Tom McLean
Sr. Editor
Tom McLean is a veteran writer, editor, and author with more than 30 years’ experience as a professional journalist. A graduate of the University of Arizona, McLean worked as a news writer, copyeditor, and page designer for daily newspapers in Arizona, Idaho, and California before entering entertainment journalism as a features editor at Variety, where he covered such diverse topics as animation, visual effects, the Oscars, and the comic book business. His freelance articles have appeared in Variety, The Hollywood Reporter, Animation Magazine, Animation World Network, Newsarama.com and the Los Angeles Times. He is the author of Mutant Cinema: The X-Men Trilogy from Page to Screen, published in 2008, and served three years as editor in chief of Animation Magazine. Tom joined Rocket Los Angeles in 2021 to bring his experience to topics ranging from auto insurance to mortgages, real estate, loans, and personal finance. A native of Canada, he lives in Los Angeles with his wife and their two daughters.
Recent Articles
6-minute read
What are lender credits used for when buying a house?
Lender credits let you roll your closing costs into your loan for a higher interest rate. Learn about lender credits and if they could be helpful to you.
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7-minute read
How to lower your mortgage payment
Paying off your mortgage doesn’t always go as planned, but there are ways to reduce your monthly payments. Learn how to lower your mortgage payment here.
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7-minute read
Are closing costs negotiable?
When buying or refinancing a house, some of your closing costs may be negotiable. Learn which closing costs you can negotiate to save money on your mortgage.
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8-minute read
What is a mortgage? Loan basics for beginners
A mortgage is a loan that’s used to buy real estate. Learn more about how a mortgage works,...
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4-minute read
What are panelized homes and how are they built?
Panelized homes are made from kits made in a factory and...
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6-minute read
Can you buy a foreclosed home with an FHA loan?
You can buy a foreclosed home with an FHA loan, but there are rules that can make it harder to compete. Learn more about buying foreclosures with FHA loans.
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4-minute read
Interest rate caps: What are they and how do they work?
An interest rate cap limits how much your interest rate will rise on an adjustable-rate mortgage (ARM). Find out more about rate caps and how they work.
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8-minute read
VA renovation loan: How to qualify and apply
A VA home renovation loan lets you bundle your home purchase and renovation costs into a single loan. Find out if you meet the requirements and how to apply....
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