What a 50th High School Reunion Can Teach Us About Commercial Real Estate

Last weekend, I attended my 50th high school reunion. It was a night filled with laughter, memories, and the occasional moment of “Wait, who are you again?” Fifty years. That’s a long time. My high school English composition teacher, Mrs. Beck, would be pleased I’m still using complete sentences, correct punctuation and an occasional pun. But I digress. 
 
As I looked around the room, I couldn’t help but notice how much this gathering had to say about the business I’ve spent my life in: commercial real estate. 
 
The Power of Relationships
 
A reunion is really a relationship check-in. You see the people with whom you stayed in touch, and you also rediscover connections that simply went dormant. Some classmates reminded me of things we did decades ago that I had forgotten. It struck me that commercial real estate works the same way. Relationships never really expire. A client I helped in 1998 might call me today with a new need. When you treat people right, time becomes an ally, not an obstacle.
 
Cycles and Constants
 
At the reunion venue, I saw the full spectrum of change. Hairstyles, waistlines, and technology have certainly evolved. Yet the essence of people remains constant. The same is true of our business. Markets rise and fall. Interest rates climb and dip. Industrial demand surges and softens. But the fundamentals never change. Location, supply and demand, and integrity still matter more than anything else.
 
Adaptation Equals Longevity
 
A few classmates had completely reinvented themselves. They took risks, learned new skills, and embraced change. Others had refused to evolve and seemed stuck in time. In real estate, the difference between thriving and surviving often comes down to the same thing. Those who adapt to new tools, new markets, and new client expectations remain relevant. Those who don’t fade into memory.
 
Legacy Over Titles
 
No one at a 50th reunion brags about their job title or income. The conversation turns to family, friends, and impact. That perspective hit me deeply. In commercial real estate, we can get consumed by the next deal or the next commission check. Yet, in the end, our legacy is not measured by the size of our portfolio but by the reputation we built and the people we helped along the way.
 
The Long Game Always Wins
 
Some of the strongest friendships in that room began with small moments fifty years ago. The same is true in brokerage. A quick conversation, a handwritten note, or an act of service can echo decades later. The long game always rewards those who play it with consistency and care.
 
Fifty years of shared history reminded me that success in both life and commercial real estate is about connection, character, and commitment. The deals come and go. The relationships endure.
 
Allen C. Buchanan, SIOR, is a principal with Lee & Associates Commercial Real Estate Services in Orange. He can be reached at abuchanan@lee-associates.com or 714.564.7104. His website is allencbuchanan.blogspot.com.