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The Amityville Horror House In 2025: 5 Shocking Facts About 112 Ocean Drive's Current Status And Value

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The house at 112 Ocean Avenue, Amityville, New York, remains one of the most famous—and infamous—properties in American history, nearly 50 years after the events that inspired "The Amityville Horror." Today, in December 2025, the house has undergone significant changes in both its physical appearance and its legal address, yet it continues to be a focal point for true crime enthusiasts and paranormal skeptics alike. The true story of the DeFeo murders and the subsequent haunting claims by the Lutz family have cemented its dark legacy, but the modern reality of the home is far more mundane, yet fascinatingly expensive. The original address, 112 Ocean Avenue, was intentionally changed to 108 Ocean Avenue by subsequent owners in an attempt to deter curiosity seekers and maintain privacy. Despite this, the Dutch Colonial home, with its distinctive quarter-round windows that resemble eyes, is a valuable piece of Long Island real estate, currently off-market but with a surprisingly high estimated market value based on recent tax assessments.

The Families: Victims and Residents of the Infamous Address

The history of the Amityville house is inextricably linked to two families: the DeFeos, who were brutally murdered, and the Lutzes, whose short, terrifying stay launched a global horror franchise.

The DeFeo Family (The Victims)

The DeFeo family was the first to bring tragedy to the address. On November 13, 1974, 23-year-old Ronald "Butch" DeFeo Jr. murdered his entire family as they slept in their beds.
  • Ronald DeFeo Sr.: Age 43, Father.
  • Louise DeFeo: Age 43, Mother.
  • Dawn DeFeo: Age 18, Sister.
  • Allison DeFeo: Age 13, Sister.
  • Marc DeFeo: Age 12, Brother.
  • John Matthew DeFeo: Age 9, Brother.
  • Ronald DeFeo Jr. ("Butch"): The perpetrator, convicted of six counts of second-degree murder. He died in prison in March 2021, closing the final chapter on the killer himself.

The Lutz Family (The Claimants)

Just over a year after the murders, George and Kathy Lutz purchased the home for a reduced price of $80,000. They and Kathy’s three children moved in on December 18, 1975, but fled just 28 days later, claiming to have been terrorized by severe paranormal phenomena.
  • George Lutz: Husband, who claimed to experience a personality change and demonic visions.
  • Kathy Lutz: Wife, who claimed to have been physically touched and levitated.
  • Daniel, Christopher, and Missy: Kathy’s three children from a previous marriage.

The House's Current Status: Address Change, Value, and Renovations

The house known today as 108 Ocean Avenue is a far cry from the terrifying image popularized by the 1979 film and its subsequent remakes. The property has been owned by several families since the Lutzes, all of whom have actively sought to erase its sinister reputation.

1. The Address is No Longer 112 Ocean Avenue

The most significant change is the street number itself. The original address, 112 Ocean Avenue, was changed by a subsequent owner to 108 Ocean Avenue to discourage tourists and curiosity seekers. This is a common practice for homes with dark histories. The house remains a private residence in a quiet, affluent Long Island neighborhood.

2. The House is Off-Market But Highly Valuable in 2025

As of late 2024 and early 2025, the home is not publicly listed for sale or rent on major real estate platforms. However, its value continues to climb, driven by the strong New York real estate market and its infamous history. * Last Known Sale Price: The property officially sold in March 2017 for $605,000. * 2024–2025 Tax Assessment: Recent public tax records for the 108 Ocean Avenue address confirm a base property tax of approximately $20,692 for the 2024-2025 tax year, reflecting its high valuation. * Estimated Current Value: While estimates vary widely due to its notoriety, some real estate analyses place the current market value of the home and its property well over $1 million, with some estimates reaching $1.9 million, showcasing a significant jump since the 2017 sale.

3. The Iconic "Eyes" Windows Are Gone

One of the most recognizable features of the house, which was heavily featured in the first two films—the distinctive, sinister-looking quarter-round windows on the third floor—were removed long ago. The house has been repeatedly renovated and modified by its various owners, including James Cromarty, who purchased the home in 1977. These renovations were specifically intended to alter the house’s appearance and make it less recognizable to the public.

The Enduring Controversy: Hoax vs. Haunting

The house’s legacy is defined by a fierce debate between those who believe the supernatural claims and those who see it as a clever real estate hoax. This controversy is the engine that keeps the "Amityville Horror" entity alive.

The Paranormal Claims

The Lutz family’s account, detailed in Jay Anson’s 1977 book, included a litany of terrifying events: green slime oozing from walls, a hidden "Red Room" in the basement, George Lutz waking up at 3:15 AM (the alleged time of the DeFeo murders), and the presence of a demonic pig-like entity named "Jodie." The family fled after only 28 days. The claims were supported by paranormal investigators Ed and Lorraine Warren, who visited the home shortly after the Lutzes left.

The Hoax Counter-Narrative

Skeptics point to multiple inconsistencies in the Lutz family’s story and the fact that the house was sold to them for a bargain price due to the DeFeo murders, suggesting a financial motive for fabricating a haunting. Most critically, every owner who has lived in the house *since* the Lutz family—including the Cromartys and the current residents—has publicly stated they have experienced no paranormal activity whatsoever. This suggests the house's haunting reputation ended with the Lutzes' departure, lending significant weight to the "hoax" theory.

The Role of Ronald DeFeo Jr.'s Death

The death of Ronald DeFeo Jr. in 2021 was the final word from the only person who truly knew what happened on the night of the murders. He spent his life offering conflicting accounts, ranging from claiming he was possessed by a demon to asserting his sister Dawn was involved. His death ensures that the full, factual truth of the DeFeo murders will never be definitively known, leaving the door perpetually open for speculation about whether a demonic influence or simple, brutal crime was the catalyst for the Amityville legend. The house at 108 Ocean Avenue continues its life as a regular, albeit historically dark, private residence. Its current owners live quietly, shielded by the address change and major renovations. The true horror of the house remains confined to the pages of books and the frames of films, a chilling reminder of a genuine tragedy that gave birth to one of the greatest—and most disputed—ghost stories of all time.
The Amityville Horror House in 2025: 5 Shocking Facts About 112 Ocean Drive's Current Status and Value
112 ocean drive amityville
112 ocean drive amityville

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