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
Can I look at a house without mortgage preapproval?
While you can tour homes without it, mortgage preapproval makes it easier to find a real estate agent and it can persuade sellers to take your offer seriously.
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6-minute read
A guide to buying a house in a flood zone
If you’re considering buying a house in a flood zone, you should weigh pros, cons, and potential risks. Read on to learn more about moving into a flood zo...
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6-minute read
Restrictive covenants explained
Restrictive covenants are rules in the deed that limit how the homeowner can use their property. Learn more about these rules and how they may affect you.
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5-minute read
How to find the ideal real estate investment partner
Searching for real estate investors? Explore the top ways to find real estate investors and factors to consider when pursuing partnerships.
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7-minute read
A guide to the home inspection contingency
A home inspection contingency allows buyers to respond to results within a specific time frame. Learn how to successfully navigate and reply to an inspection.
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6-minute read
What to expect from non-arm’s length transactions
Non-arm’s length transactions involve buying property from someone you know. These transactions have unique tax and legal implications you need to be awar...
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5-minute read
What is a vacancy rate and how is it calculated?
A vacancy rate is a metric used in real estate investing that shows how many available units in a property are unoccupied. Learn more about vacancy rates here.
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5-minute read
What is a cash-in refinance?
A cash-in refinance is a type of refinancing that occurs when a lump-sum payment is made, lowering the principal. Here’s how to decide if it's right for y...
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7-minute read
What is rent control and how does it work?
Rent control is a legal provision capping how much landlords can charge in rent for some rental units. Learn about rent control law and how rent control works.
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