5 Shocking Transformations: The Amityville Horror House Today And Its Unsettling Reality

The house at 112 Ocean Avenue in Amityville, Long Island, New York, remains one of the most infamous residential properties in American history, forever tied to the chilling 1974 DeFeo family murders and the subsequent paranormal claims of the Lutz family. As of December 13, 2025, the property is a completely transformed, privately owned residence, and its current reality is far removed from the terrifying, cinematic depictions that have cemented its place in horror folklore. This deep dive explores the current status of the house, the major renovations designed to erase its sinister past, and the surprising truth about life inside the world's most notorious home. The property, now known by a different address to confuse onlookers, has been sold multiple times since the infamous events of the 1970s. Each new owner has taken significant steps to modernize the home and, more importantly, to strip away the visual identifiers that attract thousands of curious sightseers and 'horror buffs' every year. The story of the Amityville house today is one of relentless renovation and a desperate, decades-long attempt to return a piece of real estate to normalcy.

The DeFeo Murders and the Infamous 28 Days: The Origin Story

The house’s dark legend began on November 13, 1974, when 23-year-old Ronald "Butch" DeFeo Jr. murdered his entire family as they slept inside the home. The victims included his parents, Ronald Sr. and Louise DeFeo, and his four younger siblings: Dawn, Allison, Marc, and John Matthew DeFeo. All six victims were found dead in their beds, having been shot with a rifle. Ronald Jr. was later convicted of the murders, claiming he was driven by "voices" in the house. Just 13 months after the horrific crime, the house was purchased by George and Kathy Lutz and Kathy’s three children from a previous marriage. Their stay was notoriously brief, lasting only 28 days before they fled, claiming to have experienced extreme paranormal phenomena. These claims formed the basis of Jay Anson's 1977 bestselling book, *The Amityville Horror*, and the subsequent blockbuster film adaptations. The Lutz family never retracted their story, despite widespread skepticism and later claims that the tale was a hoax.

5 Shocking Transformations: Erasing the Horror House's Identity

The notoriety generated by the book and the 1979 film adaptation made the house a magnet for tourists and vandals, making it nearly unlivable for subsequent owners. To combat this constant harassment and reclaim their privacy, every owner since the Lutzes has undertaken significant renovations and strategic changes aimed at making the house unrecognizable.

1. The Address Change: From 112 to 108 Ocean Avenue

Perhaps the most crucial and enduring change was the alteration of the official address. The original, infamous address was 112 Ocean Avenue, Amityville, NY 11701. At the behest of one of the subsequent owners, the address was officially changed to 108 Ocean Avenue. This was done specifically to confuse and deter tourists, who often use the original address in their searches. Some historical records also point to a brief change to 110 Ocean Avenue, adding another layer of confusion for those trying to locate the property.

2. The Removal of the Infamous "Eye" Windows

The most recognizable feature of the house, both in real life and in the film, was the pair of quarter-round, half-moon windows on the uppermost floor, which gave the house a sinister, eye-like appearance. These windows became the visual shorthand for the Amityville Horror legend. The Peter and Jeanne O'Neill family, who purchased the house in 1987, were the first to make a major structural change by removing these windows and replacing them with standard, square-shaped windows. This single act dramatically altered the home's facade, making it look considerably different from the house depicted in the movies.

3. Filling in the In-Ground Pool and Extensive Remodeling

The O'Neills also undertook another major renovation: they filled in the in-ground swimming pool on the property. Later owners, including Brian Wilson (who bought the house in 1997), continued the remodeling efforts. Wilson added a second sunroom to the back of the house and upgraded the boathouse near the Amityville Creek. The house has been described as "beautiful" and "incredibly lived in" following these extensive renovations, which have modernized the interior and exterior.

4. The Long-Term Stay of the Cromarty Family

A key part of the house's modern history is the long, uneventful stay of Jim and Barbara Cromarty. They purchased the foreclosed property from Columbia Savings and Loan in 1977 for $55,000, shortly after the Lutzes returned it. Despite initial harassment from fans, the Cromartys lived in the home for a decade, until 1987, and never reported any paranormal activity. Their long, quiet residency is often cited by skeptics as proof that the house is not truly haunted, suggesting the story is merely folklore.

5. The Most Recent Sale and Current Ownership

The house was last publicly listed for sale in 2016 for $850,000 by Caroline and David D'Antonio, who had owned it since 2010. It was ultimately sold in March 2017 to an unnamed couple for a significantly lower price of $605,000. This sale marked the fifth ownership change since the 1974 murders. The current owners, whose identity is protected for privacy, continue to live in the home today, ensuring it remains a private residence.

The Amityville House Today: Current Status and Reality Check

The reality of the Amityville house today is mundane compared to its terrifying reputation. It is a well-maintained, large Dutch Colonial-style home in a desirable, middle-class suburb of Long Island.

A Private Residence, Not a Tourist Attraction

The most important fact about the house is that it remains a private residence. Public visitors are not welcome, and the current owners have gone to great lengths to maintain their privacy. The address change and the removal of the iconic windows have made it significantly harder for casual tourists to find and identify the property. Neighbors report that the owners simply wish for the hoax to end so they can enjoy their property in peace.

No Reported Paranormal Activity Since the Lutzes

Perhaps the most compelling evidence against the house being genuinely haunted is the sheer lack of reported incidents since the Lutz family fled in 1976. Owners like the Cromartys, the O'Neills, Brian Wilson, and the D'Antonios all lived in the house for years, and none of them reported any psychic phenomena, strange occurrences, or unusual activity. The only "horror" reported by subsequent owners was the constant stream of uninvited visitors and fans of the movie.

The Amityville Real Estate Market

While the house itself has not been on the public market since 2016/2017, the surrounding area of Amityville, NY 11701, remains a balanced real estate market. As of September 2025, the median listing home price in the area was approximately $649,000, with homes selling for a median price of $612,000. The house's last sale price of $605,000 in 2017 was in line with the median home sold price for the area at the time, suggesting that despite its dark history, the property’s value is primarily determined by its desirable location on Ocean Avenue and its size, not by a "haunted" discount.

The Enduring Legacy of the Amityville Horror

The Amityville Horror story continues to be one of the most famous and well-documented haunting tales in US history, inspiring numerous films, documentaries, and books. However, the actual house at 108 Ocean Avenue (formerly 112 Ocean Avenue) is now a testament to the power of renovation and the desire for normalcy. The current owners are not battling demons or poltergeists; they are simply trying to live a quiet life in a suburban home that has become an unwilling participant in a global horror franchise. The true horror has long since left the property, replaced by the reality of high property taxes and the occasional curious motorist.