Anyone who "harasses" a tenant should think twice. Self-help is definitely risky. Is it worth $10,000 and likely way more time to get rid of your tenant?
http://consumerist.com/2014/09/24/nyc-to-publicly-shame-landlords-who-harass-tenants/
Con Ed Refrigerator Incentives
Got an old fridge? Get 50 bucks.
http://www.coned.com/energyefficiency/residential_bounty_program.asp
Romney like IRA
He never really explained how he got such a big IRA but even though this is not a real estate story, worth reading.
http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2014-09-17/how-to-join-9-000-u-s-taxpayers-with-romney-sized-iras.html
Inheriting a free and clear house
Ok, this is the worst way to get a property since it results from a death. Once you put the emotional side of it away, NYC is not a bad place to inherit real estate. The article involves a house but since this is NYC, one could easily inherit an apartment. But, what do you do? Assuming it is not a shell or burned out, why not rent it out? At the minimum, you need to get it appraised since in an inheritance you have the stepped up basis. Next, I would think about putting it in an llc for asset protection and privacy. Finally, I think you just have to think it out and not rush into anything.