Have Seller and Buyer, But Deal Hit A Road Block Need Help ASAP

[Spencer I.]

Here is the deal. A cheap 2/1 in Houston tx. Contract price $7k, fast-forward 3 weeks I got a buyer at 9k. The property was inherited from the seller's grandmother to the seller's mother then went to the seller. All affidavits have been signed and notarized, and I thought we were ready to close. Now the road block. The title company wants a death certificated for the grandmother's husband, and we cannot find it. The seller never met him and has no relatives who knew him (no last address, ss, or date of birth). I've hired a P.I. and he still could not find the death certificate. We been getting the run around from this title company for the past 3 weeks saying they have other methods of finding death certificates, but everytime I call (everyday), I get no answers, and no one calls back like they say they will. My buyer is getting restless (I have $1k of his money). Should I switch title companies, or how can I find this death certificate? He passed away over 25 years ago. We are too close to give up. Please someone WHAT SHOULD I DO?

All opinions welcome.

[Brian P.]

Check the social security death index. Maybe you guys are looking in the wrong state, could have died anywhere. But if he was getting social security benefit after 1962 it would show up unless his death wasn't reported and they kept collecting.