If it is a funded transaction, the sender will be localbitcoins. I prefer a funded transaction as opposed to one where the seller sends you coins directly from his wallet. That way if there are any issues regarding non-confirmation you can take it up directly with localbitcoins support instead of having to hunt down the seller.

For example, once the seller releases the transaction from localbitcoins escrow and the buyer sees the tx broadcast to his wallet, the buyer can give the cash and both parties can walk away immediately.
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hi, i'm paying in cash though, is it possible for seller to FIRST put his bitcoins into escrow at our meeting, i hand him money, then he releases into my localbitcoins account which is instant?