Corrupt QIs have been known to run away with client money before, or to invest their clients funds in inappropriate ways. 

She told me to run the business; not my ego. 

Another bull-run tapping on 40k.

I've been running multiple student rentals for years in Reno, NV and it's been a very similar experience. 

I need help on which credit card will best benefit me in the long run and what are some tips I can do to maintain a good credit score?

After doing this, I then run the property through Airdna.co and/or Mashvisor.com Both of these tools will give you projections of what type of rental rates, price per night, bookings, occupancy, seasonal variations, etc.

What numbers do you run when determining if a propety is worth taking a closer look at? 

As a first time investor you have far more advantages than a multi door owner.  

The issue you might run into to get 30 year financing on a 5+ unit in AL is the loan size.

If you look at it just like a number situation- an investment, you will probably soon find that you have to run it like a business.