The National Association of Real Estate Editors announced the winners of its 67th Annual Journalism Awards, recognizing excellence in reporting, writing and editing stories about residential and commercial real estate.
E.B. Solomont, The Real Deal, received NAREE’s Platinum Award for Best Individual Entry.
The President’s Gold Award for Best Freelance Collection went to Michele Lerner, Freelance Writer, The Washington Post. Kenneth Harney of the Washington Post Writers Group earned the Silver Award and Ronda Kaysen, Freelance Writer, The New York Times and Architectural Record, took the Bronze.
Rosalie Murphy, USA Today, was the Gold Award Winner of the Ruth Ryon Award for Best Young Journalist for reporters 30 years old and younger. Will Parker, The Real Deal, won the Silver Award in the Young Journalist category. The Bronze Award went to Samantha Goldberg, Multi-Housing News.
A panel of expert judges from the E.W. Scripps School of Journalism at Ohio University selected all award winners. Professor Emeritus Patrick S. Washburn, a former news reporter and editor, chaired the panel. Here are the 2017 winners with judge’s comments:
Best Overall Individual Entry
Platinum Winner: E.B. Solomont, The Real Deal
Comment on Platinum Winner: “In an exceptionally well reported, well documented, and well organized story on the title insurance industry, this writer emphasized its profitability and its demonstrated political clout with regulators. The piece reported that the industry is unusually concentrated in the hands of a small number of companies, or in the reporter’s words, ‘extraordinarily consolidated.’ The interviews and document used led to a highly significant article.”
Best Entry by a Young Journalist
Gold Winner: Rosalie Murphy, USA Today
Comment on Gold Winner: “In what for many must have been a surprising story, the writer pointed out that about half of the property in Palm Springs, Calif., is on an Indian reservation and the land parcels are rented, not owned. Thus, if the leases end and are not renewed, homes and buildings, which are worth about $2 billion, could change hands. In a well researched and highly interesting article that clearly was one of the best stories in the contest, the writer offered a sober reminder to real estate buyers to pay careful attention when they buy or lease property.”
Silver Winner: Will Parker, The Real Deal
Comment on Silver Winner: “In a breaking news story, the writer gave a riveting examination of how a real estate attorney in a speech advised New York landlords to get rid of rent stabilized tenants by using ‘demolition eviction’ which means showing approved plans to build, even if they are not ready to do so. This obviously could lead to abuse by landlords. The reporter is to be commended for uncovering this little known loophole.”
Bronze Winner: Samantha Goldberg, Multi-Housing News
Comment on Bronze Winner: “This was a revealing look at the needs of homeless veterans and housing programs that were aimed at addressing their needs. The article also highlighted new creative approaches for addressing the problem. The writer did an excellent job of demonstrating solutions.”
Best Freelance Collection
Gold Winner: Michele Lerner, Freelance Writer, The Washington Post
Comment on Gold Winner: “She showed excellent range, including a story on a couple who recreated a favorite bar after it closed in their basement, a piece about how it was cheaper to add to a house with modular construction rather than customizing, and an article on housing vouchers. All of the stories were exceptionally well written with a good use of interviews.”
Silver Winner: Kenneth Harney, Washington Post Writers Group
Comment on Silver Winner: “This writer is equally at home writing columns, blogs, economic analyses, and mortgage and financial real estate stories. The breadth of his knowledge of the field and the way he is able to explain complicated topics so that they can be understood by those who are not in the real estate field is impressive. He can be counted on to always write in an interesting fashion.”
Bronze Winner: Ronda Kaysen, Freelance Writer, The New York Times and Architectural Record
Comment on Bronze Winner: “This is another person who ranges widely in what she writes. She is equally comfortable doing a column on New York City apartments seen on popular TV shows, and whether they mirror reality, or writing about how new federal rules will redefine overtime for real estate architects. She simply is fun to read, and you always learn something from what she writes.”
Category 1: Best Collection of Work by an Individual Covering Residential Real Estate
Gold Winner: Andrea Riquier, MarketWatch,
Comment on Gold Winner: “The stories were about people who live paycheck to paycheck and seek modest homes, mortgage flipping, and the problems with the FHA’s acceptance of a niche financing program for energy-efficient upgrades. The collection contained in-depth examinations of little-discussed topics, which were written with attention to ordinary people. The stories dealt with complicated topics in easily readable terms.”
Silver Winner: Jeff Collins, Orange County Register
Comment on Silver Winner: “The writer dealt with designing a $500 million home (the most expensive in the world), what a person needs to know to become a real estate agent, and Section 8 housing. The latter story was an excellent explanation of the Section 8 housing program and its ins and outs.”
