While the first spouse receives the deduction, the second spouse then claims that income on -  Schedule C - and pays self employment tax.It's the exact same result, but you've at least transferred some Social Security/Medicare over to the second spouse for retirement purposes down the road, so that's good.If you're looking to figure this out for being a landlord, then you just put everything on one Schedule E for property you own jointly.  

I have contacted a mortgage broker about helping me secure this loan.

So that's what initially drew me towards the topic but I think for myself, the overall end game I am looking for is a means of financial security.

The harder the list is to come by the better your chances of securing a deal.

I have been reading but still don't have a definite plan in place to secure that first contract to flip.

I would have contracts in place to protect the interests of all parties so everyone is safe, secure and profitable.

I do individual loans, secured by individual properties.  

The owner is more likely to just delay the foreclosure and in some area it could take years meanwhile the owner could be staying with family renting out the place to pocket the cash off the books and than a few years later the foreclosure finishes and he could get bumped into section 8 (depending on location) with the bill 100% footed by his social security or workman comp assuming they are older or just lost there job because of an injury.... or no matter what the age maybe there just a deadbeat and will burn the place down and let the insurance deal with it...

I am interested in real estate to widen my portfolioto have a secure retirement.

At least in my group of investors this type of security is attractive to them.