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
7-minute read
What is considered ‘debt’ when applying for a mortgage?
What is considered ‘debt’ when applying for a mortgage? Our guide describes what monthly debt payments lenders consider when approving a mortgage.
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5-minute read
Condo vs. apartment: What’s the difference?
What are the differences between apartments and condominiums? Learn more about the pros and cons of each before you decide which is right for you.
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8-minute read
How to lower capital gains tax on rental property sales
Owners pay capital gains on rental properties when they sell. Learn how these taxes work and how to reduce what you owe when you sell an investment property....
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9-minute read
Living in a 55-plus community: Pros, cons, and costs
Living in a 55+ community can be a great option if you’d like to retire or downsize. Learn about the pros, cons, and costs so you can make an informed ...
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6-minute read
What are REALTOR® fees and who pays them?
REALTOR® fees are how real estate agents get paid for their work. Who pays these fees is changing, so it’s a good time to learn more and understand...
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8-minute read
Why does my mortgage keep going up?
An unexpected change to your mortgage payment can be frustrating, especially if you don’t know why it happened. Find out some possible reasons for the cha...
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10-minute read
Buyer's market vs. seller's market: What does each mean for you?
A buyer’s market helps buyers with lower prices and more choices, while a seller’s market helps sellers with more demand. Learn how each impacts you...
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7-minute read
Are timeshares worth it? How to decide if buying one is right for you
Are timeshares worth it? It depends on contract details and your personal needs. Read the benefits and risks to see if a timeshare is worth it for you.
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6-minute read
Can you refinance an ARM loan to a fixed-rate mortgage?
Yes, you can refinance an ARM loan. You may even be able to get a fixed-rate loan instead. But before you refinance, consider these key factors.
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