Buying your first home in Florida is one of the biggest financial decisions you will make — and most first-time buyers say they wish they had known more before they started. This free monthly class, taught live online by Philip Seely of PHILANYA, INC., walks you through the entire homebuying process from start to finish: how mortgage programs work, what down payment assistance is available in Florida, what lenders actually look at, and what to expect from contract to closing. No cost. No obligation. Just the information you need to move forward with confidence.
Free | Live online | Runs monthly
Who This Class Is For
This class is designed for Florida residents who are considering buying their first home and want to understand the process before they start — whether that is three months from now or three years from now.
This class is the right fit if you are:
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A Florida resident considering homeownership for the first time
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A renter who wants to understand what it actually takes to buy
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Someone who has been told you need to improve your credit or save more before applying
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A veteran exploring VA loan benefits and how they apply in Florida
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Someone who attended a first-time buyer seminar years ago and wants an updated picture
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Anyone who feels overwhelmed by the mortgage process and does not know where to start
What You Will Learn
The Florida Homebuying Process — Step by Step
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How the homebuying process works from start to finish, in plain language
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Who is involved — lender, real estate agent, title company, inspector — and what each one does
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The difference between being pre-qualified and being pre-approved, and why it matters
Mortgage Program Overview
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VA loans: how they work for eligible veterans and active-duty servicemembers
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FHA loans: credit and down payment requirements explained clearly
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USDA loans: eligibility by location and income in Florida
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Conventional loans: when they make more sense than government-backed programs
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Down payment assistance programs available in Florida (eligibility tool: workforce-resource.com)
What Lenders Actually Look At
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Credit score: what range qualifies for which programs, and what to do if yours needs work
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Income and employment: how lenders verify income for W-2 employees, self-employed borrowers, and veterans
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Debt-to-income ratio (DTI): how it is calculated and what the limits are for different loan programs
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Assets and reserves: what you need to have and how to document it
Getting Pre-Approved
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What documents you will need to gather
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What pre-approval means — and what it does not guarantee
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How to read your pre-approval letter
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What can change your pre-approval between application and closing
Down Payment Assistance in Florida
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Florida programs for first-time buyers: an overview of what is available
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How to check your eligibility using the PHILANYA down payment assistance tool
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Eligibility tool: Check your eligibility here
What Happens at Closing
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The closing process explained step by step
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What to bring and what to expect
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Closing costs: what they are, who pays them, and how to negotiate
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Common last-minute surprises and how to avoid them
Common First-Time Buyer Mistakes
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Waiting too long to get pre-approved
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Making large purchases or changing jobs before closing
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Not accounting for total monthly costs beyond the mortgage payment
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Choosing a loan program that is not the best fit for your situation
Q&A with Philip Seely
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Bring your questions. Every session ends with open Q&A.
Your Instructor
Philip Seely is the President and Broker Owner of PHILANYA, INC., a 100% Veteran-Owned independent mortgage brokerage in Saint Augustine, Florida. He has been a loan officer and licensed mortgage broker since 1993 — more than 30 years helping Florida families buy homes, refinance, and navigate the mortgage process. He served in the United States Army and has spent his career making financial decisions clearer and less intimidating for the people he works with.
Philip teaches this class personally. He does not use slides full of jargon. He explains the mortgage process the way he would explain it to a family member — directly, clearly, and with the full picture.
Format and Delivery
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Live online monthly sessions — taught by Philip Seely via video conference
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Interactive with Q&A at the end of every session
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No recording commitment — this is a live educational class
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Free to attend, no obligation to work with PHILANYA afterward
Frequently Asked Questions — First-Time Homebuyer Class
Q: Is this class really free? Yes. The First-Time Homebuyer Class is completely free to attend. There is no registration fee, no hidden charge, and no obligation to work with PHILANYA or apply for a mortgage after attending. It is a public education class offered as a service to Florida first-time buyers.
Q: Who is this class for? This class is for Florida residents who are considering buying their first home and want to understand the mortgage process before they start. It is also a good fit for veterans exploring VA loan benefits, renters considering ownership, and anyone who has been told they need to work on credit or savings before applying.
Q: What will I learn? You will learn how the Florida homebuying process works step by step, which mortgage programs are available (VA, FHA, USDA, conventional, and down payment assistance), what lenders look for in a borrower, how to get pre-approved, what happens at closing, and the most common first-time buyer mistakes — and how to avoid them.
Q: Is this class online or in-person? The class is taught live online via video conference. You attend from wherever you are. No travel required.
Q: Do I need to already be pre-approved to attend? No. This class is designed for people who are still in the learning and preparation phase. You do not need a pre-approval or any prior mortgage experience to attend. Attending this class before you start the mortgage process is the whole point.
Q: Will I be pressured to work with PHILANYA after the class? No. This is an education class, not a sales presentation. Philip Seely teaches it because he believes informed buyers make better decisions — not to generate leads. If you have questions about working with PHILANYA after the class, you are welcome to reach out, but there is no obligation and no follow-up pressure.
Q: How do I register? Register at philanya.com/book-online. After booking, the PHILANYA team will send your meeting link and session details.