Well, first of all, you're much younger than I am and have lots of time to change your financial situation. I don't think someone your age would consider you to be a financial issue (after all, you have a good career) unless you are drowning in debt (and even then, unfortunately, so are many other people).
As for homebuying - be careful about feeling like you HAVE to buy a home. There are online calculators that can tell you whether buying or renting is a better idea in your area at this time. If you WERE to consider buying, I'd recommend buying a home that you can get a roommate into to help with costs, or, since your parents are close, consider something for multi-generational living? (I bought a 4 bedroom house after my divorce, which seemed huge at the time but I am so glad I did, as my mom and 2 of my 3 sons live with me now.)
Also - you're young and newly single, there's no telling where you might be in a couple of years in terms of a relationship, so I wouldn't buy anything that couldn't be converted to a rental in a down market if you ended up marrying again.
As for getting by on your current salary - check out The Tightwad Gazette books by Dacyzyn and also the Mr. Money Mustache website. They're both very inspiring and most people have more fat in their budgets than they realize.
