A couple of days ago, I did a post on how you can cut down on your junk mail and junk phone calls. But did you ever wonder how these people even know to call you? (My husband always tells me to NOT enter contests with my personal info - he's convinced that's one way that my info gets "out there".) But I love a good contest....
One site you should check out is Zaba Search. I mention this because it will wake you up if you "Zaba" your own name and see what exactly is "out there". Go on, try it. Visit www.ZabaSearch.com and type in your own name. Do you live in Los Gatos? There's a good chance your home address is right there for all to see.
See what I mean? Scary, isn't it? If you have ever had a listed address, it's in there. If you have owned property and recorded it in your own name (rather than in the name of a trust), it's in there.
What can you do? I'm not a privacy expert but there are a few things I've learned. If you have any kind of a license from the state (whether you live in California or elsewhere), your address is listed somewhere on the web. Assuming that some people are nuts and others may be mean (though 99% are very decent and kind), do NOT list your personal residence on your license. I don't care if you're a doctor, lawyer, real estate salesperson, insurance salesperson or anyone else
with a license. Either use your work address or get a PO Box if you have to. If it's on your license, it's public!
Also - do not list your home address in the phone book. That may seem obvious but I took ours out when someone unexpectedly showed up on our doorstep from out of state.I love being hospitable, but I DO want to know they're coing. Keep your address out of the phone book.
And if you do buy propery (house, condo, or other real estate), if privacy is really important to you, see an attorney and talk about having a trust with the property's name in the trust. Your name could be Sally Smith and you could set up a trust with a fictitious name, as I understand it, such as "The Crosby Family Trust" or the "John Smith Family Trust". That way you could - I think - have property without your real name being attached to it. This might be a really good idea if you had a sensitive job (criminal attorney, CIA/NSA/FBI employee, etc.) I have not had any of my Silicon Valley buyer clients do this to my knowledge - but I do know it is something to consider for folks with extra safety worries.
Meanwhile, Zaba yourself. You might be surprised at what you read!
Mary - I know this is totally not related to the subject, but I wanted to post it in your blog. CONGRATULATIONS on your Project Blogger Win....you were certainly the most consistent from the start, have a great blog and couldn't have happened to a nicer person. Now keep up the good work!
Thank you so much. You have been missed here at Bloggers Connect (were your ears burning? everyone said nice things about you!). Loads of info, loads of fun. Can't wait to get home and upload all the pics.
Your blog, Miamism, is fabulous and I intend to keep reading it....
Thanks Christine! You are right. Both Fran and Joeann are totally amazing and inspiring women! I am eternally grateful to both of them for getting me into this :-)
A blog about Los Gatos real estate, homes, houses, condos, townhomes, housing market, neightborhoods, history, events, businesses, parks, schools, photos, issues, and lifestyle.
Mary Pope-Handy
Realtor, CRS, ABR, SRES, E-PRO
Luxor Real Estate Group
Mailing Address for Mary: PO Box 440 Los Gatos, CA 95031-0440
877 397-5391 (office/toll-free)
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One site you should check out is Zaba Search. I mention this because it will wake you up if you "Zaba" your own name and see what exactly is "out there". Go on, try it. Visit 
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