving this series also. I so appreciate what a respectful person you are. You and your family are so lovely. Best wishes for you and your family.
I don’t think you could be more respectful Alex , you have treated the ladies memory well and are helping ensure that the things she liked live on.
A lot of family’s would have just binned everything!
What an incredible life-long collection! It's sad that her compulsion to buy overwhelmed her. She had good taste though and must have been an interesting person. You have a lot of courage to tackle this project, which you are doing with compassion and good humor. May your work also be profitable for you and your lovely family.
4 Million in the 80's!!! Wow. The amount of silver you are pulling out of there is incredible.
I'm seeing two generations in that house: mom and Dad, then the daughter inherited it. I haven't seen all the episodes yet, but I'm seeing the evidence of this entire house being a workshop, at one point in time. That explains all the sewing machines, and all the fabric; and all these small rooms set up with a coffee pot: that's where the workers lived.
All the Purchased Clothing, again, that feels like a retail outlet.. maybe buying the clearance or seconds or store buy outs. For all of that to be so neatly stored, this wasn't just a hoarder: this was a Business, and it lost the brick and mortar location.
Interesting view. Thanks, that helps me understand it a bit more.
Interesting theory. I wonder if Alex knows more about the history of the place than he's mentioned, or if he might find out. I'm sure we all want to know more about who these people were.
Interesting theory, and you might be correct about the house being set up for workers. Someone clearly had some sewing and crafting talents! But I think Alex did say there weren't any descendants for the home to go to. I've been specifically looking for evidence to indicate there were ever any children in this home, but I haven't found any. Almost no toys or children's clothes, except a couple sealed toys hanging on the kitchen wall and a few comic books, all of which are also things an adult might collect. A person who shops and collects as much as this woman did would surely have kept belongings from raising her child(ren), wouldn't you think?
My personal guess is that the traumatic event this woman suffered from that perhaps led to her extreme shopping and hoarding habits was either a fashion/clothing business that shut down (as you postulate), or her husband passed away (presuming she was married). Or perhaps she was troubled by not being able to have children? Or a health issue, although I didn't really see evidence of that either. Who knows? Just some guesses.
What I found fascinating in the first video is the framed black-and-white photograph of a young couple in one of the rooms. This is something you see in every old Bulgarian house and are usually two or three generations back. They are very formal photographs and I think they were common elsewhere in central and eastern Europe. There is linen in the front room that was made in what was then Czechoslovakia, so my thinking is that the family were initially immigrants to Canada who bought their trades with them, which includes music, leatherwork, hat making and fashion. I sense there were a lot of people working together at one point, as they would have done in their country of origin, until the older generation passed and that foundation was lost. That's the story I've made up based on what I've seen so far!
@@rachelh5211 I commend you on your compassion. I, too, noticed a lack of childhood things. There weren't any rooms decorated for kids. I don't think that house ever had children. It might not have been her 'childhood' home. But there is an over load of Work Evidence left in the home. Down to someone making jewelry, and sewing in the kitchen!
There were photos of her as a Fashionista in the 80's. Since there are no heirs, she is the one who had no children, and I'm thinking that was by choice.
The 80's are the first generation of women who entered Adult hood following the first Feminism success, and in the US, following the acceptance of abortion. Without the excessive commericalism of the 80's, we wouldn't be cursed with the Kardashians today.
With her being worth 4 million, in a small city in Canada, that tells me there is a major business to artifically pad her Net Worth. That house, looks like the remains of a large business, of someone who knew all that product had value, but they had no where to put it, and then no place to sell it. She came back to that house, at the end of her life, when she couldn't Jet Set around any more, or didn't have the money any more.
