What if names do not match?

If buyer or seller names differ from recorded documents, obtain a name-affidavit, corporate resolution, or corrected deed prior to recording. Title insurers typically require alignment between the deed and commitment to issue coverage. Delays can hold closing until documentation is corrected.

How to handle missing surveys

If an up-to-date survey is unavailable, order a new survey or obtain a surveyor's letter confirming no encroachments. Lenders often require an existing or newly prepared ALTA/NSPS survey before funding; absence can delay mortgage recording and title insurance.

Unreported easement found

Document the easement's scope and obtain a legal opinion on its effect. Consider requiring a release, relocation agreement, or title endorsement to insure against use conflicts. Negotiations may affect price or closing conditions.

Missing tax or assessment records

Request tax certificates from the county and confirm payment history. Unpaid property taxes or special assessments can survive closing and become buyer liabilities if not cleared at settlement.

How to confirm environmental risk

Order a Phase I Environmental Site Assessment. If Phase I identifies recognized environmental conditions, proceed to Phase II testing and negotiate remediation responsibility or escrow conditions before closing.

What if a lien resurfaces after closing?

Notify your title insurer and counsel immediately. Most standard policies include defense and indemnity for covered undisclosed liens; resolution may require litigation or settlement depending on policy exceptions.

Electronic Signature
Templates
Real estate
Real Estate Due Diligence Checklist

Real Estate Due Diligence Checklist

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REAL ESTATE DUE DILIGENCE CHECKLIST

Property Identification

Property Address Parcel / APN Number Legal Description Owner of Record

Property Type: Residential Commercial Vacant Mixed-use

Parties and Contacts

Buyer Name Buyer Contact Information Seller Name Seller Contact Information Broker / Agent

Transaction Summary

Purchase Price Earnest Money Deposit

Closing Date: Possession Date:

Inspection Period (calendar days)

Due Diligence Checklist Items

For each item, indicate completion by checking the Completed box, provide a due date for outstanding items, and record comments or exceptions.

Title and Survey

Title commitment / preliminary report completed
Due Date: Notes:

ALTA / boundary survey obtained
Due Date: Notes:

Physical Inspections

Structural and foundation inspection
Due Date: Inspection Report Notes:

Roof inspection HVAC / mechanical inspection
Notes:

Environmental

Phase I Environmental Site Assessment completed
Due Date: Notes:

Lead-based paint disclosure received (for pre-1978 properties) Mold inspection / report

Zoning, Permits & Land Use

Zoning verification and permitted uses confirmed
Notes:

Permits, certificates of occupancy, municipal approvals on file
Due Date:

Leases, Tenants & Financials

Copies of leases, estoppel certificates, tenant correspondence, and rent roll provided
Notes:

Property tax history and special assessments reviewed Operating statements and utility costs reviewed

Liens, Encumbrances & HOA

Liens, judgments, and encumbrances identified and reviewed
Notes:

HOA / CCRs / dues documentation received HOA Notes:

Utilities, Service & Insurance

Utilities and service connections verified (water, sewer, electric, gas)
Notes:

Insurance requirements and claims history reviewed Flood zone / FEMA map status checked

Disclosures

Lead-based paint disclosure: Yes No Unknown

Mold / water intrusion disclosure: Yes No Unknown

Prior material damage or repairs disclosed: Yes No Unknown

Deadlines & Deliverables

Key Deliverables and Deadlines

Contingencies to be satisfied by: Final Document Delivery Date:

Legal Notice and Certification

This Due Diligence Checklist is an administrative instrument to assist Buyer and Seller in identifying items to be reviewed in connection with the contemplated transaction. Completion of items on this checklist does not amend, replace, or supersede any term of the Purchase Agreement or other transaction documents, nor does it create new contractual obligations unless expressly incorporated by reference in the Purchase Agreement.

Buyer and Seller acknowledge that certain items may require consultant reports, inspections, or professional review. Where further investigation reveals material defects, Buyer may exercise remedies as provided in the Purchase Agreement, including termination where permitted by contract. Deadlines listed herein are for administrative tracking and shall be interpreted consistent with timing provisions in the Purchase Agreement.

Governing Law: This checklist and any dispute arising out of its interpretation shall be governed by the law of the state in which the Property is located, without regard to conflict of law principles.

Entire Agreement: This checklist constitutes an integrated record of due diligence items; it is not an exhaustive list of all possible investigations and does not substitute for legal, tax, environmental, or engineering advice.

