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

Large two-story house with a garage and car parked on driveway.

6-minute read

How to take out equity from your home and save money monthly

Home equity loans, HELOCs, and cash-out refinances let you use your home equity. Learn how to draw on your home equity and understand your equity loan options.

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Image showing a young businesswoman contemplating while sitting in front of an open laptop.

5-minute read

What credit score do mortgage lenders use?

Mortgage lenders use several credit scores to qualify borrowers and determine the interest rate they offer. Learn more before you start the home buying journey.

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Young married couple doing their paperwork together, paying bills online. Focus on the guy. Loving young couple using laptop and analyzing their finances. Writing notes.

7-minute read

Should you prioritize paying off student loans or your mortgage?

Unsure whether to pay extra on your mortgage or federal student loans? We break down the factors you need to consider for making the right financial decision.

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Young woman sitting on back deck on laptop.

8-minute read

How to afford a home on a single income

Are you interested in becoming a homeowner but have a single income? Read our guide to learn how to afford a home on a single income and explore your options.

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A woman and child sitting in a room, engrossed in conversation and surrounded by cozy furniture.

5-minute read

What is a down payment and how does it work?

A down payment is the percentage of a home's purchase price you pay up front. Learn how down payments work and how much you should put down on a house.

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Asian couple on a front porch leaning on a railing, potentially discussing property or enjoying a home.

5-minute read

Home Equity Conversion Mortgage (HECM) explained: Definition and requirements

A Home Equity Conversion Mortgage is a government-insured loan that allows seniors to convert their home equity into cash. See if a HECM is right for you.

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Two people discussing something while drinking coffee.

6-minute read

What to expect from non-arm’s length transactions

Non-arm’s length transactions involve buying property from someone you know. These transactions have unique tax and legal implications you need to be aware of.

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An illustration showing a hand holding a credit card for payment.

9-minute read

The lowest credit score to buy a house: How bad credit affects loan options

Considering buying a home with bad credit? Discover the lowest credit score to buy a house, learn about home loans for bad credit, and find credit score tips.

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A woman multitasking on a phone call and computer, potentially related to mortgage or real estate inquiries.

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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