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 signing documents and smiling, indicating a positive real estate transaction.

7-minute read

7/6 ARM: Definition and how it works

Are you looking for a lower initial interest rate and not planning on staying in your home long? A 7/6 ARM could be just the ticket for you.

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Row of white manufactured homes with expansive green lawn in foreground and trees in the background.

7-minute read

Is the cost of a mobile home worth it? Pros and cons

Wondering about the pros and cons of a mobile home? Our guide explores whether the low cost is worth its disadvantages in comparison to traditional homes.

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A woman painting a home in green, illustrating a woman painting the exterior of a house in green color.

5-minute read

What is home appreciation and how is it calculated?

Learn how the value of your home or investment property may be increasing over time, resulting in equity while you own it and profits when you sell it.

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An image indicating FHA condos, representing condominiums eligible for FHA loans.

6-minute read

FHA-approved condos: The approval process and where to find them

Learn what FHA-approved condos are, how to find this less common type of homes, and how to secure FHA financing as you begin your condo buying process.

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Home inspector on a roof performing an inspection.

6-minute read

A guide to home inspection costs in 2026

Home inspections typically cost $300 – $500, but the final cost depends on factors like the size of the home. Learn more about budgeting for a home inspec...

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Young couple holding curious baby sitting on the couch while unpacking cardboard boxes.

9-minute read

A guide to the VA loan preapproval process

A VA loan preapproval gives eligible borrowers an advantage when buying a home. Loan more about the VA loan preapproval process.

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A woman looking at a deed, potentially involved in property ownership or real estate matters.

5-minute read

Deed vs. title: Know the difference

Buyers encounter both deeds and titles when finalizing ownership of their new property. This guide dives into the subtle difference between deeds and titles.

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Woman on laptop and phone with coffee cup on desk.

8-minute read

How much money do you need to buy a house?

How much money you need to buy a house depends on factors like purchase price, loan terms, and where you are buying. Here’s how to prepare yourself financ...

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Grey home with white framing and red mulch, depicting a specific house exterior with landscaping.

5-minute read

No cash-out refinance: A guide

If you want a lower interest rate on your mortgage, you can refinance without cash out. Learn more about how no cash-out refinance works.

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