Turn seller notes into an open house prep checklist

About this exercise

You're a real estate agent with an open house Saturday and a pile of notes from the seller and your broker. You want exactly 7 numbered lines, each starting with the day (Thu, Fri or Sat), in the order you'll do them, under 90 words, plain text. Follow the HOA's sign rule and include only tasks from your notes, with no generic open house tips. Write a prompt that gets you exactly that.

Common mistakes when you ask AI for this

• Not giving the order. The AI groups tasks by topic or by who asked, not by when you'll do them. Try: Add: "Start each line with the day and put them in the order I'll do them."
• Missing the HOA rule. AI knows open houses usually have yard signs and may add one. Try: Add: "No yard signs per the HOA. Directional sign only at Linden & 5th."
• Letting the AI add tips. The AI loves adding general advice like fresh cookies or candles. Try: Add: "Only tasks from my notes, no general open house tips."
• Letting the AI pick the layout. The AI writes a checklist with bold day headings and checkboxes. Try: Be exact: "Exactly 7 numbered lines like '1. Thu: Order flyers by noon'. Plain text."
• Trusting the AI to count words. AI is bad at counting. Ask for "under 90 words" and it often lands well over. Try: Cap each part instead: "each line under 8 words."

What a strong prompt includes

• Says how many lines
• Starts each line with the day
• Mentions the HOA rule
• Bans outside tips
• Sets a word limit

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