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In Gerb's case, have you or your sibling considered moving in with your mom?
Even 10 - 15 years ago when housing was way cheaper than they are now, some of my (married) friends have made arrangements to move back together with their parents / in-laws in order to be able to live in a house. A typical case would involve the parents taking up one floor, while the married couple takes up a different floor, and they generally don't interfere with each other's daily life too much. Financial arrangements vary -- with some splitting the normal operating costs of the house, while others just completely take over paying for the operating costs of the house. And then when the kids come, the parents/inlaws are basically available to help.
It certainly doesn't work for everyone, and it's easier if the parents / inlaws are the type that knows their boundaries. But this type of arrangement has worked for a lot of my friends. In your case -- and I absolutely mean no disrespect to your mom -- because you said she doesn't really have much cash -- if you and your partner can take over the normal operating expenses of the house, that'd free up your mom's money flow so that she can go use her money to do whatever she wants to do.
Of course, given that you have a sibling, the money splitting bit is going to be complicated. But if push comes to shove, I guess whoever gets to keep the property can always put a mortgage on it, and give the other sibling 1/2 of the house's worth.
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