According to Lawrence Yun, chief economist for the National Association of Realtors, the number of existing homes for sale is expected to remain stable through the first half of the year with a gradual rise in home sales expected for the second half of the year. His forecast is based on several factors. The Pending Homes Sales Index, an indicator of future closed sales, remained stable in January. Higher loan limits for FHA and conventional loans will provide greater access to lower interest rates. FHA loan limits have increased in the Metro Atlanta area to $346,250 and in the Western North Carolina area including Haywood and Buncombe counties to $303,750. Additionally, conventional interest rates are expected to hover around 5.8% through the remainder of the year with a gradual increase in 2009.