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“This Was The Best Investment I Have Made”: Late Piano Teacher’s House Turns Out To Be A Hoarder House With 400K Worth Of Treasures

“Hi! I’m Alex Archbold, and I’ve been buying and selling antiques since I was 9 years old. From basements to scrapyards, I’ll look just about anywhere I can to find lost antiques and collectables,” the antique hunter from Edmonton, Alberta, Canada, says during the intro of his YouTube channel.

“Sometimes I’ll go big and buy everything,” says Alex, and that’s exactly what he recently did by purchasing all the contents of the house that belonged to a late piano teacher, Bette-Joan Rac.

More info: Curiosity Inc. | Instagram | YouTube

Alex Archbold is an antique hunter from Canada who has a YouTube channel with almost 400k subscribers

"This Was The Best Investment I Have Made": Late Piano Teacher's House Turns Out To Be A Hoarder House With 400K Worth Of Treasures

Image credits: Curiosity Incorporated

“Growing up with little money and facing bouts of homelessness as a child, finding little treasures to resell helped bring in extra money, and fed my passion for learning about history,” Alex told Bored Panda. “My wife and I opened an antique shop almost 5 years ago in Edmonton Alberta Canada called Curiosity Inc. I carry a wide range of products, but we always look for the cool, unique, and unusual whenever we can.”

This past December, Alex purchased all the contents of the house that belonged to a late piano teacher

"This Was The Best Investment I Have Made": Late Piano Teacher's House Turns Out To Be A Hoarder House With 400K Worth Of Treasures

Image credits: Curiosity Incorporated

“I first met Madame Rac a couple of years ago when I was invited to look at her 1964 Cadillac in her garage, which hadn’t moved in decades. I never was inside her house as she said she had to tidy up first, so we signed the paperwork in the yard. From then on, I would run into her at coffee shops and we would have chats and say hi,” Alex told us.

“She was a bright flower, dressed very colorfully with a big smile. I was told she didn’t have much money, so at the time I was hopeful that the money from the sale of her car may help her out a bit. She was a patient and fun piano teacher, I’m told. And a very well-travelled lady. Going to Hawaii every year for vacation,” the guy added.

The former owner of the house, Bette-Joan Rac, passed away at 76 years old on November 18, 2020

"This Was The Best Investment I Have Made": Late Piano Teacher's House Turns Out To Be A Hoarder House With 400K Worth Of Treasures

Image credits: Curiosity Incorporated

The guy paid $10,000 for the contents of the house with the hope that the stuff he’ll find there will get him the money’s worth. He was pretty doubtful, though. “I was told she had a modest income and so I wasn’t expecting much,” Alex shared with us. “When I saw the inside of the house for the first time, I was a bit shocked at the state of the home as she was a very nicely dressed lady.”

Alex bought all the stuff for $10,000 in hopes to, in the end, be able to get his money’s worth

"This Was The Best Investment I Have Made": Late Piano Teacher's House Turns Out To Be A Hoarder House With 400K Worth Of Treasures

Image credits: Curiosity Incorporated

“It was in an extreme state of hoarding. In fact, the only reason I bought the contents was because I thought it might be a fun adventure for our YouTube channel and at very least, I would get a grand piano. It was impossible to see what was in the house because of how full it was at the time. Places were piled up to the ceiling,” said Alex.

However, the hoarder house turned out to be a real treasure chest

"This Was The Best Investment I Have Made": Late Piano Teacher's House Turns Out To Be A Hoarder House With 400K Worth Of Treasures

Image credits: Curiosity Incorporated

“Little did I know that the eccentric piano teacher I had met was, in fact, a millionaire!” said Alex.

The first day exploring the house, Alex and his team were emptying out some leaflets in the front room when a few little silver bars fell out of them. And that’s how the process of looking through every single book, magazine, newspaper and even shoe began. The treasures were hidden in the most unexpected places.

