How much lead time is appropriate before getting started?

[Manzell Blakeley]

I'll be leaving my job in January and I've decided to get involved in real estate investing subsequent to that. Long story short, I'm looking to buy a BRRRR-able 4-plex and live in one of the units. While I'm eager to get as many ducks in a row lined up in preparation for that, it strikes me that it may be too soon to start making connections with agents.

To cut to the point: If I wanted to walk into a unit in Mid-February 2021, as a first-time homebuyer, when should I start getting with an agent?