Analyzing deals in Westchester County, NY

[Stephanie Minor]

Hi all,

I'm starting out by looking for a triplex to house hack in Westchester County, NY. The housing market here is expensive and all over the place - high price, high taxes; high price, low taxes; and even low price, high taxes. The lower price, low taxes tend to be ones I wouldn't feel comfortable in location-wise - most of these areas just don't make me feel safe.

There are homes in these areas are high price, low taxes. I can move a little farther south (which I know is getting into New York City), but even in the areas of the Bronx where I wouldn't feel comfortable for example, I'm priced out of my comfort zone. 

I'll be going with an FHA loan, so putting little down would still be possible on these more expensive homes, but how do other investors in Westchester (or in other similar markets) know when they're getting into that "danger zone."

For example, should I go for a higher priced house with lower taxes?