I tried searching & couldnt find a problem like this...as I run around Skyrim I of course take on all the little quests in order to earn being Thane...in Markarth I dont remember the Jarl making me Thane (who can remember what they've done for every Hold all the time???) but I went to ask his steward for another job & the option to buy a house was already there...so I was like oh ok cool I'm at that point...so I buy the house & I always decorate it right away....so I deck it out & go to the house so I can unload my new load of loot to sell off later & go thru as is my ritual...well I have no housecarl!! There is that little bedroom off of the main bedroom (not where the childs bedroom/alchemy lab is) thats empty...so could there have been a glitch where I was able to buy a house without being his Jarl & therefore I dont have my housecarl? My last character owns all 5 houses & I have my housecarl in Markarth with it but this time nothing!!! I wanted to send my child there but being the role player I am I didnt want to leave her home 'alone'...LOl...anyone come across this problem?

You have to own property in order to become thane. If your offered property by the Jarl and buy and funish it from the Steward, that will not get you a housecarl. You will need to talk to the Jarl and be appointed thane. You may not have enough requirements of helping their people or what not. But housecarls do not come with the house, they come with the title of Thane.

Shouldn't be a bug.

My Hearthfire Lakeview Manor home has no housecarl as I am not a thane for Falkreath. And same with Hjerim. Ulfric let me buy the house but I have not talked to him about becoming thane there either. So there is just an empty upstairs room.