Team Aalto

Why Use Team Aalto?

The mortgage process has become increasingly more complicated over the last few years.  In today’s rapidly changing environment, it takes an entire team to deliver a truly exceptional mortgage experience.

We are a team of like-minded professionals dedicated to helping our clients navigate the mortgage process.  We combine many years of experience in the industry and are backed by of one of the Northwest’s premier mortgage sources, Pacific Residential Mortgage.  We are passionate about what we do and are committed to delivering a mortgage experience that is less stressful and more predictable than can be found elsewhere in our industry.

We are local and live in the communities we serve and our business is built entirely by word of mouth from referral partners and past clients alike.  Let us be your advocates by providing accurate information, timely advice and the resources necessary to make educated financial decisions.  We aim to be your trusted advisers and to serve you, your family and friends for many years to come.

Mark Aalto

Mortgage Banker MLO 116708

Mark is the leader of our team and has lived in Portland since 1977.  He attended Grant High School in NE Portland and Willamette University in Salem graduating with a BS in Political Science/Mathematics in 1990.

In 1991, Mark answered a post for a job as an underwriter for the Department of Housing and Urban Development and has been in the mortgage industry ever since. Although mortgages can be challenging at times, Mark truly enjoys helping our clients make educated financial decisions. Like his team, he takes great pride in doing everything possible to make sure transactions close on time with as little stress as possible.

Mark keeps the team on their toes with a wacky sense of humor and an energy level that would embarrass even the most Ritalin dependent toddler.  His team never quite knows what is going to come out of his mouth next.

Mark lives in NE Portland with his wife JJ, daughter Ella and two crazy Labradors that, while you are reading this, are likely racing around the house or the yard making a mess of things.

Sara Keller

Mortgage Banker MLO 205967

Sara has been in the mortgage industry since 2001 and has had experience as an Assistant, Loan Officer and Processor.  She is incredibly skilled at structuring transactions and has expertise in a wide variety of mortgage loans and products. Raised in Lake Oswego, she attended Lake Oswego High School and graduated from the University of Oregon in 1998 with a BA in Human Physiology.

Sara truly enjoys getting to know our customers and going beyond the dollars and the cents of a mortgage.  She’s funny, talented and is a great advocate and resource for our customers and referral partners.

Sara lives in Milwaukie with her daughter Aidan, their two dogs and a blind cat (we’re sure there is a joke here somewhere).  She is one of the best cooks on the planet and somehow manages to accomplish more in a day than most of us do in an entire week.

Mark Link

Mortgage Banker MLO 389762

Mark has been involved with mortgages since 1996.  He is our go to expert for all of our refinance transactions and is incredibly skilled at matching up programs with situations.  As we all know, refinances are not as easy as they were when values were rapidly climbing.  Mark knows how to put the pieces together and find the right fit for our customers.  We are truly lucky to have him on our team.

Mark lives in Gresham with his wife Klarity, their daughter Maddy and their psychotic cat, Simon, a hunter of small rodents and raccoons alike.

Mark enjoys scaring his co-workers with rides in his tricked out Camaro and is a huge Ducks fan.  He also happens to be one of the nicest guys on the planet.  He is reliable, caring and your best friend if you are looking at doing a refinance of your current mortgage.

Klarity Link

Loan Manager

Klarity brings many years of experience in the industry to our team.  What started out as a temporary receptionist position in 2001 has led to her current position as Loan Manager for the team.  Klarity’s job is akin to herding cats – she manages the flow of our transactions from the start of the application until closing.  Not only does she know all about loan programs, she also interacts daily with our company and our vendors.  She brings out the best in everyone and in doing so, makes sure our loans make it safely to the finish line.

Unofficially, she is the Director of Fun for our team.  She is quick to laugh and is full of good humor and encouragement.  She is constantly looking for new ways to improve the process for our customers and cares deeply about the experience we provide for our clients.

If you were ever looking for the personification of an advocate, Klarity is it.  Klarity is married to Mark Link and we all shake our heads and wonder how Mark got so lucky on a daily basis.

Brandon McGarrah

Processor

Brandon has been in the industry since 2001 and is amazing.  Perhaps he is even magic because he knows how to structure our loans, get all the paperwork needed from our customers and put together a package that enable us to receive a clean approval from our underwriters.  In this day and age, his skills are hard to find and we are truly lucky to have him.  Brandon graduated from the University of Idaho with a BA in Communications and he utilizes all of those upper division classes when interacting with clients and referral partners alike.

Brandon lives in Milwaukie with his wife and three daughters.  And as crazy as his household is, I imagine it’s much more serene than what we throw at him during the day.  Brandon has a great attitude and wants each loan to fly through the system!  We can’t begin to imagine closing loans without his help.

Vanessa Ashland

Assistant/Processor

Vanessa is new to the industry and we have literally thrown her into the mix since she started with us.  Some might have run away screaming but Vanessa is made of tougher stuff.  She has a great sense of humor, a wonderful attitude and works her tail off to help the team.  We couldn’t ask for a better person to add to our group.

Vanessa lives in Aurora with her daughter Vianni who is enchanted with Zombie reindeer and elves.  We won’t even begin to talk about who first drew them for her.  She also has a mini teacup Yorkie named Chewie after Chewbacca of Star Wars fame.  “Don’t judge me” she says as she puts another Star Wars action figure on her shelf.