Justice John Paul Stevens is thinking of retiring from the Supreme Court as he approaches his 90th birthday. What a gift to be wanted and needed professionally for so long and have the luxury to set your exit strategy on your own watch.

It got me thinking that real estate is also a place that admires and respects the elders of the profession. A “seasoned” agent is not forced out, and replaced with a younger model, as often happens in corporate America. In fact, agents who have been in the business for 30, 40 even 50 years in many ways have an advantage over their younger counterparts because their seniority and mastery is revered, not rejected, by their clients.

Their accumulation of  knowledge is an asset in a profession that rewards hard work, integrity and competency at any age.