Real Estate & Development Reporter

Title: Real Estate and Development Reporter, Austin American-Statesman

The Austin American-Statesman is seeking an experienced business reporter to cover Central Texas real estate — from home sales and housing starts to office, industrial, retail and multifamily development, occupancy and rent, as well as the policies shaping growth in one of the fastest-growing regions in the state and nation.

What will you do?

As a member of the regional Business team, this reporter will break news and deliver exclusive enterprise on sales, leases, developments and market trends in residential and commercial real estate. In collaboration with the Austin Business Editor, will take a leading role in producing a regular real estate- and development-focused newsletter and collaborate on data-rich interactives, maps and visuals that bring growth and development to life.

What will it take to be successful?

• An ability to surface breaking news and trends by mining data from a broad range of sources: area municipalities, courts, state agencies, real estate associations, brokers and banks.
• Developing a network of sources among developers, builders, financiers, government officials, neighborhood groups and others who impact or are impacted by development.
• Experience working with public records and market data: building permits, market reports, state development filings, zoning cases, deed and plat records, and the ability to convert such data into clear, compelling stories.
• The ability to juggle breaking news with ambitious enterprise and analysis that connects the dots for readers and influences policy discussions.

Other requirements:

• At least 5 years of daily journalism experience and at least 3 years in business, real estate or growth and development coverage.
• A digital-first mindset with strong SEO, headline writing and audience instincts.
• Adept at using social platforms to track companies, officials and community conversations.
• Track record of source development in publicly traded, closely held and private companies.
• Experience covering earnings reports and other SEC filings.
• Ability to collaborate in a fast-paced environment with visuals, data and audience teams across Hearst Texas newsrooms.

This position reports to the Austin Business Editor as part of a Hearst Texas Business news staff in Austin and San Antonio. The department also covers technology, energy, utilities, auto manufacturing, labor, trade, aerospace, cybersecurity, insurance, retail, tourism, economic development and the region’s major companies and industries. Among the companies of focus are Tesla, Dell, Cisco, Oracle, Valero, USAA, SpaceX, Boeing, Samsung, H‑E‑B and Whataburger.

About The Austin American-Statesman:

The Austin American-Statesman has been the leading source of news and information for Central Texas since 1871, serving a dynamic and fast-growing region anchored by the capital city of Texas. Austin is known for its vibrant tech industry, rich cultural heritage, influential government institutions and creative spirit. The Statesman's award-winning journalists provide in-depth coverage of the issues that matter most to Austinites — from local government and business to education, the environment and Austin’s ever-evolving music and cultural scenes. With a strong focus on accountability journalism and investigative reporting, the Statesman plays a critical role in informing and engaging its community.

About Hearst Newspapers:

With 2,500 employees across the nation, HNP represents a network of 24 daily and 52 weekly publications including the Austin American-Statesman, San Antonio Express-News, Houston Chronicle, San Francisco Chronicle, Albany Times Union, several top digital-only news and lifestyle sites, marketing services businesses, and entertainment businesses such as King Features Syndicate. At HNP, we are investing in new and innovative ways to tell stories – growing newsrooms, diversifying tools, evolving platforms – to support the millions of people who trust us each month to help them make decisions, take action and be inspired. Be a part of something bigger – Your Headline Awaits.

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