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
5-minute read
How to increase your mortgage preapproval amount
Buying your dream home may be more realistic than you think. Explore our guide to learn what might help increase your mortgage preapproval amount.
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6-minute read
How to take out equity from your home and save money monthly
Home equity loans, HELOCs, and cash-out refinances let you use your home equity. Learn how to draw on your home equity and understand your equity loan options.
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5-minute read
What credit score do mortgage lenders use?
Mortgage lenders use several credit scores to qualify borrowers and determine the interest rate they offer. Learn more before you start the home buying journey.
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4-minute read
How to recognize a reverse mortgage scam
Reverse mortgages are complicated and difficult to understand, which is why you need to be alert to potential scams. Learn how to avoid reverse mortgage fraud.
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5-minute read
7 ways to refinance a mortgage if you have ‘bad’ credit
Looking to refinance with ‘bad’ credit? Learn the options of how to refinance your mortgage with ‘bad’ credit and what steps you can take to start the process.
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7-minute read
Should you prioritize paying off student loans or your mortgage?
Unsure whether to pay extra on your mortgage or federal student loans? We break down the factors you need to consider for making the right financial decision.
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7-minute read
What does “coming soon” mean on real estate listings?
Some real estate agents will list a home as “coming soon” before it hits the market. Learn about “coming soon” real estate listings and their pros and cons.
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4-minute read
Understanding fully amortized loans
A fully amortized loan isn’t as confusing as it may sound. Read about how fully amortized loans work, what they’re for and what the payments consist of.
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8-minute read
The pros and cons of buying a lake house
Before you buy a lake house, you should understand the financial implications of owning one. Here’s a comprehensive list of pros and cons to help you.
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