New Landlord Questions

[Kevin Sheen]

My wife and I just purchased our first rental property. We have been screening tenants over the past week and have settled on one tenant which we plan to lease to. Located in NC

The property is vacant as of now and the tenant wants to move in on the 28th of this month. Several questions. We want a lease signed sooner than later in case she changes her mind etc. We are planning on meeting with her to sign the lease with a move in date of the 28th. 

Can we require a deposit for this Fridays meeting, to hold the apartment until the 28th? Then deduct that from her first months rent owed?

Are we better off just having her sign the least now and then meet again in two weeks to give her the keys, collect prorated rent, security deposit and pet fee? What do you all suggest?

Thank you ahead of time!