I was thinking about buying a calculator to help with the numbers when I become a Realtor. I came across a Realtor today that is getting out of Realty and has a [i]Qualifier Plus IIIX Real Estate Realtor Calculator 3415[/i]. She told me that she will take $30 for it. I looked on the internet and seen nothing but good reviews. I also seen that it sells for around $60.00.

What do you guys think of this calculator? Is there a better one out there? Is my basic calculator all I'll need?

Thanks for the help ahead of time.

Calculated Industries makes great calcualtors...and The Qualifer Plus IIIX will be sufficient for your needs. The best feature is solving mortgage calculations. Basically you can plug in 3 of 4 required mortgage items (rate, term, loan amount, payment ex-taxes & ins) and it will solve/calculate the fourth. Comes in very handy...

basic $5 calculator is all you need. most mortgage websites have free online calcs. save your $$$

Perky,

That's your opinion, and my is there are a lot of things that agents don't need, but a $30 purchase is a small investment to have a real calculator - especially if you're on the road. Also, online mortgage calculators always solve for the monthly payment. If you wish to figure what rate someone is paying, or what their loan balance is, or how much term they have left, it's much easier and quicker to plug it into a real estate calculator.


KLuce,

Why not get your negotiating skills going and tell her you'll give her $20. Tell her you've seen the same model as low as $20 NEW on eBay. I just looked it up, and it's true. One ad was for $20, but most others listed were for $39 new.

Yep, it's my opinion and I'm sticking by it. Everyone is entitled to their own.

I have a $40+ dollar Real estate calculator and kick myself every time I realize that it was money I could have spent elsewhere.

I don't believe in doing the job of the mortgage broker and I don't expect my mortgage guys to sell my houses for me. I can give "a good idea" but for the most accurate info, consult a mortgage guy. Don't need somoene saying "But she said I'd have to only pay this amount" or have someone say "Oh wow that's too much per month" and have them give up on the deal because I didn't realize there was some great loan out there they could qualify for.

Regarding the calculator, I have a large one at this time and is a little clumsy to take out while I'm in class. I was going to buy a smaller one and then that Realtor made the offer. Didn't know anything about this calculator until I looked it up on the internet.

At this time, I think I'm going to look into it a little more. I don't see her selling it in the next week. If she does, it doesn't sound like it will be that much of a loss for me.

Thanks for the input.

Home sales are pretty straight forward. In commercial real estate there are many more calculations involved so in that case I believe the calculators are worth it.

Perky,
Understanding the mortgage numbers does not mean you're doing your mortgage brokers job. No where did I say that you are sitting down with your client and creating payment scenarios for them, telling them what they'll pay, or tell them what they can or cannot afford to pay.

Just because you keeping kicking yourself for spending $40 you believe wasn't well spent, doesn't mean someone else will have the same experience. That much, you cannot dispute.

I must be dating myself; but I've had a Calculated Industries "Real Estate Master II" for about 20 years. After all this time, I have failed to exploit all of the features it offers.

It does all those mortgage calculations and project balloon payments or payoff amounts. It allows me to apply Net Present Value Theory to discount a future Note Payoff and vice-versa to maybe find the yield on an already Discounted Note . . . . plus a whole lot more that I don't use.

I don't use it very much, but it behaves like new (because I treat it so well). I'm pleased that you Folks are still talking about Calculated Industries in the present time frame. A company that makes products this good is often likely to put itself out of business because its niche products are so good and are so long lasting (there really isn't that much new in the realm of mathematics).

My antique calculator probably cost me $30.00 twenty years ago, and might be worth $5.00 today (IF someone could even appreciate what it does). It was a good purchase for me. And it's not enormously big and it's certainly not clumsy. Actually, I like to do calculations in my head (or on paper) first and then use the calculator to double check myself.

I would like to get paid for endorsing Calculated Industries® . . . . but if they are still alive today and producing good long lasting products like the one I have, then apparently they don't need my help.

PS: I just realized that I also bought an Ultra-Sound room measuring device during that same time frame. DigiTape® was/is a very good product that has stood the test of time for me . . . . but I don't see that they have remained viable as a manufacturer in the marketplace. So I'm glad I still have one of their sturdy products.

What do you want me to say? An opinion was asked, and I gave mine. I'm sorry you don't like it. You are free to ignore it.

Side Note: I just think many new agents pi$$ their much needed money away on stuff they don't really need but is marketed to them as a "must have to make it in this industry."

If someone asks for an opinion, I'm going to give mine. You give yours. Terrific. Peace.