Joe Dlugosz - Stark Company Realtors

06/18/2026

Went to new location yesterday and the food was great! I can't tell you how long I've been looking for a place with a good crispy noodle dish, and they crushed it. Crab rangoon was also fantastic. Already can't wait to go back.

06/18/2026

How to Make Your Home Look Move-In Ready
Most sellers focus on price, but buyers are making a different calculation when they walk through your door. They're asking whether the home feels like somewhere they could actually live. That answer forms fast, often before they've made it past the entryway. So the question worth asking before you list...

Most sellers focus on price, but buyers are making a different calculation when they walk through your door. They're asking whether the home feels like somewhere they could actually live. That answer forms fast, often before they've made it past the entryway. So the question worth asking before...

06/18/2026

It is just about a 30 minute trip from Madison to Blue Mounds State Park. The two towers at the park offer incredible views of the horizon to the east and the west. There's a pool. There is an incredible air conditioned shelter with better WiFi than my house. We stopped at the Dog House in Mt. Horeb on the way home, too, for ice cold beers.

06/16/2026

How to Maintain Decks and Patios for Long-Term Use
Your outdoor living space is worth protecting. Whether you have a wood deck, a composite platform, or a poured concrete patio, neglect tends to compound quickly. A small crack ignored now can become a serious repair bill later. The good news? Most of what keeps these spaces in good shape is straightforward...

Your outdoor living space is worth protecting. Whether you have a wood deck, a composite platform, or a poured concrete patio, neglect tends to compound quickly. A small crack ignored now can become a serious repair bill later. The good news? Most of what keeps these spaces in good shape is...

06/16/2026

Just a quick walk down the street and you can relax in one of the many parks that are easily accessible by foot, bike, car or most another wheeled device.

06/14/2026

Questions Buyers Should Ask About Utility Costs
Before you fall in love with a home, it's worth asking a question that often gets overlooked: What does it actually cost to live here? The purchase price is just the beginning. Monthly utility bills can vary wildly from one property to the next, and they can significantly affect how comfortable that...

Before you fall in love with a home, it's worth asking a question that often gets overlooked: What does it actually cost to live here? The purchase price is just the beginning. Monthly utility bills can vary wildly from one property to the next, and they can significantly affect how comfortable...

06/11/2026

How to Evaluate Offers Beyond the Purchase Price
The number at the top gets your attention. It always does. But sellers who anchor to the purchase price and stop there often find themselves caught off guard when a deal starts to wobble — or falls apart entirely — weeks after they thought they'd made the right call.
Here's the thing: A high offer...

The number at the top gets your attention. It always does. But sellers who anchor to the purchase price and stop there often find themselves caught off guard when a deal starts to wobble — or falls apart entirely — weeks after they thought they'd made the right call. Here's the thing: A...

06/10/2026

We're pretty lucky to have so much nature all around us. Nine Springs is right in our own backyard and super accessible off the bike path. Ride, walk and then go to lunch at one of the many nearby bars and restaurants.

06/09/2026

Outdoor Shade Ideas for Comfortable Summer Living
Most backyards have a window — maybe an hour, maybe two — where they're genuinely pleasant to be in. After that, the sun takes over, and everyone retreats inside. If that sounds familiar, the fix probably isn't a bigger fan.
Use What's Already There First
Before you buy anything, walk the yard...

Most backyards have a window — maybe an hour, maybe two — where they're genuinely pleasant to be in. After that, the sun takes over, and everyone retreats inside. If that sounds familiar, the fix probably isn't a bigger fan. Use What's Already There First Before you buy anything, walk the...

06/08/2026

Cool off this summer at lakefront beaches near Madison where you can swim, paddle, picnic, and enjoy the season. From quiet Lake Monona spots to Stoughton's Troll Beach, these destinations make summer days easy to enjoy.