Sales price privacy with the appropriate form

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Are home sales prices part of the public record or not? a reader asks.

Well, according to the Los Angeles County Registrar-Recorder/County Clerk’s office Document Analysis and Recording section at (562) 462-2125, all you need to do is to obtain and complete the right document if you’d like that detail withheld. Of course, the sales price is still reported to the Assessor’s office, but this should keep it away from some prying eye. They said if I wanted the form they would fax me a copy.

At the top it says ‘Not for Public Record’ and notes that ‘this form will be affixed to the conveying document and returned with it.’

Another of life’s great mysteries revealed. Not all ‘public records’ are equal. Does this bother anyone?

-- Lauren Beale

Thoughts? Comments?

P.S. Homeowners: Don’t forget the first installment of your real estate taxes are due by 5 p.m. Dec. 10 (or postmarked before midnight), per the L.A. County Office of the Assessor.