Those who bought homes in 2012 have increased equity by a collective $203 billion.

Those who bought a home in 2012 have earned a median $141,000 in equity in the years since. The 261% increase discovered in an analysis by Redfin means that 2012’s cohort of buyers have increased by a collective $203 billion thanks to their decision to buy when prices were in their post-recession trough. With an average $54,000 in equity at purchase and $110,000 increase since, a typical buyer would now have $195,000 in equity. This is based on a median-priced home increasing from $210,000 in 2012 to an estimated $320,000 this month. 

"The opportunity to build wealth through home equity when prices hit their low point was available only to a fortunate subset of Americans who had enough cash for a downpayment," said Redfin chief economist Daryl Fairweather. He added that those who are waiting in the wings, hoping to buy a home when the next recession hits, probably won't be as lucky as buyers were in 2012. “Even if home prices do come down slightly, the housing market won't be impacted nearly as much as it was during the Great Recession and home equity gains won't be nearly as big," he said. 

Source: Redfin

Note that it appears the principal paydown of their loans were not figured into the equation. Thus, the actual equity gained would be much higher.