Buying investment proprty from family member

[Colleen Buddemeyer]

I was recently told that it is illegal to buy an investment property from a family member in Maryland.   I am trying to buy my son-in-laws house as an investment property.  I am paying fair market value for the house.  What difference does it make if I buy it or he puts it on the market for the same price and someone not related buys it?    Is this true and is there any way around this?