I've always paid cash without an issue. At some point to register it in your name they will need a copy of your passport as well as a residency certificate but it's not needed at the time of deposit
I have great in-laws, and my wife came from a nice little village. However I don't recommend living in your wife's Village. They're wonderful expat communities I would recommend finding something about 4 hours away or it's easy for your wife to go back to the village and visit are you guys go back together on occasion but if you're there and there's not things for you to do in that Village restaurants shopping movies clothing people to talk to you're not going to be very satisfied and people will be stopping by frequently asking needing wanting. If you're 4 hours away that eliminates just about all that