I'm trying to purchase the house in Windhelm (Hjerlm or whatever) but am unabel to do so. When I go to buy it the steward says "there has been some unpleasantness and it is unavailable) This has to do with comleting the butcher quest but the quest currenlty will not start!

I know this is a known glitch and wondering if any body here knew how to start/complete or overcome it?

Have you started the Dark Brotherhood quest yet?
I had on one playthrough and no matter what I did I could not get the quest to start because the dead woman in the graveyard scenario never spawned, but if you pickpocket the Key to Hjerim from Tova Shatter-Shield (You can get the key to the Shatter-Shield home from Torbjorn) and enter the house, then take one of the pamphlets called "Beware of the Butcher!" it should automatically start the quest at a certain point but you will be skipping several parts of the quest. Then you can speak with Viola Giordano about continuing with the investigation.

Yeah Dark brotherhood is complete. I think I broke in to the house (lockpicked it) which may have been was screwed it up, not even sure if you are suppose to be able to do that lol. I picked up all the flyers, the journal's and the amulet and still nothing. and the body never spawns either. I believe I may be SOL