DBA (Doing business as) Do I need to make it legal?

[Deborah R.]

Question ... need help... I have operated our 3 rentals under a "company name". The properties are all in my and my husbands name and we sign all legal agreements, but I've put that company name on letterhead and as watermark on photos of properties and have a gmail account with that name. I've not opened an LLC or tried to make this company name official because I don't believe I can put any of the properties into the LLC (currently have bank mortgages on all). I want to maintain some separation and anonymity from anyone who browses our homes online or comes to a showing due to my full time job (higher liability, lots of contact with the public). But obviously our tenants will know our full names. So.... can I use this company name on a website and Facebook page? What should I do? I'm looking to expand and my goal is to acquire 1-3 more properties in the next year.