Beverley van Twest knows selling the family home is an emotional time, but thanks to Ray White Morningside principal Dennis Simic her sale will go to help sick kids with chronic and terminal illnesses.
Last week, Mr Simic drew Mrs van Twest’s name out a hat in a draw to win a free marketing campaign worth almost $8k – sponsored by realestate.com.au and News Corp, among others.
Mr Simic will also donate his commission from the sale to the Starlight Children’s Foundation.
Ray White Queensland’s chief auctioneer, Mitch Peereboom, will also conduct the onsite auction for free at 55 Bundara St, Morningside on 27 October at 12 noon.
“I am going to be working so I can achieve a good result for Beverley and for a good cause,” Mr Simic said.
“This is not a gimmick. I’m the top agent in the area, with the best marketing package, and the top auctioneer in the largest group in Australasia working for Beverley and we’ll be doing it for a great cause.
“Even though I will be doing this for free, it doesn’t mean that I won’t be working hard. The pressure is actually on me to get a great outcome for everyone.
“I have never done anything like this before so it’s very exciting and I feel very strongly about helping the children’s charity as they do such good work.
“It’s about quality client service and achieving results for my vendors,” he said.
Mrs van Twest and her husband – who passed away three years ago from cancer – built their large family home, with its hints of Tuscan columns and terracotta tiles, more than 22 years ago.
“It’s been a wonderful family home that is solid as a rock, made of concrete and a very happy house,” said the grandmother of 10.
“We’ve had plenty of big family gatherings here. We had five children, so there was always family gatherings,” she said.
“I have downsized to a unit now in Bulimba which is perfect for me as it’s close to all the amenities I want.”
Mrs van Twest, who does Pilates once a week and aqua aerobics in summer, said she was blown away when Mr Simic called to say she had won the lucky draw.
She was chosen at random out of all the Morningside vendors who had their homes appraised by Mr Simic in September.
“I feel like it’s an exceptional initiative and I am pleased to really be part of this campaign, I feel like it was something that was meant to be for me,” she said.
