You are right, maybe that rich guy

gave the house to his ex GF in other way.  Or maybe they bought that house together in the begining.

I never have any one give me a house anyway.  But once, looking at the house record in the street that I live, I found my neighbor sold his house to himself, for $1, i don't know why he did that.  That is where my assumption came from.  But you are right.  Can't do that.