Historic and Deteriorating Adams-Bernstein House Up for Sale

A historic house that was left to deteriorate for years in Yorktown will soon be out on the market in hopes of finding a buyer willing to renovate it. 

The final agreement is expected to be worked out at the June 5 town board meeting to allow local realtor William Primavera to be the listing agent for the home.

The house, also known at the Adams-Bernstein House, is located at 3147 Old Yorktown Rd. It's an 1840s farmhouse named for the tenant farmers who built it and the couple who once lived there.

The historic property is a controversial site that has fallen into disrepair in the 20 years since it was bequeathed to the town of Yorktown in the will of Helen Bernstein. Since then it's presented somewhat of a challenge for the town – considering whether it should be kept by the town or how best to dispose of it.

Two years ago, the Adams-Bernstein House was among a number of town-owned properties that were put through a public auction. It was sold at the  for $170,000, but the highest bidder Hugo Rivas backed out of closing, losing his deposit.

"This is a sweet moment for me," Primavera said of being awarded the bid through the town. "I have been working for more than nine years to solve the dilemma of this once-beautiful home falling into disrepair as our town’s most dilapidated building."

Primavera had to have the property serve as a Yorktown Visitors Center and the office of the Yorktown Chamber of Commerce. He also envisioned the space to be shared with the Yorktown Museum.

"It was a beautiful plan, and I got all the necessary people and organizations together to contribute their time and money to the effort," he said. "I think that the administration at that time really missed the boat by not taking that opportunity."

Then, and have it developed for affordable housing. That offer also was also turned down.

Primavera said he was happy town board members have now decided to award him with the contract. 

According to town records, the Adams-Bernstein house was built around 1830 and features 2,284 square feet, three bedrooms, one bathroom and a working fireplace. In addition there is an old barn on the property, built around the same time, where at the turn of the last century, calves and cows were sold. The property has 6.327 acres, of which 3.702 acres are protected by a conservation easement. 

Primavera said he hopes a buyer will renovate the historic house, rather than tear it down. 

"Renovating an old house which most likely has lead paint and asbestos which would have to be re-mediated, can be a daunting task and may require $250,000 or more to accomplish," he said. "But hopefully we’ll find someone who will recognize and want to save this example of the early Greek Revival/Pre-Victorian style of architecture, simplified for a modest farm house in the 1830s."

The house will go on the market as soon as the details of the contract are worked out, probably by June 5, according to Primavera. The list price will be $215,000. 

"This will be a very gratifying project and a fun one to work on," Primavera said. "The property is lovely and never has there been a greater need, totally justified for TLC!"

To learn more about the property and its sale price, Primavera can be reached at Bill@PrimaveraRealEstate.com or contacted directly at 914-522-2076.