Tien’s interest in real estate began in the late 1980s while attending Cal-State Long Beach, where he pursued a bachelor’s degree in Engineering.
“I became a real estate sales agent to supplement my income during college. With encouragement from a friend in the mortgage business, I took appraisal courses and earned my license in late 1992.”
Tien balanced real estate appraisal and sales while pursuing his MBA, which he completed in 1995. By 2005, he earned his Certified Residential Appraiser designation and committed full time to appraising. He primarily serves Orange County, with secondary areas in Los Angeles, Riverside, and San Bernardino counties.
The flexibility of the appraisal profession has been particularly rewarding for Tien.
“It allowed me to spend more time with my children during their infant and adolescent years while maintaining a fulfilling career.”
Fairness and impartiality are the foundation of Tien’s work.
“I always strive to deliver honest and unbiased opinions of value. It’s important for my clients to trust that I approach every assignment with integrity and high ethical standards.”
New developments continue to attract buyers in East Irvine, Lake Forest, and Rancho Mission Viejo.
“These areas are seeing growth in residential and commercial projects but tend to command high prices due to their proximity to Irvine.”
The current median home price in the region is between $1,000,000 and $1,200,000, reflecting a 6-8% increase over last year, primarily driven by inflationary pressures. Home sales have increased, with 24,775 homes sold last month compared to 22,686 during the same month last year. Inventory has tightened, with available homes decreasing by 10-12% year-over-year, now at 3,500-4,000 listings. The average days on market increased slightly to 20 days in November 2024, up from 17 days in November 2023.