Which is a lot of conjecture [on my part] about the daughter, because I'm not seeing much of her in that house, except all those shopping bags. My thoughts on those bags from expensive stores: the person bought the least expensive thing in the store, just to feel like she was still able to shop at Channel, Macy's, and Tiffany's. THAT is where I see trauma: she can't spend money like she did as a young person, so she ventures into the big shops to relive her glory days. She kept the Bags, out in the open, where she could see them. Not in the trash, or neatly stored in a closet. Those bags look like trophies to me.
I had three hoarders in my family; two were trained young by the Great Depression, that everything has value in the right circumstance, and you can't let go of anything, because you have no guarantee you'll be able to replace something once it was broken. You will be able to engineer something, from broken parts of other things, though. The third hoarder was an addict: to alcohol and shopping. She would go to the Dollar store and spend $3-5 just for the hit of dopamine, from getting to spend money wtihout anyone holding her accountable. Once home, she would toss those bags of dollar store trinkets into the spare bedroom. By the time she couldn't care for herself anymore, that room was a sea of those little dollar store trinket bags. The room was level with the bed, of those little bags.
I agree with you, that the 'hoarding' was based on a trauma, but that came after the business remains were neatly stuffed into that house. The trash and lack of housekeeping type hoarding, was the daughter in her last years.
20:38 Hey I have that set of bowls! The Yellow Green Red nested set. Growing up, the yellow one was the spaghetti bowl on spaghetti night :) Family treasures.
This house has a fortune worth of stuff hoarded away! I love watching you sort through everything.
Whenever I see those old metal sewing machines, I get so excited. I know people in your shop are probably most interested in the pretty antique and vintage Singers, but these 60s and 70s machines are AMAZING workhorses that are so much better than non-professional modern machine! I just love them. They are worth their weight (and those all metal parts hold up!). I found an Olive Green Ward Signature at the thrift store for $12, and it was missing some important parts, so I paid $100 for a full repair and service and it was absolutely worth it. Even though they are not necessarily big ticket items, they feel like a treasure when you find them, because they don’t make them like that anymore, and as you said, they are such a pain and expense to ship so you can’t always buy one off eBay!
I agree, although I'm not familiar with the brand you mention. As a retired textiles and design teacher in Australia. I had 24 metal Bernina sewing machines in 2 classrooms (9 in each room and the rest in the storeroom to rotate when some had a problem.) They always worked well and some were 30 yrs old. They did a lot of heavy duty work with lots of students using them. The part I didn't like was cleaning and checking them all at the end of each semester so I could identify any that needed a professional service. Usually no more than 6 a year needed a service.
I personally have an Elna sewing machine I bought im 1976 and still use today. It was Elna's top model back then.
Right?? When he turned it on and was surprised it worked, I was like -- That's why people love them!!
I have a 1970 singer stylist and man I love my machine so much smoother than todays cheapo plastic machines and I have a white treadle sewing machine from the 1800s I love both of them!
Clicking like before I start because I’ve waiting impatiently for the next episode 😂
Me too. I can click like before any of Alex's videos because I always like them. Not one has made me regret watching.
exactly!
For the record, the cylinder that you found the silver rounds in is specifically for holding those types of Canadian rounds. Hold on to those even if they're empty because a coin store will buy it from you!
There were also small foam squares in between the coins to protect them from scratches. She was truly knowledgeable of what she had.
This is a good reminder that having money does not make you happy. As long as you have what you need you create your own happiness. And that is obviously not with “stuff”.
Very true
No one indicated the lady wasn't happy. She enjoyed travel, music, sewing, and wearing lovely things. She never had to worry about affording them. I hope she had a very happy life.
@@nancymontgomery8897 I think buying and piling stuff up isn't a sensible or happy thing to be doing, it indicates a dysfunction - therefore "unhappy".
I know what I would be doing with fivemill plus, and it wouldn't be buying too many clothes.
@@elipotter369 Having a mental disorder doesn't necessarily equal unhappiness. Some people are shopaholics and feel a thrill or rush when buying stuff. This young lady had enough money that it wasn't getting her into financial trouble. The garments were clearly purchased decades ago, some as far back as the 1960s and 1970s. The hoarding probably started in her later years. It can be related to dementia or other brain disorders.
