Sticky relocation situation

Cliffs below.

As I mentioned in my "how to get job offers to hurry up" thread a few weeks ago, I was planning to relocate to the Atlanta area. I had spent only a few days there and, as is known for large cities, and especially in the area I was looking to rent, it is difficult to judge a good area from a bad area without getting out and seeing it. As I was previously in Vermont, this limited my options for finding a place to rent.

So upon accepting one of my offers, which gave me a cash payment instead of relo-assistance, I started using Craigslist to try to find a place. Being out of state, it made it quite difficult to find anyone willing to work with me. A few did though, and I thought I had found a winner. I was told to fill out an application and a months rent through a bill pay site to hold the place. I requested more photos and a way to reach the prior tenants, so I could get a better feel before making the journey, to no avail.

Upon driving there (15 hours that particular day), I pull up in the UHaul dragging my car to see a dump. All of the photos on CL had been at least 5 years old. There had been no yard maintenance in at least half a year, the door had been kicked in, and there were shattered bottles and needles all over the place. Drunk wanderers were mulling about the area as well. A cleaning crew was there and could tell they still had their work cut out for them. The LL showed up about 30 minutes late and started his pitch, and I told him that this wasn't going to work. He acted quite upset that he had put in so much effort to turn the place around so quick, work with me out of state, show up on the 4th of July, etc. I told him I would like my money back and I was finding a hotel.

He said the deposit was non-refundable. At this point, I had signed no lease, only an application. The application specifically calls the required one month's rent earnest money, which by definition is refundable should no contract be signed.

I have disputed the charges on my CC, as the LL has avoided any and all contact with me. I went over to the place today to get photos, and he has already replaced the door and has a crew working on yard. It makes it more obvious that he was attempting to take advantage of me.

Will I get my money back? What else can I do should CC company not judge in my favor?

CLIFFS:
Try to rent place 1200 miles away on CL.
Realize it is misrepresented.
Try to get "earnest money" back from LL, he says no. File dispute with CC charge.
What to do now?