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Buying a new home? You probably have some ideas in mind of what you'd like to see in your home. You probably know how many bedrooms and bathrooms you want. Whether you want a one- or two-story home. A two- or three-car garage. How much home you want in square footage. Those are the big things most people think about. One homeowner says she loves her 20-year-old home, but there was one annoyance she didn't discover until after moving in. The backyard was on a steep slope. Too steep for a swing set. In buying a new home, the owner never considered what the backyard could be like. As you browse DFW floorplans, here are three questions to ask before buying a new home.

1. What do you want out of your home in five years?

Many people move into a new home before marriage, having children, or collecting stuff. If pets or children are in the five-year plan, you'll want to ensure you have enough room for them. Well, for pets, it may require choosing wooden floors over carpeting and having a fenced backyard. But if you're a cat person not a dog person, then a grassy backyard with an enclosed fence may not be a priority. Maybe you want to list your place on a service like Airbnb or parents or adult children move in with you. In this case, you might ask about having a separate entrance for your guest. Some DFW builders have floorplans where it'd have an apartment-like place inside the home. An apartment will allow everyone to have privacy.

1. How much storage space do you need?

It's a lot cheaper to opt for more square footage than it is to rent a storage unit or add on to a house. You may not have a lot of stuff … yet. And that's one reason why you want to move to a bigger place. It's an opportunity to buy items you want to use but don't have the space to store it. Are you an adventurist? You'll want to store camping gear, ski equipment, surfing supplies, bicycles, and more. These can take up space. And some items you'll only use on a seasonal basis. Do you love to decorate for the holidays? Holiday decorations also sit in storage for most of the year until the season comes up. Will you do the mowing and gardening? If so, where will you store these things? An outdoor shed? In the garage?

1. How will you use your home?

Obviously, your home will be a place to hang your hat, eat, and sleep. Do you have a hobby that might take up a room? Sewing? Rebuilding cars? Movie watching? You might want a craft room, a bigger garage, or a home theater. Do you like to entertain family and friends? In this case, you'll want to give thought to the rooms downstairs and the kitchen. A kitchen island is a great place to serve food buffet-style. It's also a great place to chop, roll, and create. Will you cook a lot? A double-oven may be a good way to go. A well-designed pantry also helps organize your spices, dry ingredients, canned goods, and whatever else you keep in there. Don't let what happened to the homeowner with a steep hill of a backyard happen to you. Think about how you plan to use the backyard. Playground? Barbecuing? Relaxing? Swimming? Also, think about what you want in a neighborhood. Talk to your builder. Builders like Sandlin Homes can help round out the questions and help you think of things you hadn't considered. While you're at it, here are questions to ask your DFW homebuilder and tips for finding a perfect floorplan.