'Completely blindsided:' Former Exit Realty on the Rock agent trying to move on

A local real estate agent says she was shocked by the allegations against Exit Realty on the Rock and is still struggling to deal with the fallout.

"We were completely blindsided. We had no heads-up that this was coming down," said Christine Wilson.

"As this all unfolds as the public, we as realtors were also finding out for the first time."

• Exit Realty on the Rock owes more than 60 creditors
• Anne Squires under RNC investigation for theft, fraud and breach of trust
• Anne Squires told agents merger pending, but no other changes, in email hours before licence suspension

Wilson was an agent with Exit Realty on the Rock for more than two years, until the province suspended its licence two weeks ago and the company went into receivership.

'Very shocking to all of us'

In court documents, the Royal Newfoundland Constabulary said it is investigating owner Anne Squires for theft, fraud and breach of trust.

"It's very shocking to all of us. It's disturbing to think that these allegations could be true," said Wilson.

"I worked in this office, I came and went, and never could have imagined this type of thing going on."

Wilson, like most other agents at Exit Realty on the Rock, has signed with another brokerage.

In Wilson's case, she's gone to a Keller Williams franchise.

The revelations will undoubtedly damage Exit Realty's name, she said, but people should realize Exit Realty on the Rock is just one franchise. 

She said she hopes people recognize that individual real estate agents are not connected to the investigation.

"We conduct our business the way that we want to conduct our business and that's not going to change," she said.

"Your realtor is still your realtor, and in fact you're with that realtor, not with the company as such."

'We were a family'

Wilson said she's trying to move on as best she can, continuing to serve her clients and close deals.

However, she said, it's been hard to say goodbye to her tight-knit group of colleagues.

"In the days leading up to transferring from Exit, a lot of somber faces were going around the office. Hugs, goodbyes. We were a family," she said.

"We are all really devastated that we're no longer working with each other."