Need Help Navigating Seller Resistance Mid-Novation Deal (Lockbox/Listing Issue)

Looking for some insight from the group on how you’d handle this:

I’m working a novation deal where the seller initially agreed to the structure which includes the possibility that we’d need to list it. We communicated clearly from the beginning, and she even signed an amendment acknowledging that one of my partners was backing out due to the renovation scope being too much. She confirmed verbally that she understood the plan.

Now that we’ve enlisted an agent and are seeing buyer interest, she’s suddenly not cooperating, specifically avoiding putting a lockbox on the property, which is stalling showings.

When I mentioned the listing again, she claimed she thought we were going to buy it outright, despite multiple conversations where I was clear (or at least thought I was) that this may or may not be resold through listing (like in the agreement)

Feels like either a misunderstanding or some cold feet, but I want to approach it carefully. How would you reframe the conversation to re-align expectations, preserve the relationship, and keep the deal moving?

Appreciate any guidance

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