INDUSTRIAL CASE STUDIES
Client success stories
How TradeMark Stopped a National Company From Buying the Wrong Property
Service: Buyer Representation
Location: Cary, NC
Asset type: Industrial & Office
Broker: Sandra Simpson, CCIM
Situation
​
One of the largest national lighting companies came to TradeMark to find office space. The problem was that office space would never work for them. They needed a loading dock and a client-facing showroom. Sandra Simpson recognized that before they did. She asked the right questions, understood the business, and built the search around what they actually needed.
Strategy
Challenge
Combined office and industrial space is among the rarest types of commercial real estate. Finding one that also works as a client-facing showroom, sits in the right location for logistics, and comes in at the right price makes the search significantly harder. Sandra had to find a single property that could run the operation and impress the clients walking through the door.
Sandra took the time to fully understand how the business operated before she started the search. Then she stayed focused on finding the right property and did not stop until she found it.
Identified the real property need before the buyer understood it themselves
Investigated private road ownership and maintenance obligations to avoid surprises
Conducted a two-year targeted search for a rare combined office and industrial property
Toured multiple properties so the final decision was made with full market context
Sourced and vetted surveyors, inspectors, and a showroom contractor in advance
The buyer secured the right property at a desired price point, with a showroom contractor already lined up and zero unresolved questions at closing.
Ran a full utility cost analysis so the buyer knew their true occupancy costs
Here is what Sandra executed:
Results
​
Secured combined office and industrial space at $2M within the target price point
​​
Location in Cary that met all transportation and logistics requirements
The client walked away with:
Confirmed title and delivered a complete vendor and utility contact list at closing
​
Showroom-quality finish capable of impressing their clients
​​
Operational readiness from day one because they had complete information on utilities, vendors, contractors, and their title
Contact Sandra
​
Sandra Simpson, CCIM
​
​
​
919-244-8714
​
​
The $1M Problem Hidden in the Ceiling
COMPLETED
1031
BOUGHT
$3M
Service: Buyer Representation
Location: Youngsville, NC
Broker: Sandra Simpson, CCIM
Situation
​
The client had sold an investment property and needed to reinvest the proceeds through a 1031 exchange before a hard deadline or face a significant tax bill. He was looking for a fully leased industrial property with a creditworthy tenant, a lease built for long-term stability, and a location in a market with sustainable growth. Sandra Simpson had completed a 1031 exchange and knew exactly what it would take.
Strategy
Challenge
Failing to close on a replacement property in time meant a substantial tax bill on the proceeds. Sandra had to educate the client about the offer structure and the importance of a higher down payment because, in this market, sellers choose the most prepared buyer. Moreover, industrial inventory is scarce and in high demand. Finding an asset that met the investment criteria required going beyond publicly listed assets. Additionally, when Sandra located the right property, a roof inspection revealed $1M in repairs that changed the negotiation entirely.
​
$3M industrial acquisition completed within the 1031 exchange timeline
​
Credit-worthy tenant in place with a long-term lease and room to grow
Sandra didn't wait for listings to hit the market. She went looking for buildings that weren't for sale and contacted owners privately.
Studied the Youngsville submarket and identified it as a high-growth market before competition caught up
Identified a fully leased industrial building with a credit-worthy tenant and a lease structured for long-term stability
Called private building owners directly and sourced off-market opportunities
Advised the client on the right down payment to become the most competitive offer on the table
Built direct communication with the seller and their broker to understand exactly what it would take to win
Arranged an ALTA survey and insisted on a full roof inspection before closing
The 1031 exchange closed on time, the asset was protected, and the client walked away with exactly what he came for.
Submitted a buyer bio to establish credibility and give the seller confidence in the deal
Results
$1M in roof repairs identified and negotiated before closing
Uncovered $1M in needed roof repairs and negotiated accordingly to protect the client's capital
Here is what Sandra executed for the client:
Contact Sandra
​
Sandra Simpson, CCIM
​
​
​
919-244-8714
​
​