Achieved vs asking price
Average sale price as a percentage of the original marketing price


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Estate and Letting Agents in Colchester and North Essex
Harris + Wood is one of North Essex’s best-known independent estate and letting agencies, combining strong property marketing with a genuinely personal approach.
Founded by Shane Harris and Marc in 2016, the business has grown into a multi-office agency with specialist teams across residential sales, lettings, mortgages, and land and new homes.
Shane and Marc continue to lead the sales business, while Director of Lettings Tracey oversees a portfolio of more than 550 managed properties. Together, they have helped build an agency known for its marketing, communication and commitment to continually improving the experience of moving and managing property.
““We founded Harris + Wood because we believed estate agency could offer people more — stronger marketing, clearer communication and a genuinely better experience. As the business has grown across sales and lettings, that belief has remained at the heart of everything we do.””
SHANE HARRIS - CO-FOUNDER AND COMPANY VISIONARY
Harris + Wood was founded in 2016 by friends and business partners Shane Harris and Marc, who shared a belief that estate agency could be done differently.
They set out to build a modern independent business that combined exceptional property marketing with personal service, honest advice and a stronger experience for clients from the first conversation through to completion.
The sales business quickly established Harris + Wood as a recognised name across North Essex, with Shane and Marc continuing to lead its growth, direction and approach to marketing.
Tracey joined during the agency’s early development to establish and lead the lettings division. Since then, it has grown into a portfolio of more than 550 managed properties and become an important part of the wider Harris + Wood business.
Today, Harris + Wood operates across residential sales, lettings, mortgages, and land and new homes, while remaining grounded in the same principle on which it was founded: better marketing, better communication and a better experience for the people it serves.
Harris + Wood supports sellers, buyers, landlords, tenants, investors, developers and landowners across Colchester and the wider North Essex property market.
Marketing remains one of the agency’s defining strengths. Its structured Launch strategy is designed to give each property a strong introduction to the market through professional presentation, digital marketing, buyer engagement and considered positioning.
That approach is supported by honest pricing advice, proactive communication and experienced sales progression, helping clients understand what is happening and what needs to happen next.
Alongside sales, the lettings division provides professional management for more than 550 properties. Led by Tracey, the team works with individual landlords, accidental landlords and experienced investors while supporting tenants through clear communication and responsive property management.
Across every department, Harris + Wood combines the systems and specialist knowledge of a larger property business with the accountability and personal approach of an independent agency.
Where We Work
Harris + Wood works across Colchester and the wider North Essex property market, supporting clients in established towns, growing communities and surrounding villages. The team handles a wide range of property, from first-time buyer homes and family houses to character properties, investment portfolios, new developments and land opportunities. Its local presence and combined sales and lettings expertise give the agency a strong understanding of buyer demand, rental markets and the different property types found across the area. Colchester · Braintree · North Essex · Surrounding Villages
Colchester
Braintree & North Essex
In this episode of the Leading Estate Agents of the World Podcast, Tracey shares the experiences that have shaped almost three decades in the property industry.
She reflects on beginning her career as a trainee, progressing into branch and regional leadership and learning from the people who encouraged her to take on greater responsibility.
Tracey also discusses joining Harris + Wood during its early development and building the lettings division around relationships, communication and professional standards.
The conversation explores the needs of different landlords, the importance of creating clear points of contact for tenants and why good property management must look beyond systems and compliance.
It also offers an insight into Tracey’s approach to leadership, mentoring and helping people develop within the industry.
Who we are
Harris + Wood exists to pair people with property through exceptional marketing, outstanding customer service and continual innovation, while helping change the way people think about estate agency.
The team continually looks for ways to improve, whether through stronger marketing, better systems or new ways to achieve better outcomes for clients.
Estate agency should be about helping people first. Harris + Wood aims to provide useful advice and support whether someone is moving now or simply considering their future options.
The business listens, learns and welcomes feedback. Continual improvement comes from paying attention to clients, colleagues and the changing property market.
Harris + Wood believes in doing what it says it will do. Integrity, accountability and trust underpin every client relationship.
proven performance
A service built around honest advice, personal communication and careful property presentation.
Achieved vs asking price
Average sale price as a percentage of the original marketing price
Days to sale agreed
Average time taken to place a property under offer
Sales success rate
Sales progressing from under offer through to completion
Experience in sales
Total Industry Team Experience
Experience in lettings
Combined lettings experience across the Harris + Wood team
Properties under management
Managed across Colchester and the surrounding North Essex area
who we work with
For homeowners who understand that the way a property is launched can influence the result it achieves. Harris + Wood combines careful presentation, professional marketing and a structured launch strategy to create interest and give each home the strongest possible start.
Distinctive properties rarely benefit from a standard approach. Harris + Wood helps owners identify what makes their home special and builds the presentation, positioning and marketing around the lifestyle and story it offers prospective buyers.
For first-time buyers, growing families, downsizers and relocators who want to understand what is happening throughout their purchase. The team provides honest guidance, regular communication and early access to suitable opportunities through its buyer registration service.
Harris + Wood supports accidental landlords, individual property owners and experienced portfolio investors. With more than 550 properties under management, the lettings team combines professional systems, practical advice and personal communication to protect the property and support the tenancy.
A rented property is still somebody’s home. Harris + Wood gives tenants clear points of contact, straightforward guidance and responsive support, while helping landlords maintain safe, compliant and well-managed properties.
Some moves require more than a straightforward marketing campaign. Harris + Wood supports clients navigating probate, complex chains, relocation, downsizing, development opportunities and difficult timescales with structured advice and proactive coordination throughout.
Memberships, Awards & Accreditations

The Property Ombudsman
Licensed member
Leading Estate Agents of the World
Licensed member
British Property Awards
Multi-Award Winning
Client Money Protection
Certified
Propertymark
Certified Member
FCA
RegulatedHarris + Wood is built by real people who care about making moving feel easier. Every client gets a named agent who handles their move with warmth, honesty and real local insight.
From the founders to the lettings team, Harris + Wood has grown through personal relationships, modern marketing and a genuine desire to support clients across Essex and Suffolk.

Company Visionary
Shane co-founded Harris + Wood and leads its vision across strategy, technology, systems and business development.

Company Director
Co-founder of Harris + Wood, helping shape the agency’s people-first approach, strong marketing focus and commitment to relationships that last.

Director of Lettings
Tracey leads the Harris + Wood lettings division, overseeing more than 550 managed properties and bringing almost three decades of industry experience.
Current Listings

Price
£525,000
Braiswick Place, The Addington, Plot 27, 2 Jack Elam Drive, Colchester, Essex, CO4 6FL

Price
£525,000
Braiswick Place, The Addington, Plot 26, 4 Jack Elam Drive, Colchester, Essex, CO4 6FL

Price
£825,000
Braiswick Place, The Sunningdale, Plot 25, 6 Jack Elam Drive, Colchester, Essex, CO4 6FL