Here are some inside tips to keep your home shining between showings and be ready for a buyer in two minutes. Literally!

• Map Your moves

Assign responsibility for each room to a family member so when the "two-minute drill" starts, each person knows which rooms to straighten.

• Rely on a bail-out box.

Eliminate a frantic search for keys, wallet, dogs leash and shoes when you are leaving to let the agent show your house. Keep a small box with pertinent items stashed in a handy place such as the coat closet floor.

• Plan your get-away.

Know where youll go when you vacate the house for show time. Take the kids to the library, park, playground, fast food restaurant, or to visit friends. Do your grocery shopping, pick up the cleaning, buy Aunt Janes birthday present.

BEST DEFENSE IS A GOOD OFFENSE

• Keep the bathroom shining.

If you're a two-bathroom household, consider using only one, so you only have to keep one clean. For a lasting shine on tiles, wipe them down with a squeegee after every shower.

• Note the keepers.

To forestall questions, you might want to label special items "to convey" or "not to convey."

• Blossom out.

Fresh flowers are nice when your house is being shown. Wildflowers or your own garden flowers work as well as those from a florist. Or buy long-lasting flowering plants.