Hoarding is usually trying to fill a void... I haven’t seen a genuinely happy hoarder(which is a mental illness in itself)... it’s not an insult to learn from something you know? If you feel that insulted by my more than innocent statement maybe you can learn from it aswell...
Alex better check those cigar bins could be resealed money bins .
even weigh them if they`re all the same probably cigars , Different call the travel agency ,Nice find on the Silver bar WOW.
I’d also be looking behind all the pictures hanging on the wall, take the backing off them and look for money. Also look for keys on top of the door frames...I’d check pockets of all the clothes and jackets... check the curtain rods and if the ends unscrew then unscrew them and check inside the ends of them.
One wonders what treasures like money or jewelry left that house in the pockets of the clothes Alex sold. there seems to be a lot of money and jewelry in random places
I'm just wondering if the person who bought the clothes since he knows that jewelry was not included in money was not included will return it
Like in the mattresses !!!
My daughter found gold and diamond jewelry in her late grandmother 's coat pockets.
Since those sweet silver coins keep popping up in odd places, I hope you are checking everything. The sewing baskets and tins etc.
@@dcan911 But can he realistically go through all those pockets, when you see how many bag and boxes of clothing are there? he only has 8 weeks.
Pyrex is like gold now. The prices have gone through the roof
Really? I wonder why. I have a good 1940's mint condition nesting bowl set 1940's I'll have to check out the prices. I don't want to sell it but curious at some point I probably will as no one in my circle appreciates vintage except to sell it for money. Anna In Ohio.
Yes, my daughter in law asked of pyrex and corningware. I went through mine and gave her a whole tub full. I know she will take care of it
Interesting, thought the world was full of old, unbreakable, Pyrex! 😂
I have a set that is swirled. Like new condition. They are fairly rare. Got them as a wedding gift 52 years ago. I looked it up and some person had a set and were selling them for over 300.00.
@@carolynhostetler8641 I don't think I've ever seen swirled ones bet its beautiful. Anna In Ohio
Check the books for sure, while cleaning out my late mother in law and father in laws home, we found a few thousand dollars stashed in a bunch of old books, it was a good day that day. We also had to dig through a bag of "trash" that my brother in laws friend had filled up, because they threw my mother in laws diamond engagement ring out, it was truly an adventure. They were not hoarders, but they truly never bought new stuff and they kept everything they had from the time they built the house. I'm loving this ... thanks for sharing this with us here.
When my kids were younger, I bought scissors at estate/garage sales and put them all over the house- So that they would leave my Good scissors alone!
whoever commented that you need a chest mount pro type camera was right. your work would go faster with 2hands,and you would be able to film more.
He has one just can’t find it!
I think this is the 883rd time someone has suggested this, and we're only a few episodes into the series. What's the challenge in emptying a hoarder house with two hands when you can do it with one hand and hold a camera in the other? You go, Alex!
A couple of things I noticed, I'm a sewist and yes, we do have a lot of scissors, maybe not that many, but quite a few. Some will be dressmaking scissors which have have become blunt so she's just bought new ones. I know the sewing machines have gone now, but the really old ones are sought after as they sew heavier materials and it looks like she sewed leather, so those older machines will be brilliant for that.
If you come across clothes that have no labels, they are most probably ones she has made herself.
The TV if old, will take time to warm up, won't switch on immediately.
I'm sure you know all this, but thought I'd add my knowledge into the fray. Loving your videos. Really enjoying seeing all these treasures and fun stuff.
You perfectly described how it is to clear a home of personal items, I have done this work often and it is a sadness but refreshing at the same time
Check in the sewing boxes for money or jewellry. Also dont clank the coins together that you see seperated with the sponge. They are almost MINT condition and you will wreck value :)
Alex, my aunt had to check all her mom's shoes as she found rolls of money in the toes.
