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Harris + Wood

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Harris + Wood

Estate Agents · Est. 2016
📍

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.

The Founding Story

““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.

The Owners & The Agency

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

Areas We Cover

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

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Behind the scenes with Tracey, Director of Lettings at Harris + Wood

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

Mission & Values

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.

01

Hungry

The team continually looks for ways to improve, whether through stronger marketing, better systems or new ways to achieve better outcomes for clients.

02

Helpful

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.

03

Humble

The business listens, learns and welcomes feedback. Continual improvement comes from paying attention to clients, colleagues and the changing property market.

04

Honour

Harris + Wood believes in doing what it says it will do. Integrity, accountability and trust underpin every client relationship.

proven performance

OUR APPROACH

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

Clients We Work With

Sellers Who Want Their Property to Stand Out

Sellers Who Want Their Property to Stand Out

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.

Owners of Unique and Characterful Homes

Owners of Unique and Characterful Homes

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.

Buyers Who Want Clarity and Communication

Buyers Who Want Clarity and Communication

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.

Landlords Who Want Their Investment Properly Managed

Landlords Who Want Their Investment Properly Managed

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.

Tenants Who Want to Feel Looked After

Tenants Who Want to Feel Looked After

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.

Clients Facing More Complex Property Decisions

Clients Facing More Complex Property Decisions

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

Professional Credentials

The Property Ombudsman

The Property Ombudsman

Licensed member
Leading Estate Agents of the World

Leading Estate Agents of the World

Licensed member
British Property Awards

British Property Awards

Multi-Award Winning
Client Money Protection

Client Money Protection

Certified
Propertymark

Propertymark

Certified Member
FCA

FCA

Regulated

Meet the People

Harris + 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.

Google Reviews

Finally, We got our new house and our property agent was Harris and Wood Whitham branch. Starting from viewing the house till completion Harris and Wood Staff was so caring professionals and helpful strongly recommend them for your property matters. Few names to mention is Matty and Kiah was extremely helpful for us to find our fast home thank you very much.

Mohammad Alam

Harris and wood were amazing! Maddie worked so hard to keep both us and the buyers informed at every stage of our sale. Many thanks to maddie for her exceptional work and above and beyond attitude 🤩

Wormell Motor Works

I recently approached Harris and Wood concerning valuation figures for properties I have inherited with regard to either selling or what rental income could be achieved.  I was very impressed with the attentive and professional service received from Connor Pound from the Lettings Dept and in particular Ted Leggett from the Sales Dept who despite being away from the office on holiday, took the time to respond to my email. I would have no hesitation in recommending Harris and Wood.

Peter Rowbottom

We have had a very positive experience using Harris & Wood. From the promotion of our house and securing a buyer, to the sales progression work by Kiah Minns, who was superb the whole way through.

Christopher White

Had a viewing with Lily today, she wad very courteous, professional and knowledgeable about the property. Looking forward to becoming a tenant.

Simon Parr

I wanted to leave a review for H&W. Although they were acting on behalf of the seller, Sophie, Jorja, Sammy and the entire team were simply outstanding throughout the process. Despite the many challenges encountered during conveyancing, they went above and beyond to overcome every obstacle we had and keep the purchase moving forward as quickly as possible. Our sale progressor Sophie was always available, whether during the day, in the evening, or even while on holiday abroad. Everyone’s communication, dedication and professionalism were exceptional. Buying and moving house can be incredibly stressful, but they genuinely understood the pressure involved and provided reassurance every step of the way. In fact, they cared so much about the transaction that it often felt as though they were acting on our behalf rather than the seller’s. I wouldn’t hesitate to recommend them. Thank you to everyone at H&W for helping make a difficult process so much smoother. Over the moon with the move! 🏡

Jason Sedgwick

From start to finish, Daisy at Harris and Wood Witham has been fantastic, very friendly and very knowledgeable, always there to assist and answer any questions. She even gave up her own time to help me with enquiries.

mike white

Can’t thank the team enough. They were patient and helpful with every question we had. Every phone call we made they handled with grace and decorum. High recommend. Excellent team especially Megan. She was our main point of contact and she was absolutely brilliant. Even when Megan wasn’t available, she made sure another member of her team was on board and up to date with our file so they were able to help on her behalf if and when needed. Honestly can’t thank them enough.

JANINE PERRY

Special shout out to Kiah who was amazing throughout the whole sales process. She was the one person who kept to her word at every stage called and emailed me and kept me updated. She chased the solicitors and went out of her way to ensure the chain went smoothly and mostly alleviated my stress! 10/10 for service . Thank you so much ☺️ Michele W

Michele Webster

We recently had Ted over to value our newly renovated property. From the get go, Ted was great. He was on time, polite and super friendly. He was incredibly knowledgeable and helped us with all our questions (and there were many!). The process was incredibly smooth and easy, and he worked around the times that suited me best. We’d definitely use Harris & Wood when we decide to sell!

cerys duke