Where besides Whiterun can you buy a house?
And are there any specific jobs you have to do for the town jarl to have the 'honor' of purchasing property there?
Did quite a few jobs for the Steward in Riften and still haven't been offered the opportunity to buy a house.

Here you go: http://www.uesp.net/wiki/Skyrim:Houses

Every walled in city it seems. As far as what quests not sure. I have only used a place after a quest line and whiterun so not sure.

Edit: nvm lol. poster above me got it.

You can buy a house in any hold capital, except maybe Winterhold. I'll have to check that.

Pick a side in the civil war and do main quest for the riften house. You'll understand once MQ is nearly wrapped up.

Great, thanks everybody.