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.
Read more
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.
Read more
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...
Read more
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 ...
Read more
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.
Read more
5-minute read
Is a mortgage secured or unsecured debt?
A mortgage is a type of secured debt, meaning it’s backed by your home as collateral. Learn how secured loans differ from unsecured ones.
Read more
4-minute read
What is the loan-to-value ratio and how is it calculated?
Your loan-to-value ratio measures your loan amount against the value of the home you’re buying. Figure out how your LTV ratio is calculated.
Read more
5-minute read
What is a down payment and how does it work?
A down payment is the percentage of a home's purchase price you pay up front. Learn how down payments work and how much you should put down on a house.
Read more
5-minute read
These are the 6 top tax benefits of owning rental property
If you’ve invested in rental property, you may enjoy some tax benefits. Learn the top 6 tax benefits of owning rental property from deduction to depreciat...
Read more