This house has been left abandoned for a year after the owner passed away... we bought it all! What will we discover? Watch and see! Treasure hunting and house clean up! a new series starts now!
What a treat. Knew the gal who lived here (RIP Gwennie) and my dad knew her father long ago. So glad she was able to stay in the place as long as she did, she was a real hoot. She'd have had a good chuckle to hear Alex joke about her giving someone a poke with that little pocket knife...not saying she couldn't have held her own if provoked, mind you.
This particular home makes me sad that no one wanted her things. Maybe there were just younger relatives left who didn’t really know her. I’m glad that they chose you to clean it out because I know you will take care to save as much as you can so it can be put to use again. You also donate a lot which I really appreciate.
@@lcotner5068 but you can easily wash jewellery and glass/China ornaments to remove the cigarette smells. I wish I had a small memento from my elderly relatives
@@lcotner5068 Yes - same. It gave me a 'flashback' from thirty years ago of clearing my parents' house out. They'd both smoked for decades. It stank and most walls and ceilings were brown and 'sticky' with nicotine deposit. Ugh! 'Funnily enough I've never smoked!
I’m my experience, some things that you would not expect are unsalvageable. We tossed most of my childhood toys and books that my parents saved because the plastic, fabric or paper was permanently stained or continued to smell despite cleaning and months of airing them out. Glass or metal might be okay, but many other items are ruined. Cigarette smoke smell is a major migraine trigger for me- it wasn’t worth it to me.
Your comment about granny and the pocket knives reminded me a lot of my grandmother, who died around 30 years ago. When I was cleaning out her effects I found her "Bingo bag". She always pulled it out and added her wallet to the top of this bag when she went to bingo each week. It was pretty heavy, so I checked it out. Inside was a 4" push dagger, and what my Dad called a belly gun. Basically a highly illegal small pistol (.22 caliber) that had no barrel. I never knew small town bingo was that dangerous!
My mom's washer & dryer from '71 sold with the house in '98. The house is back on the market, and there they still are, 52 years old and still running! Kenmores were built solid in those days.
The reason you find dimes most of the time it's because everyone carried them for emergencies in case you needed to make a phone call for help how to get a ride home etc etc
Every time you say you're going through an older woman's house, I have to steady myself. My favorite eras are 1890/1900s and 1950/1960s and I'm specifically into clothing and houseware so I always get so excited about the "boring" things in these houses! My grandma didn't save anything from the past so I have to live vicariously through these houses, I'd die and go to heaven in this one haha I've got three old Singer machines (all in perfect working condition, my primary one is a Singer 327 zigzag from the 60s that my dad got off Marketplace for free from the original owner!) one being a Featherweight so I nearly screamed when you found that one behind the door!! Edit: THE SINGER BUTTONHOLE KIT!!! That's the exact one for my machine! It matches the color of the machine, the Singer 327. And it's complete and looks like it's barely used! The grips on the metal foot portion get pretty rusty over time so the original one for my machine (that I got from the original owner) wasn't able to be used, and also the clamshell case separates easily which happened to my original one, as well. I was SO lucky to find a complete one at a thrift store last year with minimal rust! I love seeing this stuff in the wild
I couldn’t quit laughing when you saw the big freezer. I love these videos and your humor and personality. You and your wife are just awesome. Thanks for sharing. My life is pretty boring and you guy’s always make it better.
The yarn in the trunk , especially the red one in the box, is highly collectible for vintage knitters. Please don´t throw it away. The boxes were kits usually with the pattern for the matching wool and sometimes even with matching fabric and pattern for a skirt. You can´t buy the yarn for vintage patterns nowadays and it´s difficult to find fitting subtitutes in the same weight and komposition. So if you find old yarn and patterns, sell them together. Same might go for the fabrics. Greetings from Hamburg.
Each time you purchase one of these homes of someone no longer here it is as if the person will never be forgotten because we get to glimpse into their whole lives. Once again your generosity reaches thousands. Thank you Alex
My mum's Home Help in the 1970s used to say our old Hoover was so strong compared to modern appliances, that 'it could suck paint off the walls and remove nails from the floorboards!' - It weighted a ton (the Hoover not the Home Help!), and was made in the 1940s...
