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

An Asian family enjoying family moments outside a white house.

7-minute read

What is Freddie Mac's Home Possible® loan?

Freddie Mac’s Home Possible® program offers low down payments and fees for low-income buyers. Learn if the Home Possible program can help you buy a...

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A tan two-story home, showing a two-story house with a tan exterior.

8-minute read

How to sell a house with a mortgage

Selling your home while you’re still paying off your mortgage can be difficult to navigate. Learn how to prepare to sell your house and pay off your mo...

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Man smiling, drinking coffee and looking at open laptop in kitchen.

5-minute read

Calculating your max mortgage loan amount based on your income

Use our calculator to find the max mortgage based on income. Learn your maximum loan amount and whether you should borrow the full amount.

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A young woman in a yellow suit coat resting her chin on her hands while deep in thought at her desk.

8-minute read

What are the advantages of a VA home loan?

Considering a VA loan to buy a house? Explore the advantages and disadvantages of government-backed loans in 2025.

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A couple sitting together on a couch, looking at a tablet in a bright and modern living room filled with greenery, enjoying a cozy and relaxed moment at home.

6-minute read

How are mortgage rates and inflation related?

When inflation increases, interest rates on new mortgages and ARMs increase too. Learn more about the relationship between inflation and mortgage rates.

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A blue double-wide home, possibly representing a mobile or manufactured house.

6-minute read

Single-wide homes vs. double-wide homes: Which is right for you?

Considering a manufactured home? Learn about the differences between a single-wide and double-wide home in our guide and see which one is right for you.

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A woman appraising a home, indicating property assessment or valuation in real estate.

6-minute read

What is a home appraisal and how much does it cost?

A home appraisal determines the value of a home. Learn how this process works for those who are buying, selling or refinancing a home.

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A couple smiling and talking while sitting on the couch in their house.

7-minute read

What are the VA loan spouse requirements?

A spouse or surviving spouse can qualify for a VA loan under certain conditions. Learn the VA loan spouse requirements and other rules for this loan type.

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Young man smiling on the phone at a desk, possibly indicating work or communication.

6-minute read

How you can change homeowners insurance with escrow

Want to change your homeowners insurance? Read through our step-by-step guide on how to change your homeowners insurance with an escrow account.

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