Allen obtained a Bachelor of Property in 1994 at Auckland University. He spent two years in commercial real estate and property investments before starting his career in valuation. At this time Allen began working for the Government Valuation department in Manukau and subsequently became a registered valuer in 2000. With over 20 years experience Allen is based in South Auckland as an urban valuer specialising in commercial, industrial and residential valuations. Allen is bi-lingual, speaking English and Cantonese and is heavily involved in his local community, running bootcamps for a number of years.