Throughout the house, Alex was able to find loads of pure silver dollars

"This Was The Best Investment I Have Made": Late Piano Teacher's House Turns Out To Be A Hoarder House With 400K Worth Of Treasures

Image credits: Curiosity Incorporated

“Our most impressive finds included wallets full of cash, a 100-ounce silver bar, and bags full of gold and diamond rings,” Alex told us.

The whole journey of looking through the stuff was documented in multiple vlogs that you can find on Alex’s YouTube channel.

Cash hidden in the most unexpected places

"This Was The Best Investment I Have Made": Late Piano Teacher's House Turns Out To Be A Hoarder House With 400K Worth Of Treasures

Image credits: Curiosity Incorporated

100-ounce bar of silver

"This Was The Best Investment I Have Made": Late Piano Teacher's House Turns Out To Be A Hoarder House With 400K Worth Of Treasures

Image credits: Curiosity Incorporated

Silver and gold jewellery

"This Was The Best Investment I Have Made": Late Piano Teacher's House Turns Out To Be A Hoarder House With 400K Worth Of Treasures

Image credits: Curiosity Incorporated

Designer clothes

"This Was The Best Investment I Have Made": Late Piano Teacher's House Turns Out To Be A Hoarder House With 400K Worth Of Treasures

Image credits: Curiosity Incorporated

The first auction, held online by Edmonton’s Kastner Auctions, resulted in sales of over $250,000. “We invested $10,000 in buying the house contents as is, and we will have sold $400,000 after all is said and done after three auctions of the contents and treasures… This was the best investment I have made to date!” Alex shared with Bored Panda.

Madame Rac’s piano will live inside the café that Alex is opening beside his antique shop

"This Was The Best Investment I Have Made": Late Piano Teacher's House Turns Out To Be A Hoarder House With 400K Worth Of Treasures

Image credits: Curiosity Incorporated

The whole treasure hunt was documented and posted on Alex’s YouTube channel in the form of multiple vlogs

55Kviews

Julija Svidraitė is an editor here at Bored Panda who has a bachelor's degree in Psychology. Before starting her journey at BP, she had worked as a social media specialist at a marketing agency. She has also tried herself in a few different fields working as an intern: from practicing graphic design at a social media marketing agency, to being an assistant at a psychiatric hospital. Besides writing, Julija is also very passionate about illustrating, drinking coffee, and watching crime documentaries. You can find her in Bored Panda Office or reach her at julija.s@boredpanda.com.

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What do you think ?

POST

Tabitha L 3 years ago

Looks like she was a fun lady.

34points

Aunt Messy 3 years ago

This is what happened in my grandmother's house. My mother found $20,000.00 in cash just hidden around the house - like in a bucket full of dirty rags under the sink, she'd stuffed about $5000.00 in there. There were also four different safes that had to be drilled out and had things in them like a LOT of gold and diamond jewelry, a set of solid silver tableware, a quart jar full of silver dollars and so on and so on and so on..... ...///... It took a FULL YEAR to empty that house and six full sized construction dumpsters to get rid of the garbage. Every scrap of paper, every heat vent, open bit of duct work, rafter, attic, toilet tank...and so on and so on had to be searched. It was a nightmare of hantavirus risk, dust, and various filth.

30points

DamnBecky 3 years ago

My Grandmother told my dad that there was money hidden all over her house and he was to find it after she died. WE CANT FIND IT. 6 months of looking, me opening EVERY paperback romance novel, my step-mom going through thousands of sewing patterns. We have no idea but we'll keep looking as we sort everything in the house she lived in since 1950.

15points

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Brandy Grote 3 years ago

Alex had like 2 months to empty this hoarding house piled floor to ceiling, and he did it! Most viewers were like, no way, what have you done, Alex! But he was able to empty that place without just dumping everything. It's sad how people decline mentally as they age, and end up like that. What were they thinking when they hid money?

4points

Mewton’s Third Paw 3 years ago

I bought a house like that once. It took months to empty it, we probably used like six or seven dumpsters. I sold a lot of antique furniture from there but nothing valuable like gold or diamonds.

1point

Jo Choto 3 years ago

I love this. I think to honor Madame Rac, he should use some of that money to help underprivileged kids learn how to play the piano.

