Your most important job will be to get your home into shape for viewing. A lot of work needs to be done making a home attractive to buyers. Do as much as you can yourself, but be prepared to hire plumbers, electricians, painters and landscapers if you need them. It may be costly, but if it helps sell your house, it's probably a bargain.

Have your realtor find you a Seller's Insurance Policy that covers any repairs or replacements of appliances, plumbing or electrical devices after the closing. Most are reasonable and will save you money that you may not be able to afford if something breaks or wears out.

Here's a list of things for you to do.

• Start with the outside first. Scrape, sand and putty. Repaint all wood surfaces.
• Sort out the flower beds, weeding and putting in new flowers. Cut the grass and trim patios, borders and sidewalks and clear grass and any other yard debris from around the foundation, leaving about a 2-inch-wide border all the way around.
• If you have sufficent time, green up your grass by using a fast-acting fertilizer. Also be sure to prune all trees and shrubs.
• Check all air vents and replace any that are worn or broken.
• Fix or replace any window screens that are damaged, and while you're at it, clean all the windows outside.
• Look at your patio, swimming pool apron or garage floor and fix any cracks or damage. Be sure to repaint the interior of the garage.
• Place potted plants and plant hanging baskets around the entrance to enhance curb appeal. Don't forget about house plants for inside.
• You can rent power washers to scrub driveways and sidewalks clean of stains.
• If you have a fireplace, check it for leaks or damaged fire bricks. Be sure that where it passes through the roof, the metal flashing is in good shape and not leaking.
• If your home is all brick, or a brick veneer, check the verticality of the walls with a level. Check mortar as well and repair with mortar repair kits from the hardware store. Powerwash bird and animal debris off the bricks.
• Check the foundation wainscoatting--the concrete panels between the ground and the brick--for cracks or flaking.
• Concentrate some effort on sprucing up your front door and front porch. Clean everything with a hose or power washer. Clean up outdoor furniture and re-paint if necessary. Use alcohol-based cleaners on the front door frames and panels, and repaint. Buy touch-up paint to repair any small nicks or gouges. If there's a screen door, make sure it's clean and undamaged.
• Moving inside, repaint interiors using earth tones or neutral colors. Ceilings are always painted bright white to give the effect of height. Walls can be slightly darker. If there are any broken wallboards, trim, doorknobs, towel racks, cabinet or drawer pulls, replace them.
• Clean all surfaces and maintain them. Windows need weekly cleaning to remove any soot or dust. Sweep or vacuum floors and rugs three times weekly.
• Do the sniff test and see what your home smells like. Plug-in, fan-powered room air deodorizers should be used in every room. Use one scent throughout the house, floral or wooded scents in Spring and Summer, cinammon or vanilla in Fall and Winter.
• Clean bathrooms and kitchen daily. Keep them organized and sanitized. Clean counter and stove tops, cabinet doors and ovens and wipe down the refrigerator door every day. Put clean towels in the bathroom every day. Most buyers place great emphasis on kitchens and baths. Make sure yours measure up.
• Tidy the bedrooms and make the beds every morning. Get the rest of the family to help. If your children are small and have lots of toys, buy some inexpensive plastic storage tubs that can be quickly filled with toys and stored out of sight. Clean out your closets and donate old clothes to charity, or store them in a rented warehouse.
• Clutter in the den, living room or dining room is unsightly. Remove stacks of magazines and put CDs and DVDs in storage. Pack up as many things as you think you can do without and store them in the warehouse until you move.
• If you have a home office, clean off the top of the desk and organize any bookshelves. Hide papers and pens and pencils, and keep computers turned off.
• Check all corners in rooms and hallways for cobwebs or spider webs every week.
• Use a pest control company and have them spray the home, inside and out.
• Clean out the garage and get rid of all the junk, old clothes (from High School), broken televisions and lamps and any other "stuff" you couldn't bear to discard. Either trash it all, or give it to a charity.
• Organize your toolbench, or get inexpensive plastic toolboxes and store them. Throw away all the old, empty bottles, dried-up cans of paint and the dribs and drabs of fertilizer, weed spray and pesticides. (In most cities there is a designated disposal center for these items)
• If you have external lighting, be sure all are working. If you don't have outside lights, consider adding them. Security lighting is not only attractive, but can add a few hundred dollars to the selling price.
• If you suspect you might have foundation problems, especially older homes with pier and beam foundations, have it inspected. If there are problems, repair them, or be prepared to significantly lower your asking price. Many foundation firms will do the work and place a mechanics lien on your house, to be paid when the sale is closed.
• If you can afford it, hire a professional decorator to help tweak your home's decor. They can help you organize your home to show it off, and their costs may well be offset by the increase you may get on your selling price.
• Finally, remember to keep plenty of cleaning supplies on hand to clean surfaces, floors, tubs and tile. If family members are old enough, assign each a specific duty to perform daily and weekly. That way you'll spread the chores around and not have to do it all yourself. And remember to smile all the time. A cheerful attitude will help you get through all of this.