This is a waste of tax dollars.

@Jordan Moorhead I’m thinking for my first investment property SF would be easier to handle if I’m in the ballpark of 50-60K down, but my knowledge of duplex / triplex properties in greater Austin is minimal.

What is the best way to minimize taxes in this situation?

You can reduce your overall taxes with real estate, but to eliminate it completely is unrealistic.And if you have a $1.5M business, you need a tax strategist on your team, someone who knows not only how to prepare tax returns but how to minimize taxes by planning ahead.

Because the mortgage company is probly considered owning the rest of it.I might be wasting my time but I would rather waste 3 hours doing this and get denied then to not know.

There is no time to waste.

Too many folks have skipped that step and wasted decades trying to recover from having the wrong WHY.I hope this helps.

If you aren't in touch with an agent or other person who knows how to get you a foreclosure - then I'd say you'll waste a lot of your time looking at things like this online. 

I've already come to realize that a contractor isn't going to waste that time without certain assurances.

I did find this snippet from a CA news article talking about their  shelter in place orders:"San Francisco’s shelter-in-place ordinance allows work to continue on construction of public works, housing, airport operations, water, sewer, gas, electrical, oil refining, roads and highways, public transportation, solid waste collection and removal, internet and telecommunications.