Dealt with this exact mess on a deal in Round Rock two years back. The note had been sold three times and the last holder was a guy in Florida who didn't even know he owned it. What finally worked was getting a lost note affidavit from the current holder plus a title indemnity letter, and the title company agreed to insure over it. If the holder is still alive and reachable, you can also push for a quiet title suit but that takes months and your bridge lender won't wait. Check the county clerk records yourself for any old assignments because sometimes they got recorded under a slightly different legal name and the title searcher missed it. Worst case, escrow a holdback for the lien amount and let the deal close while you sort out the release after.