Another is IP, which can mean intellectual property in other contexts, but in the real estate world means investment property. When measuring an investment, you might hear ROI, ROE or IRR: return on equity, return on investment and internal rate of return. Return on investment and return on equity are similar, but IRR is very different. PIA is property investment analysis. This should be done when purchasing an investment property to work out your net cash flow, including wage and tax brackets and costs such as ongoing maintenance and repairs.