John Hillman

Founder & Broker

Speciality: Design, Land Acquisition, Listing Agent, Luxury Real Estate Development, New Construction

Service Area: Amelia Island, FL, Callahan, FL, Fernandina Beach, FL, Yulee, FL

With over 20 years of real estate experience spanning the U.S. and the Caribbean, I bring unmatched expertise and dedication to every client. As Nassau County’s top-producing Realtor, I’ve managed over $1.4 billion in sales through both team leadership and personal production. Specializing in luxury properties, new construction, land, architecture, and planning, I’m passionate about helping sellers showcase their homes with compelling photography and storytelling. For buyers, I love discovering those “Postcard Living” moments that turn a house into a home. Whether you’re buying or selling, I’m here to guide you with care, professionalism, and a commitment to success.

Education:

The Citadel - Business

University of Phoenix - MBA

Background:

20 Years Luxury Real Estate Development - Over $1.4 Billion in Managed Real Estate Transactions (Florida, South Carolina, Texas, Hawaii, Bahamas, & Cayman Islands)

Expertise: Luxury Real Estate Development, Buyer & Seller Representation for land, single family, and condos. New Construction & Remodeling. Community Planning & Brand Development

Professional Background - New Construction, Land Development, Traditional Neighborhood Design (TND), Private Resorts, Urban Infill, and Historic Renovation and preservation. 30 Years of Executive Level Sales and marketing and Real Estate Development.

Technical Skills - Content Creation and editing with Adobe Suite (Lightroom - Premiere Pro), Strategic Marketing Plans, and active marketing campaign management using Meta Advertising (Facebook, Instagram), Google Ads, and Bing Ads. Avid Photographer, Drone Pilot, and Video Content Development. Experienced public speaker & contract negotiator.

WHY I DO THIS?

John Hillman - Founder & Broker from Cabana Lane on Vimeo.

WHY WE STARTED CABANA LANE?

UNUSUAL FACT

My 3rd career will be hydroponic farming!

INSPIRATION

Dawn, the Boys, the great outdoors, traveling and experiencing something for the first time

PERFECT DAY

Coffee on the porch, selling a property or two, body surfing, dinner out, and a nitecap on the porch!

BIGGEST CHALLENGE

Not enough hours in they day

CABANA LANE IS

about creating, solving, finding, laughing and celebrating Postcard Living

What my clients say ❤️

"John has been amazing to work with on our new property and home build on Amelia Island. He has been … Read More Read Less

"Fantastic experience working with Susan Lolley and her team. Susan made the entire process unbeliev … Read More Read Less

"Dawn was the listing agent on my house as well as a neighbor when I moved to Amelia Island. She per … Read More Read Less

"Dawn is an amazing real estate agent. Trying to purchase a property long distance is a challenge but … Read More Read Less

"Dawn and John were a real pleasure to work with on all three of our transactions on the Island in th … Read More Read Less

"Dawn sold us our house here in Fernandina Beach! She had been amazing through the whole process and … Read More Read Less

"When we asked John and Dawn Hillman of Cabana Lane to list our home in 2021, we didn’t know it would … Read More Read Less

"It is always a privilege to offer a sincere compliment to an individual and/or company. My wife and … Read More Read Less

"We have purchased property, planned construction, and sold property with and through Cabana Lane. Jo … Read More Read Less

"We were extremely pleased with the professionalism of Cabana Lane. Dawn and John took the time to ge … Read More Read Less

JOHN'S TAKE ON POSTCARD LIVING

HELLO, I'M JOHN HILLMAN...

Simply, I'm a pretty lucky guy. I've been able to see and do many things in my fifty years of life. I somehow talked Dawn into marrying me nearly three decades ago, we have two beautiful sons, and we have lived in most places people like to vacation. A few tropical locations, a stop in Dallas, Las Vegas, Naples, and now Amelia Island. I'm a self-professed "dirt guy." I love raw land and how you examine the size, views, daylight, and breezes, then start to imagine what can go there. I probably wish I had a second life as I probably would have been an architect as I enjoy the process of design and use of materials. I'm passionate about design that leans into the history of a region or town.

While I can roll with the artful conversations, I'm also a living, breathing sales and marketing guy. I'm never afraid to listen first and then prescribe what I believe to be the path forward. I believe a "no" is just one step away from a "yes." My batting average has produced some pretty nice wins over the years, and I'm still thirsty and ready to roll up my sleeves to make things happen. My MBA brain will ensure whatever we do together, we will have a strategy and a clear process. The fun-loving side of me likes to keep it real and light, and there are bound to be some belly laughs and some "bless their heart" moments. Lastly, good or bad, I'm a workaholic. I'm also a passionate nerd searching for what technology or tools we can use to tell our story and find our audience. Real Estate is constantly changing, and there will always be questions to be answered. My home is that you will allow me to be your trusted partner in finding, developing, or selling your next home.

Cabana Lane is the cumulation of 20 years of luxury real estate development and over $1.4 Billion in real estate transactions. We are a boutique real estate company focused on brokerage, design, and construction with a solution-oriented focus. Dawn Hillman & I founded the company to look to bring our years of doing this on luxury projects across the United States and deliver this to our local market. As we like to say, we don't scare easily, so bring us a property in need of some love and affection, and we will help you figure it all out. Stay tuned as we build out Cabana Lane with our talented team of professionals and our eco-system of those in the trade who make the magic happen every day. As Founder, I will be the bus driver, janitor, bartender, coach, and photographer. You won't be surprised to see me running a pole saw to get a lot ready for sale as there is no job too big or small that I won't tackle. Let the fun begin!