I want to put it somewhere each pay period (I'm going to be putting away about $300+/month) where it can GROW, but when I'm ready to use it, maybe as a downpayment, or as my "skin in the game" in a partnership deal, I won't be facing a penalty for withdrawing that cash?

There are always many ways to skin the cat...

Just being in that place at that time requires empathy and sometimes tough skin for the threats and curses.

Unlike what they teach you in books, capital raising takes a lot of persistence, creativity, and thick skin.

Scott, 10% and 2 points on private money and yes we had skin in the game also.

The rest I could bring in with cash to have skin in the game.Additionally, if a deal at this size proves itself difficult I would be interested in doing a SFH with the same LTV to establish some roots in the US, before jumping on the multis.  

When you decide to reach out to people who've files probate to buy their house then you've got to have some thick skin and be armed with experience on how to address their specific issues.

Some may require 6 months or 1 year or longer of ownership before they will allow you to cash out your "skin in the game" even if the loan to appraised value is adequate.

Many can see and recognize a need exists, however it takes a lot of courage and self confidence to take action and put up a lot of your own skin in the game and create an entrepreneurial solution for that need.

Raising private funds for an earnest money deposit is hard; people investing passively expect the deal "sponsor" to have some "skin" in the game as well as a successful track record.