California Real Estate Practice Exam 2026 – 400 Free Practice Questions to Pass the Exam

The acronym "DUST" is widely used in real estate to represent four key elements that contribute to the value of property: Demand, Utility, Scarcity, and Transferability.

Demand refers to the desire and ability of consumers to purchase a particular property; it reflects market interest and can influence property value. Utility refers to the usefulness or function of the property, which affects how much someone is willing to pay based on its potential benefits. Scarcity highlights the limited nature of land and property availability, particularly in desirable locations, thereby increasing demand and value. Transferability signifies the ease with which ownership of the property can be transferred from one party to another, impacting its marketability and value.

These four factors are fundamental to understanding real estate economics, as they collectively influence market behavior and property valuations. Other options presented do not encompass the complete framework that "DUST" represents, highlighting the importance of each term in relation to valuation and market dynamics.