Leah Haslage

Part 1 of 2

I bought my house on August 14th, 2023. Eight days later, I matched with Dave on Hinge.

I unpacked my boxes while we started dating. Less than two years later, I boxed them right back up to move in with him and his kids. And one of the first things we figured out talking on that app? We were neighbors. Both of us in Old Brooklyn, blocks apart. Apparently the universe had been playing the long game with us (and that’s a whole other story to tell!).

Last summer I listed it. I was moving in with Dave and the kids, the plan felt clear, and I was ready to close that chapter. It was on the market for about a month before I pulled it. The feedback was consistent: two bedrooms, no dishwasher. Fine. Fair. I took it down and decided if we were going to do this, we were going to actually do it.

September, we started converting the attic into a third bedroom. Manageable. A project with a finish line. As we were wrapping up, I was ready to list. Eager, honestly. Dave had other ideas.

Early February he convinced me we needed to fully remodel the kitchen. I was apprehensive. We went back and forth on it. Then I ran upstairs to grab something, came back down, and Dave had ripped a cabinet off the wall.

Well. I guess we’re redoing the kitchen.

Because so much of it was our own blood, sweat, and tears with help from family and friends, both rooms took longer than a contractor timeline would have. But we did it. Third bedroom, brand new kitchen. The design decisions alone could be their own post—and they will be. I’m launching a Substack soon to dish all the sourcing, layout choices, and design chaos, so stay tuned for that.

And then, finally, it was ready to list.

We relisted in May. The feedback came back: one bathroom.

Ok, Captain Obvious. It’s literally on the listing. You read it, scheduled the showing, drove to Old Brooklyn, and somehow the one bathroom was a surprise. People change their minds, I get it. Doesn’t mean it’s not annoying.

But here’s where the story gets layered. The house hit the market the same week our current home went under construction. I was prepping two properties, making major design decisions for a massive build, navigating a full career transition, and trying to stay present for our family and friends through all of it.

Pressure cooker is the only way I know how to describe the last six months.

Not breaking. Just… everything at once, every decision mattering, very little room to breathe between them.

The house is pending now. It should close next month. That’s the win. That’s the exhale I’ve been waiting on.

But there’s a Part 2 to this story. The house under construction. The build. The chaos that was quietly running in the background while I was out here looking like I had it together.

First I needed you to understand what we came out of to get there.

Part 2 is coming next week: The Build, The Chaos, and the Reality of Living Through Construction.

Make sure you’re subscribed so you don’t miss the rest of the ride, and keep an eye out for that Substack link dropping soon if you want the paint colors, kitchen sources, and layout details from this first house!

Cheers,
Leah