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
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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10-minute read
Types of mortgage refinance: Which option is right for you?
There are many different refinancing options for homeowners to choose from. Learn more about some of the most popular types of refinances and how they work.<...
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5-minute read
Mortgage payoff statement: Everything you need to know
A mortgage payoff statement tells you exactly how much you’ll need to fully repay your loan. Learn how to get it before you make your final mortgage payme...
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5-minute read
What is compound interest and how is it calculated? A guide
What is compound interest, and how does it work? Learn more about how compound interest differs from simple interest and which financial products use it.
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5-minute read
Real property: Definition and examples
Real property refers to the rights of ownership that are attached to a property. Your real property rights can affect everything from privacy to leasing.
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6-minute read
What is a mortgage amortization schedule?
Learn what amortization is and how an amortization schedule helps you understand how your monthly mortgage payment is applied to principal and interest.
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4-minute read
Price per square foot: Why it matters and how it's calculated
Price per square foot is a metric that helps you compare similarly priced properties on the market. In short, it measures how much bang you can get for your buc...
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6-minute read
Do I need mortgage protection insurance?
Mortgage protection insurance pays your mortgage if you die or become disabled. Learn how MPI works, what it covers, and whether it's right for you.
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5-minute read
What is APR?
Annual percentage rate (APR) describes the total yearly cost of a mortgage. Learn how to calculate and compare favorable APRs while mortgage shopping.
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