The Guidance Difference

Explore the difference between Guidance Residential's Declining Balance Co-ownership Program and other home financing options.

Comparison of Guidance Residential's Declining Balance Co-ownership Program against conventional banks or mortgage companies and subsidiaries of banks or mortgage companies, across Muslim ownership, non-bank status, riba-free structure, the authentic Musharakah model, real co-ownership via an LLC, risk sharing, an independent Shariah Board, non-recourse commitment, and community-conscious financing.

Conventional Banks or Mortgage Companies

Guidance Residential

Subsidiaries of Banks or Mortgage Companies

Muslim Owned & Managed No Yes No
Not A Bank No Yes No
Riba-Free No Yes No
Authentic Musharakah Model No Yes No
Real Co-Ownership Created via LLC No Yes No
Risk Sharing No Yes No
Diverse, World-Renowned Shariah Board No Yes No
Non-Recourse Commitment Variable Yes Variable
Promotes Community-Conscious Financing No Yes No
Promotes Circulation of Wealth Within Community No Yes No
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Understanding the Guidance Difference

What each point in the comparison above means.

Is Guidance Residential Muslim owned and managed?

Yes. Guidance Residential is Muslim owned and managed, so the company's values and mission are aligned with the needs of the Muslim community.

Is Guidance Residential a bank?

No. Guidance Residential is a non-bank, Shariah-compliant home financing provider that is not affiliated with a bank or riba-based lender. Many providers that label products as "Islamic" are affiliated with banks that earn money through riba.

Is Guidance Residential's home financing riba-free?

Yes. The Declining Balance Co-ownership Program does not involve the payment of interest, and the entire institution is 100% riba-free.

What is the authentic Musharakah model?

Guidance Residential's Declining Balance Co-ownership Program is a Musharakah, or equity partnership, in which homeowners receive the benefits of ownership while making acquisition payments. It conforms to the Islamic principle of sharing risk and reward, unlike Ijarah (rent-to-own) or Murabaha (mark-up resale) models, and it does not create debt.

How is real co-ownership created?

An LLC is formed to establish Guidance Residential's co-ownership in the property. This lets Guidance Residential avoid trading in debt and offer a truly Shariah-compliant contract with real risk-sharing.

How is risk shared?

If the property is lost through a natural disaster or eminent domain and there is a shortfall in the insurance or government proceeds, the loss is shared based on each party's percentage of ownership. Conventional providers first pay off the loan before sharing any remaining proceeds with the homeowner.

Does Guidance Residential have an independent Shariah Board?

Yes. Guidance Residential has a large, diverse, independent Shariah Board of globally recognized scholars, headed by Justice Muhammad Taqi Usmani, who also chairs the Shariah Board for the Accounting and Auditing Organization for Islamic Financial Institutions (AAOIFI). Read more about our independent Shariah Board.

What is the non-recourse commitment?

If the customer defaults, Guidance Residential does not pursue the customer's other assets such as personal savings, pensions, or college funds. The customer is only at risk for their equity position in the property.

What is community-conscious financing?

Guidance Residential was founded on a clear set of values and a mission to provide a responsible alternative to conventional home financing through a risk-sharing, co-ownership model. Unlike many providers, Guidance operates independently of banks and lenders, who provide financing to any qualified applicant, regardless of the social impact that applicant may have on society (ie., alcohol or gambling).

How does Guidance Residential keep wealth circulating in the community?

As one of the few Muslim-owned Islamic finance institutions in the U.S. and the nation's leading provider of Islamic home financing, Guidance Residential helps American Muslims achieve long-term financial security and generational wealth through Islamic home financing. Guidance also empowers Muslim families and strengthens Muslim communities as the largest corporate sponsor of Muslim American nonprofits. By keeping wealth circulating within the Muslim community and supporting initiatives that benefit the ummah, Guidance fosters a sustainable economic ecosystem that creates lasting value for current and future generations.

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