THE FORTUNER METHOD

One useful trick in real estate is learning how to estimate the size of a space just by looking at it.

Here’s a simple method.

Step 1: Use a car as your measuring stick

Imagine a Toyota Fortuner. A Fortuner is common enough that most people can picture its size.

Step 2: Place the car in the space

Mentally park the Fortuner inside the area you’re trying to estimate. At the corner.

If it helps, imagine standing beside the car:

• the driver’s door

• the back seat

• the trunk

Once you visualize the full length and width of the vehicle, start asking: how many Fortuners could fit in this space? One? Two? Three?

Step 3: Convert cars to square meters

A standard parking slot in the Philippines is roughly 2.5 m × 5 m, or about 12.5 sqm.

So if the space you’re looking at feels like it could fit:

2 Fortuners → ~25 sqm

4 Fortuners → ~50 sqm

8 Fortuners → ~100 sqm

And just like that, you’ve roughly estimated the size of a space using nothing but your eyes.

Not perfect, of course. But surprisingly accurate once you practice it a few times.