“I’m not sure I want the ‘old bird’ agent,” was the phrase that surprised me this week. In most situations, people would want a veteran on their side. Most of us prefer the older and more experienced doctor, the 20-year career driver, or the lawyer who was practising before Bugis Street was air-conditioned. But things are a bit different regarding real estate agents in Singapore. Not all agents are qualified the same way, as in the past there wasn’t a formal exam you had to pass. As such among more savvy buyers, the number of years served is no longer the main qualifier; rather, it’s about where and how often the agent has transacted recently. I think the public is beginning to catch on, that there are some real estate agents who have been licensed (and bother to renew their licenses) for years on...