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
FHA nonoccupant co-borrowers: Guidelines and how they can help
Nonoccupant co-borrowers can make a big difference in the qualifying process for an FHA loan. Learn the requirements for using this process effectively.
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6-minute read
Liens and encumbrances: What to know
Liens and encumbrances both relate to legal claims against properties. Learn how they can affect buying, owning, and selling your house.
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6-minute read
What is a CMA in real estate? A complete guide
Learn what a comparative market analysis (CMA) is, what it does, and how it can help you determine a property’s value by comparing similar homes in you...
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5-minute read
What is an escrow waiver? Definition, requirements, and pros and cons
Considering an escrow waiver? Learn what it is, how it works, eligibility criteria, potential fees, and the pros and cons to decide if it’s right for you.
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6-minute read
Customizing your mobile home: Design ideas, tips, and budget-friendly options
Discover budget-friendly ways to customize your mobile home – from design tweaks to strategic upgrades. Personalize your space and add value with our smar...
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9-minute read
What credit score do you need to buy a house?
Wondering what credit score you need to buy a house? There’s often no hard answer, but higher scores will always mean more options. Check out practical ad...
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7-minute read
Step-by-step FHA loan process
Learn the step-by-step FHA loan process – from preapproval to closing –with timelines, requirements, and costs explained. Prepare and apply wit...
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7-minute read
A guide to home equity loan closing costs
Home equity loan closing costs typically range from 3% to 6% of your loan amount. Explore t...
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4-minute read
Understanding fully amortized loans
A fully amortized loan isn’t as confusing as it may sound. Read about how fully amortized loans work, what they’re for and what the payments consist...
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