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
6-minute read
A walk-through on how to apply for a mortgage
The mortgage application process has five important steps. Learn each step of the mortgage process from start to finish for a smooth path to homeownership.
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9-minute read
Types of real estate investments: Everything you need to know
The types of real estate investments can include active ventures, like house flipping, and passive options, like REITs. Find the right investment for you.
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10-minute read
10 cheapest states to buy a house in 2025
Learn about the cheapest states to buy a house in 2025 based on the cost of living, movement of house prices, median house prices and median household income...
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6-minute read
Your mortgage fell through on closing day? What to do now
Did your mortgage fall through on closing day? Don’t panic! Learn why it may have happened, the steps you can take to fix it, and how to get back on tr...
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7-minute read
Fixed-rate mortgage benefits and options
A fixed-rate mortgage has an interest rate that never changes. Learn more about how these loans work and how they compare with adjustable-rate mortgages.
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8-minute read
Is buying a house a good investment?
Is buying a house a good investment? It can be, depending on your personal circumstances. Before you buy, discover the pros and cons of purchasing a home.
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8-minute read
IRA withdrawal for a home purchase: What you need to know
Withdrawing money from your IRA to buy a home is possible, but there are tax implications. Discover the pros and cons of tapping into your IRA to buy a home....
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6-minute read
Fixed- vs. adjustable-rate mortgage: What’s the difference?
While shopping for home loans, you’ll need to decide between a fixed-rate or adjustable-rate mortgage. Learn how they differ, and which is better for you.
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5-minute read
How to identify overpriced homes: 5 signs to look out for
Wondering how to tell if a house is overpriced? Read our guide to learn the best techniques for identifying overpriced homes in the real estate market.
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