WU7X
Snow on the Roof
If such a payoff situation is that major of a concern, why don't you have your bank contact the lien holding bank. At time of sale your bank could wire the money directly to the seller's bank. The seller's bank would therefore have no reason for delaying the sale. I did this for the purchase of my trailer, and that situation was between a US bank and a Canadian one. Interbank wire transfer of funds are relatively simple and safe. If you are really worried about the security of the transaction, you should be sitting at the seller's bank requiring the title in hand prior to your bank releasing the funds.