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
4-minute read
How to find liens on a property: A home buyer's guide
It's essential to find and clear any liens on a property you plan to buy. Here’s how to look for, find, and resolve liens on a property before you buy it.
Read more
4-minute read
Understanding right of survivorship: What you need to know
Learn how right of survivorship transfers a home to a surviving co-owner, as well as how joint tenancy and community property with the right of survivorship com...
Read more
6-minute read
What to consider before getting a home equity line of credit (HELOC)
A home equity line of credit can help you pay for home renovations or consolidate debt. However, there are pros and cons to a HELOC worth considering.
Read more
5-minute read
The appraisal waiver: What home buyers should know
Appraisals are often mandatory during a real estate transaction. However, sometimes an appraisal waiver makes sense, can save you money, and expedite your sale.
Read more
5-minute read
A guide to understanding bundle of rights in real estate
A bundle of rights in real estate refers to the legal rights associated with property ownership: the rights of possession, control, enjoyment, disposition, a...
Read more
6-minute read
What is condemnation in real estate?
What is condemned property? Condemnation occurs when the government uses eminent domain to take property. Learn what condemnation can mean for homeowners.
Read more
8-minute read
Online house auctions: What are they and how do they work?
An online home auction lets buyers bid on properties digitally. This is how online auctions work, plus the risks, benefits, and what to expect when bidding.<...
Read more
8-minute read
Buydown: A way to reduce interest rates
Buydowns are methods used by buyers and sellers to lower interest rates in the early years of a new mortgage. Find out if a buydown is right for you.
Read more
10-minute read
What is a home equity conversion mortgage (HECM)?
A home equity conversion mortgage (HECM) allows homeowners 62 and older to convert their equity into cash in various ways. Learn if an HECM is right for you....
Read more