Time of payback on down payment

[Eric Barnette]

Does anyone look at how long it takes to make your money back on your initial investment (down payment)?  I am just starting out and I can't get over waiting 5+ years to make my initial $30K down payment back.  Am I looking at this angle all wrong?  Is there a standard average to look at (i.e. shoot for properties with less than 7 years to make down payment back)?  I will take me forever to acquire properties when I keep putting down money for down payments and will take a long time to make that money back.