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 yard with flowers, representing a beautiful home exterior.

6-minute read

What does collateral mean and how does it work?

Collateral is an asset used to secure a loan. If a borrower defaults, the lender can take the collateral to recover losses.

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Two-story white house in winter with snowy lawn and trees.

6-minute read

What is assessed value and how is it determined?

Learn what assessed value means, how it's calculated, and how it affects property taxes. Know the differences between assessed, appraised, and market values.

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A young Asian man looking stressed while using a laptop, possibly in a home or work setting.

6-minute read

Home title theft: What you should know and how to prevent it?

Home title theft is when someone steals a homeowner’s identity to illegally transfer their title. Learn how to prevent home title theft and protect your h...

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Family celebrating in backyard.

6-minute read

Average closing costs in Illinois

Closing costs in Illinois are about 19% higher in comparison to those in other states. Find out what costs to expect to pay when closing on a house in Illinois.

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A man calculating debt, potentially involved in financial planning or debt management.

7-minute read

Using a home equity loan to tackle credit card debt: A guide

Tackling credit card debt? Learn about using a home equity loan to pay it down, along with the benefits, drawbacks, and alternative methods.

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A man and women discussing something on a tab.

10-minute read

What is a 15-year fixed-rate mortgage?

Are you considering a 15-year fixed-rate mortgage? Learn more about fixed interest rates and find out whether a 15-year mortgage is right for your needs.

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Man lounging on floor of airy living room on laptop looking at mortgage paperwork.

6-minute read

How to calculate your monthly mortgage payment

Are you wondering how much your estimated monthly payment would be on a mortgage? Check out our guide and learn how to calculate your mortgage payment.

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A large brick home with by woods in the background and beautiful landscaping in the front.

5-minute read

The 1% rule in real estate: What to know before investing

Measuring your return on investment can feel like a lot of math. The 1% rule can make it easier to figure out how much you should spend on your investment.

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A family happily unpacking boxes in their new home, creating a welcoming atmosphere.

4-minute read

Understanding types of assets

What are assets? Find out the different types of assets to help manage your finances, build wealth, and make smart financial decisions.

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