So good to see you back in a house, it's why I started watching your channel, so much fun going thru everything. I'm glad there's no sign of toy cars. Please make sure you wear a mask and gloves when you start clearing out. Best wishes from the UK 🇬🇧
Lucy Maude Montgomery was my grandfather's cousin. He (Don Campbell) inherited the house but didn't want to move back to PEI, so he gave it to his brother, who turned it into a museum. Most of the furniture, etc. that had come from there was sent back when my grandmother died. Sure miss them, even still
Love these episodes so much. I always think about the lives of the people who owned the stuff and reflect on how times moves on. We move on and the stuff stays.
I love this stuff. I would be there for days looking for treasure only because I am retired with nothing else to do. I wish I lived in your area. I would apply for a job with you guys. Great detective work. Carry on.
And that's the problem, the stuff stays and some poor soul has to sort it all out and get rid of it. I have learned so much from Alex and other RU-vidrs about clutter and hoards. I have moved my mum into a new little place for her final years and I would not let her bring the clutter. In fact she was really glad to leave it behind. 65 years in the same house and never got rid of anything. She loves her new, bright, clean and comfortable little home and the lack of clutter. Sadly I know have to plough through it all and clear it out to sell the house. The garage and attic I am not looking forward too. There are suitcases of my baby clothes in the attic apparently. I'm 60 in 3 weeks time! Why? This stuff is actually a burden.
I love that carpet as you first walk in the door! I literally yelled out loud, "Oooooh, that carpet!"... Okay, this is killing me already. That formica and chrome kitchen table, with the vinyl and chrome chairs, including the high/step chair? I'm plotzing!... And now the jewelry! Oh dear. Now I'm swooning... Our house was built in 1928, and it still as the ironing board in the ironing cupboard. We might turn it into a spice cupboard... I'm disabled so I can tell you that her walker, the bath seat, the grip bars, none of those things come cheap - and most disabled people are quite poor. It would be a wonderful thing if you could donate those to people who need them in your area.
@@fur_baby_mama 🤣It's Yiddish. It's like... freaking out, in a good way. Edit: I just looked it up. Like so many Yiddish words, it can be both positive or negative.
What sets you miles above other channels is that you don't just walk in or walk through someplace and pick and choose what you take and walk away; you put the hard work in and take us along on the journey. And I love how resectful you are to each other!!!!!
@@MarcosCodas because by now he should know and if he is not wearing one then it's his choice, You constantly get two comments on all his clear out videos. 1. Wear gloves and masks. 2. Use a tripod or strap on a GoPro. He has heard it all before and chooses to ignore it. As they saying goes, you can lead a horse to water but you can't force him to drink.
That wooden clock with the fireplace downstairs is from 1947. My parents got one as a wedding gift. We still have it. The clock works and the fireplace lights up.
So excited for a new series! Large shells are worth more than you think. There was a lovely surprise memory in this video for me. It is 37 years tomorrow since my Dad passed away, and he used to use that very same tv tray often in the 1970's. We live in New Zealand.
My Mom would have loved a built in ironing board, her's was always set up in the dining room except on Saturday when it got put away when the house got it's clean, but by after dinner on Sunday she'd have it back out. Mom sewed and the mantra she leaned from one of her teachers was 'pressing is a much a part of doing a good job as the actual sewing'
She got that right. Growing up my father had a women and children's garment factory. Working the industrial press (and that press was heavy) was one of my jobs as was the button hole machine and the machine that sewed the buttons on. the pressing had to be on point otherwise we were made to do it again.
Yup! I sew in a teeny tiny bedroom and use a full size standing ironing board and it's nearly become a permanent figure in my room, despite the lack of space... I'd kill to have one built in!
We had a built in ironing board in the house that I lived in as a child. The house was built in the 1940s. It was there that I learned to iron my dad’s handkerchiefs. When they came off the clothesline, mama would sprinkle them with water and set them in the refrigerator until it was time to iron them. This would have been in the 1960’s.
The piano was covered in Tiffany lamps and no one mentioned them. That figure does look like Lalique for sure. Great video as always guys. So relaxing to watch you finding lost treasures. Condolences to the family who lost a relative.
Don't just throw out the old makeup jars and compact cases, open them up and check them, because I found Kruegerands and old coins and jewelry in them, from something I thought was disposable! Love these house cleanout episodes 👏👍
I’m the executor of an estate, and am currently working my way through 48 years of accumulation in a house. I’m having to check everything, because envelopes of cash have been found in the most unlikely places.
