You should be able to sell the house you just bought, and either break even, or make money.   Several things can make that happen:

Buy low, sell high.   

Negotiate the real estate commission.  Just make sure that the MLS co-op/split to selling offices is a good number.

Don't pay Buyer closing costs.  Don't let anyone tell you, "In Tallahassee, the Seller customarily pays Doc Stamps, WDO Inspection, or whatever."  All costs are negotiable.  Put them on the Buyer.  If Buyer's Lender requires you the Seller to pay some fee, then pad it into the sales price.

Yes they do.

I have lived it and witnessed it my entire life.

My family did. I have. My clients have.

I also, I've kept my homes on average for 14 years.

Most of my non-military clients have for at least 8 years. I take issue with the 4 year stat for non-military owners.

Excellent question for discussion. A minimum of 5 years is necessary just to recapture costs when selling this we know. Exception apply and are unique to individual circumstance. Long term hold is a proven. Everything in between remains fascinating. Do we trade-up? Hold? Rent it out? Have fun

The numbers never add up 

NAR says 12% move annually, but that doesn’t play out in our local Market

I would say yes the way the market has gone up in the last 4 years in the Denver area.

Perhaps not all homeowners however I suspect many do. 

Then again, perhaps we need to define "wealth" in this context.

Yes. 

As of Q22020, the average is around eight years. This is a big increase of only four years between 2000 – 2009.

As of 2018, the median duration of homeownership in the U.S. is 13.3 years. However, homeowners in some cities have moved more recently—or more frequently—than groups in the rest of the country. We looked at the data to give you an idea of how long people in different cities tend to stay in their homes.

Interesting, my average length of time is way longer than even the new 10 year level.  It has made all of the difference in building wealth for us.  The last 10 years have been incredible.

I don't think that 4 years is correct. 

It's a proven fact. Can't believe you sell RE & don't believe this.

DELETE YOUR OTHER DUPLICATE QUESTION.

It depends on where the home is, Peter Mohylsky. Broker Associate. Here in the San Francisco Bay Area, values and, thus, homeowner's equity has been rocketing upwards for several years.

Homes in my neighborhood are now selling for well over twice what they were selling for in 2013.

I've made a lot of money selling every 2 to 3 years for 50 years.

The longer they keep the property the sooner they'll realize what real estate can do for their botton line. In this instance wealth is a relative term.

It depends on the market and the time.  My client bought a home last year and it has increased about $60k today.

I certainly never have! Only lost money once and broke even or made a little bit on the others. That said, on the investment side was much more successful.

well my parents are on year 48 so they throw the average way off.  Me 19.  

It depends on the State and location within each State.  Here in California it doesn't take long in a good market to build wealth.  In Michigan, not so much.

Some are strategic with these things, most are not.

My wife and I built are house 32 years ago, not planning on moving, but when that day comes, depending on who's in office if you know what I mean. It will be bank.