Which renter should I choose?

[Akshay Saxena]

First-time renting my home. We have two possible applicants. Help me think through the pros and cons to determine whom I should rent to:

1. Candidate 1: Single recently divorced person with a 65 lbs pitbull. Getting $450k from a home sale and willing to pay entire year rent upfront. Good credit score (800+) but low income ($70k)
2. Candidate 2: Family of 5 (3 kids) with a business + a smaller dog (40 lbs bulldog) and ok credit (680+) but higher income ($130k) than other candidate. 

For Candidate 1, my main worry is the big pitbull. My insurance company says they exclude coverage for exotic animals and any dogs with a bite history. They do not have an excluded dog breed list. Neither of the dogs have a bite history. 

Who would you choose? Thanks for your help.

[Theresa Harris]

Not sure how you get proof of no bite history, but if your insurance company doesn't have problems with either breed, go for the first candidate who applied and was qualified.  Candidate 1 with no kids might have less wear and tear on the house and they have a better credit score.  I wouldn't let them pay an entire year up front as there are too many things that can go wrong with that.