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
13-minute read
FHA loans in Texas
An FHA loan in Texas may let you buy a home with a low down payment and flexible credit options. See how to qualify for one here.
Read more
4-minute read
Texas property tax guide for homeowners
Texas has a higher effective property tax rate than many other states. Learn about how the Texas property tax system works and what you can expect to owe.
Read more
6-minute read
New York property tax guide for homeowners
New York has a higher effective property tax rate than many other states. Learn about how New York property taxes work and how much you can expect to pay.
Read more
12-minute read
Buying a house in California: A guide
Are you considering buying a home in the Golden State? Learn about California’s housing market, top cities, and the buying process so you know what to ...
Read more
5-minute read
How much house can I afford on $80K?
Starting your home buying journey with a salary of $80,000 a year? Find out your mortgage options and how much house you can afford on $80,000.
Read more
5-minute read
Average closing costs in Texas
Average closing costs when buying a home in Texas are higher the national average. Learn what you can expect to pay when you close on your new home...
Read more
6-minute read
Average closing costs in New Jersey
Average closing costs in New Jersey are higher than in many other states. Find out how much you can expect to pay in closing costs on your New Jersey home.
Read more
11-minute read
How to buy a house in New York
Are you considering buying a home in the Empire State? Learn about the current New York housing market, popular cities, and how the buying process works.
Read more
3-minute read
Average closing costs in Colorado
Closing costs in Colorado are lower than the national average but will vary depending on the price of the home. Learn more about who pays closing costs.
Read more