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

A two-story tan suburban house, illustrating a typical residential property in a suburban setting.

6-minute read

What does turnkey mean?

A turnkey property is a type of real estate that’s move-in ready and needs few or no renovations. You may pay more for these homes, but is it worth it?

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Multiple generations of a family smiling outdoors, portraying family bonding and unity across different age groups.

8-minute read

Life estate: What is it and how does it work?

A life estate is a legal way to pass the ownership rights of your home to another person. Learn about how a life estate works and how and why to create one.

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A family packing a car to move, indicating a relocation or moving process.

7-minute read

A guide to moving cross-country

When moving across the country, there are steps you can take to help the process go smoothly. Explore our guide for tips on how to move across the country.

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A lady with glasses looking extremely happy while using her laptop.

6-minute read

What are nonagency mortgage-backed securities (MBS), and should I invest in them?

Want to invest in real estate without becoming a landlord? Learn how nonagency mortgage-backed securities (MBS) work and how to strategically invest in them.

Read more

Cardboard moving boxes stacked, packing and cleaning.

8-minute read

What is Fannie Mae HomePath?

Fannie Mae HomePath is a program that helps home buyers purchase distressed and foreclosed homes at potentially lower prices. See if it’s right for you.

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Older couple sitting on a couch together and looking at a cell phone.

9-minute read

This is how to gift a house to a family member

When your home is free of a mortgage, you can move the property ownership to a relative...

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Dad giving high five to son while mother is smiling in kitchen.

8-minute read

Buying a house in the military: The ultimate guide

You can buy a home while serving in the military with planning and the right loan. Learn how VA loans and real estate tips can help service members buy a hom...

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Sisters chatting over coffee in home with exposed wooden beams.

9-minute read

What to do when you inherit a house with a sibling

Inheriting property with your siblings can lead to legal and emotional challenges. Here’s how to resolve property disputes while protecting your rights...

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Beautiful similar apartments with a great garden area right in front.

12-minute read

How to start investing in affordable housing

Affordable housing has unique advantages and disadvantages compared with other real estate investment opportunities. Here’s what you should know beforehan...

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