AI Contract Review Checklist

Missing a deadline or an unusual clause in a purchase agreement can cost your client thousands. This workflow uses Claude to do a first-pass review of contracts, flagging potential issues before you or your client’s attorney do the final review. This is a supplement to professional legal advice, not a replacement.

Step 1: Prepare the Contract Text

Open the purchase agreement PDF and copy the full text. If the PDF doesn’t copy cleanly, use a PDF-to-text tool or retype the key sections. You need: purchase price, financing terms, contingency deadlines, included/excluded items, closing date, earnest money details, and any addenda or special provisions.

Step 2: Run the Initial Review with Claude

Open Claude and paste the contract text with this prompt:

You are a real estate transaction coordinator reviewing a purchase agreement. This is NOT legal advice -- this is a first-pass review to flag items for the agent and their attorney.

Contract text:
[PASTE CONTRACT TEXT]

Review this contract and create a checklist covering:

1. KEY DATES AND DEADLINES: List every deadline (inspection, appraisal, financing, closing) with the specific date and what happens if it's missed
2. FINANCIAL TERMS: Purchase price, earnest money amount and handling, financing details, who pays which closing costs
3. CONTINGENCIES: List each contingency, its deadline, and what triggers/waives it
4. RED FLAGS: Any unusual clauses, one-sided provisions, vague language, or terms that differ from standard purchase agreements in this market
5. MISSING ITEMS: Standard provisions that appear to be absent
6. QUESTIONS TO ASK: Items that need clarification from the other party

Format as a clear checklist with checkboxes. Flag urgency level for each item: [URGENT], [REVIEW], or [OK].

Step 3: Cross-Reference Deadlines with Calendar

Take the dates Claude extracted and enter each one into your calendar with reminders set 3 days and 1 day before each deadline. Missed contingency deadlines are the number one source of deal problems. Double-check every date against the contract — verify Claude didn’t miscalculate or transpose any numbers.

Step 4: Flag Issues for Your Client

Compile the red flags and questions into a simple email for your client or their attorney. Frame each issue clearly: what the clause says, why it matters, and what you recommend. Don’t forward raw AI output — synthesize it into actionable items your client can understand.

Step 5: Create a Transaction Tracker

Use the checklist to set up a transaction tracker (spreadsheet or CRM task list) with every action item, responsible party, and deadline. This becomes your roadmap from contract to closing. Update it after every milestone.

Pro tip: Build a library of “contract clauses to watch for” by saving the red flags Claude identifies across multiple transactions. After 10-15 reviews, you’ll have a comprehensive reference that makes you faster at spotting issues even without AI.