[WSBARP] Buying Real Estate Anonymously?

[Craig Gourley]

You can use a nominee but you have to document it properly to avoid a second excise tax.    It would also be difficult if a lender is involved.

From: wsbarp-bounces at lists.wsbarppt.com <wsbarp-bounces at lists.wsbarppt.com> On Behalf Of Ryan Castle
Sent: Wednesday, March 11, 2026 2:00 PM
To: WSBA Real Property Listserv <wsbarp at lists.wsbarppt.com>
Subject: [WSBARP] Buying Real Estate Anonymously?

All You Smart People,

I have a client who wants to buy their neighbor's real estate, but client and neighbor hate each other and neighbor would never sell to client. Is there a way to structure the transaction so that my client can anonymously make/sign offers without the neighbor knowing? A trust as purchaser? an LLC as purchaser? Even with a trust or LLC, the client would be trustee or owner and sign the offers as such. I suppose no issue when signing the final sale agreement, as long as nieghbor signs first, because neighbor will be under contract. But still would like to avoid neighbor ever finding out.

Any thoughts are much appreciated in advance.



--

Ryan Castle
Castle Law Firm, PLLC
Managing Attorney
T: 360-592-3504
1313 E. Maple St., Suite 790
Bellingham, WA 98225
https://ryancastlelawfirm.com/


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