For the majority of homeowners, the most difficult part of the selling process is opening their homes -- and to some extent their lives -- so that their property can be seen by prospective buyers. It's an uncomfortable necessity, but one you have to address with a positive mindset.

** You Don't Want to Be There **

You don't want to be there when people are looking at your home. You don't. Give that idea up. You won't be helpful and you won't like what a prospective buyer may have to say about where and how you live. At the very best, it's an awkward social situation that shouldn't be social at all. In your efforts to make small talk, you can easily say something that will put the buyer off. Trust the real estate professionals to do their jobs. Leave.

** It's Not Fair to Expect Your Agent to Be There **

By the same token, don't expect that your agent will be present at all showings. A great deal of a successful transaction involves prospective buyers being able to talk freely, which they certainly won't do around you and are likely not to do around your agent. Also, be sensitive to the fact that your realtor does have other clients and other responsibilities.

** Fido and Fluffy Really Don't Want to Be There **

If you have pets, make other arrangements for them on the day of the showing or take them with you. If you don't get them out of the house, you'll be anxious about their well being and the prospective buyer likely will not enjoy having to work around Fido and Fluffy. Also, make sure there are no odors and no visible food bowls or litter boxes. You love your pet. Your buyer doesn't. For the happiness of all concerned -- including Fido and Fluffy -- get them out of the house and comfortably settled elsewhere.

** Flexibility is the Name of the Game **

Being rigid about the timing of showings is a serious mistake. The last thing you want is for your listing to get a reputation of being "difficult." While it may sound reasonable to ask for 24-hours notice, it could well hurt you in the marketplace. Clearing out so your house can be shown to prospective buyers on short notice is a pain. That’s a fact. Resign yourself to dealing with it.

Remember that agents who want to show your home live in the real world, too. Things happen. Maybe their client was delayed. Maybe they got stuck in traffic or had a flat tire. Do yourself a favor. Stay away longer than you think you need to. Get a cup of coffee. Sit down. Read a magazine. The more flexible you are about showings, the less you will resent the whole business.

** Tips for Last Minute Showings **

So what do you do when you get the call that an agent want to show your house in half an hour? Run through the quick fixes:

• Get all dirty dishes out of sight. Even putting them in the dishwasher is better than leaving them in the sink.

• Ditto for the laundry. It’s far preferable to stuff it all in the washer than to leave it piled on top!

• Make the beds. (It's a good idea to keep some pretty decorative pillows you can toss on quickly to create a better effect.)

• Get clutter, like your running shoes or winter coat out of sight.

• Put the toys away. (Get the kids to help with this by making a special "showing the house" toy box.)

• Put "mail mountain" in a basket and stuff it in a closet or set it out in the garage.

• Open the curtains. (Which means you better stay on top of the dusting!)

In this instance, surface appearances really do count. You want those surface, neat, tidy, and clutter free.

** Do The Big Stuff in Advance **

Give yourself a break in advance. Take some major steps to get the house in shape so the rapid preparations aren't so tough. When you know your house is going on the market:

• Have the carpets cleaned by professionals.

• Call the window washers.

• Let a maid service give the house a thorough once over.

• Have the yard done by a service including getting the shrubs trimmed.

It's much easier to do a fast once-over when things are in good shape to start with.

** Get Into a Daily Routine **

In general, your best bet is to develop a daily routine and stick to it. This will probably involve drawing up some sort of checklist and potentially assigning chores. But remember, buyers can and do call at any time and to the extent that it is possible to do so, your life will be easier if your house is pretty much ready to show -- at any time.

• Make the bed. Every day.

• Pick up the clutter. Every day.

• Put the dishes away. Every day.

• Wipe down the sinks with cleaning wipes. Every day.

For most of us, the idea is unthinkable, but it's only until the house sells -- and everything you do to keep the place looking good and ready to be seen will speed up that process.