When should I start searching for loans?

[Jun Zao]

So the lease on my apartment is up at end of February. My current credit score is 700+.

By that time I should have enough savings for a 3.5% FHA or 5% conventional down payment for a 4-unit house in a decent neighborhood. And my credit score should be ~750 by that time.

And that is my plan. When should I start talking to and searching for banks? And how do I do that?