{"ok":true,"canonical_url":"https://dealroom.so/glossary/clean-title","api_url":"https://dealroom.so/api/public/glossary/clean-title","data_freshness":{"sba_records_through":"2026-05-31","fdic_records_through":"2026-03-31","dealroom_last_updated":"2026-06-15","timezone":"America/Chicago"},"source_summary":["Public SBA 7(a) loan records","FDIC institution data","DealRoom lender and franchise enrichment"],"term":{"slug":"clean-title","term":"Clean title","group":"Doing the deal","definition":"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":"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.","url":"https://dealroom.so/glossary/clean-title","official_sources":[],"related":[{"slug":"vehicle-title","term":"Vehicle title","url":"https://dealroom.so/glossary/vehicle-title"},{"slug":"lien","term":"Lien","url":"https://dealroom.so/glossary/lien"},{"slug":"lien-waiver","term":"Lien waiver","url":"https://dealroom.so/glossary/lien-waiver"},{"slug":"unencumbered","term":"Unencumbered","url":"https://dealroom.so/glossary/unencumbered"}],"related_questions":[{"question":"Is it a myth that SBA 7(a) loans require a perfectly clean credit history from all business owners?","url":"https://dealroom.so/sba-loans/basics/is-it-a-myth-that-sba-7-a-loans-require-a-perfectly-clean-credit-history-from-all-business"},{"question":"What are the SBA's lien requirements for a 7(a) loan when the collateral includes titled vehicles?","url":"https://dealroom.so/for-lenders/questions/what-are-the-sba-s-lien-requirements-for-a-7-a-loan-when-the-collateral-includes-titled-ve"},{"question":"What are the specific requirements for securing a lien on titled vehicles as collateral for a 7(a) loan?","url":"https://dealroom.so/for-lenders/questions/what-are-the-specific-requirements-for-securing-a-lien-on-titled-vehicles-as-collateral-fo"}]},"caveats":["Definitions represent DealRoom's plain-English interpretation for buyers; verify regulatory terms against the official SBA and eCFR sources listed.","Not legal, tax, or financial advice, and not an SBA eligibility determination."],"citation":{"label":"DealRoom.so Glossary — Clean title","url":"https://dealroom.so/glossary/clean-title","source_type":"DealRoom Data"}}