Board Thread:General Discussion/@comment-6158695-20130623053129/@comment-7953253-20130623060608

Are you sure you're talking to the right person for purchase, the steward?

As for Riften, if you haven't already completed the mission 'Season Unending' or taken part in the civil war. If you side with the Empire in the civil war, or make the decision to hand Riften over to Imperial forces during 'Season Unending', Maven Black-Briar will assume the position of Jarl in Riften, and you can purchase a house there immediately upon talking to Maven (IF she is Jarl).

I don't know what to do about Proudspire. Used to be, you could take a glitched key from the owner of 'Fletcher' and you could enter Proudspire through the back door with said key, but that has long since been patched,