Evergreen Home Loans is Helping Families Find Home: Meet Ally Ubben

For Ally Ubben, there is a story behind every mortgage.

“I think homeownership, especially working in lending, is so important. One thing I’ve seen, especially with coalition buyers or first-time homebuyers—my favorite to work with—is that it makes such a difference in their lives,” said Ally.

Sometimes it’s a young family finally finding stability after years of renting. Sometimes it’s parents creating a secure future for their children. Sometimes it’s the peace of mind that comes from knowing a loved one will always have a safe place to call home.

“Some of the stories are heartbreaking, but also heartwarming,” she said. “One of my clients was a disabled adult whose mom passed away shortly after he bought his Kulshan home. So, she didn’t have to worry about him anymore knowing that he was in a stable, secure place.”

Those moments are what inspire Ally’s work as a loan officer with Evergreen Home Loans in Bellingham and what have made her one of Kulshan Community Land Trust’s most trusted lending partners.

Buying a home can feel overwhelming for anyone. For many first-time buyers, the process can feel intimidating, filled with unfamiliar terminology, complicated paperwork, and uncertainty about whether homeownership is even possible.

As a loan officer with Evergreen Home Loans in Bellingham, Ally has become one of Kulshan Community Land Trust's most valued lending partners, helping income-qualified families navigate the unique financing required for permanently affordable homeownership. Her work extends well beyond providing mortgages. She helps transform what can be an intimidating financial process into one grounded in education, compassion, and care.

Her philosophy is simple: every buyer deserves to understand the process, feel supported, and secure financing that will remain sustainable for years to come.

“You really get to see up close how big a difference it makes for them and for their kids,” said Ally. “Kids who grow up in these communities benefit from having stability and sometimes being able to live where they work, which is important given incomes and rising rent prices.”

Buying a home is one of the biggest financial decisions most people will ever make. Ally has built her career around changing that experience. She approaches prospective homebuyers with patience and a genuine desire to help them understand how to get a mortgage, and how to build a future they can afford for years to come.

Through her partnership with KulshanCLT, she has developed extensive experience helping buyers understand the community land trust model, navigate affordable financing and down payment assistance, and successfully purchase homes they once believed were beyond their reach.

For Ally, the opportunity extends beyond helping people purchase a house.

“It’s an amazing opportunity. It’s different from rent control or rent assistance from the government. What’s special about our approach is homeownership,” said Ally. “There is a pride and sense of stability with owning your own home that you don’t get with rentals.”

That belief is what keeps her invested in every buyer’s journey. KulshanCLT purchases often take longer than conventional home loans, requiring additional education, coordination, and communication. Rather than seeing that as a challenge, Ally sees it as one of the most rewarding parts of her work.

“Sometimes buyers come back with updates or for help when moving into their next place,” she said. “We’re definitely there for them afterwards as well, but primarily we help during the homebuying process. Typically, KulshanCLT home purchases are a little longer in process than a full loan, so you get to know buyers more intimately over time.”

Those relationships often become lasting ones, built on months of working side by side toward a shared goal.

Ally’s own connection to KulshanCLT began through a mentor who recognized that homeownership could be a powerful force for good.

“I was lucky to get into lending with Nicole Walker, who used to be on the board at KulshanCLT,” said Ally. “She told me about KulshanCLT and connected me with them. Through the loans we’ve done for KulshanCLT buyers, I got to know the organization and see how it changed their lives and their families’ lives. This is what inspired me to keep giving back and being part of it.”

Over the years, she’s watched buyers overcome obstacles, navigate complex financing, and achieve dreams that once felt out of reach.

“KulshanCLT buyers are dedicated to making it happen. They’re willing to put in the time because it doesn’t happen overnight,” she said. “They realize the value of homeownership. Often there are families who want to get plugged into a neighborhood; sometimes they are first-generation Americans, speak multiple languages, and come from diverse backgrounds. That can help bring more diversity into neighborhoods.”

These are the moments that feel rewarding for Ally.

“My favorite part of my job is when I get a close on homes for first-time homeowners and see how excited they are to move in. It’s their very own first place, so they can have pets, paint, and make it their own,” said Ally. “That sense of pride is my favorite part of the process.”

That joy resonates deeply because she knows firsthand what having a permanent home can mean.

“I’ve lived here longer than anywhere else, about 12 years. I’m not from here, but I’m invested in this community,” said Ally. “I grew up moving a lot. My dad was in the military. In high school years, my parents bought a home, and that was very different from moving around. Having that home base felt different from the military community. It was nice to go to the same school and have that stability. That experience made me see how important homeownership is.”

Ally and her husband and two children have benefited from the stability and sense of belonging that their home and neighborhood provide.

“After moving up to Bellingham and having kids, owning a home and staying in the same community—knowing our neighbors and seeing kids ride bikes down the street—gives a real sense of community,” she said.

That sense of community is what makes the partnership between Evergreen Home Loans and Kulshan Community Land Trust so meaningful. Together, they do more than finance homes. They help families put down roots, build equity, create stability for future generations, and discover that homeownership is possible with knowledgeable partners beside them every step of the way.