Headshot of Karen Idelson

Karen Idelson

Editor

Karen Idelson is a content editor and creator who is obsessed with promoting personal financial literacy, budgeting, and investing as well as their role in supporting overall well-being. She strives to make the articles she edits for RocketMortgage.com accessible and interesting so that readers will be inspired to learn more and increase their knowledge of personal finance.
 
Prior to joining the team at Rocket Mortgage in 2025, Karen worked as a writer, editor, and speaker, focusing on the business and technology of entertainment for more than two decades. A graduate of the University of Arizona and the American Film Institute’s Advanced Technology Internship Program, she has contributed to the Los Angeles Times, Variety, Animation Magazine, The Dallas Morning News, the Houston Chronicle, The Arizona Republic, Women’s Wear Daily, The DGA Quarterly, and many other publications. A veteran speaker and moderator, Karen has also hosted dozens of panels, including several for the hit ABC series “Lost” in the legendary Hall H (IYKYK), which seats more than 6,000, at Comic-Con International in San Diego, as well as panels about entertainment business trends at the World Animation & VFX Summit, SXSW, and Variety’s Entertainment Technology Summit.
 
Karen grew up in the Southwest and is a longtime U2 superfan who has seen them play in more than a dozen cities, four different countries, and three continents. If she’s not helping fine-tune the personal finance content at Rocket Mortgage, chances are she’s searching for a new place to grab a coffee with friends or driving to the next trending sushi restaurant.

Expertise

Mortgage
Personal Finance
Real Estate

Education

University of Arizona, Bachelor of Arts in Psychology with an emphasis on Social Psychology

American Film Institute, Advanced Technology Internship Program

Universidad de Salamanca. Studied Spanish language and culture

Coursera certification: Tools for Data Science

Recent Articles

Aerial view of neighborhoods in Paradise Valley near Camelback Mountain in Arizona.

8-minute read

How to buy a house in Arizona

Thinking of moving to the Copper State? Here’s what buyers should know about the market and how to prepare to buy a house in Arizona.

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Woman with son and large, orange cat on couch.

7-minute read

15- vs. 20- vs. 30-year mortgage: Which is best?

Your mortgage term will influence how much you pay in interest, your monthly payment, and more. Compare common loan terms before you apply for financing.

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A family moving in, showing a family engaged in the process of moving into a new home.

7-minute read

How to move to another state: A step-by-step guide

Moving to another state can get complicated. That’s why you must prepare and plan. Follow our step-by-step guide to learn how to move to another state.

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A man reviewing paperwork at a laptop, possibly managing real estate or financial documents.

8-minute read

Mortgage loan terms: Pick the right one for your financial goals

A mortgage loan term is the time it takes a borrower to pay off their loan when making regular payments. Learn how to pick the right term for your goals.

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A teacher helping her student in researching student loans on laptop.

8-minute read

Your guide to buying a house with $100K of student loans

Getting a mortgage and buying a house with $100K of student loans may be possible, but make sure you know these essential financial moves to make before applyin...

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Woman walking to her car parked in driveway of her home.

7-minute read

Should you buy a car or house first?

Buying a car before buying a house? Discover how this decision could impact your finances, credit, and home-buying options.

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Pink MCM doorway to stucco home exterior with southwestern landscaping flanking doorway.

6-minute read

Super conforming loans: A guide for borrowers

Don't let high-cost housing markets cloud your home buying dreams. Learn about how a super conforming loan could be your key to unlocking homeownership.

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A beautiful house near woods, portraying a serene setting with nature in the background.

5-minute read

Appraised value vs. market value: Knowing the difference

Knowing the difference between appraised value vs. market value is key when purchasing a home. Learn more about the role each plays in real estate transactio...

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Father sitting at a table with his daughter while he shows her the laptop.

5-minute read

Is private mortgage insurance (PMI) tax deductible?

Can you deduct private mortgage insurance (PMI) on your taxes? Learn more about how PMI works and when you can deduct it with Rocket Mortgage’s guide.

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