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
What does a home inspector do?
A home inspector’s job is to review a property’s systems and structures to ensure they are safe and working correctly. Learn what a home inspector l...
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6-minute read
Seller financing: How it works, pros, cons, and is it a good idea?
Seller financing is a type of real estate agreement that allows the buyer to pay the seller in installments. Learn more about how seller financing works.
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8-minute read
What is an adjustable-rate mortgage (ARM)?
Adjustable-rate mortgages offer low introductory interest rates that change over the life of a loan – with limits. Find out whether an ARM is right for yo...
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5-minute read
Gift tax in real estate: How it works
The gift tax can apply when you transfer property without receiving full market value in return. Learn about gift tax in real estate and how to avoid it.
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6-minute read
The ATR/QM rule: What it is and what borrowers should know
The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau developed the ATR/QM Rule as a protective measure for mortgage borrowers. Learn about this rule and how it works.
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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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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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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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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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