How to Sell Real Estate Held in a Land Trust in 2026

Owning real estate without putting your personal name into the public record is still possible—and in a privacy-first era, it’s more relevant than ever. One of the most common ways to do this is with a land trust. Property owners who prefer to keep their identity and plans discreet—such as high-profile individuals, investors assembling parcels, or anyone who wants fewer unsolicited calls—often use land trusts to separate ownership benefits from public-facing title records.

This guide explains what a land trust is, why people use them, and how selling property held in a trust typically works.

Land Trusts in Real Estate: What They Are and How They Work

A land trust is a legal arrangement in which a trustee holds title to real estate on behalf of a beneficiary. The trust agreement sets the rules, and those terms can be customized to fit the owner’s goals.

In many setups, the property owner serves as both the trust grantor (the person who creates the trust) and the beneficiary (the person who receives the benefits). With the right structure, the beneficiary can retain practical control—such as directing the trustee, managing the property, and determining how income is distributed—while the trust appears as the titled owner on paper.

Common Types of Land Trusts in the United States

Land trusts vary by purpose and structure, but three common categories show up frequently across the U.S.:

1. Investment trust — A real estate investment trust structure typically involves acquiring property with a trustee administering the trust for the benefit of beneficiaries.
2. Conservation land trust — A private nonprofit organization that acquires land or conservation easements to limit development in targeted areas. These trusts often focus on protecting wildlife, culturally or historically significant sites, and natural resources from commercial development.
3. Community land trust — A nonprofit model that acquires land and supports long-term community goals, often including affordable housing and mixed-use development.

Benefits of Putting Property in a Land Trust

Land trusts can serve different goals depending on how they’re drafted, but several advantages come up consistently for property owners.

1) Anonymity and privacy in ownership records

When your property is held in a land trust, the trust name (not your personal name) typically appears in public-facing ownership records. The trustee generally cannot disclose beneficiary information unless required in a legal proceeding, such as when a court compels disclosure. For many owners, that privacy reduces unwanted attention—like unsolicited outreach from agents or marketers—and provides peace of mind.

2) Preserving land for future use

Holding property in a land trust can help preserve large tracts for future use. This is especially useful for developers and long-term planners who want to control or assemble potential development sites while projects are still in early stages.

3) Conserving natural resources through easements

Owners who prioritize environmental protection may place parcels into conservation-focused trusts. These organizations can use tools such as conservation easements to restrict development and help preserve natural scenery, habitats, and other sensitive areas.

What’s Unique About Land Trusts: Donating Development Rights and Potential Tax Breaks

Land trusts can also play a role in strategies tied to development rights. In some cases, landowners may receive a significant tax benefit by donating development rights to a conservation land trust.

This approach is common among families that have owned large properties—such as ranchland—for generations and want to protect the land from future development while potentially receiving a tax break tied to the donated rights.

Real-World Examples of Land Trusts

Land trusts have been used for both privacy and conservation purposes for decades.

Walt Disney World (investment trust example)

The Walt Disney Resort in Orlando, Florida is a well-known example associated with land trust-style acquisition strategies. In 1965, Walt Disney used an investment trust to purchase property. At the time, the seller did not know Walt Disney was behind the purchase—information that could have influenced the sale price if the buyer’s identity had been widely known.

Ozark Land Trust (conservation land trust example)

A notable example of a conservation land trust is the Ozark Land Trust, a nonprofit organization that helps protect land in the Ozark Region from urban development. The organization preserves 28,000 acres through tools such as nature preserves and conservation easements. [Ozark Land Trust](https://ozarklandtrust.org/)

Selling a Property Held in a Land Trust

If you own property through a land trust and decide to sell, you typically can. In most transactions, the process is very similar to selling property titled in your own name—the main difference is that the buyer will see the trust’s name in the paperwork instead of your personal name.

If you’re considering a sale, start by reviewing the trust agreement to confirm who has the authority to direct the sale and sign documents on behalf of the trust. Once you verify that the trust terms permit the transaction, you can proceed much like any other sale.

For a practical overview of selling a trust-held parcel, see: Selling a trust-held property.