Know someone who needs to buy a house but keep the transaction confidential?

A friend of mine works with the courts in victim services and asked me if there is a way a person can keep their information confidential if they buy a house, so people can't easily research them? Sounds like a very good question coming from someone in victim services.

A buyer may have some serious legal or familial issues that makes this critical to their well-being or safety.

I did a little research and, yes you can. I found this on the Travis County tax appraisal web site:

http://www.traviscad.org/FAQ.pdf

HOW DO I REQUEST CONFIDENTIALITY UNDER SECTION 25.025, TAX CODE?

You may download the "Request for Confidentiality" from our forms page. Send your completed

form to: Travis Central Appraisal District, Records Management Officer, Post Office Box 149012,

Austin, TX 78714-9012 If you own more than one property, please provide each property address

to ensure confidentiality. TCAD records will be promptly updated to reflect confidentiality.

However, it may take 2-3 weeks before the website reflects the confidentiality.

Also, when a seller puts a house on the market, the seller's name does not have to be listed in the MLS in Austin. The MLS listing can say "on file." This requires a little paperwork with the seller documenting the request, but it can be done.