If you negotiate a provision in the Retained Life Estate contract for the right to lease the property for the remainder of your life estate you can keep the additional money. You remain responsible for the taxes, insurance and maintenance expenses spelled out in the agreement with the charity.
Yes. The use of the asset is yours. Should you decide to lease for a while and then move back in this gifting concept allows for that. Take a long trip and let the tenants pay for it. Whoopee!
Yes. As long as the property qualifies under the IRS rules it can be used create this type of donation arrangement. I.e. you don't take depreciation or own it in a corporate structure etc. Check with your accountant to make sure it qualifies.