Give a first-time buyer a countdown to an earlier closing date

About this exercise

You're the agent for first-time buyers whose closing just moved up a week. You want to text them exactly 5 numbered lines in date order, each as date - what they do, under 70 words, plain text. Count every task back from the new closing date using the lead times in your notes, and include only what the buyers themselves must do. Write a prompt that gets you exactly that.

Common mistakes when you ask AI for this

• Counting from the old date. Dec 12 is the first date in the notes, so the AI counts back from it. Try: Add: "Closing is now Dec 5. Count every task back from that."
• Dropping the safety step. The AI shortens the wire line and loses the call-to-verify step. Try: Add: "Keep 'call title to verify wiring instructions' in the wire line."
• Including your own tasks. The AI merges your to-dos into the buyers' list. Try: Add: "Only what the buyers must do."
• Letting the AI pick the layout. The AI writes a long friendly email with headings. Try: Be exact: "Exactly 5 numbered lines like '1. Nov 28 - Send proof of insurance to lender'. Plain text."
• Trusting the AI to count words. AI is bad at counting. Ask for "under 70 words" and it often lands well over. Try: Cap each part instead: "each line under 9 words."

What a strong prompt includes

• Says how many lines
• Uses the new closing date
• Counts back from closing
• Only buyer tasks
• Keeps the wire safety step

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