@@vanillascooplinda8849 My parents were meticulous in their home management system, but my mom often told me that people of the older generation who came through the tough decades like the 1930s, and the initial post war II years, had a very difficult time letting go of things and would keep items (just in case) and would stash cash around the home because banks were unreliable in their days of youth so they kept cash "just in case".
We bought our home as-is. The previous owner had been moved to a nursing home and then passed away and the house had been unoccupied for 2 years. The family took the appliances (which were supposed to stay) and left a mess. We were a young newlywed couple and we didn’t have the money the buy a new stove and fridge. Some months later I took the curtains down to paint a room and I found an envelope with $2K in cash on top of the curtain rods. We were able to buy the appliances with that money. It was such a blessing.
Yay, another treasure hunt. These videos sure make me look around and try to visualize how someone would go through my stuff to clear the house out. Makes me think of downsizing.
A house clearance! These are your best episodes. It’s so interesting to see parts of the owners life revealed. Whilst it’s sad for the family, it must be nice for them to see items revealed that bring back happy memories about their relative, without having to do all the hard work. You and Melissa are always so respectful of the belongings too. Looking forward to more of these episodes. 👍
I'm 66 and by the time Alex has done a few more of these my son won't have a drawer or closet to empty when I'm gone... Down-size, down-size, down-size and throw your junk out folks!
NO NO keep it and he can have a big auction and make $ back on it. You'd be amazed at what people will buy. I go to auctions and people love bxs of old stuff.
Me too I got 4kids I give them things and get rid of photo s they do not know the people got small house no were to put things this house is big should have been done long time ago not fair leave all that nanapolly xscotland ☮️
Alex, the bag with the dog stuff, that brown bag in the plastic inside the ceramic urn might be the cremains of the pet. Everything reminds me of memorial setup stuff
The only problem I have with videos such as these is that I myself want to go out and do the same thing as Alex does. The problematic part is that I neither got the eye, the storage space or an auction house that could take care of the selling part...
This is a lifetime of accumulation...some junk...some trash...some treasures...lots of memories that become lost because things just become piles of stuff that the family...if there are any...just does not want or dies not have the time to deal with.
My Mom and Dad were married in 1946 and had that very same Cedar Chest. Made by Lane. It's still in the family being used by my brother and sister in law. A great piece!
I love this house! So many vintage books and paintings. Thank you for showing some of the books! I love seeing them. The owner of the house seems like she was a really cool person.
I donated lots of early 1900’s suitcases, trunks, and other things from my grandfather’s stuff to the movie industry props here in Alberta. After being on set, I realized they take very good care of it. I know you’ve also worked in the industry and wonder if you also feel they are well taken care of?
I enjoy having Melissa on camera with you! Looks like there are some really interesting things to go through. I totally understand having the intent of doing a general survey and getting distracted by something really cool! I'd have been by the bookcase myself! Looking forward to this adventure! Stay safe!
I have terminal cancer. Probably sometime this year. My husband is alive and well, but won’t want to keep everything. He’s more minimalist than I. Because I’ve been watching you for a few years, I’m doing my best to give the adults kids what they want now, not to wait. Which means my hunny will have a lot of stuff when I’m gone.
My grandmother was 96 when she died (in December 2022), when she was 80 she cleaned out her place and passed on the things she loved to us. We knew the stories of the things, and we learned so much about my grandmother as a young woman. She passed last year but I have the simple necklace she wore on her first date, the spelling bee trophy she got when she was 9 and the story of the words she spelt, and SHE WENT THROUGH ALL HER PICTURES and told us who everyone was, we wrote on the back and now can pass them down for years. I'm so sorry you are ill, but I beg you to make sure your family knows your stories because those are the things that I have and will be able to pass on and on. When I put on that necklace and think of the story of my grandmother dancing with Jim (lol, not my grandpa) to Some Enchanted Evening, I can picture her with the description of the dress her mom made her, pink silk very expensive and she would have still had it but it was lost when she immigrated during the war. I have had so much loss from Covid (5 of my elders in 2 years), but the stories keep my family members alive and I can sometimes laugh and giggle through the tears and think of my poor grandmother who had no idea what an avocado was, but she could spell it! Best wishes, and hopes for ease and peace in your future, I'm so sorry you are going through this! I'm also very sorry for your family. The stoics say we aren't given people we just borrow them for a short time. I can't wait to tell future generations the stories I have acquired and to keep memories alive and vivid of the life she so fully lived. If I can tell the stories she will live on.
