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

Couple discussing a CMT loan or adjustable-rate mortgage with a financial advisor.

4-minute read

How the constant maturity Treasury rate affects your mortgage

The Constant Maturity Treasury rate plays a key role in determining adjustable-rate mortgage interest rates. Learn how the CMT rate impacts mortgage payments...

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Woman looking over graphs for investments in office overlooking city skyline.

7-minute read

What is a REIT? A guide to real estate investment trusts

A real estate investment trust, or REIT, is a company that owns or finances real estate for an investor. Learn more about what a REIT is and how it works.

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A young couple smiling and looking at the laptop screen.

10-minute read

A guide to bank statements for your mortgage

Are you self-employed or a freelancer who wants to buy a home? If you have income but it isn’t reflected on a W2, a bank statement loan could be right ...

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A for rent sign outside a line of houses.

6-minute read

Rent-to-own apartments and condos: An entry to homeownership

Rent-to-own programs can help in reaching homeownership goals over time. Discover rent-to-own apartments, condo programs, and their benefits and drawbacks.

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Modern woman in coat standing outside on a sunny day

8-minute read

Understanding bird dogs in real estate: What they are and how to become one

A bird dog identifies underpriced properties and sells these leads to experienced investors. Learn the role bird dogs play in the larger real estate ecosystem.

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Man on phone in kitchen

7-minute read

Cash-out refinance vs. home equity loans

Cash-out refinance or home equity loan? Both can help you achieve your financial goals. Learn how they differ and see which loan option is right for you.

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A large brick home with a landscaped front yard, highlighting curb appeal and home aesthetics.

10-minute read

What is buy and hold real estate investing?

Buying and holding real estate is a long-term investment strategy that involves buying a property and renting it out. Check out our guide to learn more.

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Woman at home checking status of loan on her smartphone.

6-minute read

Your mortgage fell through on closing day? What to do now

Did your mortgage fall through on closing day? Don’t panic! Learn why it may have happened, the steps you can take to fix it, and how to get back on tr...

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A starter home, typically a smaller or more affordable initial property for first-time buyers.

8-minute read

Is buying a house a good investment?

Is buying a house a good investment? It can be, depending on your personal circumstances. Before you buy, discover the pros and cons of purchasing a home.

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