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
5-minute read
Secured Overnight Financing Rate defined and explained
What is SOFR, and how does it affect your mortgage interest rate? Learn more about how lenders use the Secured Overnight Financing Rate to set interest rates.
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7-minute read
What is an acceleration clause in real estate?
An acceleration clause in a mortgage means that your mortgage balance becomes due if you default on payments. Learn how a mortgage acceleration clause works.
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5-minute read
Prequalified vs. preapproved: what’s the difference?
A prequalification estimates how much you can afford, while a preapproval gives a better estimate and verifies your financial info for a loan. Learn more.
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8-minute read
How are mortgage rates determined?
Discover what determines interest rates with our in-depth analysis. Explore how economic trends, credit scores, and more impact mortgage rate decisions.
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5-minute read
What are the benefits of refinancing your home loan?
From shorter loan terms to monthly savings, there are several benefits of refinancing your mortgage. Learn whether you should refinance a home loan.
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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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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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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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