Doctors sit at +43 net trust. Politicians at −48. REALTORS®? Not even on the list.
This started as a post on my social channels on Wednesday. Here's that version, with a bit more of my take.
What Ipsos actually ranked
Ipsos just ranked the most and least trusted professions for 2026 across 31 countries. Health and knowledge jobs lead: doctors (+43), scientists (+42) and teachers (+37). Ad execs (−26), government ministers (−37), social media influencers (−44) and politicians (−48) sit at the bottom.
A few quick notes on how it works, so the numbers make sense:
- Net trust is the share of people who say a profession is trustworthy, minus the share who say it's untrustworthy. So +43 is a 43-point lead for trust, not "43% of people trust doctors."
- The survey covered 23,537 adults online in 31 countries, from June 19 to July 3, 2026, and the scores are an equal-weight average of those countries.
- In the middle of the pack: lawyers land at exactly 0 (trust and distrust are even), and bankers and journalists both sit at −10.
Here's the twist: we're not on the list
Estate agents and REALTORS® aren't in the Ipsos Global Trustworthiness Index at all. There's no score for us, and I'm not going to make one up.
So I'm asking you.
If you had to drop REALTORS® onto this chart, where would we land? Closer to teachers (+37), lawyers (0), bankers (−10), or influencers (−44)?
Be honest. I've got thick skin. And if you've had a great (or rough) experience with an agent in Greater Vancouver, say why. That feedback matters more than any poll.
My take as a realtor in Greater Vancouver
I've been licensed since 2020 and I've lived in Greater Vancouver for 28 years. I know our industry doesn't always have the cleanest reputation, and some of that is earned. Trust isn't something a job title gives you. It comes from how you treat people, one client at a time.
What I notice is that the professions near the top of this list are the ones people see showing up, explaining things plainly and putting the person in front of them first. That's the bar I try to hold myself to, whether I'm helping someone buy in the Tri-Cities, BC or helping a newcomer find a rental before they land.
What this means for you
Whatever number you'd give REALTORS® as a group, what really matters is the one agent you actually hire. A few simple ways to check:
- Ask how they get paid and who pays them, before you sign anything. A good agent will explain it in plain language.
- Check that they're licensed with the BC Financial Services Authority (BCFSA), and ask which brokerage they're with.
- Ask for the downsides, too. If someone only tells you what you want to hear about a home, a building or a rental, that's a flag.
- Talk to a few people. Interviewing two or three agents is normal, and the right fit should feel easy to talk to.
If you're thinking about buying, here's how I help buyers in Greater Vancouver and the Tri-Cities, BC. If you're renting or moving here from somewhere else, see my rental search help for tenants and my guide to relocating to Greater Vancouver.
Where would you rank REALTORS®? Send me a number or a short take. I'd genuinely like to hear it.