Nancy Foreman Right! He did find jewelry in that cowboy boot in the bathroom. He should check all the shoes and purses.
Oddly enough, my nephew and his wife put spare cash in one of her winter boots. It's their piggy bank.
Checking all the shoes would take too much time! Besides the guy that bought all the clothes is getting the shoes too..I believe. I'm sure he will go through them all!
Dear Nany F.
👍👌👏 You are definitely right! But it's maybe too late for Mr. Archbold because a lot of the shoes have already been gone to respectively with the clothing buyer (or even into the trash?)
Best regards, luck and health.
@@stephaniepowers-tanguay6346 : He is checking the purses.
Watching this reminds me of my grandmother’s house only she wasn’t a hoarder to this caliber. Something I thought about when you were tossing shoes. She hoarded thousands of dollars wrapped in aluminum foil in her shoes. Between her linens and stuff also. Another place was the pump house. Weird but so very true
The more I watch your hoarders videos, the more I clean out my own house
This series has been so enlightening and interesting!
The sheer mind boggling concept of finding limits of 'keep, 'donate', 'sell', 'give away, 'give to charity', 'send to auction', 'restore', etc...must be brain numbing .
Not to mention the intricacies of going through EVERY LITTLE THING!!!
I'm so glad you emphasise this ....people hide their greatest treasures different ways.
I know this is your job....but it's good to see that some still go to the effort that you do. - so many would have sent all that to landfill....even the house .
Keep at it.....youre saving not only memories from the past ....but giving many things a chance at a second life , and letting beautiful craftsmanship get appreciated again.
Awesome attitude guys .....amd I'm so glad you posted this process....its been a treasure to just watch - and a bloody relief that it wasn't me 🤣👍
Curiosity Inc was brought to you by the letters "K" and "S"
"Kindness" and "Sillyness" (well, Alex's jokes are kinda silly ;)
@@dozern Perfect!
Haha!
😆
When he made an "S" of himself I laughed so hard I started coughing. Usually I groan with the dad jokes, but I didn't expect that one.
I would have loved to know this woman. She lived a full life it seems, so talented, obviously intellectual, well travelled, artistic devotee, seamstress, fashion diva, and so much more. I do love the way you show respect. Aging changes us all in many ways. This intimate video biography of sorts is quite captivating. I love all you do and how you do it. Your amazing and lovely family as well. Cheers! I'm glad we all got to know some of her story. She existed, she said her mark and she was quite a gal. Wish her while story could be revealed. I can relate with it all.
Watch for some sterling silver thimbles in the sewing notions.
Or gold
And historic buttons. Silver, gold, enamel etc.
Maybe Melissa can search the sewing notions. A friend found a pair of small scissors in a notion tin. Sold for $500 plus on eBay.
yep, some of the sewing stuff can be worth a fortune. Especially some of the Singer sewing attachments.
Older sizzors made in germany are expensive. I pd 40 in 95 for a PR. And there 92 now.
@@pinkerbot so you assume it's because of gender prejudice and not because it's possible that Alex is already pretty busy with the entire hoard and administration of the helpers and everything
Throw out the race card too!!!Oh brother. She explained why she said Melissa and you keep insisting it was a prejudice. Get out and get into the real world.
I find that you are very respectful of what you are doing...as you said, someone is going to need to clean the belongings up. The woman clearly had many interests and was able to travel and collect for her memories. Her father being a tailor was very knowledgeable in his area of expertise as evidenced by what he kept. It needs to be done so someone else can live in the house, make their own memories. Many will benefit from the things the owner's possessed and enjoyed. Sharing another's joys is commendable, you're helping that happen.
This has been brilliant. I loved the potters house. Loving this one.
My dad was a hoarder, I think you're doing a very good job and being respectful. Many people do not understand it is a mental illness and make fun or judge people. I haven't heard you say one disrespectful comment or judge them.
