Best way to get productive

[Christopher Montoya]

Hello investors,

I need some advice on my first steps to take. I want to invest in a multifamily home. I am planning on purchasing my first home by September of this year. 

What I want to know is, what are a few things that I should be doing other than looking up homes online and applying for an FHA?

I've called a few banks and lenders to see what I can get for when purchasing the house. But what they tell me is that since I'm looking to buy it near September, that I should apply in May or June so that they don't run my credit so much. Which makes sense but then how would I be able to make an offer on a home if I were to find one without knowing how much I qualify for through the FHA? I would need to know what houses I can and can't afford right?