Acknowledgment

By signing below, each party acknowledges receipt of this Real Estate Due Diligence Checklist, confirms that the information provided herein is accurate to the best of their knowledge, and accepts responsibility to pursue the due diligence actions assigned to them or their designees.

Buyer Printed Name:

By:

Date:

Seller Printed Name:

By:

Date:

What the Real Estate Due Diligence Checklist Is

A Real Estate Due Diligence Checklist is a structured document used to record and verify legal, financial, physical, and regulatory facts about a property before purchase, financing, or closing. It compiles title and lien searches, survey and environmental reports, zoning and permitting status, tenant and lease information, outstanding obligations, and required disclosures. The checklist helps teams track tasks, supporting documents, responsible parties, and deadlines so that material risks are identified and mitigated before funds or ownership transfer. It is commonly used by buyers, lenders, title companies, and attorneys.

Why a Checklist Matters for Real Estate Transactions

A due diligence checklist centralizes critical items, reduces oversights, and creates an auditable record of who reviewed what and when. For complex transactions it improves coordination among brokers, counsel, underwriters, and title professionals.

Typical users and contributors

Multiple parties use the checklist at different stages to confirm property condition, legal status, and financial obligations.

Buyers and investors: Review title, surveys, environmental reports, tenant files, and lease abstracts to assess risk and valuation.
Lenders and underwriters: Confirm collateral condition, liens, insurance, and borrower eligibility before releasing funds.
Title companies and attorneys: Verify chain of title, exceptions, required endorsements, and prepare closing and recording documentation.

Responsibilities overlap; designate a primary owner for each checklist item to avoid miscommunication during closing.

Step-by-step completion flow

Follow the sequence below to gather and verify the most time-sensitive items first, then proceed to secondary checks.

01

Initiate Review: Collect contract and opening title report.
02

Verify Title: Order or confirm title commitment and exceptions.
03

Inspect Property: Schedule survey and physical inspection.
04

Resolve Issues: Address liens, permits, and insurance gaps.

Common questions and troubleshooting

Answers to frequent problems when preparing or reviewing a Real Estate Due Diligence Checklist.

Need help? Contact support

What if names do not match?
If buyer or seller names differ from recorded documents, obtain a name-affidavit, corporate resolution, or corrected deed prior to recording. Title insurers typically require alignment between the deed and commitment to issue coverage. Delays can hold closing until documentation is corrected.
How to handle missing surveys
If an up-to-date survey is unavailable, order a new survey or obtain a surveyor's letter confirming no encroachments. Lenders often require an existing or newly prepared ALTA/NSPS survey before funding; absence can delay mortgage recording and title insurance.
Unreported easement found
Document the easement's scope and obtain a legal opinion on its effect. Consider requiring a release, relocation agreement, or title endorsement to insure against use conflicts. Negotiations may affect price or closing conditions.
Missing tax or assessment records
Request tax certificates from the county and confirm payment history. Unpaid property taxes or special assessments can survive closing and become buyer liabilities if not cleared at settlement.
How to confirm environmental risk
Order a Phase I Environmental Site Assessment. If Phase I identifies recognized environmental conditions, proceed to Phase II testing and negotiate remediation responsibility or escrow conditions before closing.
What if a lien resurfaces after closing?
Notify your title insurer and counsel immediately. Most standard policies include defense and indemnity for covered undisclosed liens; resolution may require litigation or settlement depending on policy exceptions.

Security and compliance details to record

Encryption: TLS 1.2/1.3; AES-256 at rest

Audit Trail: Timestamps, IPs, and action log

HIPAA: Compliant — BAA required

ESIGN / UETA: Compliance for U.S. eSignatures

SOC 2: SOC 2 Type II available

21 CFR Part 11: Supported for regulated records

Key legal and financial risks to note

Recording Delay: Clouds title

Undisclosed Liens: Potential buyer liability

Tax Obligations: Assessment or back taxes

Environmental Liability: Remediation costs

Insurance Gaps: Coverage exceptions

Invalid Signatures: Document unenforceable

Common preparation mistakes to avoid

Relying on outdated surveys or missing boundary evidence can hide encroachments and delay closings many weeks while new surveys are obtained.
Failing to order a current title commitment or ignoring listed exceptions leaves buyers exposed to uninsurable defects post-closing.
Not confirming zoning and permitted uses prior to contract can create costly compliance or redevelopment obstacles after acquisition.
Skipping tenant file review risks accepting unreported lease concessions, guaranty gaps, or payment defaults that affect cash flow.

