Don't overlook cabinets, closets and drawers. People will open those, too, says Patricia Hackley, an agent in suburban Atlanta. And don't wave red flags: Put away any items of religious or political significance, any guns and trophy heads.

Get a professional home inspection before you put your house on the market. Fix anything you might not have been aware of, especially anything that involves health or safety issues. If an improvement isn't apparent, such as a new roof covered by snow, tell buyers about it. Having the inspection report in hand will inspire confidence that nothing dramatic will come up when a buyer does an inspection.

Once you've disposed of the clutter, start cleaning. "People have a very strong sense of comfort in cleanliness and feel uncomfortable when things aren't hygienic," says Milligan. She says bathrooms and kitchens must be absolutely spotless. If you can't do the cleaning yourself, hire someone to do it; if you already have a cleaning service, have it come more frequently for the duration. If you're not going to replace the carpet or refinish the wood floors, make sure they're clean at all times.

"You want a house not just to look clean but to smell clean, too," says Fujita. Stale odors from cigarettes, pets or even food can drive away buyers. Cleaning and airing the place out may take care of the problem. But in worst-case scenarios you may have to have the drapes dry-cleaned; walls washed, sealed with primer and painted; or carpeting replaced. Fujita notes that you can resort to candles, potpourri or baking bread during showings. Greene advises her clients not to cook anything aromatic the night before a showing. And Ziegler suggests that you have a bouquet of fresh flowers on the dining table.

Improve the flow

One of the principles of feng shui is that chi should flow unimpeded in your home, says Ziegler. You don't want anything blocking buyers' progress through the house. Scale back your furniture, especially oversize pieces that overwhelm a room.

But what if you have the opposite problem, and your footsteps are echoing in a vacant home? Fujita suggests renting a couple of rooms of furniture to make it feel more welcoming.

When the home is shown, be sure the drapes are open, particularly if a lovely view is central to the home's appeal (and price). "Light your home up like a Christmas tree," recommends McCall. She advises clients to replace light bulbs with the highest wattage that safety allows and to turn them all on. Hackley agrees, with a reminder that visitors may not know where the switches are.

Recognize that home showings are stressful for pets. A barking dog or a cat can distract buyers or even prevent them from entering your home. And even a friendly dog can become a menace when strangers invade its territory. During showings, confine your pets or remove them from the scene. Remove terrariums that hold pets, such as snakes, that buyers might find off-putting.

Plan to finish your preparations at least a couple of weekends before the house goes on the market. On the last weekend, Greene advises that you sit back, sigh deeply and enjoy what you've created. And don't be surprised if you fall in love with your house all over again.

--Research: Jessica Anderson