‘Unconditional kindness’: Extraordinary $10k gesture leaves first-home buyer in tears

A young mum has received the surprise of a lifetime after the seller of her new home gifted her the ultimate housewarming present.

It was 18 months ago when the young Adelaide woman, who asked not to be identified, fled a domestic violence relationship with her then four-and-a-half-month-old daughter, taking with her just $5,000 in savings and a determination to build a new life.

Returning to work just six months postpartum while living with her parents, the woman saved an incredible $35,000 deposit for her first home.

On Mother’s Day this year, after searching potential inner-east Adelaide apartments in her budget, the woman planned to attend an inspection.

Yet, just hours before viewing the unit she would eventually buy, her daughter suffered a burn injury, leaving them in the emergency room until the early hours of the morning.

Exhausted, she refused to miss the inspection later that morning.

“I had nothing left in me, but I knew I needed to go look at this unit,” she said in a statement to nine.com.au.

“I walked in with my mum and we knew it was perfect straight away. Every other place I kept finding the faults; this place I kept seeing the positives.”

After her offer was accepted, selling agent Linda Clemente of Ray White Norwood learned more about her journey and shared it with the vendors.

Before settlement, sellers – who also wished to remain anonymous – quietly arranged for much of the home’s furniture to be left behind, including a TV unit, fridge and a fully equipped kitchen to help the young family settle in.

When the young mother arrived to collect the keys, she handed over a loaf of homemade sourdough and a handmade card from her toddler as a thank you.

The sellers responded with a card of their own, keeping one more surprise up their sleeve.

Inside was a cheque for $10,000.

“It absolutely shocked me,” the young mum said.

“I showed my mum and she burst into tears. I was in shock the rest of the day and realistically am still in shock to this day.

“I have put the money into a savings account as a safety net… if an emergency happens, I have backup. I want to use it wisely.”

She chose to share her story in the hopes it encourages others who may feel home ownership is out of reach.

“You can still enjoy life but on a bit less of a budget,” she said.

“Never give up on the things you enjoy, just be mindful. If I can do it, you can too.

“I’m so excited to finally have my own place, and my daughter and I are absolutely loving it.”