Bronze Winner: Amy Gamerman, The Wall Street Journal
Comment on Bronze Winner: “The stories included a look at using helicopters to show clients real estate, drawing buyers back to downtown Detroit by showing that it costs less to live there than similar big cities, and developers creating idyllic towns. The collection demonstrated a diversity in topics and versatility by the reporter.”
Honorable Mention Winner: Oshrat Carmiel, Bloomberg News
Comment on Honorable Mention Winner: “The writer broke news on the effects of the downturn of the Manhattan residential real estate market and how builders and brokers were dealing with it. Readers all over the country would have been interested in these stories about condos and apartment in one of the world’s most expensive and prestigious places to live. ”
Honorable Mention Winner: Marilyn Kalfus, Orange County Register
Comment on Honorable Mention Winner: “The stories focused on the contrast between over-the-top amenities in high-end housing in Orange County, Calif. while those in more modest communities had to commute hours to work. The contrast was stunning, and the writer captured the contradictions in a highly readable style.”
Category 2: Best Collection of Work by an Individual Covering Commercial Real Estate
Gold Winner: Jonathan O’Connell, The Washington Post
Comment on Gold Winner: “Stories focused on the City Center in Washington, D.C., a new building by Under Armour in Baltimore, and a clash between Donald Trump and a prominent celebrity chef in Trump’s new Washington hotel. This strong collection with a lot of variety was well written, sharply focused, and topical, and it featured numerous quotes from interviews by the writer.”
Silver Winner: Katherine Clarke, The Real Deal
Comment on Silver Winner: “She wrote about whether New York’s “Wheel” was spinning out of control, the complications of renewing a $1.4 billion tax abatement to build rental housing in New York City as seen through the eyes of a union boss over construction, and the struggle of top developers to get funds for financing condos. The reporter used extensive interviews to bring color to the collection of stories, which shed light on the inner workings of New York City real estate.”
Bronze Winner: Emilie Rusch, The Denver Post
Comment on Bronze Winner: “The writer wrote about parking spaces that can be converted to other uses, the impact of office design on productivity, and foreign investment in Denver real estate. The first story was particularly memorable because it showed how a solution was sought to fix a problem plaguing numerous developers around the country—providing parking now with designs for conversion later. The writer used memorable statistics about mass transit, Uber, and ultimately self-driving cars.”
Honorable Mention Winner: Carla Passino, Freelance Writer, Forbes.com and Country Life, Time Inc.
Comment on Honorable Mention Winner: “The stories looked at the effect of the Brexit vote on the London commercial real estate market. She noted, in well written and interesting articles, that the vote could result in a loss of jobs and a surplus of office space in the English capital.”
Honorable Mention Winner: J. Scott Trubey, Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Comment on Honorable Mention Winner: “The three stories were on the boom in making movies in Atlanta, the downtown mall at Underground Atlanta, and a rich, local developer, who pumped millions into his mansion and kept creditors at bay. The collection represented three diverse topics and showed the versatility of the writer.”
Category 3: Best Column
Gold Winner: Jim Weiker, Columbus Dispatch
Comment on Gold Winner: “This column revealed a loophole in the Columbus, Ohio, building code that allowed developers to build apartments described as extended stay hotels to avoid rezoning problems. The column was interesting and a strong example of reporting government affairs.”
Silver Winner: Candace Evans, CandysDirt.com
Comment on Silver Winner: “This columnist wrote about people who return for a reunion in homes that they grew up in. It was a timely piece that reflects the feelings of baby boomers for their past.”
Bronze Winner: Kenneth Harney, Washington Post Writers Group
Comment on Bronze Winner: “He showed that those selling homes should beware of real estate agents who ‘buy the listing.’ It surely was an eye-opener for those who expect real estate companies to always have sellers’ best interests in mind. The column was easy to read and highly informative.”
Honorable Mention Winner: Ronda Kaysen, Freelance Writer, The New York Times Comment on Honorable Mention Winner: “This column showed how New York City apartments on popular TV shows did not always mirror reality. It was a delight to read because of the writer’s light touch.”
Category 4: Best Economic Analysis
Gold Winner: Amber Taufen, Inman News
Comment on Gold Winner: “This article showed how the largest expenditure of the National Association of Realtors was for employees’ salaries and some members of the board. The story contained good info graphics and charts to help explain what was written. The reporter made excellent use of documents, such as federal tax form 990.”
Silver Winner: Jonathan O’Connell, The Washington Post
Comment on Silver Winner: “The writer focused on how the Washington, D.C. mayor went about trying to make housing costs more affordable as the population of the area increased. It was a timely topic with good writing that kept readers absorbed to the end of the article.”
Bronze Winner: Kenneth Harney, Washington Post Writers Group
Comment on Bronze Winner: “This piece looked at the drop in demand from new mansions to less expensive and smaller homes. It was a very readable trend story that gathered information from a variety of sources.”
