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
12-minute read
How to buy a house: Your step-by-step guide to buying in 2025
Buying a house involves many steps, so we broke it down for you. Get educated and avoid obstacles by checking out our comprehensive guide on how to buy a house.
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9-minute read
13 common first-time home buyer mistakes and how to avoid them
First-time buyers often make mistakes when looking at homes, but this doesn’t have to be you. Learn how to avoid common first-time home buyer mistakes....
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4-minute read
What does caveat emptor mean?
Caveat emptor is Latin for “let the buyer beware.” In real estate, it’s similar to buying a home as-is. Learn about buying a home sold as cave...
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5-minute read
What is a 20-year mortgage, and should you consider one?
A 20-year fixed mortgage is a loan with payments over a 20-year term. Learn how these mortgages compare to other loans and see Rocket Mortgage’s current r...
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6-minute read
What is vacant home insurance and why do you need it?
If you plan to leave your home unoccupied, a vacant home insurance policy can protect your property. Learn more about these policies and what they cover.
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6-minute read
Managing rental properties: A landlord's complete guide
Managing rental properties includes tenant management, property maintenance and organizing your finances. Learn some property management tips and tricks.
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4-minute read
How the constant maturity Treasury rate affects your mortgage
The Constant Maturity Treasury rate plays a key role in determining adjustable-rate mortgage interest rates. Learn how the CMT rate impacts mortgage payments...
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5-minute read
Accessory dwelling unit, or ADU, defined and explained
An accessory dwelling unit is a separate living space located within your home or on your property. Find out more about ADUs and how one might work for you.<...
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5-minute read
How to qualify for a mortgage after retirement
Buying a home after retirement? Learn how to organize your finances and assets to apply successfully for a mortgage – even if you are living on a fixed...
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