Every commercial property comes with its own set of unique challenges—and opportunities. At Thomas Duke Company our job is to see the full picture, evaluate the market, and help our clients make decisions that align with their long-term goals. The story of 3970 Parsons Road in Howell, Michigan, is a perfect example of our process in action.
Thompson Plastics, a longtime tenant in the building, approached us because they had outgrown the space and wanted help subleasing the building to another user. They were also planning to sell some of their industrial equipment, which they saw as an entirely separate effort.
What unfolded next proved that with the right strategy even unrelated objectives can align into one successful outcome.
Thompson Plastics was still under lease but no longer needed the full building. They were looking to sublease the space and offset costs. Complicating that task, their large equipment was scheduled to be auctioned off, so the space wasn’t yet cleared out, ready for us to present in its best light.
Showing the property was clearly going to be a challenge. Many brokers might have waited. We didn’t.
Rather than wait for the auction to conclude we brought qualified prospects through the building immediately. Yes, it was cluttered. But it was real—and that helped spark early conversations, allowing us to gauge the market’s interest.
Those early showings paid off in two important ways:
One early prospect surprised us. After seeing the building they didn’t just want to lease. They were interested in buying the entire property.
At the same time, someone attending the equipment auction reached out about leasing the space. Suddenly there were multiple strong prospects: potential tenants and a potential buyer. The situation had evolved, and now Thompson Plastics had options they didn’t expect.
Because we had multiple interested parties—some looking to lease, one looking to buy—Thompson Plastics didn’t have to rush into a deal or settle for less. In fact, the sudden competition for both the building and the equipment gave them stronger negotiating power on both fronts.
Rather than having to offload their equipment at a discount or accept the first sublease offer, they were able to confidently, calmly weigh their options, knowing there were backup plans waitingin the wings.
Ultimately Thompson Plastics secured a strong subtenant—with the landlord’s approval—and successfully sold their equipment to the strongest buyer. The property was leased quickly, the space was put to use, and our client walked away with a clean, efficient solution to what could have been a messy situation.
Even though the full sale of the building didn’t happen, the interest from prospective buyers gave the landlord additional insight into the property’s long-term value. It also proved just how valuable early market feedback can be for everyone when shaping a strategy.
Every deal teaches us something new. This one reinforced a few key principles:
Together Mark Schafer and John Porth bring a wealth of experience to the Thomas Duke team. Their experience helped them read the market, listen to the client’s needs, and be unafraid to pivot when new opportunities arose.
The tools we used here—strategic showing schedules, real-time market feedback, and consistent communication—are the same tools we use with every listing. But what made this deal stand out was the trust we built with our client.
Trust that we would listen.
Trust that we would keep options open.
Trust that we would guide them toward the best possible outcome.
If you own or lease a property that no longer suits your needs, you might be wondering what your options are.
Maybe you’re like Thompson Plastics, ready to move forward, but unsure of the best strategy. Or maybe you’re not sure whether leasing or selling makes more sense.
That’s where we come in.
At Thomas Duke Company, we don’t believe one size fits all. We believe in tailor-made solutions backed by market insight and experience. Whether it’s identifying tenants, buyers, or creative financing, we help you think beyond the typical.
Have a space you’re not using? Not sure if it should be leased, subleased, or sold? Let’s figure it out—together.
Mark Schafer, Vice President
(248) 479-0124
mschafer@thomasduke.com
John Porth, Vice President
(248) 476-8661
jkporth@thomasduke.com
