Being close to the village OR being pet friendly OR having a view all tend to raise gross income, but not sure if it really raises return as those units all sell for higher prices.

6.We don’t allow pets, do you have any?

I have found templates for our lease agreement, pet addendum and a move out cleaning addendum. 

Here is the ONLY way I would hold it...If you do not have any other good applicants that can take the unit sooner, I would take a non-refundable binder payment equal to one-month's rent NOW, then all of the move-in fees (first/last/security/pet fees) when you sign the lease for October 1st, which should be within a week. 

(again expensive as pets and multiple people/rooms involved)  Do you ask them to file a claim on their rental insurance for meals/stay?

@Joe VilleneuveLove the idea, was thinking of doing something similar as a fun pet project.

Think of all the things that could go wrong and see if the lease addresses them: unauthorized pets or tenants, early termination, security deposit, lease violations, late rent, eviction, lawn maintenance, parking, etc.5.

I do this with pets, rent due dates and penalties, etc.  

Buy some snap traps, bait them and put them in areas inaccessible to children/pets. 

I personally don't at all like the idea of tenants wearing down the nice new hardwood floors of a new construction home, especially kids and pets doing so.