Honorable Mention Winner: Andrea Brambila, Inman News
Comment on Honorable Mention Winner: “The story was about how Re/Max spent $100 million in one year to buy back regional franchise rights and how this was a highly lucrative decision for the company. It could have been a mundane short item, but the reporter turned it into a revealing and in-depth look into a well known real estate franchisor.”
Category 5: Best Interior Design Story
Gold Winner: Mary Beth Breckenridge, Akron Beacon Journal
Comment on Gold Winner: “The writer noted how small, steel, prefabricated homes made in Columbus, Ohio, from 1948 to 1950, are being preserved by people who love to live in them. The piece was lively and informative, with good quotes, and was a pleasure to read.”
Silver Winner: Katherine Salant, Freelance Writer, The Washington Post
Comment on Silver Winner: “The writer wrote about digital printed fabrics, wallpaper, and tiles and told readers about her experiences in making and using them. The reporter clearly has an eye for an interesting story and conveyed her enthusiasm effectively.”
Bronze Winner: Michele Lerner, Freelance Writer, The Washington Post
Comment on Bronze Winner: “This was a story about a suburban Washington tavern that was so loved that a couple who went there bought many of the things inside of it when it closed and recreated it in their basement. This was a well-written piece that showed how some people are willing to spend a lot of money ($120,000) on their ‘caves.’”
Honorable Mention Winner: Alina Dizik, The Wall Street Journal
Comment on Honorable Mention Winner: “How many people have a $100,000 painting in their bathroom? The writer found someone who did and showed how the precious artwork was protected from damage due to heat and moisture and why it was in the bathroom rather than somewhere else in the house. This story sucked in readers because of the strange topic.”
Category 6: No winners
Category 7: Best Architecture Story
Gold Winner: Michele Lerner, Freelance Writer, The Washington Post
Comment on Gold Winner: “The reporter examined how it can be cheaper and quicker to use modular construction when adding to a structure rather than having the space customized. She did a good job of providing information through interviews with ordinary home owners. The quotes were striking.”
Silver Winner: Amanda Abrams, Freelance Writer, The Washington Post
Comment on Silver Winner: “This story looked at how churches were being sold and turned into condos in the Washington, D.C., area. It was a unique look at the District’s gentrification because it focused on religious communities and the interaction between black pastors and developers.”
Bronze Winner: William Morgan, Design New England
Comment on Bronze Winner: “This story focused on a project by a developer to restore a 200-year-old Rhode Island farmstead and adapt it for a family. It was a beautiful combination of reporting and photography.”
Honorable Mention Winner: Seve Kale, Freelance Writer, NewHomeSource
Comment on Honorable Mention Winner: “This story explained what ‘resilient design’ is and how it protects homes from natural and man-made disasters. It was extremely timely, well explained, and highly useful for those building and buying homes.”
Category 8: Best Residential Real Estate Story in a Daily Newspaper
Gold Winner: Harold Bubil, Sarasota Herald-Tribune
Comment on Gold Winner: “This story is about how a sea-level rise in Florida could lead to a real estate disaster. This was a timely and justifiably terrifying real estate story that should make buyers think twice about whether they want to live on the Florida coast. In this much needed story, the reporter noted that architects have forecast that the seas surrounding the state could rise by three feet by the end of the century.”
Silver Winner: Regina Cole, The Boston Globe
Comment on Silver Winner: “This was a comprehensive and informative story pegged to two things: the water problem in Flint, Mich., and the struggles of a Massachusetts family to address lead contamination in their home. It was a cautionary tale for many homeowners around the country.”
Bronze Winner: Candace Jackson, The Wall Street Journal
Comment on Bronze Winner: “This writer noted how some wealthy people buy storage facilities and spend thousands of dollars adding to them with such amenities as kitchens, bathrooms, and basketball courts. It was a highly interesting and well written piece about over-the-top luxury.”
Honorable Mention Winner: Michelle Hofmann, The Los Angeles Times
Comment on Honorable Mention Winner: “If you want to be a real estate agent, you must be prepared to encounter the unexpected. This article featured agents who encountered nude people in homes and one woman who wanted to spend the night in the house and have a bubble bath. And, of course, there were sometimes sticky- fingered visitors. It made for a wonderful and unforgettable read.”
Honorable Mention Winner: Aisha Sultan, The St. Louis Post-Dispatch
Comment on Honorable Mention Winner: “How about writing a ‘love letter’ to a home owner in the hopes of buying a house? In this well written story, the reporter talked about how this off-beat strategy sometimes pays off when trying to buy a home.
Category 9: Best Mortgage or Financial Real Estate Story in a Daily Newspaper Gold Winner: Michele Lerner, Freelance Writer, The Washington Post
Comment on Gold Winner: “The writer showed how a little-known housing voucher program helps low-income families buy homes rather than rent. It was a practical and well explained story that made readers aware of something that they should know about. It performed a real public service.”
