Blavelle,
Painting the popcorn is better than nothing, but if you're wanting to sell your house, many people don't like popcorn. It's not the in thing now and makes the house feel dated.
If your budget is small but you're willing to put in some sweat equity, I would suggest you consider removing the popcorn. I did it in all the bedrooms in my house plus a hallway. It is a little messy, but it's really not that hard. You'll likely have to do some patching, but if you're careful, you shouldn't have to do too much. Then a quick coat of paint and you're done.
I think it's fair to say that most people, if given a choice between painted ceilings and popcorn ceilings, would choose the paint. This may give you an edge in selling.
Good luck!