The position of the Ombudsman – so to say is that of the ‘Third Umpire’ in financial dispute resolution – being quasi-judicial, comes with authority and independence. Clearly authority and independence are synonymous with responsibility and objectivity. Accordingly, Ombudsman should remain mindful of their conduct and behaviour, as also the quality of their decisions.
Tentative signs have begun to emerge that the housing market may be stabilizing. Home sales appear to have flattened out since midyear, mortgage applications have been increasing, and consumers' perceptions of homebuying conditions, as reported in the Michigan survey, have improved.