14points

Joonscrab 3 years ago

Eh... It's his money though. He should be able to do what he wants with it. Whereas, if you see those billionaires, they should donate money to kids :)

5points

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Shari Custer 3 years ago

Alex has already helped a homeless man escape homelessness and another escape near homelessness. He also gave money to the family of the woman who owned the first hoarder house he bought when he didn't have to and he brought both women who hoarded to the consciosness of the public. He's done plenty of charity already. So, I think that it's okay if he decides what to do with the money he gets from this find. You can decide to do good deeds on your own rather than spend someone else's money.

0points

kurisutofu 3 years ago

Why? If she wanted it, she could have done so while alive.

0points

JLH 3 years ago

Ha! The other day Alex (the treasure hunter) was showing an online auction with Bored Panda up in the favorites bar, and now he's here on Bored Panda. The fan has become the star. Btw, highly recommend the channel.

7points

marianne eliza 3 years ago

I had 2 uncles. They were both in their 70's. The younger died unexpectedly and his affairs were in a terrible mess. His older brother complained about that for 8weeks, when he too died unexpectedly. His affairs were in a worse mess and money and valuables were found hidden all over the house. The kindest thing a person can do for their family is to make sure your affairs are in order at all times. You never know what could happen. And your loved ones don't need any additional stress and distress.

6points

BluEyedSeoulite 3 years ago

It also helps a lot in limiting fighting. It is amazing to see how people radically change when they think they "deserve" whatever is left

1point

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Isaac7lego 3 years ago

wow! what a treasure trove!!!

6points

Emma London 3 years ago

I watched this Youtube series. He took a real risk since most of the time hoarder houses cost more to clean than what's the estate is worth. This time it payed off! It was really a dream hoard, and the series is worth to watch. When they found the bank statements and we "We think the couple were millionaires??"

5points

JLH 3 years ago

What I really want to know is what was in that safe deposit box.

3points

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Chelsea Corkum 3 years ago

I strongly encourage everyone to head over to his Youtube channel and watch all of everything. He has another beautiful series called the Potters House, which is simply amazing. Alex and his family are beautiful, kind, people, who seem to surround themselves with gentle and generous friends. Their channel is incredible and deserves so many more subscribers.

4points

Bec Snyder 3 years ago

Alex has a YouTube channel and showed the entire clean-out. There were SO many vintage designer clothes in that house! A whole room full of fur coats. He made his investment back just wholesaling the clothes.

4points

Brandy Grote 3 years ago

He is such a kind and funny man! His 2nd hoarder home, and he did well with both of them. Lol, we got nearly through the series before he revealed that the Musician's House belonged to the same woman he bought the Caddy from! She was an amazing lady, and he did right by her. Most of her clothes are being sold on Etsy, there were rooms piled high with amazing outfits.

3points

StrawberryParfait 3 years ago

Would it kill you to learn the Canadian provinces? Edmonton is a city in the province of Alberta. Think of our provinces like your states. Saying Edmonton, Canada sounds as stupid as Los Angeles, United States.

3points

Gyro Pilot 3 years ago

The OP? Name suggests that she is far, far away from NA.

1point

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Kendra Miller 3 years ago

OMG I love this series! It's enjoyable easy watching. He has another one called the potter house that is pretty good too.

3points

Melissa Mayhem 3 years ago

I would have loved going through those closets! Some possibly not opened for decades!

2points

A 3 years ago

His YouTube channel, Curiosity Inc. is really good. It's the 2nd time he's emptied out a hoarder house and has chronicled his journey. He's so respectful of the former home owners, reminding viewers that they had mental illness and weren't just filthy. He doesn't disparage them or their mess. He also donates a lot and helps others when he can. He really works hard and it shows.

2points

BluEyedSeoulite 3 years ago

My mom helped an old lady in my tiny hometown and when the lady died, she left a lot of her stuff to my mom. Turns out she was from a rich family in Chicago but had been disowned from her family because she married a poor man. They found a wedding invite to Al Capone's niece or daughter, I can't remember which!

