Ben Affleck and estranged wife Jennifer Lopez‘s bid to sell their $68million former marital home has hit a devastating road block.
The stars, who are currently working on mediating their ‘tricky’ divorce with lawyer Laura Wasser, bought the home in May 2023 for $60.8million – and had received and accepted a $64 million offer from a couple from New Jersey, per TMZ.
However, the sale of the home is now under threat after the unknown buyers ‘pulled out of escrow’ following a death in their family.
When a property falls out of escrow, it means that something went wrong with the sale of the property or some other aspect of the transaction.
Once this happens, the property is no longer under contract and be relisted for sale.
The buyers were said to have fallen ‘in love’ with their 38,000-square-foot mansion, which the former couple listed on Zillow for a staggering $68 million in July.
Ben Affleck and estranged wife Jennifer Lopez ‘s bid to sell their $68million former marital home has hit a devastating road block; seen together in January
The stars bought the lavish home in May 2023 for $60.8million – and had received and accepted a $64 million offer from a couple from New Jersey, per TMZ
Despite backing out of an escrow, the insider claimed that the New Jersey couple are ‘still interested in the property.’
Affleck, 52, and Lopez, 55, paid cash for the estate and ‘spent several million on renovations.’
Additionally, the two-time Oscar winner and superstar had to pay a 5.25 percent mansion tax and ‘hefty fee to the realtors,’ according to TMZ.
Crucially – the proposed sale of the home would mark an important division in the $550million assets of the exes – who famously wed in 2022 without a prenuptial agreement.
Lopez’s assets account for $400million of their wealth treasure chest. Affleck is reportedly worth an estimated $150million.
The property, known as Crestview Manor, includes a 12-bedroom, 24-bathroom main house as well as a 5,000 square foot guest penthouse, plus a two-bedroom guardhouse, a caretaker house and a 12-car garage.
Amenities include a bar, a home gym, a sports lounge, a bar, a boxing ring, basketball and pickleball courts and parking for 80 vehicles.
Earlier this month, a source revealed to People that the former couple were not on the same page when they purchased the property.
‘The $68 million mansion was Ben’s idea and a major compromise for her,’ a source told the outlet.
However, the sale of the home is now under threat after the unknown buyers ‘pulled out of escrow’ following a death in their family
Crucially – the proposed sale of the home would mark an important division in the $550million assets of the exes – who famously wed in 2022 without a prenuptial agreement (seen last year)
Lopez is seen posing inside the 12 bedroom mansion
‘She agreed to it because of its spacious layout, accommodating both their families, a gym and a pickleball court, office space, plus it has two private entrances,’ the insider added, noting how the layout was ideal for accommodating Ben’s children —Violet, 18; Finn, 15; and Samuel, 12 — and JLo’s 16-year-old twins, Max and Emme.
According to the outlet’s source, the ultra-modern aesthetic of the mansion, didn’t exactly align with the style of the Jenny From The Block singer.
‘She loves the romantic, Spanish, European vibe,’ they said.
However, once they settled in, Ben wasn’t particularly excited about the place either.
The source claimed Ben found it inconvenient and time-consuming to deal with traffic from the house, as his life and children are based in Brentwood, and he never liked the location.
The Batman actor has since acquired a new bachelor pad for himself, costing $20.5 million.
As J.Lo and Ben divide up their assets, a source told People that their ongoing divorce ‘has the potential to get ugly’ since they did not sign a prenuptial agreement.
The source noted that ‘there are some sticking points over financials’ between the couple, who eloped at The Little White Chapel in Las Vegas.
In her divorce filing, Lopez, who listed their separation date as April 26, 2024, wrote that their assets were ‘unknown.’
According to California state law, only the income and assets they earned during their short-lived marriage are ‘considered community property and subject to division.’
Earlier this month, a source revealed to People that the former couple were not on the same page when they purchased the property
This includes the Beverly Hills mansion and a number of the projects and endorsements they’ve done since tying the knot.
