Horrific Homes for Sale in New York

As of May 2010, New York's infamous house of horrors in Amityville, Long Island, is currently on sale for $1.5 million.

The house was the site of the 1975 DeFeo murders, in which Ronald DeFeo Jr. shot and killed his parents and siblings while they slept. Ronald Jr., or "Butch" as he was often called, claimed to have heard voices coming from within the house, telling him to murder his family.

Less than one year after the murders, the Lutz family moved into the house. They fled 28 days later, claiming to have been driven out by supernatural occurrences and hellish visions. In 1977, author Jay Anson published a book about the Lutzes' experience entitled, "The Amityville Horror." The book was the basis for the 1979 Oscar-nominated film by the same name. After the release of the movie, the house became infamous.

Since the Lutz family moved out, none of the new owners have ever complained of any paranormal activity or disturbances. The new owners did change the address of the house to avoid tourists, but it still attracts much attention.

Real estate agents are hoping that the colorful history behind the five-bedroom Dutch Colonial will help it sell quickly.

The home of notorious serial killer Joel Rifkin is also for sale, but no one seems too eager to reveal the home's past. The property listing for the home where several of Rifkin's victims were slain only states that it is a "handyman's special," two-story home in East Meadow, New York. Rifkin was convicted of nine counts of murder in 1994 and was sentenced to 203 years in prison. He remains today at the Clinton Correctional Facility in New York.

Real estate laws differ from state to state, but according to New York State disclosure laws, it is not mandatory to notify the buyer/prospective buyer of any crimes, deaths, murders, or other unpleasant activities that occurred at a particular property. If a buyer/prospective buyer specifically inquires about any unpleasant events occurred at a property, the real estate agent is mandated to answer honestly.

Note to any who are in the market for a house in New York: ask questions!