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

Modern residential buildings possible available for sale or rent.

5-minute read

FHA commercial loan programs: An introduction

FHA commercial loans are available for the creation of housing for low-income, elderly, or disabled people. Learn more about this type of lending.

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Man working a laptop, drinking coffee at a cafe with a living wall behind him.

7-minute read

SCRA mortgage protections: What to know

The Servicemembers Civil Relief Act (SCRA) mortgage protections include reducing interest rates to 6% in specific cases and guidelines related to foreclosures.

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Two women smiling and standing on a porch on a beach.

8-minute read

What to know before buying a vacation home in Florida

Looking for a getaway for the colder months? Need a year-round retreat? A vacation home in Florida might be your ideal solution.

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Father at kitchen table with young son on his lap reviewing paperwork and information on laptop..

5-minute read

How to get a VA Certificate of Eligibility (COE)

Securing a VA Certificate of Eligibility (COE) is the first step to getting a VA home loan. Learn why you need a VA COE and how to get one.

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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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A row of townhomes, illustrating residential complexes or real estate developments.

7-minute read

Can the 30% rule help you budget for housing?

How much should you spend on housing? A general guideline says you should spend 30% of your income on housing. Is the 30% rule for housing true for you?

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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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