Gonna check out Hans' channel next! It's called Helping Hans. I love his spirit and his accent! 😊
Hello from Minnesota! Love this series - it’s fascinating, overwhelming and a treasure hunters dream. Go you! I also have enjoyed learning about your sidekicks/helpers along the way!
The sheet music might go to a university music dept library
There's an attic and a garage too?? Aye yie yie...
those cigars are worth REAL MONEY !!! 200 $ a pack at least
With the amount of clothing, fabric, and sewing accessories that you're finding ; I'm definitely thinking the women who lived there was a clothing designer...🤔🤔🤔🤔
NO, she was a HOARDER.
@@joshr9417 Uh...yes. I understand that. I'm assuming that because, if you watched the last video, there was a photo of her in high fashion clothing and the house was very clean and nice. I'm guessing she did very well for herself and then, unfortunately, fell deeply depressed and it all got away from her...😔.
I don't know a hundred percent given there are a mass amount of tools and machinery as well. She may have had a husband who was a handy man too. Who knows...🤷♀️🤷♀️🤷♀️.
Anyway, I like to think of this women as more than just a hoarder. She was obviously a very well to do person in her day so I would like to think of her in that light.
I think you're right RLROSE. Probably fell apart after her husband died.
@@aquamom2 I was thinking the same thing about her husband. It looks like they both had craft skills and sewing machine and working tools side by side in the kitchen they probably worked side by side on their crafts. Anna In Ohio.
I think someone there was an entertainer (perhaps a pianist) which accounts for the nice piano and sheet music, etc. And someone made costumes to perform in. That would account for all the sewing items.
I do wonder if there is hidden money or jewellery in those boxes of clothes that are being taken away!
My uncle would hide stuff in clothing pockets.
Someone might buy that old console TV.
We sold ours to a production company and we saw it on Young Sheldon 8 months later.
Gosh this was fun, looking forward to tomorrow's vlog.
Best "vlogmas" ever! Love seeing this series, Alex! :)
Everyone here is so pleasant and Hans especially seems like such a sweet soul
I LOVE WATCHING THESE WHERE HE'S CLEARING HOARDS!
One of the kitchen drawers had keys in it. I think I saw some in the drawer with the sticker money.
I saw that also. Ya never know what they might go to. Safety deposit box keys aren't very big.
so much fun watching you dig throygh goodies.Feels like I am right there smelling the dust. ha ha.
JESUS i could only imagine what that lady has in her safety deposit box!!
The drawers full of KFC salt packets made me tear up. I remember finding a similar drawer when we cleaned my great uncle's meticulous little house. Ooooh, I collect ocean liner memorabilia, I'm drooling over the Queen Mary poster.
Can’t wait to check that gentleman Etsy shop out.
My god the Hudson’s bay sweaters. These videos make me equally happy and jealous.
Excellent as always. To quote "A Christmas Story", I clicked this link faster than 2 Jack Rabbits on a date.....
I’m really enjoying this series. I’ve been anticipating every day and you don’t disappoint😊 I am just thankful that you don’t have smell o vision!
I'm really glad you are sending as much as you can for donations. I used to work in a recycling center and saw many times where houses like that were just bagged up and everything sent to be sorted for recycling-- which clothes and fishing reels can't be recycled, so most of it just went to the dump. What a waste it was!
The sewing patterns I've glimpsed have been amazing. There are people who specialize in vintage patterns and I hope these don't end up in the dumpster.
I would love to dig through all that sewing stuff!
I'd love to look through them!
That guitar went from ten grand to two hundred in one look up
This is more fun than the potters house. You get to go home every night.
Check those small snips, especially the ones that have a bird design. Look for a silver mark. That an thimbles.
The guitar is valued at over $3,000. Thanks for the vidoes.
Well, not in that condition...
Everything in that house is full of treasure...I want to help dig!
