please help, would really appreciate all the advice and tips that ican get from all you experienced airbnb investors!

What are some good tips & things I should steer away from?

Any tips and advice on buying an apartment and giving it as a rental? 

DeWalt's 18V XRP batteries are NiCads and, as such, exhibit all the usual NiCad issues such as "memory" and self-discharge. They're getting to be a bit hard to find as replacements, also.
3rd parties make an 18V NiMH...

Would anyone know how I can navigate this situation, or have any tips for funding the 3.5% needed?

I'm sure you can buy a charging station on Amazon and then get an electrician to install it.I will likely rent a trencher put in some 240VAC direct burial cable and hook it up myself.  

I will be investing from California so any tips and tricks on owning and managing property in TX would also be much appreciated.

Any tips on how to secure my property during the renovation period?

I've also welded a broken top link on a bush hog with 3 car batteries and jumper cables in the field.

I just wanted to post this and see any input from the community on any tips or just comments, I’m a newbie but have the drive to not be a slave in a company where I am replaceable and cannot make my own schedule.