Counselor,
It seems pretty clear that using years is fairly useful in a broad sort of way.Perhaps that is assuming too much? It might depend on how familiar one is with the past appreciation and what ones goals are.I very clearly pointed out that 2004 was a year of tremendous change from jan-dec. If you want to make intra year comparisions of specific properties that seems like a different topic to me. I can give you an example of a listing that would have sold for 575k in a day in July 04, didn’t get a nibble in Sept /Oct of same year at 485k and sold march 2005 for the 575k. So What? Going back pre 2003 is hugely meaningful as to what appreciation would be wiped out even compared to 2004. Going from 2003 to 1997 has similiar effect. That should be clear. Going from peak back to 1997 we are talking serious drama as well as horrendous consequences to “equity”.