It's called "home staging," and it's anything that helps a home seller make their home more attractive and appealing to a potential buyer.

Staging varies depending on the employer. A professional "stager" can decorate a home with furniture, plants, rugs, and other accessories to create a warm and clean environment. Some stagers work with contractors to get the house ready. They'll do minor repair work, paint, clean, etc.

"They make it look like home," Remax broker Cynthia Laboile said. "When people walk-in and it feels like home, than they make their purchase."

So how efficient is home staging?

The HomeGain's national survey says a non-staged home can spend an average of 182 days on the market before sold. A staged home can spend an average of 37 days on the market before sold. On average, 94.8 percent of staged homes sell in 37 days or less.

But is it worth the expense?

In Missouri, a consultation can run anywhere between $45 to $100. If the home seller wants to use some of his/her own furniture and accessories, staging can cost around $150 to $300. If the home is vacant, staging can cost anywhere between $800 to $1,200.

"The grand scale of things, if your house is going to sell quicker because it's staged, that's the most important," Laboile said. "That's the prerogative that we're going after."

But, Missouri's housing market is down (City of Columbia is an exception), and if home sellers aren't getting the ideal price for their home, the extra expense may be too much. And that mind-set doesn't help the home staging business.

Former home stager Ginger Scalise left the business because it was not doing well. Coleman Interior home stager Adonica Coleman agrees, saying business has been very slow.

But, Laboile strongly supports what staging can do for a home seller.

"The first impression, it's just like when you meet someone..." Laboile said. "It makes a big difference and it makes people remember the home."

Here are some "do-it-yourself" tips on how to stage your own home.

1. Clean the exterior of your home: pressure wash the siding, clean the gutters, and sweep the walkway.

2. Clear away cluttered spaces. Leave room for only essential appliances and used furniture.

3. Add complimentary accessories. For example, a coffee table and accent pieces.

4. Shuffle furniture so each room has a purpose: the dining room is used as a dining room, the office is used as an office.

5. Finish any deferred projects.

To see before and after photos of professionally staged homes, click on the link to the left of this story.