Silver Winner: Lorraine Woellert, Politico
Comment on Silver Winner: “In a story written within weeks after the presidential election, the reporter showed how Realtors, bankers, and builders scrambled to save the mortgage interest deduction. The writer did a good job of explaining a political story that most people were probably unaware of and did it in an easily readable form.”
Bronze Winner: Jacob Adelman, The Philadelphia Inquirer
Comment on Bronze Winner: “This explained how former tennis professional Andre Agassi and a California-based financier were buying charter schools and making a substantial profit off of them. The story shed light on the growth in charter-school enrollment and the effect on commercial real estate. The writer deserves credit for coming up with this piece.”
Honorable Mention Winner: Kenneth Harney, Washington Post Writers Group Comment on Honorable Mention Winner: “The writer showed how Fannie Mae and Fannie Mac were using an antiquated credit score model that kept many people from qualifying for a mortgage. It provided a much needed behind-the-scenes look at systems that were using old technology even though newer and better technology was available. Readers were well served by this article.”
Category 10: Best Commercial Real Estate Story in a Daily Newspaper
Gold Winner: Jason Hidalgo, The Reno Gazette-Journal
Comment on Gold Winner: “This was a detailed and interesting story about a family- owned gaming enterprise, which prospered among a group of corporate-owned gaming enterprises, and how it wanted to build a new casino in Reno. But the problem was that the new casino would have no hotel rooms, which bothered city officials because the casino would be near a convention center that was dependent on having nearby places for people to spend the night. The story was well written and informative and showed the pros and cons of the new casino.”
Silver Winner: C.J. Hughes, Freelance Writer, The New York Times
Comment on Silver Winner: “This story reported on a wide-spread trend of outsourcing hospitality (replacing a stay in hospital for one in a hotel) by major hospitals, including the Cleveland Clinic and New York City’s Presbyterian Hospital. This was a result of the aging of baby boomers and their increasing need for medical and surgical care. This has been an underreported and important medical real estate story, and the reporter deserves credit for pursuing it.”
Bronze Winner: Joe Gose, Freelance Writer, The New York Times
Comment on Bronze Winner: “This report was on a genuinely significant mixed-use building project in St. Paul that tied into a new light-rail line connecting the city with nearby Minneapolis. The project and the rail line were a catalyst for further development in the region. A variety of sources were interviewed to present a well rounded and informational piece.”
Honorable Mention Winner: Robyn Friedman, Freelance Writer, The Wall Street Journal
Comment on Honorable Mention Winner: “This story looked at one of the many anticipated ramifications of the Brexit vote—its effect on commercial real estate in Ireland. The reporter found that the vote would benefit the Irish office market as London-based companies opted to relocate to the only other English-speaking country in the EU. It was well written and timely.”
Category 11: Best Small Daily Newspaper Story
Gold Winner: Mary Beth Breckenridge, The Akron Beacon Journal
Comment on Gold Winner: “This writer examined what in Akron may have been a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for homeowners—renting out one’s home for a lot of money to those attending the Republican National Convention in nearby Cleveland. The writer did a good job of pointing out the pros and cons of doing this in a highly informative manner.”
Silver Winner: Carol Hazard, The Richmond Times-Dispatch
Comment on Silver Winner: “This article profiled the co-founder and CEO of CoStar Group, a research and analytic leader for the commercial real estate industry. The story was interesting and informative with good interviews.”
Category 12: Best Weekly Newspaper Story
Gold Winner: Blanca Torres, San Francisco Business Times
Comment on Gold Winner: “This story showed how a housing crisis can develop because affluent cities fight building new homes for low-income people who have no place to live. Good interviews, with interesting quotes, made this piece come alive and pointed out a problem that has been largely ignored.”
Silver Winner: Candace Carlisle, Dallas Business Journal
Comment on Silver Winner: “This reporter scored an important interview with a dynamic young female real estate developer in north Texas who was well known for avoiding the press. The result was a highly interesting picture that brought the person alive for readers for the first time.”
Bronze Winner: Anjali Fluker, The Orlando Business Journal
Comment on Bronze Winner: “This article noted how Orlando was evolving from a third-tier market to one attracting big-money real estate investors. With multi-family sales prices rising, this impacted apartment rents, which affected the younger workforce living in apartments. The story was informative and well researched.”
Category 13: Best Residential, Mortgage or Financial Real Estate Magazine Story, General Circulation
Gold Winner: Mark Maurer, The Real Deal
Comment on Gold Winner: “This was a portrait of a 26-year-old wunderkind in New York City real estate. This interesting story was bolstered by a lot of interviews and details and was very descriptive and explanatory.”
