One of the nicest people I have met in the business once made the comment that she felt continuing education requirements were a waste of time.  She said there was nothing to learn, and she meant it.  Sadly, many people choose a real estate salesperson with little criteria other than personality. It sort of works.  When something goes bad in a transaction, being really pleasant to the agent on the other side and asking for help will often get them to handle the issue.  The client will never know.

I would rather justify their high expectations, but that would take an image change, but I don't think that that's part of the association's agenda.  Interesting episode on Modern Family (rerun) last night.  Phil the REALTOR was having trouble selling a house that was the scene of a murder.  His daughter started a social media marketing company, and she got scores of potential buyers to the open house.  She told her father that her company would expect a percentage of the commission, and he did not refuse the request.  With a spokesman like Phil, there will never be an expectation of excellence.