Essential sections every professional checklist should include

A professional Real Estate Due Diligence Checklist groups items into logical sections that map to risk areas and responsible parties.

Title & Liens

Title commitment review, lien search results, judgments, UCC filings, and required title endorsements to clear exceptions before closing.

Survey & Boundaries

ALTA/NSPS survey findings, easements, encroachments, and required boundary corrections or endorsements tied to lender requirements.

Environmental

Phase I/II reports, known contamination history, regulatory notices, and negotiation of remediation responsibility or escrow holdbacks.

Zoning & Permits

Current zoning classification, permitted uses, outstanding code enforcement complaints, building permits, and certificate of occupancy status.

Leases & Tenants

Lease abstracts, rent rolls, security deposits, estoppel certificates, and tenant defaults that affect valuation and occupancy.

Insurance & Taxes

Policy coverages, endorsements, recent premium invoices, property tax status, exemptions, and any pending assessments or appeals.

Configuring an online due diligence workflow

Define roles, authentication, and retention settings to ensure secure routing and a complete audit trail when using digital tools.

Field	Configuration
Signature Authentication	Email + SMS code or higher KBA
Field Types	Text, date, checkbox, document upload
Conditional Logic	Show fields based on responses
Retention Settings	Auto-archive PDFs and audit logs

How e-submission and signing typically works

Online workflows speed review and preserve evidence of consent; follow a consistent routing order for clarity.

Upload Document: Sender uploads checklist and attachments
Place Fields: Add signature, date, and upload fields
Notify Signers: Send secure email or link
Record Audit: System captures timestamps and IPs

Technical and integration needs

Confirm the eSignature platform supports required authentication, integrations, and file formats before deployment.

Integrations: Salesforce, NetSuite, Microsoft 365
File Support: PDF, DOCX, XLSX
Authentication: Email, SMS, or KBA

Typical timelines and deadline checkpoints

Track deadlines in the checklist to ensure contingencies and conditions are met prior to closing and funding.

Due Diligence Period Length:

Varies by contract; commonly 15–45 days

Title Commitment Delivery:

Delivered within 7–14 days after contract

Survey Delivery:

Survey or waiver usually due within due diligence period

Closing Date:

Set in contract; recording must follow promptly

Recording Deadline:

Record deed at or shortly after closing

eSignature vendor pricing and capability snapshot

Pricing and basic feature availability for common eSignature providers. No datestamps are included in this summary; confirm vendor terms directly.

	signNow	DocuSign	Adobe Sign	PandaDoc	HelloSign
Starting Price	$8/user/mo	$15/user/mo	$14/user/mo	$19/user/mo	$15/user/mo
Free Trial	7-day free trial	Varies	Varies	Varies	Varies
Bulk Send	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	No
Audit Trail	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes
HIPAA Compliant	Yes	Yes	Yes	No	No

Real-world examples from practitioners

Case examples show how teams used a checklist and eSignature tools to close reliably and securely.

Optica Ventures — COO

The interface simplified our workflow and reduced review time.

The checklist captured title exceptions early.
As a result, our closings became more predictable and fewer follow-up clarifications were needed post-closing.

Martin Properties — Founder

We processed and executed documents online with full compliance.

Mobile signing accelerated tenant and buyer responses.
This allowed us to close transactions remotely while maintaining audit-ready documentation and security controls.

Practical tips for efficient completion

Adopt consistent conventions and designate accountability to speed review and reduce rework.

Designate item owners

Assign a responsible person for each checklist line and require written sign-off; accountability prevents items from being overlooked during the rush to close.

Attach source documents

Store the title commitment, survey, environmental report, leases, and permits directly with the checklist entry to reduce search time and support auditability.

Set automated reminders

Use workflow tools to trigger reminders for upcoming expiration dates or unresolved contingencies so issues are addressed before closing.

Keep an exceptions log

Maintain a concise exceptions register that explains outstanding items, mitigation steps, and whether escrow or indemnity arrangements are required.

Who typically signs or confirms checklist items

Title Officer

Title officers verify commitments, endorse clearance steps, and confirm that required endorsements and exceptions are negotiated. Their signature confirms title readiness for closing and indicates items that must be satisfied or escrowed.

Transaction Coordinator

Coordinators manage document collection, schedule inspections, and track deadlines across parties. Their confirmation certifies that required documents are received and that routing for signature and recording is complete.

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