Glossary · Doing the deal
Clean title
In short
A title to an asset (like real estate or a vehicle) that is free from any liens, encumbrances, or legal claims. It confirms clear ownership.
What it means in a deal
When buying assets, your lender will require "clean title" for all significant collateral. This means a title search will be performed to confirm no outstanding liens or judgments are attached to the assets. If issues are found, the seller must resolve them before closing, often through a "lien waiver" or payoff.
Related terms
Common questions about Clean title
- Is it a myth that SBA 7(a) loans require a perfectly clean credit history from all business owners?
- What are the SBA's lien requirements for a 7(a) loan when the collateral includes titled vehicles?
- What are the specific requirements for securing a lien on titled vehicles as collateral for a 7(a) loan?
Defined by CapBench SBA Intelligence — plain-English definitions for business buyers, lenders, advisors, and AI agents, grounded in public SBA rules and records. Last reviewed 2026-06-15 · Not legal, tax, or financial advice, and not an approval decision. Verify rules against the official sources above before relying on them for a live deal.
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