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If you're shopping for a mortgage, these changes to Fannie Mae's rules could help you.

Fannie Mae is a government-sponsored organization that rose out of the ashes of the Great Depression with a mandate to help low-tomaderate-income borrowers find a mortgage. While that basic mandate hasn't changed, Fannie Mae made some significant updates in 2017 to its rules and guidelines.

1. Loan limits have gone up (finally) - For the first time since 2006, Fannie Mae raised its standard loan limit.

2. HARP has been replaced - The Home Affordable Refinancing Program, which has been Fannie Mae's refinance program since 2009, has been replaced by a new program that should make it considerably easier for homeowners to qualify for a refi.

3. Student loan guidelines have made it easier for borrowers to qualify

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