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

Young boy looking outside a window with a Dachsund.

6-minute read

How to buy a house in Minnesota

Considering moving to the Gopher State? Here’s what buyers should know about the market and how to prepare to buy a house in Minnesota.

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Large white two story house with porch atop a vast green lawn.

9-minute read

How to get out of a mortgage loan

Whether you’re facing financial issues or major life changes, knowing how to get out of a mortgage loan the right way is important. Learn about your optio...

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A small white one-story house with a neatly maintained front yard, depicting a cozy residential setting.

5-minute read

What is a resale house? Defined and explained

A resale house is a home that's been lived in before; it's not a new build. Learn more about what a resale house is plus the pros and cons that come with it.

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Young man filling out paperwork, possibly for mortgage prequalifiastion.

5-minute read

Mortgage prequalification: What is it and how does it work?

Mortgage prequalification gives you an idea of how much house you can afford. Learn more about the loan prequalification process here.

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A woman with headphones on a computer, possibly working or relaxing at home.

7-minute read

Short sale vs. foreclosure: What’s the difference?

A short sale is a voluntary procedure, while a foreclosure isn’t. Understanding both processes can help borrowers make decisions when facing mortgage defa...

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Row of houses on sunny street.

6-minute read

FHA reserve requirements for 2025

Learn FHA reserve requirements for 2025—what qualifies as reserves, how many months you need, and exceptions. Get clear answers and see if you qualify tod...

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Top of a house in the process of being constructed.

7-minute read

FHA Construction-to-permanent loans: A guide

Learn how FHA construction-to-permanent loans fund your build and convert to a mortgage with flexible credit and low down payments. Compare options and apply.

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A woman in a blue shirt enjoying the view from her balcony.

5-minute read

Can you make principal-only payments on your mortgage?

Making principal-only payments on your mortgage can save you on interest over time. Learn how to make a principal-only payment and pay off your loan faster.<...

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A realtor explaining things possibly about a property to a couple interested in buying it.

7-minute read

Mortgage insurance premium (MIP) vs. private mortgage insurance (PMI): How do they differ?

As you learn more about mortgage insurance, you’re likely to encounter two acronyms: MIP and PMI. We'll break down how they each work and their key dif...

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