Young buyer wins out with heartfelt letter in historic Malanda cottage sale

A 25-year-old woman has achieved the dream of owning her first home in a small town in Far North Queensland, despite submitting an offer $60,000 less than a rival bidder.

Karli Bryant, who grew up in Malanda on the Atherton Tablelands, has purchased a 116-year-old railway worker's cottage that was built in about 1910 when the rail line first reached the town.

The home was advertised for sale, with offers sought from potential buyers. Ms Bryant said she viewed the house on a whim and was immediately drawn to its charm.

"I actually went and viewed the house on a whim," she said. "It was really cute … I just thought, I can make something nice of it."

Ms Bryant's offer was not the highest, but she wrote a heartfelt letter to the seller, a woman in her 90s based in Western Australia, explaining how much the home meant to her.

"I just told her how much it would mean to me to be able to raise my kids in my hometown," Ms Bryant explained. "I teared up when I was writing it, but I just told her how much it would mean to me and how I'd try and take care of it the best I could."

Ms Bryant was up against other bidders, including one who offered $60,000 more than her. However, the seller chose her offer because she wanted the home to go to someone who valued its history and future.

"She loved the idea of young people being able to enter the market," said Janine Rielly of Elders Real Estate. "She [Karli] was the only one that was willing to restore it."

Ms Rielly said the seller got a fair price for a home that needed a lot of work, and that Ms Bryant's letter had tipped the scales in her favour.

Ms Bryant and her partner have already started renovations, ripping up carpet, scrubbing mould, and waiting on a Bobcat to tame an overgrown backyard.

"We've got heaps of plans," she said. "But my grandma told me Rome wasn't built in a day — I just need to take a breather, or I might burn myself out."

Ms Bryant's story is a rare one in today's market, with census data showing the average home ownership rate for 25-29 year olds has dropped significantly over the past few decades.

Ms Bryant hopes her story might inspire other young people to keep trying.

"I'm 25, and I honestly can't believe I've gotten into the property market," she said. "Just try not to give up."