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

Row of historic painted Victorian homes.

10-minute read

Buying a historic home: The pros and cons

Buying a charming historic home can be tempting, but it can also come with costly complications. Read on to find out whether a historic home is right for you.

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A street in USA, lined with trees and houses in full bloom.

7-minute read

Rent-back agreements: Pros and cons for buyers and sellers

A rent-back agreement allows sellers to rent their home from buyers for a set period of time, but it’s not without risks. Learn the pros and cons here.

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A same-sex male couple spending time together at home with a laptop and coffee, representing inclusivity in homeownership imagery.

8-minute read

What to expect when closing on a house remotely

Planning to buy your home online and make little in-person contact? Learn how a remote closing on a house works and why these closings are becoming more comm...

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A man with a credit card, potentially symbolizing financial transactions or purchases related to homeownership.

4-minute read

Does mortgage preapproval affect your credit score?

Worried that getting preapproved for a mortgage will hurt your credit score? Learn how preapproval impacts your credit, including how much and for how long.

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An African American woman signing a contract, potentially related to real estate or homeownership.

7-minute read

What does "time is of the essence" mean in real estate contracts?

A "time is of the essence” clause mandates the completion of a project by a certain date. Learn more about this term and its effect on a real estate co...

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An image related to relocation in real estate, possibly depicting aspects of moving or changing residences.

7-minute read

Buying a home from a relocation company: What to expect

Buying a home from a relocation company can simplify your move—but there are trade-offs. Learn how it works, and how to prepare before making an offer.

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A real estate agent with a file showing and describing a house to a woman.

10-minute read

Buyer's market vs. seller's market: What does each mean for you?

A buyer’s market helps buyers with lower prices and more choices, while a seller’s market helps sellers with more demand. Learn how each impacts you...

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A diverse group of children sitting attentively in a classroom, engaged in learning and interacting with their teacher and peers.

5-minute read

A guide to the many meanings of ‘homes for heroes’

“Homes for heroes” refers to cause-related companies that help provide housing for various heroes. Keep reading to understand these companies and th...

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Line of solar panels on a red shingle roof.

9-minute read

Energy-efficient mortgage: A guide for borrowers

An energy-efficient mortgage can help you finance home upgrades that may save you money on utilities. Learn how it works and explore loan options and rules.

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