I am a NY lawyer.  This is a very state specific question.  Something does not sound correct about the title company position.  The title company only gets involved to determine if the title is marketable (clean) or not.  Perhaps the title company searched the estate file and determined that there is a lis pendence on the property or the like.  In general, in NY, the Executor can sell real property - if it is not an insider deal and the value benefits the estate.  Depending on what your letters say (perhaps they contain a restriction on transfer of real property or an amount greater than the value of the real property), you may need to get court permission to approve the sale.  I would certainly consult with a lawyer.  www.siegelandsiegel.com  212-721-5300  Sharon Siegel, Esq.