Owning a home is really a gamble. Unless you can do the maintenance yourself, especially on an older home, you can rack up BIGTIME dollars. Home maintenance also costs you LOTS OF TIME, which you may not be so happy about, especially if you are considering going back to school & working. And renting to a close friend doesn't always go the way you thought it would.
Seems like you & your family have a great relationship, if I were you I'd stay put and follow my dreams -- get that degree, job, and put something away towards a house you REALLY want.