Home ownership begins on the date the deed is transferred from the seller (or donor) to the buyer (or recipient).
"Living there" for purposes of qualifying for the capital gains exclusion begins on the date the owner first lives in the home as their primary residence.
Remember that, since you're receiving the home as a gift, when you eventually sell the home you will need to know your father's adjusted cost basis in the home as of the date of the gift, in order to calculate your capital gain.
**Answers are correct to the best of my ability but do not constitute tax or legal advice.
