We are seeking a highly skilled and detail-oriented Freelance Data Reporter / Researcher to support our data-driven journalism efforts. This role focuses on extracting, cleaning, analyzing, and visualizing real estate data to uncover trends, support reporting, and contribute to impactful editorial content.

Extract structured data from PDFs (e.g., property records, filings)

Develop and maintain scrapers for public websites and databases

Standardize and clean large datasets from multiple sources

Build visual data tools (charts, dashboards, maps) for editorial teams

Research and resolve entities across datasets (LLCs, developers, brokers, etc.)

Support editorial staff by translating raw data into usable insights

Automate repetitive data tasks with scripts and scheduled workflows

Manually reconcile records as needed with precision and care

Proficient in Python, especially Pandas, NumPy, and Requests

Experienced in web scraping, PDF parsing, and API integration

Comfortable with Google Sheets and workflow tools

Strong research and data verification skills

Familiar with geospatial data (shapefiles, GeoJSON, Mapbox, etc.)

Knowledge of Git/GitHub for version control

Bonus: Front-end familiarity (HTML/CSS/JS) for interactive data visualizations

Background in real estate or investigative journalism is a plus

$40 - $70 an hour

 

The Real Deal is the largest real-estate news outlet in the US, reaching millions of professionals daily through our media channels. We have received 60+ awards for editorial excellence over the past six years, including the General Excellence award from the Society of Business Writers and Editors.

 

Quantcast rates us among the 300-most visited sites in the US and the website with the wealthiest audience and one of the most educated.

As a publication, The Real Deal is to real estate what Variety is to entertainment or what Politico is to Beltway politics – a plugged-in news outlet that is read by the entire industry.

 

We are an equal opportunity employer and value diversity at our company. We do not discriminate based on race, religion, color, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, age, marital status, veteran status, or disability status. We partner with our employees to support diversity and inclusion in the workplace and through higher education programs supporting rising journalists.