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
Is it a good time to sell your home? Key factors to consider
Thinking about selling your home but unsure if now is the right time? Learn the key factors to consider before deciding whether you should sell your home.
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8-minute read
Mortgage fraud: What you need to know to avoid it
Mortgage fraud occurs when someone lies or omits information to get loan approval or favorable loan conditions. Learn about common types of mortgage fraud here.
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7-minute read
Letter of explanation: Why it’s important and how to write one
A letter of explanation can be important in the mortgage underwriting and application process. Learn when and how you’ll need to write an explanation l...
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6-minute read
What are title fees and how much are they?
Most home buyers and sellers should anticipate title fees as a part of closing costs. We’ll help you estimate the title-related expenses you’ll have...
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6-minute read
What does a home inspector do?
A home inspector’s job is to review a property’s systems and structures to ensure they are safe and working correctly. Learn what a home inspector l...
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6-minute read
Seller financing: How it works, pros, cons, and is it a good idea?
Seller financing is a type of real estate agreement that allows the buyer to pay the seller in installments. Learn more about how seller financing works.
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8-minute read
What is an adjustable-rate mortgage (ARM)?
Adjustable-rate mortgages offer low introductory interest rates that change over the life of a loan – with limits. Find out whether an ARM is right for yo...
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5-minute read
Gift tax in real estate: How it works
The gift tax can apply when you transfer property without receiving full market value in return. Learn about gift tax in real estate and how to avoid it.
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6-minute read
The ATR/QM rule: What it is and what borrowers should know
The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau developed the ATR/QM Rule as a protective measure for mortgage borrowers. Learn about this rule and how it works.
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