South Orange To Auction Off Old Stone House

The following announcement is from the Township of South Orange Village. According to the Star-Ledger, the Old Stone House is the oldest standing structure in New Jersey.

On November 13, 2013 the Township of South Orange Village (the “Village”) will offer for sale to the highest bidder, with a reservation to reject all bidders, a portion of BlocK 1007, Lot 13, commonly referred to as the Old Stone House (the “Property”), not required for municipal purposes and improved with a structure on the state and federal registers of historic places.

In addition to an historic preservation easement, the Property is burdened by a number of significant access, utility and legal constraints. These matters, coupled with the poor condition of the structure, will require potential bidders to conduct a significant amount of due diligence. 

The successful bidder will be required to post a bid deposit of ten percent of the bid amount, in cash or by certified check, which deposit will be retained as liquidated damages should the successful bidder fail to close title.

The Property shall be conveyed by quitclaim deed, subject to restrictions and easements of record and such facts as an accurate survey will disclose. The Property is being offered for sale with alternate means of access to a public street, the means of which shall be determined by the Village after the receipt of bids, but before the award.

Bidders may bid on one or both of the proposed means of access. The successful bidder shall comply with the following conditions:

1. The bidder shall be responsible for all land use and other administrative approvals necessary to achieve the means of access chosen by the Village. Where such means includes the acquisition of real property from a third party, the bidder shall be responsible for the associated cost.
   
   
2. The bidder shall be responsible for connection to all utilities, including water and sewer. Where such connection may include the acquisition of real property or easement rights from a third party, the bidder shall be responsible for the associated cost.
   
   
3. The bidder shall be responsible for securing all land use approvals and associated costs, necessitated for the use that the bidder proposes for the Property.
   
   
4. The bidders shall be bound by an historic preservation easement. The Village will cooperate with the successful bidder to secure land use approvals, access and utility connections, but not for any costs associated therewith.