Racial and background stack, and cunning sneak Rogues are actually one of the few class/spec combos that aren't hurt at all by going 18 primary before racial modifiers (your secondary only needs to be +1/2 mod, and otherwise you can spend your second stat bump basically anywhere you need it for feat quals). So 6+4+5+2+2=19, before considering items or feats. Some cheap foot slot items that give +2 in heroic can bring that up to 21 easily. I think there are a handful of creatures that are level 9 that have +12 to perception, so you'll need a 2 instead. Still no feat investment.
Monsters with Blindsight are your only real concern.
Exactly so you can put your second stat on Con for example and bulk up your HP and surges.
And also there is a waiste slot that can give you THP on a crit equal to con modifier.