They are currently in mediation which is a less formal, faster alternative to a traditional divorce.
According to Wagner & Bloch’s website, ‘Divorce mediation is an alternative dispute resolution process where a third-party mediator guides a separating couple to resolve issues related to property distribution, child custody, alimony and other divorce matters.’
Amid the divorce, Jennifer also seems to be doing well as a source claimed ‘she still feels very fortunate’ despite ‘some bitterness’ surrounding the split.
‘The $68 million mansion was Ben’s idea and a major compromise for her,’ a source told People
‘She tried so hard to make things work and it didn’t matter to Ben. She’s surrounded by family, friends and her kids,’ the insider told People.
Jennifer and Ben legally separated April 26, with the actress then filing for divorce in LA County Superior Court on August 20, citing ‘irreconcilable differences.’
On Tuesday evening, the estranged couple attended their children’s back-to-school night in Los Angeles, creating quite a buzz, per TMZ.
Attendees noted that Lopez and Affleck seemed friendly and relaxed as they mingled with other parents and students.
While they seemed to get along during their outing, insiders indicate that a reconciliation is not in the cards for the couple, as both continue to prioritize their separate paths following the divorce.
This comes after PageSix claimed her and Ben whom she filed for divorce from last month, could not keep his hands off her during a family brunch at the Beverly Hills Hotel several days ago.
It was also claimed that Ben kissed Jennifer as he is still ‘attracted’ to her.
Lopez has not been posting much on Instagram since separating from Affleck in April, so this may be a sign that things are looking up in her life.
It is not known if she is back together with Ben.
A source claimed to PageSix that Ben and Jennifer were ‘at the Polo Lounge at the Beverly Hills Hotel holding hands and kissing.’
The insider explained that their kids were also nearby at the restaurant, ‘but at a separate table.’ At the end of brunch, Ben’s ex Jennifer Garner arrived to pick up her and Affleck’s two kids Fin and Samuel while the Bennifer left in a car together.
DailyMail.com reached out to the representatives for comment about the shock PDA claims but did not receive a response.
People insisted, however, that the divorce is still on even though PageSix claimed the exes were cuddling and kissing.
Lopez is reportedly ‘ trying to be friendly’ with her Affleck for the sake of their kids.
The singer/actress split from the Hollywood actor in April after less than two years of marriage, and she filed for divorce on August 20 – the date of their second wedding anniversary.
The former couple were pictured having brunch together in Los Angeles with their kids over the weekend.
And it has been been reported that Jennifer wants to remain on good terms with her ex for the sake of their children.
A source told PEOPLE: ‘They all came together for a fun lunch so the kids could hang out. [Lopez is] trying to be friendly with Ben. They are still moving forward with the divorce though.’
The insider added: ‘A divorce is never easy, but Jennifer doesn’t want to be selfish about it. The kids always got along and have fun together. It makes her happy seeing the kids happy together. Happy kids are her priority.’
The former couple were pictured out at the Polo Lounge at the Beverly Hills Hotel in Los Angeles on Saturday along with Ben’s kids Fin, 15, and Samuel, 12, as well as Jennifer’s 16-year-old twins, Emme and Max with ex Marc Anthony.
Ben is also dad to 18-year-old Violet – who is at college – from his marriage to Jennifer Garner.
Lopez was engaged to Hollywood actor Ben in the early 2000s, but the relationship ended shortly before they were due to get married.
The stars were engaged over 20 years ago but broke it off. Seen in 2003
Jennifer and Ben originally met on the LA set of Martin Brest’s box office bomb Gigli in 2001, but abruptly split just three days before their wedding in 2004.
They both moved on to marry others after their initial breakup, with Jennifer tying the knot with Anthony in 2004 and Ben marrying Garner in 2005 .
However, after the end of both marriages, the two rekindled their romance in 2021. They first exchanged vows in a low-key Las Vegas chapel ceremony in July 2022, followed by a grander celebration at Ben’s estate in Georgia the next month.
