Skip to content
×
Pro Members Get Full Access
Succeed in real estate investing with proven toolkits that have helped thousands of aspiring and existing investors achieve financial freedom.
$0 TODAY
$32.50/month, billed annually after your 7-day trial.
Cancel anytime
Find the right properties and ace your analysis
Market Finder with key investor metrics for all US markets, plus a list of recommended markets.
Deal Finder with investor-focused filters and notifications for new properties
Unlimited access to 9+ rental analysis calculators and rent estimator tools
Off-market deal finding software from Invelo ($638 value)
Supercharge your network
Pro profile badge
Pro exclusive community forums and threads
Build your landlord command center
All-in-one property management software from RentRedi ($240 value)
Portfolio monitoring and accounting from Stessa
Lawyer-approved lease agreement packages for all 50-states ($4,950 value) *annual subscribers only
Shortcut the learning curve
Live Q&A sessions with experts
Webinar replay archive
50% off investing courses ($290 value)
Already a Pro Member? Sign in here
Pick markets, find deals, analyze and manage properties. Try BiggerPockets PRO.
x

Posted almost 15 years ago

What about Land Trust's

What's the deal with Land Trust's? A short time ago it was recommended that every property be purchased in a Land Trust. Now it seems we don't have any title insurance carriers willing to underwrite a deed in trust. Try to ask the "Guru's" who sold you the concept and it's another fee to get a response. What's everybody doing, are ytou using Land Trusts, LLC's or both?

Comments (7)

  1. The major use of a land trust from my experience is to attempt to disguise the sale of a property that has debt placed against it. This still triggers the due on sale clause, but it really makes it harder to recognize. The only other useful purpose that I can see for using trusts is to disguise who the beneficiary for the property is. If you are simultaneously the trustee and the beneficiary your name will still show up on the public records for the property. You have to give up control as the trustee to get your name off of the records.


  2. Hi, using a revocable trust agreement, set up with customary estate planning recitals should never be a problem. A title company may shy away from a trust having a business entity named as beneficiary or administrator as that could be an indication of investment operations. A number of properties may be held in one trust and sold from that entity. I have read about this issue and it seems to be a regional/local issue as the perception of local title plants varies. Using a trust for estate planning will not be an issue, even if you have numeious transactions. Good Luck, Bill


  3. Removing Land from Land Trust will not work. Title companies are having issues with land trusts because many investors use land trusts to skim equity from a property, hiding ownership, or trying to get around seasoning issues. Granted there many legitimate uses for land trusts, but the title companies cannot afford to take risks. When your main function is to provide clear titles, it is difficult to employ the necessary resources to clarify these activities. Instead, it much easier to for them to do away with issuing title insurance on them altogether.


  4. Hey Dick, Why that is a great idea! Thanks.


  5. It's interesting that this post popped back up again, I was just talking to my attormey about this today and his recommendation was to simply remove the word "Land" from your trust documents. A Trust is a valid means of holding property but it seems it's just the wording that title companies and banks are having issues with.


  6. google landtrust, check with your local library or book store. I have just been learning about them myself, and think I should put my personal house in one. ???


  7. I to am from Minnesota, and wondering all of the same things! Many people do not know very much about Land Trusts, and I'm trying to find out as much as I can.