I took the long way to real estate

I measured prices for the federal government, then spent twelve years in major gift fundraising.

Where I come from

A house was the American dream

My family is Chinese American. Our American story starts in 1949, when my grandparents settled in La Habra.

As a teenager, I dug into building permits with my dad. That research helped my family buy into phase one of a new community in Brea. We moved in 2003.

Thomas Chang in a grey plaid jacket, leaning against a dark post and looking out toward a window.

Heisler Park, Laguna Beach

The long way

Prices first, then people

I spent more than four years at the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, finishing as a senior economist.

Then came twelve years in major gift fundraising with Catalina Island Conservancy, USC Marshall, the Sierra Club, Thrive Scholars and Providence St. Jude. My job was sitting with people as they made some of the biggest, most personal financial decisions of their lives.

Working beside Bruce

The second person he has brought on in 30 years

Friends in development kept telling me to get my license already. So I finally did, in June 2025.

Bruce Miller (DRE 01079959) has more than 30 years in California real estate, and he still compares the homes on the market down to the smallest details. I am still learning from him.

How I work

A small client list

A small list lets me weigh hold versus sell and tell you when I think the best move is no move at all.

A neighbor recently asked me about trading up to a newer model in the same community. We ran the numbers together, and the answer was to stay right where they were. They thanked me, and that is the whole point.

Read about hold, sell or stay