What would you change if your rental properties were all registered under your own name?

First thing? Stop using my personal phone number on the rental listings. I got so many spam calls after one tenant googled me. Burner phone or a Google Voice number from day one.

I'd probably move everything into a land trust. Keeps your name off the county records for the most part. Not bulletproof but it's a start.

> Keeps your name off the county records for the most part Eh, depends on the state. Some counties publish the trust documents too if you're not careful. And a trust isnt an LLC — it doesn't do much for liability. But for privacy? Yeah, it's a decent layer.

Wait, you guys are hiding your names? I just use my real name and a PO box. Am I screwed?

Not screwed, just visible. Anyone can pull the deed and see your name. Then google you, find your Facebook, your wife's name, your kids' school. It's wild how easy it is.

PO box helps but the deed still has your name. And if you're self-managing, your tenants have your number anyway. That's the trade-off.

Honestly the biggest change for me would be using a registered agent and a virtual office address for everything. No more home address on filings. That alone cuts down on the weird mail and the door knocks.

I set one up in 2019. Attorney charged $1,500 plus filing fees. Not cheap, but cheaper than a lawsuit. That said, I'd still put the property in an LLC and have the LLC be the beneficiary. Belt and suspenders.

you guys are overthinking it. just wear a fake mustache to the closing. problem solved.

> just wear a fake mustache lol. but honestly the title company might still ask for ID. worth a shot though.

the mustache comment made me laugh but it's also kinda true — people don't realize how much of this is just basic hygiene. Separate email, separate phone, separate mailing address. You don't need a trust to start.

I'd also scrub my info from those people-search sites. Spokeo, Whitepages, etc. It's tedious but it helps. Otherwise your name on a deed is just the beginning of the rabbit hole.

One more thing — if you're the landlord and your name is on the lease as the contact, that's public too in eviction records. So even if you hide the deed, a court filing can out you. Just something to keep in mind.