Actor Anthony Mackie decided to buy a run-down 19th century home after falling through the floor while exploring the property.

The Captain America: The Winter Soldier star was in the market for a new home in his native New Orleans, Louisiana, and when an empty house caught his eye during a drive around the city with some pals, he decided to explore the property without permission.

In an interview with U.S. talk show host Ellen DeGeneres on Wednesday (02Apr14), he recalled, "I bought this amazing 1865 Victorian bed and breakfast. I was driving by (the house) with some friends, and it had been vacant for two years.

"One of my best friends from middle school is a real estate agent now, so we get in doing our 'due-diligence' and we go upstairs to the third floor and I'm like,'This is amazing!' - and I fall from the third floor all the way to the basement.

"I look up and I'm covered in termites and I look up at my friend on the third floor and I said, 'This is my house.'"

MACkie has since renovated the entire property, but when DeGeneres asked if he thought about taking legal action against the property owners for the faulty flooring, he replied, "Technically we broke in so we couldn't sue - but they gave me a really good price!"