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

Rustic style seafront beach house with a seaview terrace and hammock.

7-minute read

Are timeshares worth it? How to decide if buying one is right for you

Are timeshares worth it? It depends on contract details and your personal needs. Read the benefits and risks to see if a timeshare is worth it for you.

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A frustrated young couple, expressing frustration or stress.

9-minute read

Preforeclosure: How it works and what you can do

Preforeclosure is the first legal step toward foreclosure. Learn about how the process works and what options you have for keeping or letting go of your home.

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Woman on phone looking over financial documents.

9-minute read

Buying a house in the military as a single soldier

Does the military pay for you to get a house as a single soldier? No, but you may qualify for a VA loan to buy a home. Learn how to apply today.

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Row of upscale condos, showcasing modern residential buildings or properties.

8-minute read

The hidden costs of late mortgage payments

Are you worried about the effects of making a late mortgage payment? Learn more about missing a mortgage payment, including how it affects your credit and more.

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Front entrance of brick ranch home with black door and potted plants.

11-minute read

Land contracts: What they are and how they work

Land contracts are a form of seller financing where the seller holds the title while the buyer makes payments. Learn how they work and whether they're right for...

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A family gathered around a table, eating and drinking together.

6-minute read

How to be a good neighbor

New to the neighborhood? Being a good neighbor improves quality of life for everyone in an area, and it could even keep your property safer. Here are some ti...

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Contemporary minimalistic home with interest architectural details and xeroscape landscape.

6-minute read

Jumbo loan vs. conventional loan: What's the difference?

Jumbo loans are designed for high-value homes and differ from conventional loans in size, rates and requirements. Find out which loan type fits your needs.

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Man using power drill working on home improvement project.

10-minute read

These are the best ROI home improvements and renovations

Renovations and home improvement projects can add significant value to your house. Learn more about the best return-on-investment (ROI) improvements for a home.

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A family hanging out in the living room together.

6-minute read

How many times can you use a VA loan?

There’s no limit to the number of VA loans qualified borrowers can take out, but you usually can’t hold multiple VA loans at once. Let’s break...

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