At $1.9 million, a waterfront house in Nyack, New York, that is reputed to inspire creativity and may even be haunted, might be yours.
Constructed in 1890, the 4,628-square-foot Victorian features five bedrooms and four bathrooms. Situated adjacent to the Hudson River, the house has a modest appearance.
The home is located on a very peaceful street. Listing agent Nancy Blaker Weber, who is selling the house for the third time, notes that it boasts a lot of original detail, including pocket doors and inlaid stained glass. “It’s completely refurbished, but the [owners] didn’t take it and convert it into something it’s not—they kept the original house’s charm. They improved it.
But a fast Google search shows the interesting history of the house. It might or might not be possessed.
If you look up “1 Laveta Place,” you’ll find that it was a part of the 1991 Stambovsky v. Ackley case, which is often referred to as the “Ghostbusters” decision. Thirty years ago, Jeffrey Stambovsky was attempting to purchase the house from Helen Ackley.
The state Supreme Court’s final decision is still referenced in property law matters and is a topic covered in law school nowadays.
“Because the owner claimed to have seen ghosts and it wasn’t disclosed to the next buyers, this was the test house and the test case where a judge declared this house legally haunted,” according to Blaker Weber.
Ackley claimed odd things were occurring in the house when she was the owner from the late 1970s to the late 1980s. She said that one spirit would shake the bed to wake her kid, and both national and local media covered her paranormal claims.
Neither she nor her listing agent disclosed the alleged hauntings when she attempted to sell the residence to Stambovsky. Stambovsky put down payment on the house, but he wanted to back out of the deal after learning about the poltergeists.
According to Blaker Weber, “What I’ve heard is that she was drawing attention to the house, maybe trying to create some kind of interesting buzz, and it just backfired.” “I have been in a lot of houses, and I can tell you that I have never felt uneasy in this particular house.”
The house was declared legally haunted by the New York Supreme Court, which also held that the buyer should have been informed of this.
“The law was established by this case. Blaker Weber says, “You run the risk of forfeiting your deposit if you disclose to your buyer that your house contains spirits but fail to do so.”
Filmmaker Adam Brooks, who penned, directed, and starred in the films “Definitely, Maybe” and “French Kiss,” purchased the property from Ackley in 1991. After his kids graduated from school, Brooks contacted Blaker Weber to sell the house, which was later purchased by singer-songwriter Ingrid Michaelson. She sold it to the current owner, artist Matisyahu, after her marital status changed. In order to move closer to his children’s schools, he has now placed it up for sale.
Blaker Weber, the owners’ listing agent, states, “I have spoken with everyone, and no one has ever seen a spirit or a ghost, or something odd.” That makes three owners who have had no problems at all. They just stated that it’s a warm, safe, and really unique house.
With three floors, the mansion occupies around half an acre. A copper soaking tub was installed to the master suite by Matisyahu. In addition, he installed a pool, fence, and garage.
The home’s large windows offer breathtaking views of the river.
“Magical light is created by the river. According to Blaker Weber, you can observe the dawn in the morning and then as the day goes on, there is lovely light in various areas of the home.
She continues, “The ideal buyer would love the light, the old homes, and the fact that it’s close to the village of Nyack.”
She says, “It has always been associated with creative people, but that doesn’t mean it wouldn’t appeal to someone outside of the creative arts.”
And maybe someone who enjoys a good ghost story without fear.
