Headshot of Karen Idelson

Karen Idelson

Editor

Karen Idelson is a content editor and creator who is obsessed with promoting personal financial literacy, budgeting, and investing as well as their role in supporting overall well-being. She strives to make the articles she edits for RocketMortgage.com accessible and interesting so that readers will be inspired to learn more and increase their knowledge of personal finance.
 
Prior to joining the team at Rocket Mortgage in 2025, Karen worked as a writer, editor, and speaker, focusing on the business and technology of entertainment for more than two decades. A graduate of the University of Arizona and the American Film Institute’s Advanced Technology Internship Program, she has contributed to the Los Angeles Times, Variety, Animation Magazine, The Dallas Morning News, the Houston Chronicle, The Arizona Republic, Women’s Wear Daily, The DGA Quarterly, and many other publications. A veteran speaker and moderator, Karen has also hosted dozens of panels, including several for the hit ABC series “Lost” in the legendary Hall H (IYKYK), which seats more than 6,000, at Comic-Con International in San Diego, as well as panels about entertainment business trends at the World Animation & VFX Summit, SXSW, and Variety’s Entertainment Technology Summit.
 
Karen grew up in the Southwest and is a longtime U2 superfan who has seen them play in more than a dozen cities, four different countries, and three continents. If she’s not helping fine-tune the personal finance content at Rocket Mortgage, chances are she’s searching for a new place to grab a coffee with friends or driving to the next trending sushi restaurant.

Expertise

Mortgage
PersonalFinance
RealEstate

Education

University of Arizona, Bachelor of Arts in Psychology with an emphasis on Social Psychology

American Film Institute, Advanced Technology Internship Program

Universidad de Salamanca. Studied Spanish language and culture

Coursera certification: Tools for Data Science

Recent Articles

Fork in two sidewalks through a residential neighborhood.

5-minute read

Easement appurtenant: What it means and how it works

An easement appurtenant gives nonowners limited access rights to a property. Find out how this type of easement might affect your property.

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A man in green sitting at a counter with a French press and a laptop.

5-minute read

eMortgage: What is it and how does it work?

An eMortgage is a convenient option that uses electronic documentation and signing processes. Learn about how it works and whether it may be right for you.

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Historic brownstone buildings.

5-minute read

A complete guide to mortgage REITs

Mortgage REITs are publicly traded investments in mortgages and mortgage-backed securities. Learn about mREITs as well as their pros and cons before investing.

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Guidelines or advice related to relocation dos and don'ts.

5-minute read

Moving for a job: How to prepare

Moving for a job may be an exciting opportunity, but it also requires a lot of logistics. Here are some tips to streamline the transition and make it easier.

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Home improvement image, possibly illustrating renovation or remodeling work being done in a residential setting.

10-minute read

Home improvement grants to fund your next repair project

Home improvement grants are a type of financial aid for homeowners to make necessary repairs to their home. Check out our guide to find grant resources.

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A smiling couple seated comfortably on a couch, expressing contentment.

6-minute read

How to refinance your second home

Are you considering refinancing your second home to secure a lower mortgage rate? Learn about the process and requirements of a second home refinance.

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A family packing a car to move, indicating a relocation or moving process.

7-minute read

A guide to moving cross-country

When moving across the country, there are steps you can take to help the process go smoothly. Explore our guide for tips on how to move across the country.

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Multiple generations of a family smiling outdoors, portraying family bonding and unity across different age groups.

8-minute read

Life estate: What is it and how does it work?

A life estate is a legal way to pass the ownership rights of your home to another person. Learn about how a life estate works and how and why to create one.

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A two-story tan suburban house, illustrating a typical residential property in a suburban setting.

6-minute read

What does turnkey mean?

A turnkey property is a type of real estate that’s move-in ready and needs few or no renovations. You may pay more for these homes, but is it worth it?

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