Conveyancer- advise please

[foreverfamilyhome]

Whilst not FTB it's been some years since we or anyone in family have sold/purchased a home.

My questions is regarding conveyancers....we have instructed estate agent and they have given our details to lifetime legal for ID checks. Fine.

Lifetime legal have told me that they are best placed to appoint conveyancer, gave me the hard sell of they can communicate directly with the EA and conveyancer, also listed benefits such as protection, retail discounts and will sorting service. They asked for upfront fee of £270. Includes some sort of membership fee?

Am I right in thinking that the best option is for me to approach a local conveyancer to appoint? I told the lady I was awaiting quotes from others and she was pushing for me to take their services. Telling me they have more power to move things along. I don't remember appointing such a person when we sold/purchased before...that was some 10 years ago!

Any advice on choosing a conveyancer would be much appreciated! TIA

You're right to be sceptical.
Having used various conveyancers over the years, by far the best were local conveyancers we found ourselves and were recommended to us. And not the cheapest!

Thank you! Will try and ask around for local recommendations.

Do I appoint a conveyancer once I have a buyer? Or as soon as ours is live on the market?

You get what you pay for.

I would appoint a conveyancer/solicitor once you have agreed a price with a buyer.

Lifetime Legal sound way too pushy to me, would avoid using them.

I used an excellent local qualified solicitor/conveyancer at a local law practice. Never go with the EA recommendation. They're all on incentives.

Thank you all!

I did feel with lifetime legal it was all too pushy. Like we haven't even had the photos taken or listed our house yet and they wanted £270!

Will take all the advice and approach local conveyancers

I'd get one lined up now but they don't need to do work until you have a buyer