In a world where everything seems Google-able, ChatGPT-able, Siri-able, and even Alexa-able, what happens when you want to protect your privacy when you buy your new home?
As a member of the elite national Sports and Entertainment division of Compass, I often find myself in this predicament when I represent athletes, actors, or others who value and guard their privacy more than, well, even their children. They just don’t want people to know where they live.
When you buy a home, that very personal act becomes a public data event - memorialized and sanctified in the public record for anyone and everyone to search from the comfort of their couch.
Fortunately, there’s a simple tool which you can employ to protect yourself from those folks chomping at the bit to get a piece of you and to shield you from the paparazzi (they just won’t leave me alone!).
And that’s putting title to the house in a land trust where you become the beneficiary. Your identity is completely hidden from public record (unless you were born with a name like Land Trust 469209).
Even though I’m a lawyer, you’ll have to consult yours to review the mechanics and the pros/cons of a land trust. But suffice it to say that it works - tested by yours truly this morning when I chatgpt-ed a few of my sales. No record of the identities of the inhabitants of those homes. Nada.
Happy to provide another useful tidbit on this holiday weekend. Have a good one - and a Happy Easter and Passover if you celebrate.
And even if you don’t.
Best,
Brad
