Max the retirement accounts AND save the rest in a taxable account. Don't worry about tying up your money! fill the tax advantaged coffers first, THEN the taxable accounts for things like down payment, rental property purchases and other large investment actions before retirement. Sounds like you are young, but don't worry, that is where only a portion of your wealth will accumulate for decades, tax free. once you have that cash stashed, and you are thinking about early retirement, then divert your saving to a taxable account that will be your funding source between your early retirement age and 59.5. Once you start saving a shitload of money because you are only living on 20-30% of your income, you will realize that the retirement account contribution limitations still leaves you with a shitload of money to invest in a taxable account or rental property, or whatever! Focus your time and energy on minimizing your expenses and establishing a lifestyle that allows you to 'stash the cash' and you will have so much in a taxable account, that the retirement accounts will just be gravy anyway.
Cheers,
Scott