KNOXVILLE, Tenn. (WVLT) -- The soles of Jim Hutchens' shoes might be dirty, but going door to door throughout Historic Parkridge is all about cleaning it up.

"We give 'em a notice, we mail the owner a notice and notify the tenant that they have a problem. We give them 10-days to correct the problem, said Hutchens, Codes Inspector for the City of Knoxville.

Hutchens joined Bob Davis and 7 others from Knoxville Codes Enforcement in this first of many one-days sweeps.

"What we're doing here is to simply educate people about their obligations to maintain their property in a way that enhances their community," said David Massey. Neighborhoods Coordinator for the City of Knoxville.

"I'm all for it. I'm glad they come in here and enforce the codes and stuff like you said it cleans up the neighborhood, Parkridge home-owner Gerald Hodges told WVLT.

"We've had issues in our neighborhood."

For some residents of Historic Parkridge, this program couldn't come soon enough. Joanna Diaz owns a single family home and takes pride in how her property looks. Her neighbors, not so much.

"Personally where I live there are 2 condemned houses next to us that are actually attracting a lot of raccoons in the area, getting into our houses. It's an eyesore for when people try and sell a house. The neighborhood's not looked at in a good way," Diaz, said.

And it doesn't take a real estate expert to tell you about how a neighbor's lack of up-keep can effect your property value.

Diaz said "Of the people who came to look at our house when it was up for sale, that was a question that was asked by every person that came to look. What's going on with these houses right over here?"

Hutchens and his crew will keep walking, with the goal of sprucing up Knoxville...One community at a time.

"If they've got a violation, they need to clean it up and the regular inspector will follow-up in 10-days on what we find."