Living Smart: How to stage a home in 15 minutes

Realtors champion the value of home staging, in which you remove clutter and personal items, and organize the furniture in a way that highlights the home's best features.

Keep a basket handy so you can toss toys into it in a pinch.

Stack magazines and newspapers in a neat pile, fold the throw blankets and fluff the pillows.

First impressions mean a lot.

Take a minute to make sure all the toilet lids and closet doors are shut.

There's no time for a full scrub-down, so do what you can in the time that you have: put dishes in the dishwasher; wipe off the table and countertops; toss any so-so looking food you normally keep out.