I would suggest you try to find a fixer-upper that is priced right. You can get in the home, fix it up and then get a tax deductible heloc to pay off the credit card in a defined time period. In your situation, I wouldn't go with an all out rehab, but try to find one that needs some cosmetic work. Paint, curb appeal, etc. You only need it to appraise for slightly over the purchase price to get the $6,000 out in a heloc.

PS. You are ALWAYS better off building equity in a home as soon as possible. Unless you are living with relatives for free, you are throwing away money on rent.