Stephen Ault - Realtor at Premier Sotheby's International Realty

09/23/2026

What if we stopped looking at credit simply as a way to borrow money and started understanding how to use it as a tool to build wealth?

Ali and I are back in Irvine, California for the SmartCredit conference, and this is always one of those trips that gets my wheels turning.

We love coming here because of the people. We get the opportunity to connect with some of the top credit professionals from around the country, exchange ideas, learn what is changing, and have conversations that go far beyond a credit score.

And this year, those conversations connect directly to a project I’ve become incredibly passionate about.

I’m working on bringing together professionals from different areas of finance, credit, lending, investing and real estate to help people better understand something I believe is often missing from traditional financial education:

How do you actually use credit strategically to build wealth?

My piece of that conversation is real estate.

I want to educate people on how strong credit can create opportunities in real estate, but also why buying a property is only the beginning.

We’ll talk about understanding leverage. Financing investment properties. Building equity. Evaluating cash flow. Using rental income. Understanding debt versus productive debt. Growing from a primary residence into investment properties. And eventually, how strategies such as 1031 exchanges can potentially help investors continue building a real estate portfolio.

Most importantly, I want to help people understand that you don’t necessarily need to start wealthy to begin building wealth through real estate. You need education, a strategy, the right financial foundation and the right professionals around you.

That is what excites me about this project.

Credit professionals. Lenders. Financial professionals. Real estate advisors. Investors.

Different areas of expertise coming together around one mission: giving people practical education they can actually use.

There is still a lot more to come on this, and I’m excited to share it as it develops.

For now, we’re enjoying Irvine, learning from some incredibly talented people, building relationships and thinking a whole lo

09/21/2026

The Venice Pier offers some amazing shots for photographs.

09/14/2026

Everyone talks about the beaches in Venice… but THIS is one of the reasons I love Venice Island. 🌴

Sometimes the best parts of a community aren’t the things that show up in the listing photos.

It’s the places you discover once you actually live here.
The mature trees. The shade. The quiet. The ability to slow down for a few minutes and realize you’re surrounded by a part of Florida that still has so much character.

That’s what I love about Venice Island.

Yes, we have incredible beaches, restaurants, shops and a beautiful downtown, but it’s these little pockets tucked away throughout the island that give Venice its personality.

And that’s a big part of what I want to do as The Show Me Man.

Not just show you houses.
Show you the lifestyle.
Show you the neighborhoods.
Show you the places you probably wouldn’t find on your own.

Because when you’re thinking about moving to Florida, you’re not just choosing a home.

You’re choosing what you want everyday life to feel like.

📍 Venice Island | Venice, Florida

Thinking about making Venice or Southwest Florida home? Let me show you around.

Stephen Ault | The Show Me Man
Premier Sotheby’s International Realty
📱 513.368.8569

09/07/2026

One day, you’ll have plenty of time… but they won’t be little anymore.

I’ve learned that one of the best investments I can ever make isn’t in a house, a business, or a bank account.

It’s in memories with my family.

Trips. Beach days. Theme parks. Random adventures. Saying “yes” when it would be easier to stay home.

Because childhood has an expiration date.

There will come a day when they have their own schedules, their own careers, their own families and their own lives. And I don’t want to look back and wish I had worked a little less, worried a little less, and experienced a little more.

So don’t be afraid to spend money making memories.

Be afraid of having the money someday… and realizing you missed the moments you can never buy back.

Take the trip.
Go to the beach.
Book the adventure.
Put the phone down.
Be present.

They probably won’t remember every gift you bought them.

But they’ll remember how it felt when you were there. ❤️

And someday, those memories may be some of the most valuable things we leave them.

07/07/2026

As a dad, there are moments that quietly stop you in your tracks.

Tonight, I looked over and saw my daughter sitting alone, watching the sun slowly disappear beneath the horizon. No phone. No distractions. No conversation. Just her... taking in God's incredible masterpiece and sitting with her own thoughts.

In a world that constantly demands our attention, there's something incredibly powerful about learning to simply be still.

She's on the doorstep of becoming a teenager, and I couldn't be more proud of the young woman she's becoming. She's kind, thoughtful, compassionate, and has a heart that continues to amaze me. Watching her embrace a moment of peace instead of chasing constant entertainment reminded me that some of life's greatest lessons are found in the quiet.

The sunsets will eventually fade. Childhood passes far too quickly. But I hope she always remembers to make time to pause, reflect, appreciate the beauty around her, and never lose the ability to find joy in the simple moments.

I love you more than you'll ever know, sweetheart. Keep chasing sunsets, dreaming big, and never stop appreciating the beauty that God has placed in this world. ❤️🌅

06/30/2026

Let's make this your dream too! Life's short. Live where you used to vacation.

06/09/2026

Failure is necessary for growth!

06/06/2026

Make your time count.

06/04/2026

💰 Investors, Sarasota May Be Hiding Opportunities in Plain Sight.

Over the past several weeks, I've been helping a high-net-worth client identify replacement properties for a 1031 Exchange here in Southwest Florida. What we've uncovered has been eye-opening.

While many investors are sitting on the sidelines waiting for the "perfect" market, there are currently opportunities in Sarasota, Siesta Key, Longboat Key, Anna Maria Island, and surrounding areas that simply weren't available a few years ago.

We're seeing:

✔️ Sellers becoming more negotiable
✔️ Strong vacation rental demand in the right locations
✔️ Luxury properties with impressive income potential
✔️ Unique opportunities to improve cash flow through strategic acquisitions
✔️ Inventory levels creating options that investors haven't enjoyed in quite some time

The key is knowing which properties truly perform and which ones only look good on paper.

Every week, I'm analyzing rental projections, occupancy trends, cap rates, and market data for clients looking to maximize returns while owning a piece of paradise in Southwest Florida. Some of the opportunities I've reviewed recently have been surprisingly attractive, even for seasoned investors.

One of the things I love most about being part of Sotheby's International Realty is the trust we have in one another across the country.

Recently, an amazing fellow Sotheby's agent in New York referred this high-net-worth client to me to help him find these opportunities. No matter where you're looking, I've got you covered

With increased inventory, motivated sellers, and strong rental demand in the right locations, there are opportunities today that many investors may be overlooking.

The key isn't just finding a property—it's finding one that truly performs.

If you've considered a 1031 Exchange, adding to your portfolio, or purchasing an income-producing vacation property, now may be the time to have a conversation.

📞 Reach out to The Show Me Man and let me show you what's really happening in today's market. The best opportunities aren't always the ones everyone sees online.

Your next investment could generate income today and become tomorrow's waterfro

05/15/2026

📍 Reduced Price 📍 This recently reduced home at 1749 Sandalwood Drive in Sarasota won't last long, so, don't wait to set up a showing! Reach out here or at (513) 368-8569 for more information!

Stephen Ault - Luxury Real Estate Advisor
[email protected]
513.368.8569

Tucked in the waterfront enclave of Southpointe Shores, 1749 Sandalwood Drive is a refined expression of coastal elegance and modern sophistication in a rare private compound estate in one of Sarasotas exclusive and premier waterfront communities. Positioned just moments from the world-renowned b...