Is becoming Thane of Markarth bugged?

So the first character I made was just so see how I wanted to play, while doing that I bought the house in Markarth and after became Thane. I hadn't really done any of the main quest line and none of the civil war quests so I know its possible to become Than without doing them like some people say you have too.

So again I ask, is it bugged? I don't get the dialog options that would start me down the pat to become Thane. I had it the moment after I got the ability to buy the house there but I decided to wait and go do some stuff, came back and its gone. Did bounties for the steward tell he ran out and have been helping the people around the Reach but nothing.

I heard some people had a problem where if they didn't buy the house soon it would bug out and they wouldn't be able to get it. Could it be the same thing with becoming Thane?