Yes, home staging has been around for a while - sellers have been sprucing up there houses to sell for decades. However, it's now got an official name - Home Staging - and it can be a profession for some.
As we tend to be busier in life, we find that there are many niches to specialize in, and sometimes with all of the clutter we now have in our homes that weren't there before (we've moved from figurine collections to DVD collections and all sorts of electronics), sometimes it does help to have a specialist enable you see where to declutter to present your home in the best light.
I always guide my sellers on changes they can make to enhance the appearance and therefore, saleability, of their home. And on a couple occasions, I've even recommended a Home Stage Specialist (who is a professional associate of mine - we work as a team when she's called into action for my sellers) to my clients. The results have been astounding (drop me a line if you want to see before and after pics - I don't have time to post them now while blogging quickly on a Sunday morn). The sellers were amazed at the results as well.
For more information to help yourself get started - read the following articles - then call me with questions.
Have a great day - it's looking sunny out there today!!
News Journal Article 10/29/06 on current housing market in Delaware and why home staging helps
Articles on How to Stage Your Home