John Hillman

Founder & Broker

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

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

Cabana_Lane_Group-3748

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. 

Education:
University Of Arizona,
Member Austin Board of Realtors

Skill set:
Luxury home sales; Waterfront property; extensive background/training in Sales, Communications and Negotiating Techniques

Areas serviced:
Austin and surrounding communities

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

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!

WHEN YOU GET ME, YOU GET US

Cabana_Lane_Headshots-3268

3 Favorite Things

About Cabana Lane

Cabana_Lane-1567

WORKING EACH DAY WITH THIS ONE

5-APG04244

DEVELOPING & CREATING

JOHN – mowing

NO JOB TO BIG OR TWO SMALL

3 Of My

Favorite Things

Fernandina Cottage Home

FERNANDINA ARCHITECTURE

Downtown – Centre Street

SPENDING AS MUCH TIME AS I CAN DOWNTOWN

Beach – Aerial – Amelia Island Plantation

FINDING TIME FOR THIS

What my clients say ❤️

"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
"1. Personal, always on the clock & no question is too small… Love the team of Dawn & John! 2. Excell Read More Read Less
"We would like to express our gratitude to a dynamo team that helped us move forward in purchasing ou Read More Read Less
"John and Dawn are THE area pros for all things in and around Amelia Island/Fernandina. They will hel Read More Read Less
"John and Dawn are great to work with. We have worked on multiple projects with this this dynamic duo Read More Read Less

Listings you’ll love

with the expert advice you deserve.

  1. Photo of 2957 RIVERBEND Walk, Fernandina Beach, FL 32034 (MLS # 106316)
    $1,550,000
    Photo of 2957 RIVERBEND Walk, Fernandina Beach, FL 32034 (MLS # 106316)
    Photo of 2957 RIVERBEND Walk, Fernandina Beach, FL 32034 (MLS # 106316)
    2957 RIVERBEND Walk, Fernandina Beach, FL
    2957 RIVERBEND Walk
    Fernandina Beach, FL
    • 4 Beds
    • 4 Baths
    • 3,111 Home (sqft)
    • 4 Baths
    • 11,200 Lot (sqft)
  2. Photo of PARK Avenue, Fernandina Beach, FL 32034 (MLS # 106209)
    $595,000
    Photo of PARK Avenue, Fernandina Beach, FL 32034 (MLS # 106209)
    Photo of PARK Avenue, Fernandina Beach, FL 32034 (MLS # 106209)
    PARK Avenue, Fernandina Beach, FL
    PARK Avenue
    Fernandina Beach, FL
    • 0 Beds
    • 0 Baths
    • 0 Home (sqft)
    • 0 Baths
    • 6,073 Lot (sqft)
  3. Photo of PARK Avenue, Fernandina Beach, FL 32034 (MLS # 106195)
    $595,000
    Photo of PARK Avenue, Fernandina Beach, FL 32034 (MLS # 106195)
    Photo of PARK Avenue, Fernandina Beach, FL 32034 (MLS # 106195)
    31
     
    PARK Avenue, Fernandina Beach, FL
    PARK Avenue
    Fernandina Beach, FL
    • 0 Beds
    • 0 Baths
    • 0 Home (sqft)
    • 0 Baths
    • 6,073 Lot (sqft)
  4. Photo of 96220 LONG BEACH Drive, Fernandina Beach, FL 32034 (MLS # 106017)
    $465,000
    Photo of 96220 LONG BEACH Drive, Fernandina Beach, FL 32034 (MLS # 106017)
    Photo of 96220 LONG BEACH Drive, Fernandina Beach, FL 32034 (MLS # 106017)
    96220 LONG BEACH Drive, Fernandina Beach, FL
    96220 LONG BEACH Drive
    Fernandina Beach, FL
    • 3 Beds
    • 2 Baths
    • 1,786 Home (sqft)
    • 2 Baths
    • 10,834 Lot (sqft)
  5. Photo of 5010 SUMMER BEACH Boulevard #701, Fernandina Beach, FL 32034 (MLS # 105628)
    $1,195,000
    Photo of 5010 SUMMER BEACH Boulevard #701, Fernandina Beach, FL 32034 (MLS # 105628)
    Photo of 5010 SUMMER BEACH Boulevard #701, Fernandina Beach, FL 32034 (MLS # 105628)
    29
     
    5010 SUMMER BEACH Boulevard #701, Fernandina Beach, FL
    5010 SUMMER BEACH Boulevard #701
    Fernandina Beach, FL
    • 3 Beds
    • 2 Baths
    • 1,325 Home (sqft)
    • 2 Baths
    • 0 Lot (sqft)
  6. Photo of 19 N 5TH Street #2100, Fernandina Beach, FL 32034 (MLS # 105470)
    $899,000
    Photo of 19 N 5TH Street #2100, Fernandina Beach, FL 32034 (MLS # 105470)
    Photo of 19 N 5TH Street #2100, Fernandina Beach, FL 32034 (MLS # 105470)
    24
     
    19 N 5TH Street #2100, Fernandina Beach, FL
    19 N 5TH Street #2100
    Fernandina Beach, FL
    • 2 Beds
    • 2 Baths
    • 1,184 Home (sqft)
    • 2 Baths
    • 0 Lot (sqft)
  7. Photo of 19 N 5TH Street #3100, Fernandina Beach, FL 32034 (MLS # 105428)
    $1,695,000
    Photo of 19 N 5TH Street #3100, Fernandina Beach, FL 32034 (MLS # 105428)
    Photo of 19 N 5TH Street #3100, Fernandina Beach, FL 32034 (MLS # 105428)
    29
     
    19 N 5TH Street #3100, Fernandina Beach, FL
    19 N 5TH Street #3100
    Fernandina Beach, FL
    • 2 Beds
    • 2 Baths
    • 1,527 Home (sqft)
    • 2 Baths
    • 0 Lot (sqft)

My

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