1point

Ronda Schmidt 3 years ago

I love this video series. I follow Alex and his family on you tube. Fun to watch the stuff he finds and buys. Best of luck on his new building.

1point

Ryan Bitzer 3 years ago

I've been subscribed to Alex's YouTube channel for years. He's such a wonderful person with a wonderful family, wonderful store, and wonderful channel content! Please subscribe!

1point

Ryan Bitzer 3 years ago

I've been following Alex's YouTube channel for many years. He has such awesome content and such a wonderful family! Please subscribe!

1point

Ivy Ruonakoski 3 years ago

I've been watching Alex's channel for about two years now. It's my favourite YouTube channel. I'd recommend it to anyone who likes old things.

1point

Hisseefit 3 years ago

I discovered this channel about 3 months ago. Fascinating.

1point

Gyro Pilot 3 years ago

Estate sales: some good buys, some great buys, and a lot of worthless buys. But in every instance you're walking through and seeing someone's life.

1point

Erin D 3 years ago

Saw this in the news. I live in edmonton

1point

Kenny Kulbiski 3 years ago

Pretty cool but he knew a little background before he committed. I'm pretty sure this isn't your typical hoard. Good for him though.

1point

Night Owl 3 years ago

Lucky guy

1point

Brett 3 years ago

Thats insane!

1point

Lissy Shortall 3 years ago

What an amazing find!! It makes you wonder what certain cash offer companies like https://www.foxbuysyourhouse.com/ would find when they buy hoarder houses off of families! Awesome article

0points

Luanne Steele 3 years ago

My parents passed away and we found money in the oddest places. Like stuffed in the paper towels, and at the end of every kitchen drawer there was a envelope taped that had all kinds of money in them. Never leave a seniors house unless you’ve thoroughly checked again and again for money. Great story.

0points

Znaya 3 years ago

This is why you never judge people, you get to know their back story because things are not always as they appear to be, she seemed like a very nice lady, a bit scrambled at times but fun always 😀

0points

Sheila Stamey 3 years ago

I watched the video series from the beginning. Alex is a class act like I have never seen before. He and his incredible family deserve every success. They seem to be lovely people who care more about the intrinsic value of people than money. Although money is fun too. Go get em Alex!!!

0points

Arctic Fox Lover 3 years ago

Hopefully it's not stolen! xd

0points

Ivy Ruonakoski 3 years ago

The house?

0points

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Grumble O'Pug 3 years ago (edited)

Sad it all went to a picker when she could have spent the money on an attorney and the money could have gone to helping charities or a scholarship or an endowment. Pickers are just grubby people.

-3points

Ivy Ruonakoski 3 years ago

Who is the "she" you're talking about? The lady who owned the house died and a friend she left the house to sold the contents to Alex.

1point

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Thomas Sweda 3 years ago

This comment is hidden. Click here to view.

POST

Tabitha L 3 years ago

Looks like she was a fun lady.

34points

Aunt Messy 3 years ago

30points

DamnBecky 3 years ago

15points

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Brandy Grote 3 years ago

4points

Mewton’s Third Paw 3 years ago

I bought a house like that once. It took months to empty it, we probably used like six or seven dumpsters. I sold a lot of antique furniture from there but nothing valuable like gold or diamonds.

1point

Jo Choto 3 years ago

I love this. I think to honor Madame Rac, he should use some of that money to help underprivileged kids learn how to play the piano.

14points

Joonscrab 3 years ago

Eh... It's his money though. He should be able to do what he wants with it. Whereas, if you see those billionaires, they should donate money to kids :)

5points

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Shari Custer 3 years ago

0points

kurisutofu 3 years ago

Why? If she wanted it, she could have done so while alive.

0points

JLH 3 years ago

7points

marianne eliza 3 years ago

6points

BluEyedSeoulite 3 years ago

It also helps a lot in limiting fighting. It is amazing to see how people radically change when they think they "deserve" whatever is left

1point

Load More Replies...

Isaac7lego 3 years ago

wow! what a treasure trove!!!

6points

Emma London 3 years ago

5points

JLH 3 years ago

What I really want to know is what was in that safe deposit box.

