A real estate broker, in order to recover commissions, must show either a consummation of the sale or the obtaining of a purchaser; the mere fact, however, that the contract was within the statute of frauds does not preclude a recovery for commissions, if a willingness to perform the same is shown. Carter v. Simpson, 130 I11. App. 328; McKenna v. Harvie, 38 Minn. 18, 35 N. W. 668. This is true also in the case of a contract to exchange properties. Schulte v. Meehan, 133 I11. App. 491.