@@kittykatmeowers3392 I’m so very glad you have those stories. I’ve heard our stories over and over. My you’ve st got to spend plenty of time with my grandmother, and I’m grateful. Right now I just want quiet times with my grown kids.
@@FleaChristenson yes, I was lucky! Keep telling those stories and know you can always reach out. I had a friend who passed from terminal cancer and she truly hated platitudes and advice so I'll just send my fuzzy warmest thoughts from rural Nova Scotia. If you ever need anything drop me a line.
@@kittykatmeowers3392 thank you so much for a time I was over the top angry about all the home remedies people insisted I try. Garlic and honey in the microwave?! I finally calmed down and realized that my friends love me and are desperate for my healing. They don’t want to lose me. I finally just started asking if they’d had this type of cancer and if they had used this method to kill the cancer. People finally stopped the suggestions. I get it. I do. But in seven years I’ve also learned to just listen to people. They’ve struggled with their pain and loss. Talking to me is some kind of relief and absolution. So I just listen. It’s been, besides the recent pain, a relatively good experience. My relationships with my husband and our grown kids have helped changed and improved dramatically. A lot has changed for the better. Now I’m actively seeking out pretty widows for my husband. 😁
Hi from Ontario! The white coat in the trunk has the University of Toronto coat of arms crest attached to it. Can't wait to watch as you go through all the memories.
That freezer!! That thing is awesome, I want one! 😁 Absolutely loved this episode and I am looking forward to the rest. Don't you go opening trunks without us now! ;-)) I love to peek into every box, and pot, and drawer and hideaway. It doesn't matter if there's nothing useful in there, but the journey is awesome! And I am always amazed at how much stuff actually does have value. Did you all notice all the ballerina things? So elegant, those paintings. A LOT of these things are beautiful, even if they're not Van Gogh's...
How ever "old" the male may be, inside there is still a kid. Women seem to not be that way. Just like a dames looks at a cerain age they fall off a cliffs edge, males just slowly get old.
@@CreatureOTNight It seems Alex is living up to his Channel's name, while Melissa's thinking 'Let's just wait and see - is it actually gonna be worth the hassle and hard work?...' (Though I'm sure both are by now very experienced at 'wading' through houses like this!)
Oh my goodness!!! 60 years of stuff. But for me the hands down winner is the featherweight sewing machine takes the prize. A cleaning and oiling and she's good to go. Mom had a Singer similar to it. I remember when she got it.
Alex, when you mentioned that filmmakers would probably like to have the vintage washer and dryer, I always wondered why you never contracted with movie companies from Canada and the US that have buyers scanning for such items? Also, don't forget there is a HUGE mid-century movement and I am on many Facebook pages for mid-century items and they go absolutely nuts for vintage appliances and furniture. Big money market in the US for sure.
I love Danish Modern Furniture and many of the items they call mid century modern are actually Danish Modern furniture! One person called a French Provincial dresser a mid century modern piece of furniture and it amazes me that they don’t know what the type names of furniture are and call it all mid century modern!
It looks promising in there! I hope you find some amazing things; you work so very hard in these clear outs and deserve whatever profit you can make. Love from Vancouver Island. (Can`t wait to see the jewelry!)
I love your videos, and my husband and I just purchased a home with a shed that has decades worth of stuff in it, so we are getting to treasure hunt. How you cleared out the split level hoarder house in a week is amazing to me, because I now realize the sheer volume of work just to clear it out, not to mention sorting things for trash,keep, resell.
Lov3 these videos especially when you bring Melissa! Alex, no one can say you have a lazy bone in you!! Amazing the amount of work you do in these situations! Thanks for posting... Canadian fan here, Sandra from Montreal
So funny! The minute you showed the spider, my whole body shuddered.... they you mentioned that "someone just got the "hee-bee-gee-bees out there " Yup! That was me!!
That Calvinator freezer one side was for flash freezing and the other side for freezer storage. Been watching you guys from the time Alex and his Dad going through some abandoned buildings and houses. First time I've commented. ❤😊
A good spider community usually means there is very little damp in the building - I don't like spiders but will take them over mold and mildew any day.
