Best/ most affordable way to rejuvinate a DEAD yard.?

Try watering the lawn. You may be amazed at what comes back. You realize trying to grow a cool season northern grass in the south is asking for trouble. They do not like the heat, want to go dormant in the heat, and thus being under stress from the heat fall prey to disease and insect problems. Not knowing where in South Carolina you are, here's some info on grasses: http://hgic.clemson.edu/factsheets/hgic1214.htm

Now where the grass is just "dead" is may be dormant and will respond to watering........hold off fertilizing until you know for sure the lawn is coming back. Fertilizing a weak lawn can kill it.

In the back you may need to fill in those patches that have died out by whatever means is appropriate for that type of grass: sprigging, plugging for example.

Yeah, southern grasses are different, not like a good bouncy bluegrass, but it's what grows in the South.

Shade will be a problem, the more trees you have, the more problems you'll have with grasses. That's why they have all those love rhododendrons.

You would probably be best to start all over again.

South Carolina isn't the best place for a cool season grass laike fescue or bluegrass, like you have had in the north.It is slightly below the transisition zone, and you will have problems with it in the deep summers.

You could look into Zoysia or centipede (Look at Tifblair Centipede - Popular for SC), instead of Bermuda.

Even with bermuda, you can green grass year around by overseeding in the late fall with rye grass.

But you could also start to rejuvinate what you have.Since bermuda is a spreading grass, it can repair the areas that are bare.

First would be to start to water, you may have a little life in the turf.

Then aerate the lawn with a core aerator. Top dress with a compost that will help retain moisture.

And fertilize with a summer feed.

Since it is Bermuda, you could also re-seed the areas that are bare. You can either break up the areas and spread seed and starter fertilzer. Insure the seeds are covered by soil, but not much more than 1/8". Also use "Hulled" bermuda seeds for quicker germination.

For more help, you can visit a local garden center (Not a Big Box Store) or a professional landscape supply company like John Deere Landscapes.

Good Luck!

Quickest and best would be simply to resod, add a path and some nice flowering plants. You may also consider getting a "rain barrel" to keep your yard watered and save money. Good Luck!