Q.I have a small section of lawn that is dry and compacted from summer heat and foot traffic. What are the best steps to resurrect
it? I don’t have the budget to have the lawn done professionally. I would like a do it yourself method, even if I have to rent equipment.
Which products are recommended prior to applying grass seed? New soil, fertilizer, -anything else?

Certified GKH Gardening Expert
If you are going to overseed you will need to dethatch the lawn to increase seed to soil contact. If you want to remove the lawn you can use glyphosate but that will take a couple of weeks and it is getting late in the season. You can rent sod removal equipment for faster results. You will need to buy seed and starter fertilizer. You may need some soil to cover the seed if you completely renovate. I am attaching information for overseeding and complete removal. You can find more information on the Washington State Cooperative Extension website (they charge a small fee for some publications)
https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/lawn-care/lgen/overseeding-information.htm
http://pubs.cahnrs.wsu.edu/publications/pubs/pnw299/?p-page=1
https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/lawn-care/lgen/aerating-your-lawn.htm
https://catalog.extension.oregonstate.edu/ec1521/html
https://www.seattletimes.com/pacific-nw-magazine/dormant-summer-lawns-will-keep-coming-back-green-but-more-susceptible-to-weeds-and-moss/
https://extension.colostate.edu/topic-areas/yard-garden/renovating-the-home-lawn-7-241/