I've spoken with seemingly every NPC in Riften and have completed every Riften based quest/storyline I've come across, including the Thieves Guild, but for some reason the Jarl of Riften never invites me to become a thane or buy a house there, as has occurred in other towns. Any idea why not? Thanks

Talk to the Argonian skooma addict in town, she'll get you going in the right direction. Unless it's buggy like it is in my game... I found her in the Bunkhouse.

Try following 3 simple steps listed here: http://elderscrolls.wikia.com/wiki/Honeyside

You obviously haven't gone to the docks outside town and done the quests there.

I'm having the same issue, but I have indeed done the quest out on the docks. I just talk to the jarl and get the standard dialogue... I just kind of gave up. I'm hoping it gets patched, but it's obviously not breaking 100% of the time so I'm not holding my breath.

Have you also helped five people in town?

Yes, and all over the rift area. The problem is, I never get the "Is there anything else I can do for you, my jarl?" option. So I can't become the thane either.

That svcks. Riften house ain't that great anyways!

Can always just use Mercer Frey's old place.

Yeah. The character it's bugged on is my thief-type, so I was hoping the Riften place would work out. Do you happen to know if Mercer Frey's old house has safe storage containers?

I've searched all around the docks. Broke into the fishery. No sign of this argonian. Oh well. Sapphire won't talk to me about a debt either. Perhaps Riften just isn't for me.