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
PersonalFinance
RealEstate

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

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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A red brick home front with teal colored door and plant vines.

10-minute read

Earnest money: What is it and how much is enough?

Earnest money protects buyers and sellers in a real estate transaction. Learn how an earnest money deposit works and how it can also make your offer stand ou...

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A beach house, symbolizing a coastal living environment or vacation property.

7-minute read

When to sell a rental property: A complete guide

Are you unsure whether to sell your rental property? Learn about the various factors that can make it a good time to sell and the steps you can expect to take.

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A serene landscape with trees and a pond in the background, creating a peaceful and natural setting.

6-minute read

USDA loan closing costs: What they cover and how to pay them

Learn about USDA loan closing costs, what they include, who pays them, and how to roll them into your loan or get them covered so you can leverage this loan.

Read more

A historic home, possibly a landmark or preserved building.

10-minute read

Buying a historic home: The pros and cons

Buying a charming historic home can be tempting, but it can also come with costly complications. Read on to find out whether a historic home is right for you.

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Realtor showing couple a property.

6-minute read

What are REALTOR® fees and who pays them?

REALTOR® fees are how real estate agents get paid for their work. Who pays these fees is changing, so it’s a good time to learn more and understand...

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A street in USA, lined with trees and houses in full bloom.

7-minute read

Rent-back agreements: Pros and cons for buyers and sellers

A rent-back agreement allows sellers to rent their home from buyers for a set period of time, but it’s not without risks. Learn the pros and cons here.

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An African American woman signing a contract, potentially related to real estate or homeownership.

7-minute read

What does "time is of the essence" mean in real estate contracts?

A "time is of the essence” clause mandates the completion of a project by a certain date. Learn more about this term and its effect on a real estate co...

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A man with a credit card, potentially symbolizing financial transactions or purchases related to homeownership.

4-minute read

Does mortgage preapproval affect your credit score?

Worried that getting preapproved for a mortgage will hurt your credit score? Learn how preapproval impacts your credit, including how much and for how long.

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