Have a few partners including the one from above that controls a few thousand units…for now I’m the investor, developer, builder, property manager.

All of the FHA lenders I speak with only allow 3rd party builders that have no relationship to the owner. 

What are some suggestions to find builder partners / builder buyers ?

If it paid off the builders could just go door to door to sellers and offer to split the profits.

After I quit my W2 and focus on full time investing I worked as a new home builder, did some whole house remodel projects as a GC, and of course some PM. 

Builders are just getting rid of inventory because they see demand dropping.

And either a construction company or a builder (depending on the scope) for an estimated cost. 

The builder put in a really paltry staircase that doesn’t match with the rest of the aesthetic of the home.

For example on each draw schedule they will send an inspector out to the property and do an inspection/report to the lender before giving more money to the builder.

Not every deal of course but enough of them to see softening in that asset class. in new builds your seeing builders offer closing credits  financing credits and some price reductions ( I have not personally had to yet) but I remain vigilante to  see if I need to do this to keep my projects moving along . 2008 style meltdown I agree with you..