I had a house in an American state (5)
I believe the answer is:
idaho
'an american state' is the definition.
(Idaho is an example)
'i had a house' is the wordplay.
'i had' becomes 'id' (I'd).
'house' becomes 'ho' (abbreviation for house).
'id'+'a'+'ho'='IDAHO'
'in' acts as a link.
(Other definitions for idaho that I've seen before include "Pertaining to the Bard" , "American state, capital Boise (5)" , "US state, capital Boise" , "The Gem State, known for its potatoes" , "My Own Private -- (1991 film)" .)