Real estate lags other industries when it comes to innovation. Yet a real need to adapt to new demands following the pandemic, along with a significant influx of capital into real estate from investors looking to hedge against inflation, is accelerating change.

As the city of Boston strives to reach its goal of carbon neutrality by 2050, it might look to 52 Fisher Ave, in Mission Hill for a how-to guide. The six-unit condominium project utilized a solar straw and Passive House construction techniques to target Net Zero energy standards.

Greater Boston real estate professionals of color say the problem is most acute early in the development process.

In Boston, two new high-performance condo developments—one pursuing Passive House Institute Low Energy Building certification—are hitting the market this month, affording first-time homebuyers a rare chance to move into a comfortable, efficient, and well-ventilated home.