That's why you have the LLC registered in a state with strong privacy laws where reverse searches are not available. WY, DE and NV are the most oft cited.
We are talking about single member LLCs, right?
I'm most familiar with NV LLCs and it works just like I said. With a single member, member-managed LLC, the name and address of the member will be right there for all to see. For manager-managed LLCs, the name and address of the manager is public.
DE is the same.
WY is potentially slightly less transparent, but I just went and looked up the couple of LLCs that I've seen in deals I've worked on, and in each case the name of the responsible individual is easily discoverable.
but you don't have to take my word for it, look for yourself:
http://nvsos.gov/sosentitysearch/https://icis.corp.delaware.gov/Ecorp/EntitySearch/NameSearch.aspxhttps://wyobiz.wy.gov/business/filingsearch.aspxThere has been a very strong push from the feds to make entity information MORE transparent not less. The feds are leaning on the states very hard to adopt transparency policies at the state level or else have very broad transparency standards mandated from the feds.
Then you also need to think about using a foreign LLC in your home state for business purposes. While owning property may not constitute business, engaging in the business of leasing real estate definitely would (at least in NV), so you'd need to qualify your foreign LLC in the home state too (effectively doubling your annual carrying costs by paying annual fees in the foreign jurisdiction and in your home state).
No not all of the advise is bad. Good advice:
1. Insurance first (though if you are relying on umbrella, make sure it covers your business liabilities, not just personal liability).
2. LLC second
3. Be cognizant of veil piercing/alter ego, and work with your legal advisor to minimize those risks