I’m sure you will, but I’d let Hans have first pick at tools, you know every tool he gets will help someone else.
Or Josh and Jakota
The point of buying the contents of the hoarder house is so that ALEX can make money and pay for the new store. If he gives everything away, how is that going to happen? He's not running a charity but a business.
His friends are putting in a LOT of hard labor. They deserves some of the spoils. If it were me, they'd get well compensated.
That is never a problem for Alex he has so much this time around
@@karentinkum365 He pays them, they aren't working for free.
I'd never trust people to just clear out the basement and leave behind the gold bars if they found them
Oh my god! She was Edwards mother!!!! That's where he got the scissors from!
😂😂😂
Waiting for vintage Christmas decorations!!!
I love watching the exploration of these hoarder houses. Looking forward to the next episode!
loving this series of you-tubes, great fun to watch- keep them coming!!!
The “friend” who inherited the house must have also inherited other assets including stocks, bonds, and bank accounts. So, I still believe that the new “owner” of the house was pretty selfish to keep the items Alexander found and valued in the earlier days!
Lol how delusional can you be? The friend of the deceased was selfish to keep personal items instead of selling them to the antique dealer who is buying them purely to make a profit? You guys act like Alex runs a charity. He’s a business man.
Chad Raush , so how do you know the “new” owners are keeping the items for themselves for sentimental reasons? As soon as Alexander valued the antique lamp and other things, all of a sudden they wanted to keep them for themselves! And, what was your comment about Alex being a businessman and not running a charity? How did you come up with it out of my comment about the selfishness of the new owner of the house? Where have your bird brain been? Firstly, we all respect Alexander’s business sense and acumen! Secondly, he is indeed charitable! He doesn’t run a non-profit charity, but, he has helped so many people, out of his own pocket! So, get off your pretend high horse and stop letting your bird brain drain itself and then let everyone else see your imbicility🤣
@@renpilak6048 stay kind.
@@renpilak6048 how do you know they inherited stocks bonds and a checking account? And you call him “Alexander” like you have some connection to him lol. Pathetic.
Ok Chad it's apparent you haven't watched all of his episode s he has giving a homeless guy who sold a disney item for $40. The profit from sale of over 1000. +. The guy took the money too go back too us. Potter house he gave kids. 40.000. 1/2 of auction. And Hans he did a gofund me page. Because Hans was living in a camper no heat or water etc. They found him a sm home and got furniture and things he needed. Alex is a good man. And too you I say if you don't have anything nice too say. Keep you mouth shut!!!!!!
I'm so interested in some of the art on the walls!!
I’m curious if this “millionaire” lived in a bigger house at one point and had to downsize to this house.
Otherwise I really can’t explain the very neatly stacked and organized hundreds of boxes in the basement.
Good idea!
@BadDriversOfTennessee The basement does seem like a warehouse, doesn’t it?
It's my understanding that when her parents passed, and his parents passed, they moved the entire contents of both households into their own home. I think her father was a tailor, hence so many sewing machines and supplies.
Oh those poor silver rounds! Handle with care, man!
The TV looks like a zenith and if it is, You should be able to turn it on by pulling the center knob
My inner seamstress is ITCHING to go through that stash of notions!
I love this series. One question- I saw Han’s wife putting fabric yardage in black plastic bags. I hope they are not getting thrown away. You could sell it at auction and some older fabrics are worth a lot of money.
And men’s suit pockets. When our step dad passed we found bundles of cash in his suit pockets lol
Making good progress!
Always puts a smile on my face when Hans is in a vlog.
i just found you through this series and I'm in awe, this is amazing! keep it up!
Woo-hoo. A Curiosity Inc video just in time for lunch!
Crack of dawn here. : )
And evening dinner in the UK....lol
Nick Thomas the winter sun rises late here, so I can get up late and get to work a bit before dawn.
Oh my! This is making me crazy, I love sewing stuff.