Despite the coronavirus pandemic that overtook the country during 2020, 40 percent of all housing purchases last year were made by first-time buyers, a 14 percent increase over 2019. A new study from WalletHub looks at 300 cities nationwide of varying sizes to rank the best places for new home buyers based on key indicators. “Where a home is located is just as important as what features it has,” according to Adam McCann, the study’s author. “If the neighborhood is unpleasant, it can sour the experience of a great home. Potential buyers may want to narrow their search down to an area with a good reputation before getting into housing details.” The increase in first-time buyers last year can be attributed to two factors: a dramatic drop in interest rates and the decision by companies to allow employees to work remotely on a permanent basis. According to WalletHub’s findings, Chesapeake, …