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

In an everyday scenario, a meeting of the minds implies fully agreeing with another person. What does meeting of the minds mean in real estate? Picture you want to buy or sell a property. ...

An apartment complex providing tenants access to a lawn area. ...

Availability of houses in an area. ...

Interest computations based only on the original principal. For example, the simple interest on a $100,000, 8% loan is $8,000. It is compared with compound interest which is applied to the ...

Board used when connected as a floor. It may also be used as a strip in a wall or door. ...

The Grandfather Clause is an intriguing financial and real estate term. It defines a provision in a traditional policy that exempts an individual or business engaged in any activity under a ...

A lessee (tenant) subleases the apartment to a third party .The tenant is now sandwiched between the lessor and the sublessee. In other words, the tenant is acting as a lessee to the ...

Timber in an original form, such as a pole. ...

Waterproofing the joint of a roof. ...

Popular Real Estate Questions