Today we’d like to introduce you to Patrick.
Hi Patrick, so excited to have you with us today. What can you tell us about your story?
From 18 until 27 years old, I attended colleges in Texas and Italy, securing degrees for my future career as a priest, pastor and professor. Then for 16 years I was a priest, pastor, hospital chaplain and professor in South Texas.
After 16 years of ordained ministry I decided to leave ministry in order to pursue a family life in the secular world, so I left that vocation in 2016 and in June 2017 I earned my real estate license, in Texas.
I started off at Marcus & Millichap Commercial- the first 12 months we were told “no commission- you are in training only!” I racked up massive debt especially with no income.
Most of the new guys left within a few days. I went into major debt with major overhead those first 12 months- no income and pure expenses. I was not earning money in the moment but I was learning powerful methods which would help me later in my future years at eXp Realty, selling commercial properties and Land (ranches and developmental land) and Houses.
From December 2016 until December 2018 I was broker than broke and in major debt. My 10 year old truck- frequently in the shop for repair and no money to pay the mechanic- my living situation required me to lean on friends for a couch or bed or air mattress to sleep on…. it was very scary and very difficult.
There were many times where self doubt or temptations to fear failure attacked me- there were many times where outside voices told me to give up – there were many times where I did not see success or hope in the horizon. But good friends, loving family from far away and God – they helped me push through.
In January 2019 I went from homeless and in $120,000 in debt to:
buying my first house, buying a new pickup truck, buying a new Dodge Challenger, buying a new Polaris Ranger for ranch showings, and the $120,000 debt was paid off.
I give all credit to my God Jesus Christ, and I am forever grateful to my family and friends who believed in me and who sent buyers and sellers my way.
In a special way I give credit to a mean voice in my life which frequently told me that my only child would never be proud of me because of my low level of income and because of my other temporary failures or weaknesses. These voices of negativity and hatred gave me even more fuel to replace darkness with light, failure with success.
If any realtors are thinking of a new beginning or change in scenery, call me and I’ll be happy to empower you where I can!
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
It was and has been and IS a difficult road, but this is the norm for all of us… this is “adulting”! Some of the struggles were, mainly, starting a new career in the middle of life- broke and no source of income for my first two years- being in debt- not knowing where I would get to sleep sometimes- closed doors- failed plans- negative voices coming from myself and coming from another source which was trying to belittle and humiliate me.
As you know, we’re big fans of Serna Realty Group LLC at eXp Realty. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about the brand?
Serna Realty Group represents buyers and sellers of Real Estate- I specialize in Farm, Ranch, and Land for development, both Residential Development and Commercial Development. I specialize in Improved Commercial and Unimproved Commercial properties. I also specialize in residential properties for single family owners as well as multi family residential for investors.
What’s next?
No Big Changes- more of the same! Finding buyers for my sellers and finding listings for my buyers! Primarily and Central and South Texas- but also covering West Texas, East Texas and DFW on up to the Texas PanHandle.
Pricing:
- $50k- $500k Residential Lots
- Hunting Ranches & Farms $300k- $64 million
- Land for Development $1million to $40 million
- Investment Houses $150k-$450k
- Multi Family Residential & Commercial $1million- $30 million
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.crexi.com/profile/patrick-serna-patricksern
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/patricksernalandspecialist
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/share/14rtp4wQkQj/
- LinkedIn: https://www.land.com/member/j-patrick-serna/983914/
- Youtube: https://youtube.com/@patrickserna3070
- Other: https://patrickserna.exprealty.com/
