However lack of communications from your GC / builder I agree frustrating and can be a killer to the GC's reputation..

I'm wondering though...if you buy a new constructon, will builders still pay for a buyer's agent fee?

These builders built the cheapest that code will allow.  

So, if interest rates are a buyer’s primary roadblock, then I recommend negotiating a rate buydown at a seller’s expense or looking at new construction, where builders are offering rate reductions and other substantial incentives.

I do have a builders risk policy.

I'm impressed by what I've seen from Quality Builders.

Hello, I am looking at building a primary residence with one of the large builders in my area.

This might help narrow down the best fit in terms of lender type.Do you have any prior construction experience or a builder on board?

For example, if we're selling Paper Lots to a national builder, we would want to fit as many lots on the site as we can, because builders pay on a "per lot" basis. 

I have extensive experience in finance, but not as a builder.