And don't forget the eye candy: If you can't afford to have painters do your whole house, just have them freshen the rooms that get the hardest wear (usually the kitchen and baths), as well as the front door.

WSJ: Are Sellers' Appraisals and Inspections Overkill?--WSJ House Talk

If you have an eye and a streak of adventurousness, you can invest in emerging painters at the decade-old River Gallery at the Strand Hotel.

FORBES: Burma - An Unlikely Art Destination