The number of contracts to buy previously owned U.S. homes probably fell in June for a second time in three months, a sign the housing market is straining to regain its footing two years into the expansion, economists said before a report today. A 2 percent decrease is projected after an 8.2 percent gain the prior month, according to the median forecast in a Bloomberg News survey of economists before the National Association of Realtors report. Separate figures may show jobless claims fell last week. “Housing has continued to bounce along the bottom of the ranges,” said Sean Incremona, a senior economist at 4Cast ... (full story)