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 woman looking possibly looking at her good investments in real estate on laptop.

8-minute read

How are mortgage rates determined?

Discover what determines interest rates with our in-depth analysis. Explore how economic trends, credit scores, and more impact mortgage rate decisions.

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A woman multitasking on a phone call and computer, potentially related to mortgage or real estate inquiries.

5-minute read

Prequalified vs. preapproved: what’s the difference?

A prequalification estimates how much you can afford, while a preapproval gives a better estimate and verifies your financial info for a loan. Learn more.

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Two men in suits discussing contracts with folded hands.

8-minute read

Mortgage fraud: What you need to know to avoid it

Mortgage fraud occurs when someone lies or omits information to get loan approval or favorable loan conditions. Learn about common types of mortgage fraud here.

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Man talking to a businesswoman in an office.

7-minute read

Letter of explanation: Why it’s important and how to write one

A letter of explanation can be important in the mortgage underwriting and application process. Learn when and how you’ll need to write an explanation l...

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A man potentially explaining real estate or taxes to a female from an iPad.

6-minute read

What are title fees and how much are they?

Most home buyers and sellers should anticipate title fees as a part of closing costs. We’ll help you estimate the title-related expenses you’ll have...

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A man and women in kitchen discussing their finances.

8-minute read

What is an adjustable-rate mortgage (ARM)?

Adjustable-rate mortgages offer low introductory interest rates that change over the life of a loan – with limits. Find out whether an ARM is right for yo...

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A woman with glasses using her laptop with some worry.

6-minute read

The ATR/QM rule: What it is and what borrowers should know

The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau developed the ATR/QM Rule as a protective measure for mortgage borrowers. Learn about this rule and how it works.

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A white and grey two storey house with a broad driveway.

5-minute read

What is a 20-year mortgage, and should you consider one?

A 20-year fixed mortgage is a loan with payments over a 20-year term. Learn how these mortgages compare to other loans and see Rocket Mortgage’s current r...

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An image depicting a vacant house by a lake, potentially relevant to real estate or property management.

6-minute read

What is vacant home insurance and why do you need it?

If you plan to leave your home unoccupied, a vacant home insurance policy can protect your property. Learn more about these policies and what they cover.

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