Despite being in the middle of the slow season, August was an exciting month for property sellers in Venice, with an average price increase of almost 8 percent compared to the previous year. In addition, residential sales were at a seven-year high, according to information provided this week by the Venice Area Board of Realtors

Sales totaled 185 properties last month compared to 148 last year, 96 in 2010, 125 in 2009, 83 in 2008, 123 in 2007 and 112 in 2006.