First, I should say that if this is a method of estate planning for your Father-in-law then he should go and seek help from someone in the area that is qualified to help.  But if you are genuinely purchasing the home you should enter in to a contract for sale.  Once the contract for sale has been entered in to you can use it to obtain a mortgage for the property.  Make sure that all the terms are there as required by Texas law.  Many people do a title or deed search on properties that they are buying to make sure that there are no liens or encumbrances.  Consider that. Once the mortgage is obtained then you can close on the house and a deed is prepared and filed and the house is yours.  I would ask an attorney to help with this.  It is not something to mess around with.  Good luck.