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 homeowners insurance and how does it work?
Mortgage lenders require homeowners insurance, which reimburses you if your home is damaged or destroyed. Learn how to choose the right policy for your home.
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8-minute read
Bidding wars: 6 tips for home buyers on how to win
Preparation and planning are key when you’re making an offer on a hot property and a bidding war breaks out. Here are 6 tips to help your bid come out on ...
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9-minute read
What to look for when buying a house: A guide for home buyers
If you’re about to begin the home buying process, there are some things you should keep in mind. Read on to learn about what to look for when buying a hou...
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5-minute read
VA non-allowable fees: These are costs buyers don’t have to pay
Non-allowable fees for a VA loan are costs that a buyer isn't responsible for paying. Learn what fees in a VA loan are non-allowable and why that is.
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10-minute read
Divorce and home loans: Your guide to buying a home after divorce
If you’re looking to buy a home or refinance your mortgage after divorce, here’s what you need to know.
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8-minute read
How to determine if you should buy a house
A lot of factors go into determining whether or not you should buy a house. Here’s what you need to know when making the decision to buy now, or hold o...
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8-minute read
How much should you spend on a house?
Wondering how much you should spend on a house as you begin the home buying process? Learn what your budget should be based on your income and expenses.
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6-minute read
Float-down option: Can it lower your mortgage rate?
Want to protect yourself from higher mortgage rates? Read our article to learn all about the float-down option and how it can work with a mortgage rate lock....
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8-minute read
What is Ginnie Mae (GNMA) and how does it work?
Discover how Ginnie Mae guarantees mortgage-backed securities, supports the housing market, and helps make homeownership more affordable.
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