“This isn’t just bad debt — it’s a ticking time bomb.”
In yet another dramatic turn in the unraveling saga of The Valley stars Jax Taylor and Brittany Cartwright, financial documents have revealed a stunning truth: the former couple’s Valley Village mansion — purchased for $1.9 million in 2019 — is now saddled with more than $3.6 million in combined loans, liens, and refinancing debt. And with Brittany now footing most of the financial burden while Jax struggles to stay afloat post-separation, experts warn the home may be at serious risk of foreclosure if she pulls out.
When Jax and Brittany first bought the five-bedroom, four-bathroom home in 2019, fans saw it as the ultimate reward for their Bravo fame and growing family. The property, bought under a trust, seemed like a fairytale upgrade after years of drama on Vanderpump Rules. But behind the scenes, a much more chaotic reality was unfolding.
According to property records obtained by The U.S. Sun and reviewed by DailyMail+, the couple initially took out a mortgage of $1.43 million on the home. However, by 2022, after Jax was slapped with a federal tax lien totaling $1,058,345, the couple quietly refinanced, taking out a second mortgage of $2.24 million — likely in an attempt to cover the growing IRS debts and expenses from their stalled business ventures.
Financial experts now estimate that with interest, fees, taxes, and the existing federal lien, the total financial obligation tied to the property has ballooned to more than $3.6 million — nearly double the original value of the home.
“That kind of upside-down mortgage position is extremely dangerous, especially during a divorce,” a California real estate attorney tells DailyMail+. “If Brittany walks away or decides to default, the house could be underwater, and fast. They’d likely have to short sell, or worse, face foreclosure.”
Brittany has reportedly moved back into the house with their son Cruz after temporarily relocating to an Airbnb during their trial separation. Jax, meanwhile, has vacated the home and is now living in a small apartment nearby — a decision he explained by claiming he “couldn’t afford both the mortgage and an apartment.” But many fans have noted the irony: Jax, once Bravo’s highest-paid star earning $25,000 per episode, now finds himself dependent on Brittany’s income.
Sources close to Brittany say she’s been covering the majority of the mortgage in recent months, thanks to her lucrative sponsorship deals, podcast ad revenue, and upcoming bar venture, Britt’s. But the weight is taking a toll.
“She’s exhausted,” one insider says. “She’s doing everything — being a mom, holding down the finances, managing a business — while Jax still expects recognition for being a ‘silent partner.’”
Making matters worse, the mortgage was recently transferred to a new lender — a move experts say sometimes signals a pre-foreclosure shift, or a red flag in the financial health of the loan.
What’s even more troubling: the home is still legally tied to both of their names. That means if Brittany decides to walk away or sell her share, she may not even walk away with a profit — only more debt.
“This is no longer just a breakup,” says a Bravo financial analyst. “This is financial entanglement at its most toxic. Brittany might be paying the bills now, but the risk is on both of them. One wrong move, and they lose the house. Full stop.”
Jax, for his part, has remained vague in recent interviews. On his Hot Mic podcast, he admitted Brittany is earning more, and even bragged that his bar partners “named the new venue after her.” But many viewers see that as a desperate attempt to regain control — especially as Brittany is reportedly trying to separate her business identity entirely from him.
“If she walks away,” the insider says, “it’s not just a house they lose — it’s the last piece of the dream they sold on TV.”
As filming for season two of The Valley continues, this real estate disaster is expected to take center stage. With Brittany now carrying both the emotional and financial weight of a collapsing marriage, fans are wondering: will she cut her losses — or continue saving a home that may already be lost?
One thing’s for sure: in the world of reality TV, nothing says “it’s over” like a $3.6 million mortgage tied to a marriage built on borrowed time.
