real estate bubble

Christina Hall is a woman of many names. Forget the multiverse, we’re talking multi-monikers.

We first made her acquaintance back in 2013 when she was known as Christina El-Moussa. A decade ago, she likely had aspirations of stardom with the launch of “Flip or Flop” on HGTV, but nothing could have prepared her for the fame—and tabloid headlines—ahead.

Her show with then-husband Tarek El-Moussa became a hit, but their relationship deteriorated. The couple separated in 2016 and divorced in 2017. She quickly rebounded into a relationship with British TV host Ant Anstead and the duo were married in late 2018. The former Mrs. El-Moussa took Ant’s name and became Christina Anstead.

But after just 21 months of marriage and one child, she announced her separation from Anstead. In late 2020, after filing for divorce, she announced that she would be now known as Christina Haack—her maiden name.

Her backtrack to Haack lasted less than two years, when she married real estate agent Joshua Hall in April 2022. Now known as Christina Hall, it’s her fourth name in ten years. It’s been a challenge to keep up with Christina’s switching surnames, but there’s plenty else to learn about this well-known home designer.

Curious about what curveballs you might have missed? Brush up on these surprising facts about this famous house flipper.

1. Her original name is a real mouthful

Christina was born Christina Meursinge Haack and raised in California’s Orange County. She attended a local community college when she realized she’d like to pursue real estate as a career.

2. She originally wanted to be a sports agent

Although she shines in the spotlight, stardom was never a burning desire.

“I never thought about being on TV. I wanted to be a sports agent like Jerry Maguire,” she admits.

An Instagram photo of a young smiling Christina alongside NBA legend Magic Johnson hinted at her future plans.

Yet during college at San Diego State, she opted to get her real estate license instead.

“I got started in real estate at 21,” she says, “which led to selling houses, which led to flipping houses, which led to TV.”

3. She and Tarek El Moussa met working in real estate

Christina began working at a real estate office, which is where she met Tarek El Moussa. She was 22. Things moved quickly for these two.

“The day Tarek and I officially started dating, which was Oct. 9, 2006, we moved in together,” she said in an interview with Good Housekeeping. Talk about a whirlwind romance!

In 2009, the two got married and had two kids, Taylor and Brayden. Seven years later, they separated, but not before making a name and business for themselves as flipping partners.

4. Christina and Tarek started flipping because of the recession

In the late 2000s, the real estate market was hit hard by the recession and the burst of the nationwide real estate bubble.

And because they both worked in the real estate realm, the couple had some hard times. They even had to downsize their own home, going from a house with a $6,000 mortgage to a rental apartment with a roommate.

To make ends meet, Christina and Tarek decided to try their hand at house flipping. The couple bought their first investment property for $115,000, with business partner Pete De Best, and split a $34,000 profit. Not bad for a couple of first-time flippers!

5. ‘Flip or Flop’ began with a borrowed video camera

With their house flipping ventures proving successful, Tarek thought their projects would make a good show. He borrowed a video camera to make a demo. At the time, Christina was seven months pregnant with their daughter, Taylor.

Soon, Pie Town Productions, which produces shows for HGTV, expressed interest in the couple. Their show was named “Flip or Flop,” and 13 episodes were ordered in the first run. The couple were reportedly paid $10,000 each per episode during that first season.

6. One hit show led to another, ‘Christina on the Coast’

Despite the couple’s off-screen drama, “Flip or Flop” became a huge success for HGTV and led to spinoffs for both Tarek and Christina.

El Moussa now tutors novice flippers on “Flipping 101,” while Christina has the home design show, “Christina on the Coast.” Her show premiered in 2019 and is now headed into its fourth season.

7. Her move to Music City inspired yet another spinoff

In early 2021, Christina looked beyond the comforts of her familiar surroundings in California. She plunked down $2.5 million for a modern farmhouse near Nashville. The six-bedroom home sits on 23 acres in Franklin, TN.

It also proved to be the perfect setting for another HGTV spin-off, “Christina in the Country.” The show documents the expansion of her design business in the Nashville area as well as putting down roots in a completely new environment.

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8. Christina has her own flooring line

While Christina is best known for her HGTV shows, she’s also branched out into the wide world of flooring.

Her collection of waterproof vinyl flooring designed to resemble hardwood is available in a variety of colors and styles. She insists vinyl floors can be stylish and said, “I would never sell a product that is not attractive.”

After battling health problems in recent years, Christina went to an alternative medicine center in late 2022. She wanted to get the bottom of her ailments and turned to a quantum biofeedback machine.

The HGTV star reported on Instagram that her test results showed mercury and lead poisoning—a result that she attributed to all the “gross flips” she did in her early career with Tarek.

Prior to her diagnosis, Christina documented her health struggles and her attempt at healing in the 2020 book, “The Wellness Remodel.”

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Source: realtor.com