Q: How does Sherlock-Homes match buyer and seller requirements?

Sherlock-Homes focuses primarily on the buyer's stipulated criteria and priorities (Buyer's Requirements). If we have a seller whose home matches the Buyer's Requirements, SHERLOCK-HOMES will select the home for the buyer to view. If the Buyer's Requirements does not match the Seller's Specs, we do not pursue the introduction. The process is systematic; the Buyer’s Requirements is checked thoroughly before the buyer is introduced to a prospective seller.

Q: Why has nobody represented the buyer before?

The traditional property-transaction model in South Africa has been based on the estate agent representing the seller, i.e. the agent brings prospective buyers to a seller’s home, and not prospective homes to a buyer. The buyer's agency model is very popular in the US market, and accounts for half of all property transactions.

Q: How can I get my company onto the SHERLOCK-HOMES website?

Visit our contact page and supply us with your details and one of SHERLOCK-HOMES's advertising representatives will be in contact with you.

Q: Does SHERLOCK-HOMES only cover the KOSH area?

Initially, our core focus is the KOSH area in North West. However, we plan to expand into other areas and provinces areas in the near future.

Q: Are there franchises available for other areas?

We are not planning any franchises but rather satellite offices.  If you would like information on this, please send me an e-mail to This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it

Q: I am afraid of something going wrong if I do my own private sale.

One of SHERLOCK-HOMES's aims is to empower individuals and educate them about the simplicity of the property-transaction process. The process is simpler than people realise. Once you have found the right home, all documentation for the offer to purchase is available online from SHERLOCK-HOMES. Once the seller accepts your Offer To Purchase, the process is handed to your attorney (If you do not have one, we have a list of recommended attorneys.).

Q: What legal paperwork do I need for a property transaction?

A copy of the standard Offer To Purchase document is available for your perusal under ‘Forms Database'. The Offers differ according to whether your property is a Free Hold, Sectional Title or Home Owners' Association purchase. Should you have any doubts as to which documents to use, please contact us on: 084 603 5131 or contact your attorneys. This is part of their service.

Q: What makes SHERLOCK-HOMES different to an estate agency?

We do not see ourselves as an estate agency; SHERLOCK-HOMES is primarily an introductions company that operate on a very specific Buyer's Requirements. So, in essence, SHERLOCK-HOMES represents the Buyer, unlike an estate agent who represents the seller. SHERLOCK-HOMES's role is to introduce the parties concerned to one another and, once a successful introduction has been concluded, SHERLOCK-HOMES exits the equation, leaving the buyer and seller to do a private sale. If the seller is represented by an estate agency, SHERLOCK-HOMES will introduce the buyer to the seller through the seller's agent. SHERLOCK-HOMES, however, advises the prospective parties to go the route of a private sale, as it saves the seller enormous commission and, indirectly, also saves the buyer.

Q: What are the benefits of using SHERLOCK-HOMES instead of an estate agency?

Buyers benefits in a variety of ways. They are not hassled with time spent visiting various agents to view prospective homes in agents' for-sale books. Rather, SHERLOCK-HOMES searches for the buyer's ideal home according to the Buyer's Requirements. Buyers are  not taken to view unsuitable homes. If SHERLOCK-HOMES finds a home that matches the Buyer's Requirements, SHERLOCK-HOMES will provide the buyer with visuals and information. The buyer can then decide to view the house or not. Buyers remain anonymous and are not hassled with incessant phone calls, SMSes and/or emails. And, by going the route of a private sale, both parties can save substantial amounts of money by not having to pay the agent’s commission