Silver Winner: Daniel DiClerico, Consumer Reports
Comment on Silver Winner: “This writer did a comprehensive examination of the real estate industry that was practical and timely. The article was especially strong in outlining rapidly changing trends.”
Bronze Winner: Aaron Elstein, Crain’s New York Business
Comment on Bronze Winner: “The reporter looked at how a New York City ordinance created and supported a billion dollar industry—scaffolding and sidewalk sheds at building projects. It was a revealing look at how the interplay between government and business can produce a bonanza for the construction industry.”
Category 14: Best Residential Trade Magazine Story
Gold Winner: Samantha Goldberg, Multi-Housing News
Comment on Gold Winner: “This was a revealing look at the needs of homeless veterans and creative approaches for housing programs aimed at addressing them. The writer did an excellent job of demonstrating solutions.”
Silver Winner: E.B. Solomont, The Real Deal
Comment on Silver Winner: “The reporter came up with a way to measure the value of residential real estate firms by analyzing financial statements and other data. It created a highly readable and valuable account.”
Bronze Winner: Marcie Geffner, NewHomeSource
Comment on Bronze Winner: “Should a buyer buy a new home in the early stages of a housing development? The reporter addressed this question, showing the pros and cons in a concise and clear manner.”
Category 15: Best Commercial Trade Magazine Story
Gold Winner: Loretta Clodfelter, Institutional Real Estate Americas
Comment on Gold Winner: “The writer looked at how work may change in the future and the impact this will have on real estate. It was an arresting and dramatic look at the workplace, and the reporter is commended for having the foresight to examine this topic.”
Silver Winner: Ronda Kaysen, Freelance Writer, Architectural Record
Comment on Silver Winner: “The reporter looked at how new federal rules will redefine overtime for real estate architects. The pay issue is one that has not been widely discussed, and the writer brought it to life in a compelling manner.”
Bronze Winner: Will Parker, The Real Deal
Comment on Bronze Winner: “In a great example of enterprise reporting, the writer ranked the twentieth largest New York City residential landlords of rental apartments. The reporter used public documents to compile the data and is to be commended for using them.”
Honorable Mention Winner: Eric Taub, Seniors Housing Business
Comment on Honorable Mention Winner: “This story analyzed the rapid emergence of new robotic technology to help older people do their chores. Among other features, this technology can help reduce older persons’ isolation and possibly lower the cost of some of the services they need. It was a valuable and practical article.”
Category 16: Best Online Residential, Mortgage or Financial Real Estate Story Gold Winner: Konrad Putzier, The Real Deal
Comment on Gold Winner: “This writer examined how developers and brokers lied about the success of their condo projects in New York City and created a distorted picture, which, if not challenged, deceived buyers. The reporter marshaled evidence that showed this was an ongoing problem, and thus the public was extremely well served by this article.”
Silver Winner: Andrea Brambila, Inman News
Comment on Silver Winner: “The writer showed how the federal Fair Housing Act was possibly being used illegally to discriminate against former criminals. She tackled in a clear way the gray areas of enforcement and interpretation of housing law.”
Bronze Winner: Heather Perlberg, Bloomberg News
Comment on Bronze Winner: “This writer looked at the convergence of crowdfunding and house flipping. The article did an excellent job of bringing to life this new trend and the pitfalls of how it could hurt buyers.”
Honorable Mention Winner: Seve Kale, NewHomeSource
Comment on Honorable Mention Winner: “The reporter looked at how some couples getting married were using a registry that resulted in them being given money for a home down payment instead of china and more typical bridal gifts. The story was a light feature outlining a new trend.”
Category 17: Best Online Commercial Real Estate Story
Gold Winner: Mark Maurer, The Real Deal
Comment on Gold Winner: “This is an in-depth look at how the Hasidim have come to dominate Brooklyn’s multi-family real estate market. The writer is to be xcommended for using not only interviews but public documents, such as property records, to provide a compelling and comprehensive report.”
Silver Winner: Sarah Mulholland, Bloomberg News
Comment on Silver Winner: “The story outlined how a legendary stretch of Manhattan’s Fifth Avenue had surprisingly empty storefronts with some retailers leaving because of rapidly rising rents. The article was supplemented by a look at rents historically. The writing was clear and concise and illuminated the problem well.”
Bronze Winner: Tim Trainor, CoStar News
Comment on Bronze Winner: “How can it be ignored what marijuana legalization and medical use of the drug are doing to the real estate industry? This writer examined this phenomenon in an easily readable article.”
Category 18: Best Tweet Collection
Gold Winner: Holden Lewis, Bankrate.com
Comment on Gold Winner: “This tweeter had an arresting collection with a lot of variety laced with genuine news that was practical. The tweets encouraged readers to explore the topics, and the creative use of interesting pictures sucked them in.”
