When I started my business, I had no idea how much of a conversation starter it would become. Anytime someone asks what I do, their curiosity kicks in, and suddenly, I’m fielding a barrage of questions about the things we find in people’s homes. There’s an undeniable fascination with how others live—what they collect, what they keep, and sometimes, what they leave behind.
Over the years, I’ve heard the same questions time and time again:
What’s the strangest thing you’ve ever found?
What’s the most valuable discovery?
Do you deal with a lot of hoarders?
What’s the worst thing you’ve ever seen?
And the funny thing is—everyone reacts differently to my answers. What I find strange might seem ordinary to someone else. Is a person really a hoarder if they own 50 of the same item, or are they just preparing for an emergency? Perspective is everything.
So, how would you react to some of the things we’ve uncovered?
Strangest find: A commercial power transformer—inside a home.
Most historically significant: An original document signed by both George Washington and Alexander Hamilton.
Surprise jackpot: A rare Asian print, tucked behind a door, that ended up selling for $28,000.
Most unsettling discovery: Deceased pets.
Most awkward dilemma: Cremated remains. (Yes, this happens more often than you’d think.)
Dirtiest home: A bathroom where used adult diapers weren’t disposed of—they were just piled into the tub and shower.
Hoarders? We work with them all the time.
At this point, I tell my clients: We’ve seen it all. Very little shocks us anymore. And yet, I have to admit—the jobs that still grab our attention tend to be the ones that surprise (or horrify) us just a little bit.
Is that strange? You decide.