After you've set the date and posted pictures of your house online, you need to get your house into tip-top shape for those up-close looks. Feeling overwhelmed? Start a bidding war with this list of to-dos.

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2 WEEKS BEFORE

• Reserve a trusted cleaning service for the day before your open house.
• If you’ve never used one before, have a trial cleaning to make sure you get someone you really like; then request that same person to come again.
• Fix chipped paint spots (outside and inside).
• Plant flowers.
• Repaint bold walls with neutral colors.
• Unclutter closets and bookshelves.
• Secure a storage facility with an open unit (or your parents’ basement).
• Make plans for pets to be away 24 hours before open house.
• Have rugs cleaned and floors polished.

1 WEEK BEFORE

• Trim hedges.
• Clean gutters.
• Move excess furniture, appliances, books, clothes, and canned goods to a storage unit (basically, you want to make the house, closets, and cabinets look as spacious as possible).
• Scrub the doors and deck.
• Create handouts (or make sure your Realtor does) so visitors can take information about your house with them for reference.

2 DAYS BEFORE

• Hide cords (even if it means unplugging electronics).
• Hide traces of a pet or a smoker (air out your place as much as possible).
• Lock up your valuables.
• Verify cleaning service.

1 DAY BEFORE

• Check in on the cleaning service before they leave; make sure the house meets your standards.
• Place handouts by the door.
• Get a sign-in sheet ready so people can write their names and email addresses.

MORNING OF

• Open drapes and curtains to get maximum light.
• Turn on lights in dark rooms.
• Ensure temperature is comfortable throughout house.
• Straighten up bedroom and bathroom.
• Create a nice scent by grinding coffee beans or by baking cinnamon roll dough in the oven on low.
• Turn soothing music on at a low volume.
• Leave the house (if you have a Realtor).