Silver Winner: Ralph Bivins, Realty News Report
Comment on Silver Winner: “A visual buffet of news and features, ranging from office vacancy rates in Houston to the future of the Astrodome, highlighted this entry. The tweeter drew readers’ eyes to the stories.”
Bronze Winner: J. Scott Trubey, The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Comment on Bronze Winner: “Flights, floods, and frauds dominated this collection of tweets. As a result, readers were drawn to this eclectic group of tweets and their stories.”
Category 19: Best Short Blog Post
Gold Winner: Marilyn Kalfus, Orange County Register
Comment on Gold Winner: “This blog post examined the sale of a house after the owner went to prison. There was a lot of information presented in a relatively short space.”
Silver Winner: Katherine Feser, Houston Chronicle
Comment on Silver Winner: “This piece was about a long-time Houston bowling alley that closed suddenly when the owner was locked out after failing to pay the rent. The blog was very informative and obviously touched a chord based on the number of Facebook comments and tweets.”
Category 20: Best Audio or Video Report—Broadcast or Online, Radio or Television
Gold Winner: Valerie Kellogg, Newsday
Comment on Gold Winner: “This video report showed a $5 million home in the Hamptons and gave suggestions for decorating. The reporter did a good job of inviting viewers in for the tour.”
Silver Winner: Nancy Sarnoff, The Houston Chronicle
Comment on Silver Winner: “This is a real estate podcast that started in 2016 with usually one show a week and grew to more than 20,000 downloads. The show is interesting with a variety of content that has ranged from zoning to a book about architecture to the history of Houston neighborhoods. Listeners are well served because of the informative nature of the show.”
Category 21: Best Breaking News Story
Gold Winner: Will Parker, The Real Deal Collaborating with Cezary Podkul and Derek Kravitz, ProPublica
Comment on Gold Winner: “In a breaking news story, the writer gave a riveting examination of how a real estate attorney in a speech advised New York City Realtors
to get rid of rent stabilized tenants by using ‘demolition eviction,’ which was showing the state that new building plans had been approved. This obviously could lead to abuse by landlords. The reporter is to be commended for uncovering this little known loophole.”
Silver Winner: Mark Heschmeyer, CoStar News
Comment on Silver Winner: “This story exemplified enterprise reporting. Pegged to a federal government phase-out of private prisons, the reporter explored the implications of the decision for real estate investors. As part of the reporting, the story exposed the memorable fact that twenty-five percent of the Justice Department budget was used to house federal prisoners.”
Bronze Winner: Jacob Adelman, The Philadelphia Inquirer
Comment on Bronze Winner: “This was a comprehensive narrative on how Philadelphia’s Drexel University was expanding its campus. The detailed story revealed plans for the site with the reporter interviewing all parties involved in the expansion.”
Honorable Mention Winner: Andrea Brambila, Inman News
Comment on Honorable Mention Winner: “This was a complicated story about a court case involving trade secrets ending on the day that it was going to trial; the parties in the case were two big real estate firms, Zillow and Move Inc. The reporter dug into the details and made it understandable for those who might have known little about it.”
Category 22: Best Investigative Report or Investigative Series
Gold Co-Winners: Matthew Goldstein and Alexandra Stevenson, The New York Times
Comment on Gold Winners: “These reporters examined how investors were scooping up houses and selling them to people who could not get a mortgage. The series led to state and federal investigations. The stories were well documented and offered ample evidence of its points.”
Gold Co-Winners: Nicholas Nehamas, Leo Sisti, and Kyra Gurney, The Miami Herald
Comment on Gold Winners: “This was an exhaustive investigation of how wealthy people from abroad bought up property in Miami using shell companies. Part of the “Panama Papers” helped pierce the veil of bank secrecy and the hidden ownership of prime real estate. The series was the result of considerable legwork and good interviews.”
Silver Winner: Fred Schulte, Center for Public Integrity
Comment on Silver Winner: “This series brought to light a foreclosure relief scam by a Brooklyn-based firm that bilked people, including minorities, out of millions. The reporter noted that since 2010 tens of thousands of strapped homeowners had said they were cheated. The story had strong human interest features.”
Bronze Winner: Jacob Adelman, The Philadelphia Inquirer
Comment on Bronze Winner: “The writer examined a legal loophole that allowed buyers and sellers in some of Philadelphia’s largest commercial real estate deals to avoid a transfer fee. As a result of the story, the city council passed legislation to end the problem. The article was easy to understand and made a good use of graphs.”
Category 23: Best Series
Gold Winner: Kathy Orton, Ted Melnik, Darla Cameron, Denise Lu, Kat Downs, Jonathan O’Connell, Emily Badger, and Jim Tankersley, The Washington Post Comment on Gold Winner: “This series was an exhaustive look at how real estate recovered from the housing crisis. One of its key findings was that the recovery exacerbated the gap between the wealthy and everyone else. In addition to data analysis, the reporters relied on the narratives of people affected.”
