Instruct solicitor now or wait until seller has offer accepted

[solario]

We're ftb and have just had an offer accepted on a lovely house. Should we instruct our solicitor now or wait until the seller has had an offer accepted?

Both sides want to move quickly. The EA said the sellers want to be in place before September and have seen a chainfree place they are interested in.

Is it possible to set a time limit? Like if they haven't definitely had an offer accepted by the end of June, they agree to move into rented to break the chain?

Instruct now so you can get ID and finance evidence sorted. You can always say you’ll send them your search fees once the seller has had an offer accepted.

Yes, instruct Solicitor now, they will send you letter of engagement with fees outlined. You sign and send back and they then start the initial process.

If you're really savvy you'll get a lock-out agreement too. We did this, it prevents the seller continuing to show the house or hear other offers.