Use this checklist to organize a real estate contract review from intake through closing handoff.
Key takeaways
- Verify facts against independent records and keep unresolved items visible.
- A checklist cannot decide legal questions.
- Review factual records and escalate legal questions to a qualified professional.
Intake
Record parties, capacities, property address, parcel identifier, transaction type, document date, version, and review deadline. Collect the contract, addenda, exhibits, title work, disclosures, and referenced records.
Core terms
Check legal names, legal description, price, deposit, financing, credits, closing date, possession, included items, excluded items, inspection terms, title standard, and notice addresses.
Risk and completion
Flag blanks, conflicting terms, missing signatures, unclear contingencies, unverified wire instructions, and missing attachments. Assign each item an owner and due date.
Handoff
Deliver the source version, completed checklist, exception log, deadline map, and questions for the supervising professional. Record any items that were outside the review scope.
Sources and limitations
State and transaction rules differ. Obtain professional advice about disclosures, title, taxes, remedies, and signing.
Sources and limitations
Rules vary by state, document, and transaction. A qualified attorney or other appropriate professional should address legal interpretation, enforceability, tax, title, fiduciary, and recording questions before anyone relies on or changes an agreement.