Definition of "Marginal utility"

Additional utility an individual receives when purchasing an additional unit of a commodity or service. Represents a trade off between units of cost and unit of utility. For example, an individual builds a luxury home with a swimming pool. To build a tennis court would cost $50,000 and require yearly maintenance. To add two tennis courts is extremely low, the marginal utility of building the additional tennis court at $25,000 is not enough to offset the additional cost involved. However, if it cost only $5,000 to build the additional tennis court, then there may be sufficient marginal utility to justify its construction.

image of a real estate dictionary page

Have a question or comment?

We're here to help.

*** Your email address will remain confidential.
 

 

Popular Real Estate Terms

An agreement, debt, or low which can be operationalized, fulfilled, completed, or performed. ...

Individual with legal privileges and obligations. The legal term is sometimes used for a corporation. ...

Corporation whose stockholders are taxed as partners. That is, income is taxed as direct income to the shareholders. The key advantage of this tax treatment is that shareholders escape ...

A real estate owner's policy and rules regarding the use of the property by the tenant. In insurance, a contract that provides coverage against given risks. Coverage limits for real ...

Modification made by a municipality to the zoning of a locality. A change in zoning typically has to be requested and approved by a zoning commission and then the legislative body. It can ...

Same as term spot zoning: Zoning a portion of land in a given area for different purposes than its surrounding functions. For example, a locality may decide to spot zone a vacant lot in a ...

Notice of a pending suit; a public notice given to prospective purchasers and any one else considering an interest in property that the title is being legally challenged, and the outcome is ...

A situation that occurs when borrowed funds cost more than they produce. ...

Partially amortized and requiring a lump sum (balloon) payment at maturity. ...

Popular Real Estate Questions