Expectations were high for both JPMorgan Chase (JPM +1.03%) and Wells Fargo (WFC +0.82%) heading into the first quarter. The real estate market by all accounts was healing. New home starts and median home prices were both up significantly in 2012 and showing signs of an accelerating positive trend.
However, both banks -- the two largest mortgage lenders in the U.S. -- left the markets disappointed in the first quarter. Since then, the macro conditions have continued to improve, making expectations for the second quarter even higher. In the video below, Motley Fool contributor Jay Jenkins discusses the real estate market and the implications for mortgage lenders as we approach second-quarter earnings.
