The trick really is deciding what value to assign to those items so as to not artificially inflate your net worth. 

I am new to this renting stuff, so I thought I could get some tips and tricks from the BiggerPockets community.

You'll learn a ton of tricks, gain experience, AND bank some money,

As to your personal business, there are no trick, no secrets and everything you really need can be had for much, much, much less if not free! 

I have had lenders tell me that the 203k is a real pain in the tush and have given me all sorts of warnings...you know what that tells me? That is not the lender that I need to work with. I have on the other hand he...

Do you have any tips/tricks that helped you in the process?

However, the trick is finding the right deal that makes sense.

While we do not invest in Cleveland, we do invest OOS and would be happy to share any and all mistakes, successes, resources, tools, tips, tricks if you are interested.Did you look at the BiggerPockets tool to find an agent: https://www.biggerpockets.com/... that would be a good place to start and they'll be able to recommend a lender I am sure.

Does anyone have any tips or tricks they have dealt with that they would be able to share to a newbie flipper? 

Finding a real dog that is not in an area which is a dive is the trick.