Fresh Outta College Newbie

So I graduated in May w/a degree in engineering. Got a lot of scholarships and with hep from amazingly supportive parents I have no student loans. Just turned 23. I managed to snag a job that started in August that pays $25 an hour. Worked a while in the summer and built up some funds before starting the job. Currently renting near my workplace and now looking for some general advice. So here is my situation.

-I have around $7k in the bank. I have spent a bunch of money simply buying things necessary to live, and also scouring craigslist for furniture, etc.
-I have been contributing 5% to my 401k and my company matches 5%.
-I have a checking account at a local bank who doesn't give crap for interest on a savings account.

I have been researching what to do with my funds. I have been looking at online savings accounts simply to start earning a little interest on my emergency fund. I am currently saving most of my money for a 3 month Emergency Fund. I would like to put that money in the online savings account. I have found a bunch of different online acconts but each seems to have their own good and bad reviews. I have a few questions about them.
1. Is Ally a good one? They seem to have the best rate right now.
2. Will my money be safe with Ally? If something happens can I easily and quickly(1-2 business days) be able to get my money back to my checking account?
3. Any other good suggestions?

Once I have this 3 month EFund set up, I am wondering what to do next. I have also been saving a little for a house fund each paycheck for when I want to purchase probably a year or two away. But I have been reading a lot about IRA's. It appears a Roth IRA with a company like Vanguard would be the next logical thing to do. I have even heard you can withdraw your money from an IRA at no penalty to make a down payment on a house.So..
4. Is depositing the maximum of $5500 in 2013 a good idea?
5. Is it actually possible to use that money once deposited towards a house?

And finally I have some credit card questions. I have a Discover Student card I have had since 2009 and a Chase Amazon Visa since 2011. I have never made a late payment and use them monthly, but probably utilize 75% of my limit. I just asked to have both limits bumped up and succesfully did so, but I am wondering about getting a Chase Freedom Mastercard to round out the collection and also lower my utilization. I am waiting for a good cashback deal on the Chase Freedom and would consider getting one.
6. Would this be a good idea?

But I also got a deal for AMEX Blue Cash card if I spend $1000 in first 3 months I get $250 back. Would this be a good thing to go for or should I avoid having an AMEX card? They don't seem to be accepted everywhere. But the deal is hard to pass up on.
7. So go for AMEX or Freedom card or both?

I have spent hours researching the web and mostly what I come up with is people who have a lot of debt and don't know what to pay off first. Luckily I basically have a clean slate. Hope you guys can help!