Dealing with Internet Bullies in Real Estate: How We Handle Online Negativity

There's a side of real estate that doesn't get talked about much—and it's not contracts, appraisals, or showings. It's the internet. Specifically, the negativity that sometimes comes with putting yourself out there online as a realtor. When you're active on social media or YouTube, you're opening a door not only to connect with clients and share helpful content, but unfortunately, also to the occasional internet bully.

It's wild to think about the energy some people spend online being cruel. Sometimes I imagine them sitting in a dark room with blue light glasses, just waiting for the next video to tear apart. But the truth is, it's often not that dramatic. A lot of the time, it's thoughtless. People scrolling quickly, dropping comments without thinking about the real human on the other side of the screen.

I've experienced it firsthand. We created a video about the top three reasons to move to Murrieta, California. In it, I mentioned the traffic being lighter than places like Los Angeles—which is true, by the way. But the comment section? You'd think I insulted someone’s grandmother. And then there was the gem who decided to comment, “This fat chick needs to shut up.” Really?

First of all, I’m not out here trying to be an influencer or model—I’m a working mom and a realtor. After two kids in two years, I actually think I look pretty dang good. But comments like that? They're not just rude, they’re unnecessary. I’m not here for it. And you know what? You don’t have to be either.

The negativity doesn't stop with appearance. There are comments saying I gave “no value” on certain videos—even when the content clearly didn’t require me to speak much because we were featuring another expert. Instead of constructive feedback, it’s just cruelty for cruelty’s sake.

It’s easy to forget, especially online, that everyone is going through something. Everyone is already their own worst critic. So when someone takes time to make a video—whether it’s about real estate, makeup, parenting, or food—and people jump straight to criticism, it can be really disheartening.

That’s why I’ve made it a habit to read rude comments, type out a response… then delete both. Not worth the energy. I delete the comment, block the person, and move on. Because those aren’t the people I’m here for.

There’s a saying—something about honey catching more flies than vinegar. My mom always reminded me that kindness goes further than bitterness. And while a little sass can be fun, there’s a big difference between being witty and being cruel.

Let’s also not forget the kids growing up with social media right now. We've all dealt with insecurities. But they’re getting real-time feedback from strangers online, and that can be incredibly damaging—especially when people say things like “you look like Dobby the elf” on a video where someone is literally asking for help to feel prettier. That breaks my heart.

Despite all this, the good does outweigh the bad. For every hateful comment, there are people who reach out to say, “Thank you,” “This was helpful,” or “I’d love to work with you.” For every one-star mystery review on Google, there are dozens of clients who leave glowing testimonials. That’s the stuff I hold onto.

So if you’re dealing with online negativity in your own business—or even just in life—remember: you’re not alone, you’re not crazy, and you’re definitely not obligated to keep toxic people around. Block them, move on, and keep doing your thing.

And if you're curious about how we handle it in real estate—or just want to see some of the videos that sparked these experiences—check out our YouTube episode of The Dark Side of Real Estate.

If you have questions about real estate or this topic in general, feel free to reach out to us at Hardy Realtors. We’re here to help, whether it’s buying a home or navigating the messy parts of being online in today’s world.

Let’s lead with kindness, always.

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