Is a purchase contract necessary to buy vacant land

[Billy Rogers]

I have a seller that has agreed to sell me a (small) vacant lot in Texas.   This is my first land deal.  Do I need to get them to sign a purchase agreement and a deed or do I just need the deed?

They live out of state and I plan on sending the documents to a Notary and having them sign the documents with the Notary witnessing the signature.

When I search online I see examples of purchase agreements and deeds.  I'm not sure if I need both.  Do I need both when I record the sale with the county?