From Financing Homes the Sharia Way to Brokering Real Estate the Modern Way

The “Guidance” brand is synonymous with leadership and authenticity in the world of Islamic Finance. As a subsidiary of Capital Guidance, a 40-year old investment company, Guidance Financial Group (“GF Group”) was conceived over 10 years ago to focus on the Islamic financial services sector. Its subsidiary, Guidance Residential, became a highly respected and recognized institution in the Islamic home finance industry and is today’s leading US provider of Sharia-compliant home financing.

To build on this success, earlier this year, GF Group launched its second U.S. subsidiary to also be mainly focused on the housing industry. The new company, Guidance Realty Homes, is a premier real estate brokerage that is rapidly growing with new offices in San Diego, Orlando, and the Greater NYC area.

Although far from being a household name just yet, Guidance Realty Homes is an innovative, technologically savvy and incredibly service-oriented real estate brokerage that promises consumers three things; convenience, simplicity and savings. That’s because Guidance Realty Homes is committed to a new and better way to buy and sell homes in today’s technology-driven real estate market.

Gone are the days when real estate agents printed a stack of listings from the MLS and handed them to their buyers for review. These days, a vast majority of buyers use their computers, smartphones or tablets to find their dream homes. Realizing the critical importance of harnessing the power of technology, Guidance Realty Homes launched earlier this year a powerful property search website and mobile app designed to allow buyers to view, share and save online listings.

The site also allows buyers to calculate what their estimated mortgage payments would look like on each property and furthermore pre-qualify for financing using its sister company, Guidance Residential. With just a few clicks, clients can now pre-qualify for financing, let their agents know they have added properties to their virtual list of “favorites” and begin scheduling their showings.

“We are empowering buyers to do their own research,” said Hussam Qutub, President of Guidance Realty Homes. “By creating a profile our clients can choose to receive regular listing alerts, or they can be proactive by having the most advanced search tools right at their fingertips.”

The app allows buyers to gain a thorough, accurate picture of the neighborhood they’re considering with dozens of local area data points, such as gas stations, schools, public transportation, restaurants and more. The website, guidancerealtyhomes.com, offers walkability scores, commuting scores, school ratings and dining scores.

“With this level of transparency and education, all at a click of a mouse, buyers are beginning to make some decisions – mostly in the initial phase of the process – without involving a real estate agent,” Qutub said.

There’s more. All this access puts buyers in the driver’s seat and subsequently affords them a discount in the form of a rebate equaling a half a percent of the purchase price paid from commissions at closing. “That rebate to us represents the fact that technology has begun to assist us in serving consumers in the initial phase of the process,” Qutub said. He adds “we believe that buyers who get involved in the vetting and filtering process deserve a financial reward that can help them offset some of the expenses associated with moving in to that new house”.

Following that same spirit, Guidance Residential, has begun offering buyers who use the site and its agents a $350 appraisal credit when financing online with them. “Everything is done electronically now, including documentation,” Qutub said. “We use e-signing, which makes the whole process as simple and straightforward and cost-effective as possible. We believe it can be a pleasant and much more user-friendly experience.”

And clients agree. Since Guidance Realty Homes launched in February of this year, the company has served numerous buyers and sellers in New York, California and Orlando. Plans call for further expansion into more markets in Texas; Illinois; and Washington, D.C.

Buyers are not the only ones being wowed with discounts. Sellers are also experiencing the unique difference Guidance Realty Homes offers. “We go above and beyond with sellers, beginning with a fantastic online tool that allows them to access a very accurate valuation of their home,” Qutub said. “This gives a very detailed valuation using the best assessment tool on the market.”

Once a client decides to sell, his/her listing agent presents a highly detailed and targeted marketing plan that includes professional high-definition photography, submission of property to the MLS, open houses, and best of all a discounted listing fee. Even with a listing, Guidance Realty Homes says their service is never diminished and their agents, led by seasoned brokers, are highly committed to helping sellers pocket more of their equity for perhaps the next major purchase.

Currently, Guidance Realty Homes is focused on growing their three branches. The brokers in charge of the three offices are not only qualified local real estate experts but are active members of the Muslim community. The Orlando office is lead by Tariq Saleem, an award-winning broker and designated Realtor who has serviced the real estate industry of Central Florida for more than a decade. In San Diego, the broker is Nasser Alameddin who is a seasoned real estate professional with over 20 years of experience in the business. Last but certainly not least, the New York City office, located in Queens, is led by Sami Kabir who has more than a decade of real estate expertise under his belt.

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Guidance Realty Homes Advantages

• BUY FOR LESS: Buyers save 0.5% off the purchase price

• SELL FOR MORE: Sellers keep 0.5% of their listing price

• $350 appraisal credit for buyers when financing online with Guidance Residential

• The Guidance Realty Homes app allows buyers to gain a thorough, accurate picture of the neighborhood with many of local area data points, such as gas stations, schools, public transportation, restaurants, and many more

• The website, guidancerealtyhomes.com, offers walkability, commuting, and dining scores as well as school ratings[/alert]