My simple rule for person to person - his title and my check should change hands at the same time. The best way to do this, as 95NSXT recommended, is to meet at the sellers financial institution and let them handle it.
If this is somehow impossible, I would take the seller out of the picture and talk directly with the his financial insitution. They are the ones who own the car anyway. The bank is also the party that would sit on "your" title if things aren't 100% right, for instance if seller somehow handles paperwork incorrectly.
Don't forget, usually without a title in hand the state will not register a car, therefore you can't drive the vehicle until the bank gets paid, and you receive the title. (temp tags are a dealer luxury) Banks and credit unions are often slow with this paperwork, and if the seller already has his cash, there may be little incentive for him to hurry this process along.
In conclusion - Try very hard to make the seller get the title, and make it clean - that's your best bet. Attempt to make it the seller's problem. You're coming with cash $$$, no strings attached. If you determine that you can't, deal directly with the bank. Make sure the timeline meets your needs, and the seller has some incentive to get you your title quicky.
Good luck!