In May, homes in Venice sold faster than throughout Sarasota and Manatee counties, taking an average of 151 days to sell, 16.1 percent quicker than 12 months ago, according to information provided by the Re/Max Alliance Group.

Currently, only 983 homes in this area are on the market, compared to almost 4,000 in the same month of 2007, according to the latest home sales statistics released by Venice Area Board of Realtors. The available inventory in May 2007 was at 24.3 months; now it is down to a mere 3.7 months.