So yeah, pretty much as the title; which cities actually have homes available for purchase, how much are they, and who do you talk to/what must you do in order to actually get them? I have enough gold set aside to buy the one in Whiterun, but I'd like to know what my options are.

From what I understand you can only purchase a home in Dragonreach and that is after you get the Thane status....or a quest or 2 before it.

Incorrect. Every major city has at least one house to purchase if you're a Thane. The smaller major cities (whitehold for example) I don't think have one. You also get houses from getting married, and also a cozy place after completing a certain quest line. (Not the main one mind you)

There are houses in Solitude,Markarth,Whiterun,Windhelm,and Riften.

There are ten houses to buy i believe.

What are the prices ?

Im going to buy a new house (hate whiterun's) but am wondering weither I shold save my money for a better one, or just buy another one thats not so great. Depends how close I am.

Solitude-25 Markarth-8 Whiterun-5 Windhelm-12 Riften-8.This is all without furnishings.

25k 0.0 Im not that rich. Damn thats going to be a looooong way off.

Hmmm whats Markarth and Windhelm like ?

Those are the places I liked. Riften was just, depressing. Shame really, it had a nice location.