Silver Winner: Jeff Collins, The Orange County Register
Comment on Silver Winner: “These stories were a groundbreaking look at the federal Section 8 program for low-income people who were renting. The paradox of the program is that Section 8 vouchers are hard to obtain, and sometimes take a long time to obtain, and then it can be difficult to find a landlord who will accept the vouchers. The stories explained clearly the complexities of the problem, illustrating the human impact.”
Bronze Winner: Jon Anderson, CandysDirt.com
Comment on Bronze Winner: “This series showed how Texas’ real estate appraisals differed considerably sometimes from the real values because the state is one of the few in which the true value of property does not have to be disclosed. The writer is to be commended for bringing to light this information.”
Honorable Mention Winner: Camilla McLaughlin, Unique Homes
Comment on Honorable Mention Winner: “This series explored forty-five years of cutting edge amenities in luxury real estate. The historical look was well written and identified short-term trends that the reporter thought were here to stay.”
Category 24: Best Blog
Gold Winner: Kenneth Harney, Freelance Writer, Bert Rodgers Blog
Comment on Gold Winner: “This blogger writes well with a wit, and the informal nature of what is written about will encourage readers to keep reading. A good example is his blog about the experience that Zillow’s CEO had with his company’s Zestimate tool in selling his house.”
Silver Winner: Blanca Torres, San Francisco Business Times
Comment on Silver Winner: “The blogger asked a rhetorical question: Who can afford high-price apartments in San Francisco? The answer was unexpected: a lot of people. By interviewing two separate apartment dwellers, the reader was offered a striking narrative tour of ultra expensive dwellings.”
Bronze Winner: Patricia Garcia, NewHomeSource
Comment on Bronze Winner: “This was a comprehensive and complete guide for homeowners that focused on contemporary trends in home design, such as ‘snore rooms’ and smart-home technology. The blog touched on a variety of subjects that would be of interest to anyone who owns a home.”
Category 25: Best International Real Estate Story
Gold Winner: Phillip Molnar, San Diego Union-Tribune
Comment on Gold Winner: “This story examined a residential building boom in Tijuana and its impact on nearby San Diego. It was a good example of enterprise reporting considering that Mexico does not have extensive open records laws.”
Silver Winner: Jon Anderson, CandysDirt.com
Comment on Silver Winner: “This article showed how non-citizens can buy the most expensive real estate in Bermuda but everything below that can only be purchased by citizens. The story was interesting and informal, which clearly drew in readers.”
Bronze Winner: Carla Passino, Country Life, Time Inc.
Comment on Bronze Winner: “The writer pointed out the cities in Europe that were winners as a result of the Brexit vote. This was a good angle rather than focusing like most journalists on the uncertainty following the vote.”
Category 26: Best Team Report
Gold Winner: Katherine Clarke and E.B. Solomont, The Real Deal
Comment on Gold Winner: “The story illustrated the ways that anti-money laundering laws have fallen short, which has resulted in making New York City a mecca for using illegal funds in real estate. The investigation carefully examined the reasons for this problem. In one of the contest’s stronger stories, the writers effectively used legwork and interviews along with court documents.”
Silver Winner: Tom Demeropolis and Chris Wetterich, Cincinnati Business Courier Comment on Silver Winner: “The reporting on the story used a combination of texts, graphics, and analysis to explain the effect of a new streetcar line on real estate development in Cincinnati. It represented an enormous amount of research into property records and development decisions.”
Bronze Winner: Will Parker, Cezary Podkul, and Derek Kravitz, The Real Deal Comment on Bronze Winner: “The writers detailed how strategic donations from real estate developers to state politicians in New York helped protect their $1.4 billion tax break. It was an extensive report that resulted from combing through campaign donation reports and other public records. The public was extremely well served by the article.”
Honorable Mention Winner: J. Scott Trubey and Katie Leslie, The Atlanta Journal- Constitution
Comment on Honorable Mention Winner: “The reporters looked at the effect of a new sports stadium for the Atlanta Falcons on surrounding neighborhoods. Their goal was to determine if nearby residents would be displaced as they had been for another stadium in the past. The story provided historical context through extensive interviews.”
Category 27: Best Design, Home or Shelter Magazine
Gold Winner: Elizabeth Chang, The Washington Post
Comment on Gold Winner: “The content and design of the magazine provided a great variety for readers. From looking at elaborate labyrinths in yards to a beautiful home with only one accent color, this entry was both inviting visually and useful in content. Beautiful graphics lured in the reader.”
