‘Not funny’: Real estate agent slammed over tent picture

A real estate agent is under fire after uploading a photo of a tent pitched in a local park with multiple laughing emojis.

A real estate agent has come under fire after asking people how they would market a tent pitched in a Queensland park that appeared to be lived in.

Mackay real estate agent Tanya Ruggeri posted a series of photos to her Facebook account on June 1 with the caption: “Tell me how you would market this.”

Ms Ruggeri encouraged users to caption the photo, adding three laughing emojis, but later deleted the post following backlash given the housing crisis.

Users commented that the post was “not funny at all” and as a real estate agent Ms Ruggeri “should know how hard families are doing”.

A post asking people to ‘market” a tent stirred backlash online. Picture: Facebook

Far from backing down, Ms Ruggeri replied “you are an insulting bully. F.U” and liked a comment suggesting people “get a hair cut and a real job”.

“We all have 24 hours in a day. It is what we do with it,” she went on to say in response to another post, as reported by the Cairns Post.

“I pay incredible amounts of rates every year. I build housing every year for the homeless.

Mackay real estate agent Tanya Ruggeri says she works hard for her money. Picture: Facebook

“I work hard for my money and never have I bludged off the government or live free on any government.”

Ms Ruggeri claimed she had been trying to draw attention to “this homeless person (who) needs shelter, food, and care”.

But, in a short phone call with the Daily Mercury, she said no one had been living in the tent and allegedly threatened legal action.

While some commentators played along with the post or defended her, it comes at a time of renewed focus on the difficulties many face in securing accommodation.

Ms Ruggeri defended the post on the Mackay Noticeboard. Picture: Facebook

She claimed to be drawing attention to the issue of homelessness. Picture: Facebook

Homelessness advocacy groups and the Mackay local council estimated there were more than 70 people sleeping rough in early-2024.

Ms Ruggeri has been a real estate agent for 23 years according to her website and is an “international best seller” after publishing a self-help book.

Her social media account includes photoshopped images aside reviews by Ms Ruggeri’s clients who call her “extremely professional” and trustworthy.

Ms Ruggeri has been contacted for comment.

Originally published as ‘Not funny’: Real estate agent slammed over tent picture