I'm not sure of the best way to respond about the house. Do you want to sell, or stay? That should guide what you do. How open would H be, do you think, to alternative ways of handling the house (like renting a room/getting a lodger/you guying him out, for example?)
I love the idea of doing some travelling, BTW. A couple of months away would be such a great experience. Where would you go?
