For generations, home equity has been the holy grail of wealth accumulation for families. In 2007, the median family held nearly $100,000 in home equity, according to the Fed’s Survey of Consumer Finances. Home equity was responsible for nearly three quarters of family wealth. However, that’s all in the past.
http://money.usnews.com/money/blogs/my-money/2012/10/02/why-home-equity-isnt-worth-buying-a-home