In my case, I have residential rentals in one LLC, commercial properties in another, self-storage in a third, and my real estate company operates in a fourth.

Additionally, for the AR llc, do I need to register the LLC in California as a foreign company?

I'd also partner with a lending company that understands how this is going work, and what your plans are.And last, but not least, I'd partner with a CPA to help navigate you to the ways of working this properly. 

Unfortunately there competitiveness in the market and cut throat antics give the other offices (company) a bad name. 

My business partner and I just opened up our property managment company in the Chicago/Chicagoland area and it is not easy to do this the "right way".Honestly you can get yourself into some serious trouble if something happened with a tenant, an injury, anything and they sue and find out you don't have a license.

Just google all the property management companies in your area.

thanks for your time and help 1st off, full disclosure here, Rent To Retirement advertises their properties on my Investment Properties For Sale Show, so I am not a totally unbiased opinion and it's only fair that I tell you this up frontHaving said that, outside of running my show for people like them, I also own a property management company in Northeast Ohio and have worked with 1,000's of out of state investors over the years.I say all of that to say this, the overwhelming majority of negative reviews I have seen on them are very similar to a lot of negative experiences investors have with my property management company and others like it that I've worked with.

Anyone have any experiencing getting the city/utlities company to add separate meters?  

1st step is to make sure that the electricity is rated for having electric heat by the electric company.

Quote from @Marlena Hawkins: Does anyone know what insurance (liability, E&O etc.) is required for Property Management companies in DC and Maryland?