The Rise of LLCs and Trusts in Bay Area Home Ownership.

Atherton, California, one of the wealthiest areas in the US, has seen a growing trend of wealthy Americans using trusts or LLCs to buy homes. About 72% of home purchases in the 94027 ZIP code, which encompasses most of Atherton, were completed last year through trusts or LLCs. Using trusts or LLCs can provide extra privacy and simplify the inheritance process. On one block in Atherton, just two of the 12 homes are actually owned by individual people, with the rest owned by trusts, LLCs, or other kinds of corporations.