Selling a home almost always hinges on one golden rule - the highest bidder wins.But in Malanda, on the Atherton Tablelands in Far North Queensland, the sale of a 116-year-old railway worker's cottage has proven that it is not always the case.Karli Bryant, 25, has just bought her first home despite offering A$60,000 (NZ$73,800) less than a rival bidder.And it all came down to a heartfelt letter.A home with historyThe timber-clad cottage was one of the town's original railway workers' homes, built in about 1910 when the rail line first reached Malanda.Bryant grew up in the town and attended the school next door to the cottage, but always felt owning property was out of reach.The home was advertised for sale, with offers sought from potential buyers."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."She was not the only one who saw an opportunity - but she was the only one who put pen to paper.The words that changed everythingBryant penned a letter to the seller, a woman in her 90s based in Western Australia.She wrote about her grandmother who taught at Malanda Primary, about attending the school herself, and how she was now studying to become a teacher there too.She said she knew the house was "filled with love"."I just told her how much it would mean to me to be able to raise my kids in my hometown," 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."She was certain she had missed out."I actually know someone that put a bid on the house, and it was $60,000 more than mine," Bryant said."I dead-set did not think I was going to get it."And so when (real estate agent) Janine called me to let me know, I could hear the shock in her voice, and I was just in disbelief."Sam Saunders and Karli Bryant have a lot of work ahead of them after buying a historic Malanda cottage.Supplied: Karli BryantBulldoze or restoreThe elderly owner was determined that the house go to someone who valued its history and future, Janine Rielly of Elders Real Estate said."I read the letter out to the owner, and she was quite touched," she said.Rielly said other bidders had made significantly higher offers, but planned to bulldoze the cottage to build duplexes or units."She loved the idea of young people being able to enter the market."Rielly said the seller got a fair price for a home that needed a lot of work, but in a multiple-offer scramble, the letter tipped the scales."[Karli] was the only one that was willing to restore it," Rielly said."And that was really important."Carpet, mould and a BobcatTwo days after settlement this week, Bryant and her partner were already knee-deep in 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."Rielly said a potential risk in a situation like this was a loss of reputation if a buyer went back on their word or changed their mind about a renovation - especially with old homes where renovation costs could spiral.The exuberant couple has already written a second letter to the seller and sent a photo of them standing in front of the house with the "sold" sign.It has only been a few days, but Karli's partner Sam and dad Mick have put in solid work.Supplied: Karli BryantThe bigger pictureAt 25, Bryant is well aware of how rare her story is.Census data showed the average home ownership rate for 25-29-year-olds dropped from 50 percent in 1971 to 36 percent in 2021.Results from the 2026 Census have not been published - but regional Queensland property prices have skyrocketed 58 percent since the last national headcount.In Malanda, even a modest three-bedroom home starts in the mid-A$400,000s (about NZ$550,000).Bryant hoped her story might help other young people find hope."I'm 25, and I honestly can't believe I've gotten into the property market," she said."Just try not to give up," she said.And maybe … write a letter.- ABC