Fannie Mae 10 Loan Rule - Can Spouse Also Get 10 Without Income?

[Mark B.]

I'm kind of just starting out, shooting to buy a minimum of 3 rental properties this year, I purchased one rental last year plus own my primary residence two years ago.  But I've been researching for quite a while but I can't seem to find an answer to this question.  I'm aware that most lenders will max out at 10 loans per person since they'll generally be sold off to Fannie/Freddie.  But I also have heard that number can double to 20 if you take the loan out on your spouse's name.  All of my income is 1099, one job is independent contracting for an outside company and one is a home based business that my wife and I run.  Both 1099 incomes are under my name.  She works from home on our business but technically has zero income, however we file our taxes jointly. I'm just wondering how this will affect the ability to get over the 10 property hump should I want to go that route once I reach my personal cap.  Would they count the overall joint filing income as hers as well or would they see her income as zero and it would never fly?  I'm aware I could also go the portfolio/blanket route eventually to bring down the total number of loans.  But I'm just trying to wrap my head around how this whole process works.  Any help would be much appreciated.  Thanks so much!