Can I purchase a duplex AFTER the owner passes away?

[Allison Bultman]

My neighbor owns a 2-unit duplex and wants to sell it to me and my husband. She started dialysis months ago and had a close call last week. She has no kids; her siblings are older and want nothing to do with a rental property. We cannot purchase the property at 20% down and are currently house-hacking our first investment property. We cannot move into her property until the end of this year if we want to go the 3.5 - 5% down route.

We are looking for any advice as we see an opportunity to help our neighbor, her great tenants, and ourselves by adding to our portfolio.

Is there a way we can add ourselves to her Will to be the first to purchase the property upon her death? What can we do NOW to make a future transaction and deed transfers a smooth process? Do we look into assuming the loan if assumable? Any advice is much appreciated. I can provide more details if needed. Thank you.