3points

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Chelsea Corkum 3 years ago

4points

Bec Snyder 3 years ago

4points

Brandy Grote 3 years ago

3points

StrawberryParfait 3 years ago

3points

Gyro Pilot 3 years ago

The OP? Name suggests that she is far, far away from NA.

1point

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Kendra Miller 3 years ago

OMG I love this series! It's enjoyable easy watching. He has another one called the potter house that is pretty good too.

3points

Melissa Mayhem 3 years ago

I would have loved going through those closets! Some possibly not opened for decades!

2points

A 3 years ago

2points

BluEyedSeoulite 3 years ago

1point

Ronda Schmidt 3 years ago

I love this video series. I follow Alex and his family on you tube. Fun to watch the stuff he finds and buys. Best of luck on his new building.

1point

Ryan Bitzer 3 years ago

I've been subscribed to Alex's YouTube channel for years. He's such a wonderful person with a wonderful family, wonderful store, and wonderful channel content! Please subscribe!

1point

Ryan Bitzer 3 years ago

I've been following Alex's YouTube channel for many years. He has such awesome content and such a wonderful family! Please subscribe!

1point

Ivy Ruonakoski 3 years ago

I've been watching Alex's channel for about two years now. It's my favourite YouTube channel. I'd recommend it to anyone who likes old things.

1point

Hisseefit 3 years ago

I discovered this channel about 3 months ago. Fascinating.

1point

Gyro Pilot 3 years ago

Estate sales: some good buys, some great buys, and a lot of worthless buys. But in every instance you're walking through and seeing someone's life.

1point

Erin D 3 years ago

Saw this in the news. I live in edmonton

1point

Kenny Kulbiski 3 years ago

Pretty cool but he knew a little background before he committed. I'm pretty sure this isn't your typical hoard. Good for him though.

1point

Night Owl 3 years ago

Lucky guy

1point

Brett 3 years ago

Thats insane!

1point

Lissy Shortall 3 years ago

What an amazing find!! It makes you wonder what certain cash offer companies like https://www.foxbuysyourhouse.com/ would find when they buy hoarder houses off of families! Awesome article

0points

Luanne Steele 3 years ago

0points

Znaya 3 years ago

This is why you never judge people, you get to know their back story because things are not always as they appear to be, she seemed like a very nice lady, a bit scrambled at times but fun always 😀

0points

Sheila Stamey 3 years ago

0points

Arctic Fox Lover 3 years ago

Hopefully it's not stolen! xd

0points

Ivy Ruonakoski 3 years ago

The house?

0points

Load More Replies...

Grumble O'Pug 3 years ago (edited)

Sad it all went to a picker when she could have spent the money on an attorney and the money could have gone to helping charities or a scholarship or an endowment. Pickers are just grubby people.

-3points

Ivy Ruonakoski 3 years ago

Who is the "she" you're talking about? The lady who owned the house died and a friend she left the house to sold the contents to Alex.

1point

Load More Replies...

Thomas Sweda 3 years ago

This comment is hidden. Click here to view.

Related on Bored Panda

“This Was The Best Investment I Have Made”: Late Piano Teacher’s House Turns Out To Be A Hoarder House With 400K Worth Of Treasures

Alex Archbold is an antique hunter from Canada who has a YouTube channel with almost 400k subscribers

This past December, Alex purchased all the contents of the house that belonged to a late piano teacher

The former owner of the house, Bette-Joan Rac, passed away at 76 years old on November 18, 2020

Alex bought all the stuff for $10,000 in hopes to, in the end, be able to get his money’s worth

However, the hoarder house turned out to be a real treasure chest

Throughout the house, Alex was able to find loads of pure silver dollars

Cash hidden in the most unexpected places

100-ounce bar of silver

Silver and gold jewellery

Designer clothes

Madame Rac’s piano will live inside the café that Alex is opening beside his antique shop

The whole treasure hunt was documented and posted on Alex’s YouTube channel in the form of multiple vlogs

Games

Julija Svidraitė

Julija Svidraitė