Which value-influencing DUST factor has to do with the number of properties on the market?

The correct answer is related to "Scarcity," which is one of the key value-influencing factors in real estate appraisal known as DUST: Demand, Utility, Scarcity, and Transferability. Scarcity refers to the principle that the value of property is affected by its availability. When a limited number of properties are on the market, this scarcity can increase the value of existing properties due to the high demand for fewer available options.

In real estate, when there are few properties for sale compared to the number of buyers looking to purchase, properties may sell for higher prices because buyers are competing for the limited options available. This concept underscores the importance of market conditions in determining property values, as well as how the scarcity of inventory can drive demand among potential buyers, ultimately influencing market prices.

Other factors like utility, transferability, and diligence relate to different aspects of real estate value. Utility refers to the usefulness of a property for its intended purpose, transferability pertains to the ease with which property rights can be transferred, and diligence relates to the thoroughness of the appraisal process. However, none of these concepts directly addresses the influence of the number of properties in the market, which is why "Scarcity" is the correct choice in this context