Bobert,
    When we bought our house in NC, we rented back to the former owners in order to give them time to build a house. Because the house we were buying had been built with two separate living area, one on the first floor and one on the second, we were able to live upstairs when we chose. We weren't here full time and they served as house-sitters for nearly a year.
    So here are the pros and cons:
Pro: Security while we were absent, though because of our location (out in the mountains, 25 minutes from the town) this was not shown to matter. Repair of items, but repairs were done somewhat unprofessionally and some didn't to be redone. Con: Some items that needed maintenance were neglected. Con: further use of appliances, wear and tear.
    Be very clear, in detail, about what conveys. I lost 3 farm gates, for example, and a pump for the fish pond, not large enough to go to court for, but irritating.
    We would do it again, since ultimately the house we wanted to live in became ours.
best of luck,
chance