In a successful public auction held on May 9, the most recent Buckeye Career Center (BCC) student-built “Buckeye House” found its new owners.
The single-family home, located at 2039 Brookside Dr., New Philadelphia, was sold for an impressive $365,000 to Chris and Jessie Pipes, residents of New Philadelphia. The high bid was officially accepted by the BCC Board of Education during their May Board of Education meeting later that evening.
The Pipes family, accompanied by their two daughters Addie and Harper, is expected to close on the property in June.
The Pipes family’s journey to their new home began with a visit to an open house, driven by their interest in relocating to the University Drive neighborhood. During their tour, Jessie Pipes expressed her immediate connection with the house, particularly when she set foot on the back patio. She described a profound feeling of peace washing over her, solidifying her belief that this was “the one.”
“We just felt this wave of peace over us and it felt like home. We could imagine our kids here,” Jessie shared. “For us, that was really important, giving a place that we could settle our girls in and give them roots.”
Her emotional reaction convinced Chris Pipes to participate in the auction.
“I turned around at the open house and saw tears in my wife’s eyes, and I knew we were going to have to bid for it,” Chris said.
The construction of the Buckeye House commenced in August 2021 and reached completion in early April 2023. This custom-built ranch-style home boasts an array of features, including three bedrooms, two bathrooms, exquisite custom-built cabinets, LVT wood flooring, and a stunning brick and tile fireplace.
The bedrooms are equipped with walk-in closets, while the master bath showcases a beautifully tiled walk-in shower. To enhance the overall appeal, the modern, open-concept home also offers covered front and back porches. Students from various BCC programs, including Construction Technology, Energy Operations, Masonry, Landscaping, HVAC-R, and Electrical Systems Technology, played crucial roles in bringing the house to fruition.
Following the acceptance of the winning bid, Francis Picchetti, a member of the BCC Board of Education, expressed his admiration for the hard work and dedication exhibited by BCC students and staff in creating a remarkable final product.
“The Board of Education appreciates what they do and their professionalism. The community sees that, and we are so proud of them,” Picchetti remarked, acknowledging the tremendous contribution made by the BCC team.
The auction itself was conducted by Steve Cronebaugh, representing Cronebaugh Auctions and Barnett Realtors. Andreas Furniture staged the home, allowing potential buyers to envision themselves in the space, while Weaver Appliance supplied the necessary appliances, adding the finishing touches to the property.