Silver Winner: Gail Ravgiala, Design New England
Comment on Silver Winner: “Because of its location serving six states in the northeast, this magazine combines a look at historic designs with an eye toward current and future trends. Its piece on public spaces was particularly compelling as was the great use of color photography.”
Category 28: Best Residential Trade Magazine
Gold Winner: Matt Power, Green Builder
Comment on Gold Winner: “This is an impressive trade magazine in a burgeoning field of green development. The magazine offers snappy design, timely reporting, and a host of stories that alert its audience to new technologies.”
Silver Winner: Jill Noonan, Stuart W. Elliott, Steve Krupinski, Wally Konefal, Victoria Tuturice, Elizabeth Kim, and Amir Korangy, The Real Deal
Comment on Silver Winner: “This magazine has a variety of well written and well edited stories that focus on very diverse topics. The writers are given a lot of room to develop their articles, and sumptuous illustrations and graphics supplement them.”
Bronze Winner: Paul Rosta, Multi-Housing News
Comment on Bronze Winner: “This publication offers a variety of stories from apartment design to foreign equity investments. It is well designed, uses attractive color photographs, and is interesting.”
Category 29: Best Commercial Trade Magazine
Gold Winner: Damian Ghigliotty, Stuart W. Elliott, Jill Noonan, Steve Krupinski, Wally Konefal, Elizabeth Kim, Victoria Tuturice, and Amir Korangy, The Real Deal Comment on Gold Winner: “This was genuine journalism of a very high quality that digs beyond the surface. Stories included money laundering in real estate and the involvement of Chinese-Americans in the New York real estate market.”
Silver Winner: Sule Aygoren, Paul Bubny, and Nicholas Koutoufas, Real Estate Forum
Comment on Silver Winner: “This collection was paced by a strong issue devoted to innovation centers as the next big thing in commercial real estate. The periodical has a variety of topics and appeals to a diverse readership.”
Bronze Winner: Matt Valley, Seniors Housing Business
Comment on Bronze Winner: “This magazine deals with a variety of issues of concern to developers and operators of housing for older persons. It has a broad range of articles and a spiffy design.”
Category 30: Best Newsletter
Gold Winner: Carol Johnson Perkins, Fair Housing Coach
Comment on Gold Winner: “This is a niche real estate newsletter on a vital topic in today’s legal environment. The informative copy is enlivened by a clean, fresh design”
Silver Winner: Leigh Kamping-Carder, The Wall Street Journal
Comment on Silver Winner: “This is a neat package of stories that cue readers to what are called the new Silicon cities of the U.S. Articles offer an intriguing potpourri of news and developments in real estate.”
Bronze Winner: Elena Misonzhnik, David Bodamer, Diana Bell, and Kathy McGilvery, National Real Estate Investor
Comment on Bronze Winner: “This newsletter has a nice design and quality writing with a mix of the practical and the informational. It does a good job of catering to its audience and knows its interests and concerns.”
Category 31: Best Newspaper Real Estate or Home Section
Gold Winner: Marilyn Kalfus, Jeff Collins, Jonathan Lansner, and Samantha Gowen, The Orange County Register
Comment on Gold Winner: “This is a nicely laid out section with a lot of stories and helpful information relating to real estate. The writing is interesting and the photography adds tremendously to the stories.”
Silver Winner: Emily Gitter and Beth DeCarbo, The Wall Street Journal
Comment on Silver Winner: “The Mansion section shows an enormous range of topics, locales, and personalities along with high quality photography. It makes for a top notch presentation and the writing is lively.”
Bronze Winner: Paul Weideman, Santa Fe New Mexican
Comment on Bronze Winner: “It has exceptional reporting on real estate in the Santa Fe area. Its regular columns would be of particular interest to both home owners and those seeking homes in the area.”
Honorable Mention Winner: Kathy Orton, The Washington Post
Comment on Honorable Mention Winner: “This section is an appealing mix of serious reporting on real estate mixed with outstanding photographs and other design elements. A particularly notable story was about the conversion of churches into condos.”
Category 32: Best Web Site
Gold Winner: Leigh Kamping-Carder, The Wall Street Journal
Comment on Gold Winner: “This web site offers a very broad range of topics, locales, and personalities. Yet it is a clean design and not cluttered. It is very inviting to the eye.”
Silver Winner: Bob Moser, Julie Anderson, and Laura Kinsler, GrowthSpotter Comment on Silver Winner: “This is a broad spectrum report on real estate development in central Florida. It covers not only residential and commercial real estate but also retail. It is a high-value guide to one of the nation’s fastest growing regions.”
Bronze Winner: Candy Evans, CandysDirt.com
Comment on Bronze Winner: “This is a professional but sprightly report on the Dallas area and the north Texas real estate market. The tone is equally inviting to the real estate professional and the casual browser.”
