Great bones! Work with a good kitchen designer to plan this. With the current renovation market having contractors booked 9-18 months out, and shortages of all the materials you're going to need, about all you can do here before moving in is to so some painting. Then plan that big remodel!

Start with a measured to scale diagram, and develop a higher budget than you think you need. Remodeling prices have jumped hugely in 2021. You might want to explore Remodeling Magazine’s Cost vs Value report, but the prices are way behind for 2021. No one can keep up with those daily commodity jumps. Good luck!

Are you planning to do the work yourself?

If you are hiring a GC, with current shortages of both labor and materials, you might not be moving into this house for another year. Does that work for your schedule and current living situation?

I could totally live in that kitchen until I had the time to fully consider what I want to do with it, I don't see anything so "wrong" with it that I wouldn't move in and live with for a while. Move in and take your time to get it right the first time rather than a rush job you may not be completely happy with.

mxk3 z5b_MI has the right idea.

Consider painting the entire house, including the kitchen, one color to suit your personal taste and then living in it as is for a while before making any major costly decisions (aside from overhead light fixture changes) .

Without looking too closely i would almost switch the kitchen with the dining room. Open up the walls to open up to the new dining room & living room.

As much as I'm like you and would want it ALL done before moving in, However, with COVID, I am hearing the wood and materials shortage is real and prices and time has gone up. Perhaps it's a blessing in disguise and you can live and plan at the same time. You may find you live and cook and dine differently in this new home. Fresh coats of paint and then see how you feel

I would live with it a while to see what does or doesn't work. That's actually a really nice eat-in with the beautiful window, and the rest of the rooms are nicely proportioned and seems like a good flow. The only thing I'd do sooner rather than later is remove the ceiling fan in the kitchen, and that's only because I think it doesn't fit so well with the style of the home.

I am not really one for knocking down walls unless absolutely needed, but I guess everyone now thinks an island is needed... not entirely sure why. The plan shown is really trying to shoehorn an island into a room where it will not add to the functionally or aesthetics of the room. I'd recommend you hire a professional right away to design a good remodel.

Kind of sad you hate the kitchen.

If you hate the kitchen, is the house priced low enough to justify the $30-60K investment that a new kitchen will cost?

I agree with the others. Move in, and live with it for a while. Its not all that bad, and I dont think the plan you posted from sellers is any better. The one thing I do like about your kitchen is the sink under the window. In the sellers plan, the sink is in the island. I would much prefer it right where it is now, with a window to see outside while working there. Its a nice large room so maybe removing walls, or at least total walls, isnt the best plan either. I dislike very much, having a kitchen open to a dining room, where guests look at the dirty dishes you used to cook their meal while eating. I have one like this. House was built that way, and no good way to change it.

there is no way you're going to renovate this kitchen before you move in. (unless you're not moving in until next year)

Even if we weren't in the middle of a building crisis, wood crisis, and remodeling overload, it would still take months to get this done.

move in, plan, and start working towards it.

Thank you all for your comments. I am a realtor….I see hundreds of homes a year. I have renovated two beach houses and flipped 11 homes throughout my 22 year career. When I am working with clients, I can easily see what needs to be done and give great suggestions. With this being something for me, I am more hesitant and even thought similar floor plan that I have been in dozens of times, this one is slightly different where several rooms are offset. You will notice that there isn’t a wall that is running the full length. I hope to find someone that might see something I am not seeing right now. I have family that does custom cabinetry so I don’t have problems getting the cabinetry that I need. I have a demotion crew ready to work. I have a hardwood floor guy that I haven’t gotten over there yet, but he assures me that since we don’t close until Sept 1, we are fine. The sellers are building and so this gives me time to round up the contractors I need. I do not need to sell to buy this one so we plan to take 6 months and get the kitchen the way we want before we move in. I hope this helps to answer some of the questions or concerns you have and that a designer can work with me. I do have one drawing from our family that owns the cabinet company…and there is what he drew just as a quick sketch.

One drawing

are you happy w/the current layout? if you do a bigger island, and the fridge is on the other side, that may be a PIA while preparing things. Can't tell if it's relocated in that picture.

you're taking down a wall? or no?

instead of doing a drawing of the entire room, just do one that shows the kitchen w/measurements.

You want to move the sink to the island? I'd prob leave it and do a stovetop where it is now. but the microwave in the island. or shift the wall overn/fridge.

The current layout is OK….not ideal for our entertaining needs. We have big parties, family functions, and holidays. We are likely moving the dining room to the livingroom so we can have a 12 foot table and make the current dining room a sitting room, small living room. We want to open the kitchen to the den if possible because I cook ALOT. And I would like to be involved in the activity in the family room. We have grown kids and two grandkids. Kids love to come with their spouses and have family dinners on Sunday nights and play games. We all cook together. I can MAKE this floor plan work but I would really like something wonderful and new.

[I just have to say I love the word ”unobtanium”.]

If you want something wonderful, then why not go that route? you won't be happy with a small makeover (and honestly, it's a waste of money)

If you just bought this home I"m guessing you're going to be there awhile.

Since you love to cook and entertain, then go hogwild and get what you want. time difference won't be that much different.

get a kitchen designer or hire a kitchen remodel company.