
                         THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
                 Copyright (c) 1994, Landmark Communications, Inc.

DATE: SATURDAY, June 25, 1994                    TAG: 9406210013 
SECTION: FRONT                     PAGE: A10    EDITION: FINAL  
SOURCE: Short 
DATELINE: 940625                                 LENGTH:

CLOSING NOT PAINFUL

{LEAD} Regarding ``For most, the pleasure is in getting it over with'' (BusinessNews, June 8): Your article leaves the impression that it is normal for a first-time home buyer to take three months of harrowing, hectic work to close on a home. This does your readers a disservice.

There may be mitigating circumstances, but the usual closing takes about six weeks after loan application. Essential to a smooth process is a well-qualified and caring real-estate agent, a loan officer with a good record in an established company and the services of an attorney experienced in real-estate work.

BARBARA W. FULP, Realtor

Norfolk, June 8, 1994 by CNB