Hello from fellow digger and rescuer of stuff in Pennsylvania, USA! I have been hooked on your show since I watched the entire "potters house" series back when. I love your show and your Canadian accent. I tell my friends to watch. My Time saver comment, when going through jewelry boxes if they are empty leave them open so you guys don't waste time opening a second time! I do that with empty Dvd and video game cases also. You are so brave with all the spiders and mice! Wish I could help you dig!
My mom always wanted a singer featherweight. My friend found one in a shop so I sent her the money. Her hubby carried it across country as his carryon!!!
Cobwebs are usually a good sign that there aren’t poisonous spiders around. Of course this is the rule of thumb for my area. But I’m guessing any spider is a bad spider here. Of course they won’t go in a cedar chest (nor any other critter). So you should be safe sticking your hand inside it. I think this time capsule room is going to yield a treasure or two. I’m so excited to tag along for this one!! 🤟🏼🤍
Wow what an amazing house filled with history. I could spend hours going through all of the pictures, newspaper clippings and old things. I love history so much. I bet she was an incredible lady. I love that she was sentimental and kept so many wonderful things!❤
I hope you find loads of cool stuff and make a profit to get more cool cars , clever of you to build a big new garage at the bottom of the garden and convince Melissa that it's a pool house 🙃
This place earned the name “The Tiffany Lamp House”. I have that same orange saucepan with lid. Found it for $5 at VV in the 90s. I spotted it as soon a you made your way to the spider. Cheers from Mill Woods!
Cameo is an easy $350-$400. I found a cameo for$.50 at a yard sale and sold it for $375!Also found vintage earrings at the same price at that sale but kept them for myself! Wishing you luck on the new house clear out ❤
Alex. that's not a "trunk" it's a cedar hope chest. And it's in really good condition. for the spider webs you need to travel with those swiffers that are extendable. poke it ahead of you to gather up all the cobwebs before they start grabbing for you :D
I wish you commented on the lamps! I would like to learn more about them. She must have been a collector of some sort! My 7yo son and I love watching these house clean-outs and enjoy the hunt as you dig around.
I bet you would have so many viewers who would come help you for free,just cuz it's such fun,I know I would love it,if my energy levels allowed me to,I just cleaned out all my closets,drawers,basement, already packed up for Goodwill.
Yay, a Singer Featherweight! It has the bobbin case which is very important as replacements cost plenty. I have a ‘48 and got it before the prices went crazy. I quilt with it! I am not sure what they go for in Canada, but in the US it can be $600-$1500 for a 221, depending on condition.222’s are way more! I am happy with my one! That also was neat cedar chest in the basement. It looked in great shape from the top!
That's a beautiful Ceder Chest, I have a family heirloom one passed down to me just like it.♥️ What a great clean-out home you two bought, with a Lot of hidden gems so far! ➖spiders🕷️🕸️😏
New favorite quote by Alex with his (admirably) extensive knowledge of history and antiques- "It's probably from about the 1930's...because that's about the age of that" (referring to the violin case) 😆 Words are hard, but your videos are always entertaining and educational, not to mention inspiring.
Whenever I see homes like this I visulize someone standing in the doorway and just throwing stuff into the room! It is unbelievable what people keep.Will love to hear the story of the owner.
I would have no problem given you a hand to sort stuff not afraid of hard work But I live in Ireland . looking forward to seeing more from this home May God bless the family and the Lady who passed may the angels of grace wrap their wings around her and guide her into a heavenly home with a fantastic reunion Amen .
I've seen some kind of camera holder that holds your camera in the front so you are totally hands free. I've seen an artist in Germany use it. Have you seen it? It would help you guys so much! Love your videos! So fun :)
My house has the ironing board cupboard in the kitchen too. As a quilter, it is usually set up with the iron ready to go. I love this lady's taste. Hope I still have an account with Kastner!
SO MUCH cool stuff. This will be fun. May I suggest to put old papers, receipts, notes, packaging, etc. in boxes and sell by the lot. That ephemera is a treasure for us crafters, and we would love to have the opportunity to buy and give them new life.
Amazing! You have a lot of work ahead of you to get that all cleaned out. But I have a good feeling you will find much more great stuff (you've found many cool things already)! Look forward to the next video! PS: I have the exact same cedar chest (was my mom's, Montreal 1945)
