Registering a Foreign LLC in CA for an OH-based LLC

[Ward Sorrick]

My brother and I recently made our first investment property purchase. We bought a duplex in Cleveland, OH last year with an intention of following the BRRRR strategy. We hired a property manager based in Cleveland to handle the day-to-day operations of the property. He is also handling the project management for the rehab.

On our end, my brother and I meet via video chat each week to discuss any new business and keep things moving. We correspond via phone calls and email with our property manager and any other people we need to talk to about our business. We do all of this from our offices at our respective homes in Northern California. 

Currently, the title is in mine and my brother's name, but we are considering setting up an Ohio-based LLC to transfer title to and to help us manage our risk. Do we need to register the OH LLC as a foreign entity in CA? What conditions would require us to do so? Are there circumstances where it is unnecessary to register the entity here in CA?

Thanks so much!

Ward Sorrick