had agreement with cousin to buy house. it wasnt liveable so he said go ahead do what you need to it to make it pass appraisal, i will take care of you. gave him 10.000 down payment., 30.000 into improvements. said he would cosign if we couldnt get loan. now no loan, wont give down payment back,and upped price 20.000 because its too nice. i have all my receipts but nothing in writing from him . is there anything i can do? this was alll the money we had

Save all of your receipts. You will have to sue him. If you win, you could put a lien against the house... Not the best way but there isn't much else you can do. You never do a verbal contract on something like that. I don't think verbal real estate contracts are valid anyway. If he wants to keep the house you can also sue him for your labor.

not for home purchases. for short term leases verbal are enforceable.

verbal contracts are legal in US, even Indiana
However, contracts regarding purchasing real estate are required to be in writing
Have to sue him, and you have a good chance of prevailing, but takes time and money to sue
This deadbeat is a family member? Can you get any family members to pressure him to make good on promises??
ALWAYS have it in writing, even with family, and always with real estate