Meet PropertyGuys.com’s International South Africa Master Franchisor

Dean Ferreira, Robert Walsh, and their team are on record franchise development pace

By Michael Elliott,

March 29, 2022

Today, we are proud to introduce Dean Ferreira, Our Master Franchisor for Southern Africa.

Dean’s background in real estate as a Multi-Franchisee for Keller Williams Realty plays an instrumental role in helping him build the required foundation to develop and award franchise units throughout South Africa.

The South Africa team is off to a RED HOT start with over 15 Franchises Awarded. We sat down with Dean and asked him a few questions regarding his new role and experience with PropertyGuys.com to date.

We’re sure you are going to find Dean’s story very engaging, so please enjoy.

How did you first hear about PropertyGuys.com?

I was doing some research on some new International Franchise companies particularly looking toward expansion into South Africa. I wanted to hook up with a brand that did something different in real estate … that’s when I found PropertyGuys.com.

Why did you decide to become a Master Franchisor?

I was fed up with the local leadership team at Keller Williams and was extremely eager to launch my own Franchise Business. I was interested in providing the opportunity to showcase my own leadership skills and at the same time, getting into business with like minded people who understand that people are the very core of building a very successful business.

New Home for South Africa Head Office Team is currently in development

What is your main role in regards to developing the area?

My main role is to identify and work with franchise leads and coach them firstly about real estate per se, and then about PropertyGuys.com. Its not a one off process, but more a “getting to know you” series. I get them introduced to the opportunity and screen them in regards to making sure that we are the right fit, and heave sufficient capital to undertake this absolutely fantastic adventure. Thus, ensuring we have a strong group of franchisees to be successful in Southern Africa.

Tell us about your previous career and experiences. Has that been able to help you in this venture? If so, how?

I’ve been in Real Estate the last 20+ years. It is my passion. I am a registered Estate Agent, Property Investor, Developer, and Business Owner of a variety of Real Estates entities.

What are you passionate about (Besides PropertyGuys.com of course)?

I enjoy playing golf, lawn bowling and cycling. I am an avid follower of Cricket, Rugby, Formula One, and love to travel. I’m also very passionate about my wife, Estelle, who also shares my real estate passion, and is also a business owner in real estate.

Amanzimtoti PropertyGuys.com Franchisee, Andy Cox, sponsors a veteran Cricket team that celebrate a victory at the famed Kingsmead cricket grounds in Durban, KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa

What was the biggest challenge in your first year as a Master Franchisor, and how did you overcome it?

I would say my biggest challenge to date has been finding the right partner to get into business with, and second to that, getting more qualified franchise leads. But when I found my partner, Rob Walsh, I knew he was the right fit, him being from a financial background, and the two of us gelled firm the very first meeting.

What’s it’s like working with a brand and a home office team that is based in Canada?

We are in a very fortunate position that I get on very well with all three founders, (having never met them personally due to Covid-19). I think the biggest blessing is that there has to be a certain element of trust for both sides, and I believe we certainly have it. At the end of the day, Ken’s vision is to take PropertyGuys.com to the moon, and I believe South Africa will be a huge part of this dream.

Why do you believe someone should become a PropertyGuys.com franchise?

There is no other real estate brand in the market that offers as much to a seller, as well as to the Franchisee. It’s a unique Franchise opportunity compared to most offerings out there, it’s not a “me too” type of business. Real estate will always be trending as people are always looking to own a home. Having a unique offering in the real estate industry such as ours is certainly a competitive advantage for our franchisees.

We are only just beginning to expand. There are 200+ Franchise Locations available in South Africa, as well as Namibia, Botswana and Mauritius.