Over the holidays, my parents both ended up in the hospital. My mother came home on New Year's Eve and my step-dad passed away January 4, 2015. During that time, I was in and out of the hospital constantly. In certain areas of the hospital you cannot receive emails, texts or calls. It's not specifically forbidden by the hospital, but it's more of a reception issue.
During those two weeks, I received dozens of calls, emails and texts while out of touch with the digital world. I also left my phone in the car when I was dealing with critical family issues during those days. That time also included a high volume of missed calls, texts and emails.
Here's the rub. Many of those who were trying to contact me automatically took the offensive assuming I was ignoring them. Comments like, "I've responded to all of your texts. Why are you ignoring mine!" "Did you forgot about me?" "Why don't you call me back?" "We've done everything you want. What else can we do?" "Get back with me ASAP!" "My client is going to walk if you don't answer right now."
I could have set up some kind of blanket message saying, "My father is dying. I'll get back to as soon as he's pronounced dead." Setting up an "out of the office" message was the further-est thing from my mind while I was watching my dad slip away.
Friends, in a moment of crisis like that, text messages, emails and phone calls 
really aren't that important. If a home inspection request wasn't answered with 24 hours, get over it. I know we have dates and times on contracts. I can't imagine a court in the land would enforce a few hours off here or there in a moment of family crisis. I know people like to be in the know about anything and everything, but sometimes, circumstances overwhelm dates and times.
It isn't always a "higher than thou" agent ignoring a text, email or call. Why don't we start out 2015 by giving our colleagues the benefit of the doubt? If you're calling an agent in large office, you can always call the desk and ask if the agent is OK? I had a listing agent two years ago that wasn't responding to calls, texts or emails. She had been very responsive before. I called her office and found that her sister died, her husband had been admitted to the hospital because of a heart attack and she was sick. I explained to my client that we might have to wait a few days for information. No problem.
Don't assume anything. Sure, there are agents who are jerks, but most agents are just trying to make a living by doing the best they can. Be patient, gracious and expect the best. If you do, you'll be surprised at how forgiving others will be toward you when you need a little extra consideration.
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